A/N: Shorter than I'd like, but writing while in pain hurts. A lot.
This story has finally been upgraded to M, as requested. Hope you're ready.
Read this note, would you kindly? Got some important info. Big changes are coming to this site.
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire.
It HURTS to say that, but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, many authors are leaving the site in droves.
If you're not already aware, ever since the 16th of November, you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings-MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!-else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it. Authors are leaving/quitting in droves because of this.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system.
As ever the Embers rule persists, reviews are my fuel, my fire, my life. Without them, I lose all inspiration, all hope, all ability to write. That's no joke. I have so little time to write these days with two jobs, and silence hurts. So by all means, speak up! Make yourselves heard! Every bit of feedback, no matter how small or large, matters! Really, it helps a lot. Its a joy to talk with you all and bandy ideas back and forth; it really is. Sorry if this seems shorter than usual, working on a tight schedule here.
No questions to answer this time, too many spoiers lie ahead. With that said here we go. I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes! They're merely tributes.
"That's life? No! If this is what you call a city, then the CITY needs to change!"
"Big talk kid, but can you back it up?"
...just watch me."
~?
Down and Dirty
It was a massacre.
No other word for it, David mused.
"Naruto" tore right through the MaxTac squad.
There was no finesse to the fight that followed, not style, no grace. He was in their face. Blood spattered all over the place. All the while he stood by, horrified, unable to do anything but watch the slaughter. Armor parted like paper and flesh with it. He was a golden wraith among them; never pausing for even an instant. Bullets bounced off hardened golden skin only to be caught and flung back, ripping apart their owners. Bodies hit the floor, sundered beneath cruel claws, light and shadow.
And the laughter. Fucking hell, the laughter. Reinforcements didn't mean jack shit; not when he was laughing like that.
He said something about switching with someone called Kurama, earlier. Was this him?
If so, he didn't want to fuck him with. Damn choom was crazy!
"What's wrong?!" Wild red eyes rounded on the survivors. "Is this the best you have to offer?!"
Someone unloaded a shotgun into his still-glowing face. Naruto barked a laugh and-spat the buckshot back to annihilate the shooter's head. The man's ruined body teetered in place before a crushing kick caught his chest and launched him into his fellows, sending them sprawling to the floor. Grenade pins clattered to the floor in his wake.
Kurama spun one such ring round a golden finger. "Missing these?"
The corpse detonated, taking three more men with him in a hail of shrapnel and napalm. One of the survivors screamed.
Said scream died in a gurgle as clawed fingers kissed their throat.
"Hush, you." a lazy backhand broke their neck and put them out their misery. "That said, I am profoundly unimpressed." Naruto reached into his mouth and picked out a stray shell. "Is this really what passes for jutsu in this day and age? Small wonder Naruto didn't want to deal with you. Alright." he tilted his head. "Which one of you wants next?"
A hand clamped down on David's shoulder. "Freeze, you freak! Don't move! I've got a hostage!"
Kurama sighed. "No, you don't."
On that, they agreed.
David let his Sandevistan flare and felt the world slow around him. It was always a bit trippy, watching everything wind down to a crawl. Everyone save Naruto, at any rate. No time to dwell on that. He jammed an elbow backward. His rewarded was a grunt of pain...followed by an awful crunch. His would-be-captor crumpled like a house of cards.
Just as well he did too; because Naruto had just decapitated the last of them, and now he was turning towards him..
"Hey!" He waved his way frantically. "Slow down over there! I've got a prisoner!"
The bloodied blond rounded on him. Those red eyes dimmed.
"Huh." he swayed on his feet, echo gone from his voice.
A hand patted David's bloody Mohawk.
"Good boy."
(.0.0.0.)
They came home covered in blood.
Gloria knew it wasn't paint; paint didn't look like that, and it certainly smell like that. Their chagrined expressions didn't do wonders for their confidence, either. Maine didn't help matters any; the big guy took one look at them, tipped his shades down and whistled like a proud parent. She would've smacked him if he were in arms reach. He knew better and stayed well out of her grasp to evade her wrath. Cheeky prat, always coming by when she least expectedit. She'd have to tell Dorio about this. Maybe have her knock him around the ring a little.
"David Martinez!" Alas, that left her planting both fists on her hips and glaring bloody red daggers at her son. "Explain yourself, young man!"
Her boy, her sweet, baffling boy, grimaced a little. "I can explain...?"
Gloria growled. "Can you, now?
Her son winced. "...actually, I can't. But he can!"
"Me?!" Naruto squawked, alarmed to find the finger pointed his way. "Oi! How on earth is this my fault?! You're the one who took a witness!"
"Yeah, but you agreed!"
Belatedly, she noticed the groaning MaxTac soldier being dragged behind them. One of them must've had the wherewithal to throw a sack over his head; because the poor bastard was likewise bound and gagged. Someone had even stuff crags into his ears. No chance of him finding out where he was or more importantly, who they were.
"Figured we might have some questions." Naruto shrugged, dragging her back to reality once more. "But this guy won't talk."
"We can fix that." Maine bulled their way. "I'll give Kiwi a call. Maybe Sasha or Lucy in a pinch."
David perked up. "Lucy?"
Gloria nearly throttled him on the spot. Of course he'd focus on that part...!
Naruto elbowed him as the larger man reached down slung their hostage over his shoulder. "Down, loverboy. You can make kissy faces at her later."
"Says the guy eyieng-ack!" He grunted a Naruto's elbow sheathed itself in his gut, doubling him over.
"That's going to be your go to insult wit me, ain't it?
David grinned around his hand-until Maine snatched him up as well. "Hey?!"
"C'mon, kid. Lets give these two a minute, eh?"
Gloria growled. "I need a word with you...
(.0.0.0.)
The door closed behind them with an ominous click.
Naruto paced inside and flung himself down onto the couch, counting the seconds. Three. Six. Nine, now. And yet despite his trepidation, Gloria didn't explode. She didn't rant or rage or even try to hit him. That alone won her more points than Sakura ever had. But she wasn't happy with him, either. He knew that look, he'd seen it in Tsunade's eyes a time or two.
Yet when she finally spoke her voice was eerily calm. "What went wrong?"
Wuh-oh.
"Everything." he palmed his face with a sigh. "David wanted to talk somewhere private. We got ambushed. Simple as that.
"I gathered that much." she pinched the bridge of her nose and stifled a sigh of her own. "Do you realize what you've done? Do you even know who attacked you?"
He tilted his head. "Should I?"
"MaxTac!" here at last she raised her voice. "They go after cyberpsychos. Someone sent them after you and David."
Strange terminology there. "I don't feel psycho."
If anything he felt downright light after letting Kurama out to slaughter those goons. Not that he'd every tell anyone.
"I should hope not." Gloria sank down into the seat opposite him, distracting him once more. "Putting aside the fact that you don't have a single piece of hardware in or ON you. But it doesn't change the facts. Look at this." She held up her wrist and a bit of light flashed forth from it, coalescing into an image. His face stared back at him and beneath it...oh. Oh, that was a thing. "See what I mean?"
"That's a pretty big bounty." Bigger than he liked. And they wanted him alive? "Why? I didn't do anything."
"Naruto!"
"What?" he glowered back at her. "I didn't." Realization dawned. "You're angry."
"I'm not angry." Gloria leaned away, temper faltering under his stoic stare. "I'm livid. But not at you. I...need some space."
Was this her way of kicking him out? He couldn't begrudge her that. He couldn't deny that he'd brought down his fair share of heat on her. No idea why these people were after him, but he couldn't deny the chance that his being near her might put her in danger. Maybe he ought to find a different place to crash for awhile.
"Alright." he climbed to his feet. "Don't gotta tell me twice."
Imagine his surprise then, when Gloria balked. "You're agreeing so easily?"
"Well, I'm indebted to ya for helping me out." he scratched the back of his head with a rueful smile. "Don't wanna see you and David get hurt."
"You should be more worried for yourself!" she snatched at his sleeve. "This is a massive bounty!"
He wasn't worried. They'd never be able to collect. "Meh. Seen higher."
"Listen to me!"
(.0.0.0.)
"Listen to me!"
Gloria knew he wouldn't the moment she said the words; knew it deep in her gut. Brave boy. Fearless boy. Foolish boy. He thought himself invincible. And maybe he was compared to the people here. Anyone who could tank gunfire and laugh about it wasn't someone she wanted to cross. There was a small part of her that understood that, and another that feared him. The rest of her wanted to shake him silly!
Did he not understand the danger?!
"I am." His face fell. "And I know what you'e trying to say. I can't stay here anymore, can I?"
Oh gods, now it felt like she'd kicked a helpless puppy.
...you can, you just can't go out for awhile."
"No." he shook his head with a pained noise. It hurt her heart. "We both know that ain't gonna work. I don't wanna put you and David in anymore danger than I already have."
She knew his reason, respected it, even. So why did this hurt so much? "Will you be safe? Everyone will be howling for your head. You won't be able to set a foot outside-
"Actually, yes." his smile startled her. "I can."
"What makes you think-
She was still speaking when he snapped his fingers. A plume of smoke surrounded him. When it faded she found herself looking at...well, herself.
Gloria damn near choked on her spit. "The hell?!"
"See?" her doppelganger laughed with her voice, flashed her a saucy wink, and performed a merry little twirl in place, all the while smiling in a wild way she never would. "Told you. I'll be just fine."
"How can you turn into me?!
"Not just you." her mirror image winked at her. "Watch." With a flick of his fingers and another plume of smoke she found herself staring at Maine, then Rebecca. I can be anyone I wanna be. Can't find me when I'm pulling this now, can they? Hmm. A frown. "Don't like being this short. Lets try something else...
A shroud of smoke an he was back to normal, as though nothing had happened at all.
Gloria blinked. She blinked hard. "How?!"
"Just an old ninja trick." his smile was decidedly unabashed. "Got a few more, but they're not the subtle sort.
Her right arm began to itch again. Gloria gripped her wrist to quell it. She wanted to tell him about it, but it just didn't feel like the right time...
"Still, I need a proper disguise, and I don't wanna drag any of you into this, so...aha! I've got one." He vanished in a plume of smoke before her eyes, replaced by rather simple looking man with silver hair and dark eyes. At least she assumed he was, given his lower face was hidden behind a mask. "This'll do for now." he thumbed his hidden chin with a nod. He seemed almost nostalgic to be wearing such an ordinary face. "I'm sure sensei wouldn't mind me walking around like this.
Her world was spinning. It was all too much to take in. "Sensei?"
"Eh, it means teacher." he waved a hand her way. "Don't worry about it."
An ugly feeling bloomed beneath her bosom. It felt like fear. She was experiencing it an awful lot these days.
"I'm not worried about that!" She grabbed at his sleeve. "I'm worried about you! Don't you know what this means?!"
"I do." he dispelled the disguise and pried her fingers away with is own. She had to fight down a flush when he didn't let go of her hand, but rather raised it between the two of them, squeezing her palm tight. "I've never had a price on my head before, but I've known people who have. Its just a matter of finding the guy who put it out and...taking 'em out.
"When you say take him out...
He only smiled. She envied him his confidence. Among other things-
'Down girl!' she rebuked herself sternly for the slip, stomping that thought into oblivion. 'You barely know him.'
But didn't she know enough for now? He was brave and selfless, but beyond that, willing to look after David. A rare enough combination here in night city, yet the look in his eyes stirred something in her all over again. He was everything David's father wasn't and would never be.
He's someone who wold stay. A treacherous little voice whispered in the back of her mind. If you gave him reason to. What's the harm?
Gloria shushed it. She rubbed her thighs together, hips twisting from side to side. How long at it been? Too long. It wouldn't be anything serious. Just a tumble-
"Gloria?"
"Eh? she shook her head quickly to center herself. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"M'thinking about staying with Maine for a bit." his boyish grin had her heart skipping all over again. "He made me an offer earlier about a job...
"Oh." she fought down a flinch. "That's nice. You can trust him not to stab you in the back, if nothing else."
Naruto frowned. "...you kinda look like you wanna say something."
Gloria dearly did. She held her tongue. "No...nothing at all."
(.0.0.0.)
"Welcome aboard, kid! So you're gonna be hanging with us for a bit?"
Naruto heaved a sigh. Calm. Be calm.
This was for the best.
Calling this apartment rundown didn't even begin to describe it, but it would serve in the interim. He wasn't sure if Maine didn't trust him enough to bring him to his place yet, or if he was just trying to vet him before he introduced him to the rest of the crew. At least this sofa didn't have roaches...unlike the last one.
...not quite the word I'd use, but sure." he rolled his shoulders in a spry shrug. "And I ain't a kid.
Maine clapped him on the back. "After that massacre, I don't doubt it."
A familiar weight settled against his shoulders. "Neither do I~!"
Kurama sighed. "And there she is."
Naruto hid a rueful smile. "Hey, Becca."
"Long time no see!" he didn't miss the way she cozzied up to him. "Feels like forever since we saw each other."
A blond brow arched. ...its only been a few days."
"Semantics!"
Maine sighed. "Oi, Rebecca! Off his back. We're tryin' ta talk here...
"Nope!" she snuggled closer. "Hey, you didn't shack up with Red while I was away, didya?"
Red? Did she mean Gloria? Might as well answer. "No...?"
"Great." he could feel her breath warming his ear." Asking for a friend."
Forward little imp, this one...
"Flirting aside." Maine snatched a sullen Becca up and off him with a grunt, capturing his attention once more. "The point I'm making is this. You ain't afraid to get your hands dirty."
Why avoid it? They were already steeped in blood? He clearly couldn't talk his way out of every fight down here. Next time, and he just knew there would be a next time, he wouldn't hide behind Kurama. He'd gladly get his hands dirty if it meant Gloria and David could live a decent life.
...no," he said at last. "I'm not afraid of that."
"Oooh~!" Becca's wriggled free and plonked down beside him. "So you're not green after all, then. That's good. Means we won't have to babysit ya, at least."
Not in the least. He'd probably seen thrice the amount of combat she had.
...you have no idea."
He knew he'd chosen well when the big bruiser boomed a belly laugh. "That's more like it. Remember that job we talked about earlier?"
"I do." his head bobbed in a glum nod, recalling their prior conversation before he'd run off with David. "You asked how fast I was."
"Damn straight I did." Maine slung a beefy arm around his shoulders. "How do you feel about giving Arasaka a bloody nose?"
He perked up, eyes flashing. "How bloody?"
Maine's grin matched his own. "Now that's what I like to hear."
Speaking of blood...! An ingenious idea occurred to him. He'd just thought of a brilliant way to get back at Arasaka. "Hey, mind if I borrow Becca for a bit, first?"
"Eh?" Said girl blinked. "Me? What for-hey!" She squeaked as he rounded on her, all but pulling her into his lap, alarmed by his sudden forwardness. "Wait a second! I'm not ready! I haven't prepared my heart...!"
Naruto leaned closer, all but pressing his forehead to hers, heedless of her babbling. "You any good with a...?"
He whispered the rest into her ear. Her eyes widened, brain fizzled for a moment, then rebooted.
Then she grinned. It was a savage smile. "Wait...you thinkin' what I think your thinking?"
"Yuuup." he smacked his lips with an audible pop.
"That does it. I'm keepin' you!"
"You two gonna let me in on the secret here, or what?"
Naruto hummed. "You'll see. So can we head out for a bit, ooor...?"
Maine grinned. "Sure thing, I don't mind. Just don't go knocking Becca up-
Two fists, one large, the other small, absolutely dented the back of Maine's head.
A/N: Naruto's about to declare war in the one way no one in Cyberpunk expects...
Well? Whaddya think? Should this still 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 stays off the ground.
If not...well. Suppose it depends on you.
(Preview)
"Lemme introduce you to the gang. This here's Sasha. The sulky one over there is Kiwi and the long armed bastard's Pillar."
"Yo!"
"So this is the newbie?"
"Don't let you guard down. He hits like a truck."
Maine chortled softly. "Aaaand I see you've already met Dorio. Lucy's off on a job with Davis. You'll meet her later...
"Special, huh?"
Naruto laughed and stepped into the abyss.
"Lemme show ya something." He offered her his hand. "Do you trust me?"
Gloria eyed his hand. Her hand edged out over the gap, fingers threading through his own."Yes?"
"Great." he gripped her palm tight. "Then don't let go.
"Wait, wait! Whaddya mean don't let goooooo~?!"
They vanished in a streak of gold.
"People die here all the time, buddy." Becca shrugged." Dozens a day. You get used to it."
Naruto flinched. "That's not right. Life is sacred, it shouldn't be thrown away like that!"
She eyed him, challenging him. "Whatcha gonna do about it?"
...come with me."
"Don't test my limits. Won't end well for you."
"You have weaknesses, boy. All living creatures do. If they cannot strike at you, they will strike at those near you."
Gloria woke with a start.
"Bad dream?"
"Big guns?"
He flicked her a thumbs up. "Big guns."
"You don't seem to understand. When I said I DISLIKE killing...
Blood spattered the wall, painting his face.
...it doesn't mean I won't."
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.
I worked really hard on this, and I never have enough time to write these days, even so, I wanted to make folks happy...T_T
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 when I get back from work~!
R&R~!