A/N: Consider this a sort of...alternative take to Kiss of Death, which yes, is still being updated.
That one's become a little too cluttered with characters for my liking.
This one? Faaaar more down to earth.
As of late, with my fifteen year anniversary on this site here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
"You have earned yourself a second chance, mortal. For your service, I grant you that which you have always craved.
A peaceful world, devoid of human conflict. A realm in which you will be left undisturbed.
May you enjoy your remaining years. And know that when we meet again...
...we shall do so as friends."
~Death Chose the Wrong World.
Rain
It was raining.
Naruto had grown rather fond of the rain over these last few years. He liked listening to it; sitting in his chair and enjoying that gentle rhythm of raindrops against his roof; a sound that soothed his soul. It watered his garden and filled his canteen, washed his clothes on the line, even held the worst of his nightmares at bay when he slept. Good deal, all in all. Definitely worth enduring a few puddles and the occasional bit of flooding.
Speaking of which, he made a mental note to check the snares come tomorrow morning, if only to make certain nothing slipped through them.
Rain rarely fouled his traps, but it had happened once or twice.
His eyes drifted shut, content to take a nap.
A wet nose nudged his hand.
He ignored it.
Something licked his fingers.
Ignore.
Next came the whine. He tried to resist.
Then the Dog barked and there was no ignoring that.
'Alright, alright.' he thought to himself, eyes creaking opened. 'I'll let you out...
He thumbed the stubble on his chin -needed to shave again soon unless he wanted a beard- sat up, then whistled once for good measure. The mutt bounded up beside him as he clomped his way to the door; a large husky he'd found wandering the wilds last year. Hadn't been able to think of a good name for the old boy. Names were never his thing.
Dog it was.
Naruto swung the door open and risked a glance outside as his companion bounded past to mark that which was his. It gave him time to check his surroundings for any would-be intruders. He'd chosen a nice little glen for himself, barred by a long wooden fence with a gate at the end. For him, it was a Beacon of peace, a Shade from the sun, a Haven of serenity where he didn't have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders like Atlas himself. Hmm. Beacon, Shade, Haven, Atlas. Those were good names. Might want to remember them for later. Maybe he'd write a book in his spare time...
.
..
...waitaminute. The fence was open. Hadn't he closed that?
He could've sworn he'd locked it.
Strange. Was it the wind?
A wave of his hand conjured a shadow clone, the matter was put the rights, the gate locked again, and he thought no more of it. He looked to the forest beyond and found no sign of a wolves, Grimm, or any other beasties this time around. Grimm weren't particularly known for wandering but a few stragglers had stumbled upon him once or twice. They stopped stumbling after that. Or doing much of anything, really after he dispatched them. And besides, he was at peace. No negativity to attract more of their ilk.
And yet.
He couldn't shake the strange feeling that he was being watched.
"...?"
Blue eyes narrowed, but when no threat was immediately forthcoming, he dispelled the clone and looked away.
Light raindrops cascaded across his face as he squinted up at the sky in turn.
The Dog would go about his business at his own pace, no need to watch him. The rain was still light enough, but he could see the signs above the trees; dark clouds in the distance, the wind tugging at tree branches, hear the distant rumble of thunder looming in the distance. It would be pouring soon, which meant a cold night.
Best get some wood for the fire while he still could. He'd left a few logs on the porch, if memory served.
He grabbed three now, brought them back to the hearth, threw them in. With a snap of his fingers, he had a spark. Soon enough he coaxed it into a flame. The wind lashed at the door behind him and it swung silently shut on well-oiled hinges. Naruto paid it no mind and set to closing the shutters instead, the better to keep the draft out. He heard the Dog bark somewhere outside. Not an angry bark, per se, but an excited one. Heh. Probably chasing a squirrel.
He wouldn't go far.
Old rascal knew better.
The mutt gave him some small comfort, even if he didn't talk to it these days.
Oh, he'd like to, make no mistake, but he couldn't. It was just too painful. Call it a petty, call it cruel, call it the final spiteful act of a former fiend of a friend, the damage was done and with his chakra exhausted at the time, he hadn't been able to heal properly from it. Almost ironic really. For all his skills and all his speed, all his strength, he'd lost the one thing he'd taken most for granted. His silver tongue. It was a loss, make no mistake, but he'd gained a fair price for it in return.
Bastard took his voice, he took his life. Fair trade. He didn't mind too much.
And his prize for putting his old, ruined world to rights?
A new world.
He hadn't been granted this log cabin, the garden, the fence, any of it. He'd built it all from scratch. With blood, sweat and tears. This was his place. After all the fighting he'd done, it was a fine thing to live in peace. No more wars, nobody hunting him, no one trying to rip Kurama out of his stomach and resurrect a mad goddess, just...peace. Losing his voice seemed a small price to pay for that.
Besides, peace had made him powerful.
There was nothing but time out here, plenty in which to expand his admittedly limited skillset. He'd studied elemental jutsu. Meditated on the mysteries of the world and sharpened his Sage Mode to a razor's edge. Even tried his hand at genjutsu. Kurama had grumped a bit about that, but he liked to think he'd improved, both as a shinobi and a person.
Not bad for a man well under thirty, eh?
Wind battered the door again. Rain lashed at the roof. The Dog barked once more.
Naruto breathed a silent sigh, heaved himself upright and resolved himself to go and save the poor squirrel's life.
"Hello there, old fellow." a low soft voice from the porch froze him in midstep, rooting him where stood. "Wherever did you come from? What are you doing out here in the rain?
Another bark pierced the wooden door, sharp and merry, utterly unafraid.
"Oh!" a startled laugh answered in kind. "Aren't you friendly...?"
The hairs rose on the back of his neck.
A person...?
"I don't suppose you'll mind if I use this cabin tonight?" that same voice voice echoed behind the wooden frame, followed by a melancholy sigh. "I thought not. Somehow, I doubt your master's home."
The axe was still hanging over the mantle. He thought about retrieving it, then thought better.
Soundless footsteps carried him forward to the door. He gripped the handle...
...swung the door open...
"Ow!"
...and summarily smacked someone in the face. They went down with a startled yelp, clutching their nose.
"What was that for?!"
He would've said the same thing, if he could.
They burst to their feet with an indignant splutter and he glimpsed a tall, slender figure standing just outside, wrapped and shivering in a dark cloak, the shadows of which concealed their face. For all the good it did them. They were soaked through and the figure beneath gave her away readily enough. A girl? No, a woman. He'd never thought to see one again; didn't even know this planet had human life, for that matter. The shinigami had made no mention of it. Then again, why would he? Death cared little for life.
She looked as startled to see him as he did her.
Lightning flashed outside and he glimpsed bright eyes set within the cowl.
"Are you...human?"
He stared back at her.
She stared right back at him.
A blond brow rose in mild incredulity.
"Forgive me". She stood and bowed a little at the waist. "Its been so long. I didn't think anyone was left after the cataclysm. I-achoo!" her body seized up, then bent double andhe glimpsed a pale chin as she sneezed. "M-May I come in? Please?" A short sharp breath escaped her in a plume of steam. "Its terribly cold out here...
She was the first human he'd seen in seven years.
Kakashi would've had his hide if he left a lady out in the cold.
...He blew out a soft sigh, swung the door open, and jerked a thumb over his shoulder.
The stranger didn't need to be told twice. She squirmed past him, all but flung herself inside, then knelt before the fire. Her cloak pooled at her feet moments later in a sodden puddle. The Dog bounded in after her, gave himself a mighty shake at the threshold, and made for his bed. Clearly he didn't regard the newcomer as any sort of threat.
Naruto would've had a few choice words for his Hound if he could speak. Some guard dog he was!
"Brrrr!"
The woman made a noise, drawing his eyes back to her.
She knelt before the hearth and raised trembling hands toward it. They looked human enough in the firelight.
"Ah." She gave a soft, luxurious sigh. "That's much better. My thanks you have. I had no desire to spend another night outside...
She turned to face him fully, limned in fire and shadow. His heat thumped oddly in his chest. The first thing he noticed was her hair. Long and luscious, it shone like spun gold. Her eyes were a lovely shade of aquamarine blue, bordering on green, contrasting the worn white dress she wore. Even dripping wet and soaked by the storm, she radiated a regal grace, a queenly mien that, while battered, stood strong in the face of adversity.
"Thank you." She granted him a small, tired smile. "I am in your debt."
"..."
She tilted her head to regard him. "Not the talkative type, I take it?"
This one had no idea. None at all.
"Oh, dear." the beautiful woman clicked her tongue in mild self-reproach, "Wherever are my manners? I'm being a terrible guest."
She really wasn't, but he couldn't say otherwise.
"My name is Salem." The buxom blonde held out her hand and he didn't miss the way that last word shivered through the air, heavy with expectation. "No surname to speak of, unfortunately."
Naruto quirked a brow at her. Did she expect him to kiss her hand or shake it? She had a certain posh air about her if nothing else.
"Is there a reason you're not talking, or are you simply rude?"
No point in hiding it, he supposed.
He reached up to the orange scarf wrapped round his neck and peeled it back with slow, gradual strokes to showed her what lay beneath.
"I...oh. Oh, my." Salem's swayed where she stood. "Are those...how are you alive?"
Her eyes widened, then rolled back in her head.
Wait. Surely she wasn't going to...
.
..
...she was gonna.
With a wordless gasp, Salem swooned and fainted deadaway. Naruto stepped forward to catch her and found himself a hair too slow; he'd grown rusty in his solitude. He'd need to do something about that. Mustn't let his skill atrophy. Salem fell out his grasp and smacked her head on a wall before he managed to grab her, bloodying her skull.
He didn't even have a chance to heal it; before his very eyes the wound healed with a shimmer of golden light.
...curious. What was she?
She slumped in his arms. Such a strange girl.
He touched a hand to his throat and chin, frowning a little. Were his scars really that scary?
Salem certainly wasn't in any shape to answer. Naruto heaved a silent sigh and carried her to the couch. He'd let the silly woman rest here tonight and deal with her tomorrow.
After all, surely there was the harm in showing her a bit of kindness?
He had no way of knowing the crisis he'd just averted, nor the disaster he would one day unleash. How could he? A wise man would've shut and barred the door in her face. A cruel man would've sent her packing with a harsh word and threats besides. But he was neither of those things. At the end of the day he was a kind man even after all he'd suffered. That, and also the last living man on Remnant, though he had no way of knowing at the time. For it was in this simple act of kindness that the world changed.
Mankind would have no victory in strength. No peace in conquest, callous and cruel.
No, victory lay in the simpler things, in simple sentiment, long forgotten.
Perhaps that sentiment made him a fool. The king of all fools indeed.
He would be known by another name in years gone by.
Father of Remnant.
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
Well? What say you? Should this be a story?
Yay or nay! Really need to hear from you here, or back in the bin this goes...
There we have it. A more down to earth take. To clarify, this is Salem shortly after the gods wiped out all human life on Remnant. She isn't Grimmified yet. Who knows? She may never be... Time and feedback will tell if Naruto regains his voice. Having a silent counterpart to Salem might seem appealing to some, but I'm sure others want to hear him chattering away again.
To that end, what do you think?
As ever, the Embers rule persists. If folks don't like this? Well, I won't continue it. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do! That's no joke. I don't have days off anymore -two jobs will do that to you- and I'm working myself to the bone.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter!
That's no joke! I can't write without feedback. Guess that makes me weak...T_T
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... ...Review Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews! Potential ones at that. Mind you, they're all rough and condensed to save space!
(Previews)
"Why did you do that? I'm immortal, you oaf." She stroked his sleeping face, taking refuge in the fact that he could neither see nor feel what she was doing. "Only a fool would do think I could ever be-
"Guess that makes him the King of fools."
Salem fell off the bed with a yelp.
"What are you?!"
A golden fox head jutted from the sleeping blond's stomach. As she looked on, it heaved a sigh. "So easily frightened for an immortal...
"Why, you...!"
Naruto raised a fist. Salem blinked. "What are you?"
Before her very eyes, the forest ceased to exist. He cleared the land in an instant.
Oh." she blinked.
A thought occurred to her. Were they truly the last living people on Remnant.
...what would happen when he died? All mortals did, eventually.
Salem already knew the answer. She would be alone...
Cast adrift, with only the past for company.
"No, no, no! Not again! I can't lose someone else again...!
Ozma opened his eyes.
It was bound to happen to someone. This was the the only way.
A long figure plunged into the Pool of Darkness.
And so it began.
EDIT: Ah, but who was it?
Thanks for reading! Hope you all have a great day~!
Should this be a story? Yay or nay! Really need to hear from you here, or back in the bin this goes...
R&R~!