A/N: Sorry for vanishing and likewise, apologies for the delay, alongside the short chapter.

...I'm still alive, though I'm exhausted, mentally and physically.

Life's been hitting me with roadblocks lately...

...but I'm pushing through. On a more somber note, my aunt has passed away. Funeral has been held, and I'm in mourning. Writing and drinking keep the grief away. It happened suddenly, caught me by surprise, and sent me spiraling down into a dark place.

And on top of that! I've now been informed that my sister -the one who lives with me- needs to have several tumors removed forthwith, which means she'll be off for at least a month, which MEANS I have to work even more hours to make up the difference in rent/expenses/electricity and etc. I'm already working crazy hours at both jobs, but now I'll need even more, which means no days off for a bit, most likely...life is just peeling pieces of me as of lately and it hurts... FML right now...

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.

As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes.

They're tributes, one and all.

Now off we go.

"I don't fear the prospect of power so much as the potential pain of losing a loved one.

There. I said it. My greatest fear.

Happy now?"

~You Know Who.

Meet the Family

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 weakly in the air as she continued to giggle, rolling too and fro. "You beat her bloody and she enjoyed it! She's a sub! Ha! Did she call you "daddy" too?!"

"POLLY!"

His wife's delighted laughter continued to reverberate through the house, much to his chagrin; she showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. If anything she was tickled pink. For the life of him, he couldn't see why. This woman had threatened their children to draw him away and yet somehow, Polly wasn't irked in the least.

Did she have that much faith in him...?

"Anissa." She rolled the word on her tongue, tasted it on her lips now as she sat up, trying to sound it out. "So that's her name. Not bad, not bad at all. Tell me you didn't kill her."

...I did not.

She waggled a brow his way. "Did you at least bed her?

He shook his head-and a pillow bounced off it. "What was that for?!"

His wife granted him a lopsided smile. "You really are too loyal for your own good. How many times do I have to tell you its fine. I want you to be happy."

A muscle jumped in his away but he stubbornly forced it down as he scuffed a boot against the floor and glared sullenly into the bedroom carpet. "M'happy with you."

"And you can be happy with other people, too." she patted his cheek. "So, what's she like? Tell me everything. Spare no detail~!"

Naruto did just that her. Long, loudly, and at length, with more than a few expletives besides.

By the Polly was laughing even harder.

"She's a sub, definitely." his weary wife wiped a mirthful tear from the corner of her eye. "For all her claims about strength and power and ego, she kept telling you to hit her harder. And you had her panting like a dog once you got her pinned."

Heat crept up the back of his neck. "What makes you so certain?"

"Dear," she crossed one scarred leg over the other, inadvertently drawing his eyes there, "I may not act like it much of the time, but I AM a woman."

A rusty chuckle escaped him. "Lemme guess, you drink and know things?"

She beamed and mimed holding a shot glass. "Precisely~!"

He sat beside her and she scooted closer, laying her head on his shoulder, but only for a moment. Her eyes sought his as she climbed into his lap; from there, her hands cupped his face and dragged his face down to hers. An electric thrill shot through him, causing his hands to settle on her waist; to which she deepened the kiss, planted her legs on either side of him, pushing him down. He tried to protest, fearing she'd have another relapse but her mouth silenced his, her tongue tangling his to kill the words dead before they could ever be spoken.

"Are you sure...?"

"Very." she shrugged off her her shirt, baring her bosom to him as she kissed his chin. "I have a little energy today. I think I can-ack!"

A violent cough rattled her body, wracking her with spasms.

"Polly?!"

"I'm fine!" she waved his concern down frantically as her breathing evened out. "Just let me breathohdamnit!"

He tugged her hand away from her mouth and saw the blood there.

"M'sorry...

"You have nothing to be sorry about." He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Anissa said her people could treat you...

"Oh, honey I'm still alive." she stifled another cough behind a palm. "Thinking of the future now will only ruin the present moment." something gleamed behind her bright eyes and he wasn't sure he liked the look of it. "Speaking of which, where is our resident invader now?

Here at last,he smiled. "With the kids and under heavy guard."

Her face lit up at that. "They wanted to meet her?"

"I wouldn't say meet so much as beat."

"Ohhhh...I'm sure they had a few choice words for her...


(.0.0.0.)


He found Anissa exactly where he'd left her; standing in the living room with the kids dangling off her like a living jungle gym.

Joshua was trying to drag her down to the ground by the throat from behind, Samantha had ahold of one arm, then Jessica and Luca her legs, while Amanda, still youngest of all, had contented herself to sit on her feet. It served as a somewhat strange sight by itself all things considered, yet oddly enough, she wasn't trying to hurt any of them.

Not that she could mind you, given she was being watched by no less than three shadow clones, each more than capable of intervening if she tried to do anything foolish.

And yet there she stood, her face carved from stone, seemingly resigned to her fate. Fine by him; humiliation was the least of her punishment.

A mighty Viltrumite, reduced to a child's plaything; and all because he'd told her to stand still.

How quaint.

He flicked out his phone and snapped several pictures, to her eternal chagrin.

Annissa's head whipped his way with such force that she nearly broke her neck. "Delete those images at once!"

"That depends," he held the phone over her head, "are you strong enough to take this from me?"

Her face turned a pretty shade of pink. No...

"That's what I thought."

She squirmed a little, and belatedly, he realized what she wanted.

"Do it."

He sighed. "Kurama, no."

"C'mon, what's the harm. Do it!'

"No means no, fuzball!"

"DO! IT!"

"Alright, alright. Twist my arm why don'tcha...

He patted Anissa's head, idly mussing up her dark hair. "Good girl."

She tucked her chin into her chest and refused to look at him, but he didn't miss the pleased smile she wore, nor the sudden flushing of her face.

Red! Her face was so red like roses right now!

Bloody Viltrumintes. He would never understand the lot of them. They claimed to represent absolute strength and yet Anissa had rolled right over him once he beat her into the ground and now she was blushing like some stricken schoolgirl. Where had the wicked warrior gone, the cruel conqueror, the monster who'd threatened his children just to get his attention? She was practically a puppy now compared to the bloodthirsty beast he had beaten down only a few hours ago...

.

..

...perhaps that was an understatement.

Kurama chortled softly in his head. "Almost like a bitch in-

'C'mon, man. There are children present."

"Daaaaad! Why isn't she dead?!"

Eve's whine drew him back to the present and belatedly he realized his children were clamoring for his attention. Her and Joshua perhaps loudest of all; the others hadn't been present when she ambushed him, but now they were glaring daggers at the intruder in their home. Well, he supposed they thought she was an intruder...

"Now, now," He held up his hands before his children could start world war three, "Death is too good for her. Besides," he let his gaze settle on said Viltrumite with intent, daring her to object. "Your mother wants a word with her, which means Anissa and I have...come to an arrangement. That said, she's sorry for what she did now, isn't she?"

Anissa held her tongue...right up until he began cracking his knuckles.

...yes." she muttered under her breath, bowing her head low, cheeks flushing. "My apologies. It won't happen again."

Samantha smiled. "Good...

CRACK!

An open palm shrouded in pink light struck Anissa's face at mach one, snapping the older woman's head back with an audible crack to knock her airborne, sending her rocketing upward. No sooner had she done so than Eve conjured a wall of pure energy and pinned her against the ceiling, crushing her there. He didn't miss the Viltrumite's startled expression; not in the least; and so he stood by as his eldest daughter floated up her way, grabbed her by the hair, and smashed her forehead against hers.

...because if you ever, and I mean EVER try to hurt any of us, I'll kill you."

Joshua whistled down below as the other children applauded her brutality. "Daaaaaamn, sis...

Anissa stared at her for a long moment, then looked back to him with a smirk. "You've raised your offspring well. They'll grow up to be strong."

Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose to stifle a small smirk. "I don't wanna hear that from you."

Eve reluctantly released her, allowing her to alight upon the floor once more.

Little Jessica raised a hand. "How do we know you're stronger than her?"

"Oh, that's easy."

He grabbed the recovering Anissa by one wrist, wrenched her arm behind her back and planted a boot there. Heel grinding against her spine, he drove her down to her knees.

Much to his annoyance, she gasped happily at the pain, face flushed. "H-Harder..."

Eve and Joshua absolutely gagged. "Ewwww! Gross, gross, gross!"

Naurto heaved a sigh. "Seem this is my life now...


(.0.0.0.)


Polly leaned back into her pillows, wearing a smug smile. "Well, well! Aren't you a beauty. You must be Anissa. Its a pleasure to meet you face to face."

The warrior lifted her chin to meet her stare. "This is not the first time we have met."

His wife tittered dangerously. "But it is the first time we've spoken, silly girl."

A spark passed between the two women.

'Yeah, not getting between that.'

"Nope!"

Naruto dragged a hand across his face. No doubt she was talking about the time they'd seen her spying on them from afar. Sneaky little voyeur. In truth, he half-expected Anissa to bite back at that little bout of verbal assassination; imagine his surprise when she didn't. Instead, she tilted her head just so. "Correct. And you...you are stronger than appear. Stronger than you know.

His wife steeped her frail hands and laid her chin atop them. So I've been told. I understand you have designs on my husband.

Anissa nodded. "Your mate, yes."

"Husband." Polly corrected her with a smile. It was...well he could't call it a nice smile per se, but it wasn't nasty either, more of a smirk bordering on a sneer. "I don't know how Viltrumites do things where you're from, but here we hold onto the ones we love." She laughed suddenly, a soft-yet-brittle-sound. Times like these reminded him why he loved her Brooklyn accent; it never really emerged unless she was riled up like this.

That earned a baffled blink from the warrior woman. "Love?"

"Oh, dear." Polly's smile thinned. "You don't know what love is, do you?"

"I am familiar with the concept, but I fail to see how that factors into this equation."

He could sense the lie, plain as day. She was masking, trying to hide her true intentions from Polly. It wasn't working of course. She'd always been clever.

"...seems I have my work cut out for me." His wife's bright gaze flicked back to him, and too late, he glimpsed a spark of impish mischief therein. "He's quite the catch, isn't he?

"Oi!"

Anissa nodded. "He is."

"He's even better once you get his trousers off and-

Kurama cackled as heat speared up the back of his neck and lanced into his cheeks.

"Ladies! I am standing right here!"

"Yes you are, dear." Polly patted his head. "Which is precisely why we're having this conversation."

...don't I get a say in this?"

Polly giggled. "Nope."

"I really think I-

"Nooope~!"

"Listen-

Her laughter overrode him. "N~o~p~e!"

...blast. He forgot just how damnably stubborn she could be when she wanted something. Even with her body broken, her mind remained sharp as a tack; no, sharper. As her physical form faded she'd only become more brilliant in his eyes...and all the more determined to live with what little time she had left. It was so easy to forget sometimes...

"You should listen to her." Anissa butted in. "Your mate-erm wife, is clearly a warrior of the mind. She wants what's best for you."

Polly hummed dangerously at her. "Should I take that remark as an insult or a compliment...?"

"The latter," came the reply. "It is highest that I can think to give you at the moment."

"Hmm," She licked her lips luridly and beckoned her way. "You'll do. Come here."

Anissa needed no more encouragement. She stalked forward to the bed.

Naruto dug his heels in and didn't budge, even when she began to...

...disrobe.

Polly noticed naturally; of course she did. She was his wife. She'd always been able to read him like book. She didn't make any demands of him, nor did she try to command him. She simply held out a frail hand in silent invitation. It was for him to take, or not at all.

"You really want that threesome, don't you?"

She granted him a lopsided grin. "Its on my bucket list, sooo...

.

..

...screw it.

If she was pushing this hard for it, he might as well indulge her. It was the leas the could do. Rolling his shoulder, he stalked forward, shedding his shirt as he went. The smile on Polly's face lit a spark in his deepest heart of hearts. He made it halfway to the bed before Anissa grabbed his arm and yanked him down to join them.

"Wits aside," she flicked a glance up and down Polly's body as they helped her undress. "Your body is frail. How do you intend to engage in such activities?"

His wife laid back, gasping as the latter kissed her collarbone, then her neck, followed by her chin. "Slowly, gently, carefully...ah!"

Naruto drew her into his lap, relishing in the delighted noise she made as her lips found his-

A portal burst open behind them, swirling with green light.

Angstrom Levy came charing through from within, paused at the sight of them, then balked.

"Oh! His eyes widened, then his face reddened. "I'm not interrupting, am I?"

Polly hummed. "Not at all."

"Not yet." Anissa growled under her breath, one arm over her bosom. Speak quickly before rip out of your tongue.

"None of that." Naruto drove the flat of his hand into the back of her head, drawing a whine from her. "No violence!"

"But whyyyy?"

"Because he's a friend," he chided her, gaze sweeping back to the dimension hopper. "And he better have a good reason for interrupting...

Angstrom stepped back with a sweeping bow and indicated the portal from whence her came. "I have something wonderful to show you, but it seems you're a bit...occupied at the moment." he scratched the back of his head with a rueful laugh. "I suppose it can wait! Tata~!

Quick as can be, he hopped back through and vanished, leaving them to their debauchery.

Silenced reigned, but only for a moment. Its reign was brief and ended quickly.

"Now, then." Naruto shared a glance with Anissa. "Where were we?"

Polly saw it and grinned impishly up at them. "Be gentle?"

They jumped her.

A/N: What indeed, I wonder?

I think we'll call it a day there, I'm exhausted.

I feel the need to reiterate that Angstrom is genuinely a good guy at this point.

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)

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~!