A/N:...long have I waited to see Anissa in the show.

Much to my surprise, she was a lot more terrifying there than her comic counterpart...at least for now.

Now that's she's finally here, I can update this. Even with Long Covid kicking my butt. We'll keep this author's note short, lest the chronic fatigue wipe me out again.

That said, I hope you're ready for this chapter. It goes hard. We also have a tribute here to the late and great Akira Toriyama. May he rest in peace.

Now then, we'll be listing Naruto's current offspring in order from oldest to youngest from here on out to prevent confusion.

First and foremost, there's Samantha (Eve), then Joshua, Luca, Jessica, and finally little Amanda.

The quote below is from the show, rather, the latest episode. It proved most quite inspiring.

Finally, I listened to Requiem for a Dream while writing this chapter, on loop.

Really set the mood for this. You'll know when it kicks in.

I believe the exact link for said video on youtube was:

Requiem for a Dream - Best Trailer Music Ever!

Lastly, there's verbatim for Anissa as well.

"We're not our bodies; we're the decision we make, the lives we change, the people we love...

...or who love us. I won't forget that.

And neither should you."

~You Know Who.

Show Your Strength

"Unbelievable." Cecil flung down a sheaf of papers on his desk as Ferguson looked on. "Simply unbelievable."

His old friend balked. "Sir...?"

"Just look at this!" if looks could kill, the news articles would be a pile of smoldering ashes and his desk with a good bit of the floor besides. "We've got heroes AND villains coming out the woodwork to speak in support of this guy. The media's eating it up. And we're the ones left holding the bag."

Of course they were! A family of six kidnapped and experimented on by the GDA for twelve years. Who cared if it was a rogue branch; if that technically wasn't the truth? It was close enough, and if people loved a good tragedy, they loved a comeback story even more.

He'd forgotten just how well-loved Fire Shadow had been by the people. This boded poorly for the GDA. Erickson might be dead-he hoped so, although that slimy worm always seemed to have a backup plan- yet his actions just might see everything they'd ever built run into the ground.

They had to turn things around. But how...?

God forbid this got any worse.

It couldn't, right?

.

..

...right?


(.0.0.0.)


Anissa watched Naruto.

It was a rather curious thing, being an observer for once; to contemplate her catch from afar, rather than take action. She'd never done such before.

In truth, it proved something of a novel experience for her. Dare she say refreshing? Pondering her prey, letting her eyes feast upon his body as he went about his day, all the while seemingly unaware of her lingering presence nearby. If he was at all aware of her, he never gave any indication. She couldn't tell if he was playing dumb, or if he was simply blind.

No matter. She would have her answers eventually. And they would be sweet.

Ordinarily, when she wanted something, she took it. Such was the Viltrumite way. The strong survived, while the weak withered. She herself was a survivor of her people's purge long ago and then the horrid culling that followed because she'd been strong. She'd only become stronger still since.

And yet despite that, she did not act.

She continued her vigil for a day, then a week, followed by a month, almost an entire year, peering at this "Naruto" as he went about his day-to-day life. A hunter must know its prey before it struck, and she was nothing if not thorough. Her observations fed her hunger and curiosity both, all the while slaking her desire for more.

For you see, in observing, she learned.

This so-called Fire Shadow acted differently that most these so-called "heroes" did. He was not afraid to kill; nor did he hesitate to spill blood when necessary. Yet he was not a mindless killer, not some lunatic who lived for the slaughter, or took pleasure in the pain unlike some of her people -like the mad dog Conquest- often could and would in the field. No, Naruto was pragmatic with his violence. Thorough. Efficient. Ruthless. He may not be one of her people, but in battle, he fought like one. Because of that, his actions saved many. That much she could not deny.

Yet for all that she could see that his focus was elsewhere. It wasn't hard to see why.

All the while, his wife grew weaker despite his best efforts. She would die soon. It was inevitable.

Another concept that she simply did not understand. Why one wife? Why limit oneself to such a weakling when he could have whomever he pleased?

The woman was too weak to even have sex for crying out loud!

Yet for some reason, that did not diminish her in the eyes of Fire Shadow. She Absurd. Bafflement. Confounding!

This "Polly" had no powers to speak of, but her soon-to-be-lover held her in high regard all the same. Why?

Was it her mind? Wisdom and wit meant nothing without the strength to back it up.

In a fit of curiosity, she'd dared to come closer once, to peek through their window while they slept in the dead of night. The chit had somehow sensed her, awoken, and actually had the gall to wave at her before going back to bed. Her! As if she couldn't snap that weak woman in half! Was she brave? Foolhardy? Both?! Did she know something she didn't? Was this a trap of some sort?

Needless to say, she'd had kept her distance since.

A secondary thought nagged at Anissa as she continued her vigil, watching Fire Shadow eviscerate villain after villain. Why had Nolan summoned her here? Surely he could handle such a foe on his own. Was he playing games? She knew herself to be faster than him, if not stronger -it had been some time since they'd last fought- and yet here she was. She confessed herself curious about that much; a thought that often kept her awake at night, when she was forced to cease her vigil and seek sleep.

Nolan steadfastly avoided both her and her questions alike. He was using her for something; that much was clear. By all rights, she should warn Thragg.

And yet...

She wanted to have this Fire Shadow. Take him. Break him. Make him hers.

For a time, she considered threatening his family to force his cooperation. Such tactics had availed her well in the past-but no. Attacking his family was a one-way ticket to ensure he resisted her to the death; should any harm be inflicted upon them, the blond one would fly into a spectacular rage and ravage this planet. She could see he loved his spawn dearly and his mate moreso. Nolan had briefed her on their past. They were strong to have survived such. That, at least, she could respect.

How to get his attention, then? What did he value more than his life? What could she use as leverage against him?

Anissa did not know. So she continued to watch. And all the while her anger gnawed at her.

Until finally...one day...her patience reached its limit.


(.0.0.0.)


"Listen, you two. I came to this world with a purpose; I'm practically the last of my kind. And as my eldest children, there are...certain things you should know."

Eve and Joshua sat before him on the grass in the afternoon sunlight, legs folded beneath them, rapt with attention.

It was the latter who raised their hand. "What things, dad?"

Naruto smiled as s sudden surge of pride struck him. Clever boy. His son had come far from the ill-tempered brute he'd battled on the highway that day. Almost felt like a lifetime ago now, ya know?

By the sage, he was getting old. The thought

He'd considered flying them out to a deserted island for this to avoid any prying eyes, but thought better of it. If they were going to learn what it was to be Shinobi, might as well do it in their own backward. Cecil could watch from his satellites and squirm all he liked. It wouldn't change anything.

Which meant there could be no more stalling; Kurama knew he'd been dallying long enough now.

But he was afraid; once he opened pandora's box, as it were, there could be no closing it.

He heaved a sigh. "Lemme tell you about chakra...

What followed was a rigorous lesson about both the basics and the bare-bones of his own education in the realm of chakra. He hadn't exactly paid attention in class as a boy; most of what he'd learned came from trial and error -lots of errors!- alongside a great many mentors. He learned by doing, not by seeing, and it reflected in his own teaching style. He'd start with Samantha and Joshua, then work his way down to the younger kids once he was certain they could be grasp his teachings.

...in short, it lets you do all sorts of things." he demonstrated further by conjuring a rasengan to his hands. No need to freak them out with a transformation jutsu. They weren't ready for that level of subterfuge or shinobi espionage just yet, and he preferred that card close to his chest. "My blood runs thick in your veins, so you're both guaranteed to have chakra. How you use it is up to you."

Joshua's eyes practically sparkled. "I want that!"

"I'll teach you it, don't worry." he preened a little. "But you'll have to practice."

Even leaned in, regarding the spiraling sphere in his palms. "So its like what I have?"

"You have a form of it, yes." his head bobbed in a nod. "In a way, your powers are sorta like old man Onoki's bloodline, except you can go much further with them."

"Question!" Joshua's hand shot up. "Who or what's an Onoki?"

Naruto couldn't quite hide his smile. "An old friend...

He chuckled as an image of the surly old geezer in question flitted before his mind. The Tsuchikage -that is to say Earth Shadow- would've been delighted to meet Eve. Delighted, and probably a little jealous once he saw what she could do. After all, her abilities dwarfed his own; and no, that wasn't a dig at his height; it was the simple truth.

Samantha had the power to change the world; he'd seen it with his own eyes when she wiped the mind of her so-called foster parents. Even now, years after the fact, Adam and Betsy Wilkins didn't remember Eve, or him for that matter. He'd checked in on them periodically to make certain. They'd moved on and against all odds, somehow managed to have an actual child of their own. A baby boy at that. Good for them. Had either of them presented any sort of threat, he would've eliminated them by now.

No one but NO ONE was taking his family from him. If that meant dying his hands red so they could keep theirs clean...well. So be it.

But back to the matter at hand. Not only could she affect physical matter, but she could alter people as well...or she had been able to, for a brief moment that day. She had so much potential! If they could figure out how to breach those limits again and KEEP them open, then maybe they could save-

A shadow fell over them and his smile faded with it.

...but it seems that story will have to wait." he looked up. "We have a guest."

Kurama stirred in his mind. "Well, well. Our mysterious voyeur finally reveals herself."

About damn time. He'd been wondering when "she" would show up. Polly had even mentioned seeing her from their window, once. He'd been tempted to act then and there, but as she'd not made any aggressive moves toward them, he'd been inclined to let her be.

Not so now.

At a glance she seemed your-every-day-superhero, clad in pale cloth descending from on high; a slender beauty with dark hair and piercing eyes gliding down out the sky. She was certainly beautiful, he'd give her that much. But his vision went well beyond skin deep. Her gaze was sharp, and though her body posture appeared neutral, he could tell she was ready for a fight; able to spring into action at a moment's notice. This woman was a fighter through and through, and as she alighted upon the grass before, an ugly thought occurred to him.

Why was someone on Nolan's level -or maybe higher?- coming down here to meet him out of the blue?

"Naruto Uzumaki." her voice was a low, husky purr, brisk and efficient. "We must speak."

Eve and Joshua scampered behind him, afraid, but ready to fight if it came to that.

He hoped it wouldn't. His kids were strong, make no mistake; they were capable, powerful even, but this woman was well out of their league. He stood a little straighter, arms spread out on either side of him to keep them back, and took a step forward, placing himself firmly in harm's way. It worked; her gaze focused on him and him alone. She only had eyes for him.

...you're not one of Cecil's, are you?" he asked of her.

The newcomer frowned. "I know no such Cecil."

Huh. She was telling the truth. Curious.

"Alright, then." he glanced her up and down, frowning. "Lady, whatever you're selling, I ain't buying it. How about you kindly shove off-

"Ignore me and your wife will die."

Behind him, Eve and Joshua slammed down to their knees with a gasp and struggled to stand. Naruto couldn't blame them for their fear; the sheer killing intent he was radiating could've flatlined an elephant...and yet for all that, his newfound guest didn't budge. The way she stared at him with complete and utter certainty didn't frighten him; on the contrary, it only angered him further.

A golden spark snarled between his teeth, eyes gleaming gold as he loomed over her. "Was that a threat?"

"No." her words confused him. "It is the truth. There is a difference. Do you wish to save your wife?"

His temper all but choked the words on his tongue. "What. Do you. Want?"

"To talk." she looked past him to his quivering children. "Somewhere we can speak alone."

He immediately moved to block her, eyes blazing like twin coals in his skull. "Don't you DARE-

"I will not harm them, if that is your concern." her eyes flitted back to him with the slightest of smiles. "I was merely admiring them. You made strong children. They are right to fear you." something hardened in her gaze just then and he wasn't sure he liked it. "Say your farewells and meet me in the sky over the ocean. Do not keep me waiting. Be quick."

She shot into the air with a sonic boom of sound, blasting his bangs back as she perforated the clouds above.

Shoulders slumping, he dropped the killing intent, exhaled, and turned to face his children.

He needn't have; Eve and Joshua practically barreled into his chest.

"Don't worry," he drew them in for a quick hug before they could cry and held them tight. "Daddy's gotta save the world again. I'll be right back."

Eve clutched at him. "She said she could save mom...

"No way!" Joshua was of an entirely different opinion. "She's lying! You can't trust her!"

He didn't; but he wasn't about to say that aloud. False hope was the most poisonous kind. He knew from experience. And yet the woman's words nagged at him, unwilling to be ignored. But the idea of leaving the kids and Polly alone just now, vulnerable, even with his shadow clones...it didn't sit right with him. This could be a trap. An elaborate trick to draw him away, allowing his enemies to strike...

.

..

...damnitall.

He released them, stepped back, fished a small device from his utility belt and pressed it into Eve's hands.

"Go to your mother and tell her to use this to call War Woman. Tell her everything that just happened. Do you understand?"

She nodded.

Joshua wiped his eyes fitfully. "What're you gonna do?"

"Something stupid."

He delivered a quick kiss to each of their foreheads one after the other, stood up, braced his legs, and rocketed after the mystery woman. From there it took him less than an instant to soar into the clouds and leave land behind, rendering the world an indistinct grey-green, then blue blob below. From there he pivoted in search of the Stranger, to no avail.

Now where had she...

"I apologize for that remark about your mate, but it was the only way to make certain you would follow without alerting your friends...

Naruto pivoted in the air, annoyed to find she'd somehow gotten behind him. "And you are?

"You may call me many things." she planted a fist on her hip and smiled, ever so slightly. "Partner, lover, mate. Whichever you prefer. But you will be mine; you simply haven't realized it yet."

He didn't deign to rise to her bait; not when that was what she wanted. "I'm not hearing a name amidst all the bragging...

...I am Anissa." the woman replied. "You're certainly capable for one of your kind. Exceptionally so."

His brow furrowed. "One of my kind?"

"I wish to see your strength for myself." There was something in the way she said the last words, practically purred it really; that set every fiber of his being on edge. "Are you strong?"

He lifted his chin and crossed both arms before his chest. "Stronger than you."

"Many have made such a claim. But before that," she lowered her arm and floated past him, regarding the ocean below and the islands dotting it. "We've studied this planet. Did you know that this planet's civilization has a less than eighteen percent chance of surviving the next two centuries without the loss of billions of lives?"

"What of it?"

"So callous." she glanced over his shoulder, mildly bemused. "Do not make such a face. It is the truth. The powerful of this world destroy their own home, strip resources for themselves, and for what? Half of this planet will soon be uninhabitable due to human greed. Yet here you are, hand in fist, worried about stopping me, instead of them.

"Is this part where I say its complicated? Because it isn't." he flung a hand out toward the world below mildly amazed to find just how little he cared for it. Oh, he felt he should, and he did, but it was nothing compared to what he felt for his family. "Maybe I would've cared about that, once. But not anymore. I don't have it in me to worry about everyone or every little thing-not these days."

"Then you should be all the ore inclined to accept my proposal." she turned to face him and floated closer. "You are capable, I will admit. More than most on this world. But my people have the technology, powerful, advanced technology leagues beyond your own to repair this planet, feed its hungry, punish its criminals, and bring peace. We will save more of their lives in a single year than you could in a hundred."

"Your people?" his brow furrowed. "Who are your people? You're human, just like me."

"I am as far from human as you are." she shook her head, setting her hair swaying. "You are failing this planet and its people. Do you not see that?" when he didn't budge, her smile returned. "Hmm. Or do those lives not matter to you? You are also failing your wife. Or perhaps she is failing you."

His temper sparked anew. "Careful...

"I am being quite careful, I assure." she tilted her head ever so slightly to the right. "We are not so different, you and I. Both of our people respect strength. Power."

There it was again, the feeling that he was missing something. "And who are your people, exactly?"

Anissa smiled. It was not a nice smile. "Do you wish to know?"

"I'm asking, aren't I?"

She shook her head in reply. "You are, and yet you are not. I believe you Earth-people have a saying. What was it called? Pandora's Box? Well, think of this secret as a box." she mimed the actions of opening one between her hands. "Once you open it, once you release it into the world, it cannot be contained again. So I ask you once more. Do you with to know? And in knowing, do you wish to save your wife?"

Naruto grit his teeth.

Clever, conniving little...!

Anissa sensed weakness and wrested the onus of choice out his hands.

"I am an agent of the Viltrumite empire." although he failed to recognize the meaning of the words, they something in him all the same. "That is all I will tell you, all you need to know...for now." She drifted closer, near enough to touch. "I see you care a great deal about your family. But this must make your decision clear. Your wife will die without our aid. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon. And what will you do then?

He clenched his teeth. "You're offering me a lot of words, but very little proof...

"That will come in time." Anissa laid her hand on his, only to blink now when he jerked his arm back. "Don't be so stubborn. This can be perfectly pleasurable for both of us." scowling, she reached in and grabbed his palm by force. "Lay with me." still gripping her hand, she forced it up to her face, making him cup her cheek against his will. "Have children with me, powerful Viltrumite sons and daughters. Do this, and I'll make certain your wife is saved. I will see to it personally. You have my word."

The pleasures of the flesh were tempting. Terribly so. It had been so long. "And in return...?"

"Weaken this world." her words sent a shiver through him. "Make it ripe for the coming invasion. When the time comes, when my people arrive, help us claim it." she moved her free hand up to caress his cheek. "We do not wish to destroy this world but occupy it and make it a better place, not just for you and yours, but everything as a whole. Don't you want that?" she leaned in, pressing her forehead to his. "You've fought so long, and so hard, and for what?"

Her lips brushed his own.

"Don't you deserve happiness?"

He seized her by the hips and made to push her away, yet that only emboldened her; she thrust herself against him and kissed him fully. He bit her lip in retaliation, only for her to make a pleased noise and pull yet closer still.

Polly's face flashed before his mind, bringing her words with it. "I want you to be happy."

Naruto jerked backward with a hiss.

Maybe she was right; maybe he did deserve happiness, but not like this; not yet, not with someone like this. Not someone who just thought she could tempt and take him like this.

Anissa wasn't best pleased with his actions; a look of baleful thunder flashed across her face as she redoubled her grip. "Would you rather we conquer this world?" she glared at him, eyes sharp. "Raze it to the ground and kill all who resist? Because that's the other option. Would you rather die fighting?"

Bold of her to think he would be tempted so easily. "...you have an awfully high option of yourself and your people, you know that?"

"Not at all." she met his gaze evenly. "I'm simply honest to a fault. I like you, and I want you. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Which would you prefer?"

...neither."

"Foolishness." Her face closed down. "After argument, logic, and my most generous offer, you still cannot see the truth?" shaking her head, she released him fully and drifted back. "Fine. Remember that we started with reason...but truth be told, I was hoping for this. You'll give into me, one way or another, even if must make you."

And there it was, her true self laid bare for him to see.

Laughter bubbled up in Naruto's chest.

"...!"

He wasn't quite sure why, maybe it was exasperation, anger, despair, or some mad blend of the three. Whatever the cause, it came on suddenly and he gave himself to it fully. It began as a tiny tremor touching his lips, a snicker, a snort really, one he clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle. He couldn't control it; didn't even bother to try when the snort became a snarl of laughter, then an outright belly-laugh, followed by a full-throated cackle as he threw his head back and laughed at the sun.

Anissa scowled at him. "Why do you laugh? What's so funny?"

"You are." He straightened up, wiped a mirthful tear from the corner of his eye and shook his head with a sigh."I know your kind. You may dress your words up all pretty and pretend to act civilized, but at the end of the day, you think you can waltz in and take whatever you want...

"I do not think, I know." She smirked without a care in the world, ignorant of the tempest she'd triggered. "Such is the privilege of the strong."

"Maybe, but you made one fatal mistake." He raised his arms at his side, tucked in his fists just above his ribs and grit his teeth. "And because of that mistake, you forgot something."

Anissa wanted to see strength?

He'd show her strength.

"Full blast?"

"Yup."

Had Minato -Dad!- felt like this when he fought his enemies all those years ago? When his back was against the wall? When he had people to protect? When he was so completely and utterly done that he gave up talking and tore entire armies apart with his speed? Because that was how he felt in this moment; exactly how he felt...!

Anissa planted a fist on her hip, then leaned forward, all smiles. "And what might that be?

Blue eyes gleamed gold, pupils sharpening into slits.

"I'M MY FATHER'S SON!

Golden chakra burst forth from him as he activated Kurama's cloak with a roar; raw energy flooded his every pore, erupting out of him in a growling geyser, a pillar of light that plowed the clouds, pierced heaven and earth and ocean alike. A miniature hurricane was born in that instant, gale force winds ripping through the air.

Anissa flung up an arm to shield her face, but he didn't miss her gazed smile, those dark eyes burning with wild light.

"Yes, that's it." She bared a sharp laugh; it was a low husky sound, practically vibrating with vicious, vibrant violence. "Show me!"

He did; it took less than an instant to reach her, barely a blink to reach back and PUNCH. His fist struck her dead in the cheek, plowed into her face and blasted her into the ocean. She struck the water with such force that her body bounced across it, once, twice, thrice now, before she finally righted herself.

The moment she did, he was upon her.

A roundhouse snapped her to the side in a shower of blood; he shunted her retaliatory strike aside with an elbow, snapped her limb down, headbutted her nose and drove an open palm into her gut to stun her. Momentum blasted her backward - a proper warrior would've used that to draw back, retreat and reassess.

Not so Anissa.

She surged back in with a laugh and her fist slammed in at his face.

He caught it, wrenched her arm down and behind her back. From there, he glared down over her shoulder at her. "Had enough?"

Anissa most certainly had not; much to his surprise her grin only grew and she leaned into him, pressing her full figure against his chest.

"Enough?" she tilted her head back to grin up at him, eyes bright, a wide smile wreathing her face. It almost made her look human. "Why would this be ever be enough?" He could feel her muscles straining against his, taut and excited. "You're impressive! Most impressive! I can see why you beat-

He whirled and tossed her upward with a vicious twist, sending her flying into the clouds. "You talk too much. Cool off in the atmosphere."

The moment he turned away, her feet barreled headlong into his back, sending pain snarling down his spine.

"Then I'll speak another language!"

An elbow barreled down into her neck and plunged her into the ocean below yet again. "Right back at ya!"

The water erupted and she was on him again, grinning like a madwoman.

"Yes, that's the way! HIT ME HARDER!"

Naruto did just that.

A vicious kick on his part caught Anissa's chin, bloodied her nose, and sent her soaring into the clouds at mach speed. It was the work of a moment to calculate her trajectory and another to get behind her. A roundhouse barreled through her guard and launched her into the clouds once more. He kept driving at her, hammering her, until finally, she got a luck punch in that snapped his head to the side.

The uppercut that followed sent Anissa hurtling up into the stratosphere like a human rocket

He flickered behind her with a scowl, palms linked overhead, fingers clasped.

Anissa saw his shadow fall over her and tried to come about-

Too late. Naruto brought his hand down on her head; the impact that followed actually hurt his fingers, such was his strength, but Anissa got the worse end of the deal by fair. Momentum ripped her away in a fiery comet and sent her hurtling back to earth, tumbling end over end. He considered letting her go with that, leaving her with a warning...

.

..

...on second thought...

Anissa crashed down into an abandoned beach, creating a crater in her wake. Credit where it was due, she propped herself up on her elbows and tried to rise; until his knee smashed into her solar plexus, drawing a pained laugh from her as three -no, four!- of her ribs shattered on the spot.

She slugged him in the face for it, and he decked her in return.

And still, Anissa didn't stop laughing, giggling at the top of her lungs. Belatedly, he realized he was laughing too. He just couldn't stop.

His hansd found her throat, choking her out, rendering her laugh a rasp. "Not so nice, is it?! Being on the other end!?"

Anissa gripped his hand with both of hers and grinned up at him through bloody teeth. "Harder...!

Naruto absolutely twitched in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? You think this is funny?!"

"Don't you?!" she beamed back at him, all smiles. "I'm having the time of my life!"

He leaned in, eyes ablaze, teeth bared. "What am I gonna do with you...?"

She locked her legs around his torso and kissed him full on the lips.

"Mwah~!"

A/N: What indeed?

And what happens next, I wonder? I think we'll call it a day there.

Would you like weekly updates? Do let me know? What chaos awaits? Who will live? Who will die?! Find out next time, on Apples and Atoms~!

Well? What say you? Do you want this to remain a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard! Really need to hear from you, here. Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself isn't popular? Well...I'll not continue it. 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.

Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review...Would You Kindly? Hope you enjoy the previews.

We've got some new ones and some are...intense.

They've been expanded and then some!

Read at your own risk:

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

SPOILERS AWAIT YOU!

YE BE WARNED!

(Previews)

Polly laughed herself silly, clutched her sides, and fell over onto the bed.

Naruto flushed to the very roots of his hair as she snickered at his plight. "Its not funny!"

"Yes, it is!" her legs flailed in the air as she giggled. "You beat her bloody and she enjoyed it! She's a sub! Ha! Did she call you "daddy" too?!"

"POLLY!"

His wife's laughter reverberated through the house.


"Daaaaaady! No! I don't wanna!"

"No buts! Eat your veggies, missy!"


A building crumbled A child screamed and covered their face, desperate not to see the end of their life.

He raced their way. War Woman beat him to it.

Great. The last thing he needed was the Guardians.

"We need to talk.

"Do we? I have nothing to say...

He walked away, only for her to grab his wrist. "Not this time! Talk to me!

Blue eyes flitted down to her fingers, still gripping his arm. "Let go."

She didn't; of course she didn't, the stubborn girl.

"Not until you hear me out!"

"I'm warning you...


"You must be Rex." The man stood before him, idly wiping blood from his hair. "Your boss had good things to say about you...before I popped his skull."

Ah, shit. That would explain all the blood then, wouldn't it? He looked like he'd gone through a blender.

The boy raised his hands. "Whoa, whoa! I don't want any trouble."

"No, son. No, you do not.


"Had enough?"

He planted a fist in the dirt and took a long, shuddering breath.

I don't care how fast you are. I don't care how strong you are, and I don't give a s**t how smart you are. I know your future. You don't live to see tomorrow.

Blood flew through the air.

Is this still fun?!" he slammed his fist down. "Are you enjoying yourself?! Having fun?! Well?! Answer me!


...what are you?

"Just a family man." he took a long sip from his mug. "Thula, was it? Run along now." his fingers flicked out in a shooing motion. "I'm not in the mood." A thought occurred to him and he cocked his head. "Unless you want to fight. It won't end well. That blade in your hair won't help you."

...I am not here to fight. I am here to talk."

"Go on, then." he took a long drink. "Talk. You have one minute."

EDIT: Hope this story brightened your day and made things better, even if only a little.

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

May you have a great day and lots of luck!

Warm regards,

~Nz.

R&R~!