This is a chapter concept and a one-shot, for now.

The premise is simple. This is Naruto taking on the role of Kurama for Ruby. Being able to give her strength when she needs it, take over in desperate enough situations, parent and guide her... All that good stuff!

So, if you want to see more, you know what to do! Read and comment!

That being said, a lot of things on the site are glitching. Even reviews, from what I've heard and seen. Let me know if you can even see this chapter! If you can't leave a review here but want to, head to Archive of Our Own and let me know! Guest comments are on!

But let's get to the story, shall we?

I… I don't know how long I've lived like this. Wandering in this unknown fog that was seemingly unending. I supposed I passed on, but this isn't the pure world. None of my friends or family are here.

I missed hugging my daughter every morning. I missed kissing my stunning wife before heading to the office to keep everyone safe. My son… I might miss him the most because I never got the chance to tell him…

I'm proud of him. If only I could get that one last chance…

But I'm stuck in this purgatory. Wandering a world that felt as if it was no longer my own.

The world was an unending, hazy fog I couldn't see through. I could see shapes and blurs but couldn't identify them. I couldn't touch or interact with anything I saw. I simply phased through. Smell and taste had long forsaken me as well. Even when the seasons changed to spring, I failed to smell the wildflowers. To taste the salty air of the sea.

Everything sounded like the scratching of a chalkboard or a fuzzy television screen buzzing. I was even unable to use my abilities in any meaningful way. I still had Kurama's negative energy sense, but that only helped me identify certain blurs as people.

I was cut off from the rest of the world, forced to wander it. Hoping that I would come across someone who I could communicate with. Or better yet…

Someone I could spend this hell with to alleviate the fear and worry as I watched the world pass me by.

I knew it. I could see the colors of the seasons change, allowing me to keep track of time for a while. I stopped, feeling the madness well after so many years.

Yet, the world kept changing even as I lost myself. Everything had disappeared several times, and the fog thickened to a black mist. Slowly but surely, the world strived forward, and the shapes and figures returned in numbers.

And alongside them, something new. Something so terrifying I felt the negative energy radiate throughout the world.

These black blobs appeared, raiding the other shapes. Taking their lives in numbers. But humanity was resilient. They fought back and kept fighting. Even now, there was a struggle between whatever this new force was and the remnants of humankind.

All I could do was wander. Continue to push forward, hoping that maybe someday I would find a way to move on from this purgatory.

Or at least find someone I could talk with to ease my mind.

Anyone one…

Huh? What is that noise…

Is that… Someone crying.

Cerulean-tinged eyes peered from the ceaseless fog.

For the first time in what felt like forever, he heard another sound beside the senseless white noise he had become accustomed to. One he knew well from his time as a father.

It was the sound of a young girl crying.

Paternal instinct welled within. He naturally came to those in aid, but it was always something different when it was a young child in need, especially as the years wore long.

He had to find the source—who was crying. He also wanted to know why he could hear them crying, but that could come later. What was important was finding the child—the little girl.

Luckily, he had become accustomed to navigating the fog. He knew he was in a forest. It didn't really matter. He could phase through trees to get where he needed to go.

…Lent credence to his thoughts he had passed on and become a wandering spirit…

The cry was muffled before, but now it resonated like a roar. He was close…

He stopped in the middle of what felt like a rough road. He couldn't help but stare. There was the usual sight of blurs that had become his norm. Despite the fuzzy shape, a small figure, evidently a small human, walked toward him in the path. It was smaller than usual. Another child, perhaps.

They weren't who he heard the crying come from.

It came from what that child was pulling behind her. A wagon, maybe? He couldn't really tell… But he could see what lay within, sleeping peacefully.

For the first time since the world turned into this nightmare, there was someone else he could see.

A young girl, barely older than a toddler, dressed in red.

He frowned. She wasn't crying. Her aura felt positive, with only a tiny amount of negativity flowing within. It was growing, that was certain.

So why did he hear her crying? What drew him here?

Allowing the other child to phase through him, he studied the young girl while walking beside them. There, he noticed a simple dried tear on her cheek. So she had been crying…

His concept of time had become warped, so it made sense.

What bothered him was why two children were out here… In the middle of nowhere!

Alone!

He repressed the anger boiling in his stomach. This forest was filled with those damn voids! What irresponsible, foolish parents would allow something like this to happen?

Swallowing his tongue, he reached toward the young girl, flinching as he did. He knew he likely would phase through, but he had to try to do something. Attempt to return her and the other child home.

He blinked and stopped in his tracks. A warm sensation brushed against the palm of his hand. A familiar sensation he had long so he would never feel again.

The touch of another person as his hand brushed against her shoulder.

He could feel her!

"Dad…" The young girl muttered as she rose, rubbing her eyes and looking around.

His heart yearned at her response. He hadn't heard that word in so long…

He wished he knew what happened to his children. To his wife.

The grating noise he had become accustomed to being human speech followed. The other child had responded. He still couldn't understand them. But he could understand this girl, who was now wide awake and staring directly at him.

"Who are you?" She asked, her silver eyes peering up in curiosity at who this strange man was walking beside her.

Despite no longer possessing a body, it felt like his heart flipped in his chest. Hearing the words of another left him with a swell of indescribable emotions.

But he set them aside for now. They had stopped and the white noise returned as she pointed directly at him while looking at the other figure. "Yes there is. Someone's right here."

Faintly smiling, even as garbled noise followed, he knelt before the young girl in red and offered his hand. "My name is Naruto. Your friend can't see me. No one has in a long time until you."

"Really? Dat sounds lonely…" The young girl couldn't help but frown. But with the flash of a smile, her mood lifted as she took his hand. "I, Ruby. Ruby Rose. Tat my sista 'ang. Nice ta meet cha."

A chuckle resonated in Naruto's chest. It had been so long since he laughed. Even longer since he listened to a young child trying to communicate. It was always heart-warming and adorable when they did.

"Ruby… That's a lovely name you've got." Naruto matched her warm smile, gently taking his hand back. His expression softened, and he expressed his worry despite the other child's incoherent babbling. "Ruby, why are you and your sister out here by yourselves? Where are your parents?"

Naruto's anxiety surged as he saw the young girl flinch and her form slumped. He could hear her sniffle. "Mom… Gone for a long time… Dad… In bed… Staring at da wall… Out looking for 'ang Mom."

Naruto shivered as he listened to Ruby sob. There was pain in her voice as she told him about her parents. Despite her simplicity, he understood her plight.

Her mother had likely died. Her father was presumably struggling to cope with her loss. It registered that her sister had a different mother, but that was far from his thoughts. What mattered was comforting Ruby.

"Hey, it's going to be alright." Naruto gently touched her shoulders and stared into her teary eyes. "I know it's tough right now. I know how rough that can be. I didn't have any parents when I was your age. I had to look after myself for all my life."

"You did?" Ruby quivered, staring up into his eyes.

Naruto had to bite his lip. Those shimmering eyes and that haunted expression… He just wanted to hug and comfort her…

"Yeah, I did. Took care of myself…" Naruto responded before repressing a growl. He stared back into the foggy forest.

They were coming. They had to move, now.

"Ruby, how far is your house from here?" Naruto returned his gaze to Ruby and calmly looked into her eyes. "I need to get you and your sister to safety. The darkness is coming."

"Darkness?" Ruby stared vacantly into his eyes.

She didn't understand him. Of course, they would have another word for the beings of darkness he sensed. Naruto bit his lip and cursed internally. He wanted to simply pick her up and run. The issue was her sister. How he was going to get both of them…

"Ang… My friend says we should go home. Not safe." Ruby stepped out of the wagon, grasped her sister's arm, and started to pull.

Naruto had to brace Ruby as she stumbled back after her sister pulled away. He hissed as the white noise responded angrily. If only he could grab them both…

They were here!

"Grimm!" Ruby screamed.

Naruto bit back a snarl as he felt Ruby stumble behind him and use his leg as a shield. The blur of her sister stumbled back and through him to shield Ruby as well.

But there wasn't a thing two children could do against the shadowy blobs of darkness as they descended upon the path. He had seen adults with far more radiant auras be torn about by these creatures.

Grimm, huh? That name suited them. They were terrors to humanity.

If only he could do something… Anything!

Ruby was the first person he had been able to communicate with in all these years—and she was a child! She didn't deserve a fate such as this! He had to do something!

But what?!

"Dammit…" Naruto growled, placing his hand on Ruby's shoulder. He wasn't sure this would work, but he had to try something! "Ruby, when I move…"

His words died on his lips. A peculiar sensation tingled throughout his spirit—a sensation he recognized but also felt odd.

It almost felt like he was being drawn into something.

And suddenly, his world was so bright. He blinked several times, holding his hands before his eyes.

Was this light… The sun?

How long had it been since its light dawned upon him? How he missed its radiance…

Growls snapped him from the glowing warmth he felt. His attention snapped from his now feminine hands and toward the sound. He saw wolves of shadow and skull-like markings coating their body.

So this was a Grimm, huh? They didn't impress.

Still, there was plenty of danger about. And he wasn't sure how, but now that he was standing behind a blonde girl barely old enough to join the academy back him, he knew what had happened.

He was in control of Ruby's body. It didn't make sense how or why it happened, but he could do something right now. She might be small and meek…

He was not.

"How did Kurama do this…?" Naruto muttered under Ruby's breath, clenching her hand several times.

All these years, he felt his chakra. Felt his power but was unable to use it. But now, it was as if it had never left him.

Did that mean…

"One way to find out." Naruto tightened Ruby's fist, coursing his chakra through her.

She may not have chakra cords or could use it… But he could.

Still, he had to be careful. Naruto doubted a tiny girl her age could withstand the power he possessed. He could barely use Kurama's power when he was a kid, so he had to handle this quickly.

"Ruby, stay back!" Ruby's sister desperately called out, pushing her back, only to fall back as Naruto slid under her arm and rushed ahead. "Ruby!"

Naruto paid her no mind as he was careful not to exert too much of his strength from Ruby's body. If he were still able to communicate with Ruby after, he would have to come up with some excuse to explain what happened.

But for now, all he needed to do was lock in and take these Grimm down!

As Ruby's tiny fist connected to the wolf's muzzle, Naruto couldn't help but release a satisfied grunt and grin as he watched the creature turn into a smokey mist as it exploded from the contact. It felt so good to feel again.

But that contentment quickly vanished. The world was darkening around the edges of his eyes. His control over Ruby started to wane.

Naruto growled. He didn't have much time. He had to wrap this up now, and he couldn't do that while being careful with his power.

"Sorry, Ruby…" Naruto concentrated, holding out Ruby's tiny hand, palm up. A small black orb was molded before fully forming. He felt her entire body tremor, and he grimaced. "This is gonna hurt, but it will be quick."

In the blink of an eye, the orb vanished, and every Grimm turned into a fine mist before it returned, hovering over her palm. As his world darkened, and he felt Ruby regain control, he released one last smile as the Truth Seeking Orb dematerialized.

Someone else was here. A man who looked more than capable of handling the situation. He was comfortable in leaving it in his hands.

The worry visibly expressed on his features was enough for him to know that.

After such a long time, he finally interacted with the material world and saved the lives of two young girls. Although the world he had come to know faded from his vision, he felt fulfilled.

This may be all he needed to do to find the Pure World. He could hope at least…

At least now he could rest.

"You're safe now. I have to leave… Take care, Ruby," Naruto spoke as he fell into a void, closing his eyes as a shining warmth enveloped him. He released a content sigh. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

And let the warmth consume him.

Her heart thumped in her chest. She blinked several times, gawking at the black mist that surrounded her. Her gaze fell onto the black orb she held in her hand as it fell apart and returned to dust.

Ruby failed to comprehend what had just happened. She was behind Naruto and Yang as the Grimm approached. What she remembered that was strange was Yang stepped and went through her new friend.

How did she do that? Why didn't he feel weird about it?

She remembered he spoke. His voice felt so comforting. It was as if he had faced the Grimm before. Was he like mom… A hero who fought them?

Where was Naruto? Why couldn't she see him anymore? Where did he go?

"Narto?" Ruby scanned, searching for her new friend, but failed to see him.

But as she spoke, she felt a warm sensation bubble in her belly. And she heard his comforting voice once again. "You're safe now. I have to leave… Take care, Ruby. It was a pleasure to meet you."

Ruby fidgeted and lowered her head. Her new friend was saying goodbye? They just met. He just saved her. She wanted to learn more about him…

She was so tired of meeting people and them leaving…

But why did she feel so warm? Why did it feel that he was still here? This was all so weird…

"Ruby!" Ruby could barely stay on her feet as Yang tackled her, tightly hugging her. "I was so worried! What was that?! What did you do? How did you…"

"Yang, it's okay." Ruby's eyes widened as she felt another embrace them both. The voice was familiar. She knew who this was, and that was lifting them into his arms.

"Uncle Qrow?" Ruby stared up into crimson eyes.

"I'm here… I'm so sorry for being late… Just my luck, huh?" Qrow laughed. But it didn't feel as if it was a joyful laugh. It sounded… Sad.

"Let's get you two away from here and back home." Qrow walked forward, effortlessly carrying her and her sister tucked against his chest. "Maybe I can knock some sense into your Dad… Oum knows I need him right."

"I need someone to help figure out what I just witnessed you do, little Rose."

Huh?

This warmth feels so nice… But what is this?

I can see again? I can see everything… Ruby? So this is your home, huh? Is this your dad? Uncle? Okay…

Why am I seeing all this? Where am I? Why does it feel similar to just a moment ago…

Hold on… Am I inside you? What is going on? Why am I in here? Ugh, all this is so frustrating! Is this what…

Hahahaha! Okay, I know you're laughing somewhere out there at this… I hope to see you again, my friend…

Ah, fuck it! What else am I doing? If I'm stuck in here, at least I can do what you did for me… Later on. For now… I can protect Ruby this way while I wait to see everyone again.

It seems my journey just gets longer and longer… But I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll crush any challenge before me and show everyone what I'm for! That is my way, and I won't give up now!

Ya better believe it.

R & R.