A/N: Read this note, please. Big changes are coming to this site.
EDIT: Made some tweaks and expanded the scenes down at the bottom of this chapter. Hope folks enjoy/notice T_T
I'll get around to posting the mature chapters of this story -and others!- on A03 eventually. Just so blasted bus with the holidays...
Scarlet Vow, Forget Me Not, and One With Spirits may well be moved back in the update rota soon. They're not all that popular compared to the rest.
Speaking of less-than-popular things...
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the Fanfiction site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire. The app helps for some, for others it doesn't.
It HURTS to say that; but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves, and it feels like the end of an era.
If you're not already aware of it, 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 because of this.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system before everyone leaves.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this story, and all others.
I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns. We'll keep it brief this time:
Q: Update schedule?
A: You never stop, do you? Doctor of Demons should be next. Hopefully. I'd like to do a few double
Q: Hold up, wait a minute! Is Millicent really starting to become *SPOILER*?! No, no, no! What about her sisters?!
A: Can't answer that question yet. As to her siblings, they too, have a role to play, though we've not seen them in this story yet.
Rest assured. We will.
Q: To hell with dragons! More action! More romance! More fluff!
A: Patience. We're already in the second act, though only a few noticed by now.
Q: More of best snek when?
A: *whistles innocently*
Alright, then. I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.
They're tributes to legends far greater than I.
Now, then. Here we go. Title is a pun~!
Time to move the plot forward.
"Sometimes that's all we need, dear. A helping hand. A little nudge-a push, if you will.
That is precisely what I've done. I gave him a nudge. It may matter little to you...
...but I will see that he is happy. No matter what form that happiness takes.
~Rennala.
A Beautiful Lie
Fia found herself somewhat...conflicted.
It wasn't her circumstances that left her feeling so; on the contrary, the Deathbed Companion was content with her place in the Roundtable Hold for the time being. It was here that she could best hide from the dogmatic fools of the Golden Order, lurking in plain sight. Coryn and the ignorant fool "D" didn't suspect a thing. That oaf Diallos even less so. Perhaps sir Gideon had known the truth of her origins but whatever dark, treacherous knowledge the All-Knowing brute once knew was gone to the grave with him. And good riddance be to he!
No, the problem lay in what Fia learned. For she had learned many things indeed.
The Lands Between were changing.
Not only had Gideon been sent to his grave but another demigod had fallen. Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy was no more. His great rune had been usurped, as had that of Rennala's. She knew who held them. Just as she knew who had sacked the Volcano Manor. All the Great Runes were being gathered and soon, few would remained. She would need to journey below, and soon, if her quest was to bear fruit
. But she dare not leave. Not yet. Not until he returned.
Naruto. He was at the center of all this. She wished to see that pleasant, sunny boy once more before she enacted her scheme. It wasn't that she fancied him; of course not, even if she did find him rather handsome in a boyish way. But in the same vein Fia knew she could not bring herself to blindly trust in him as the others did. No. She had a purpose, a mission, a task, one she couldn't simply abandon on a whim, even should she want to. And she didn't. Much like poor Rogier, she had given too much to her great goal already. She was bound to this path...
.
..
...wasn't she?
What's the harm? A dark voice whispered to her. He's already proven himself a champion for many a lost cause. Why not ours?
He certainly had, hadn't he?
She allowed her mind to linger on what she'd learned. Her spies, those unfettered by death -of which there were many in the Lands Between- had seen much of him and his deeds. They had told her their tales. Naruto, the tarnished, as many insisted upon calling him, was busy indeed. From the mighty to the wretched, he had done his level best to save or aid all he came across:
The poor girl Millicent would be a rotten wreck without him, doomed to stagnation.
A mighty warrior jar now called him friend, all because he'd pried the big braggart from the earth.
That little demihuman seamster Boc was even now knitting garments of great worth, and would yet more once the golden sewing needle was delivered by his master.
He had plucked the warrior woman Nepheli from the depths of her despair and seen her fool of a "father" slain for his lofty ambitions.
Met the reclusive Patched and spared his life.
Proven himself a friend of the dragons thrice over now.
Saved the Albinauric woman from a fate worse than death.
Helped a hapless blind girl who had nothing to offer him but smiles and kind words.
Earned himself a determined Finger Maiden if the form of Therolina, even if she did not yet know her way.
By chance or fate, he'd stumbled upon a melancholy fellow known as Thops and gave him the guidance he sought. His work would one day create an entirely new branch of sorcery.
Even Rennala, Carian queen of the full moon, seemed smitten by him, to say nothing of that girl Rya and the recusant Tanith.
And those were just the ones she knew of! She had no idea how he'd come by the mysterious Melina in the first place, or terrifying Trish and rambling Roderika. How was she to, when her spies had not known of him then, nor his allies? He'd done so much for others, with nary want of a reward. The only one he'd yet to aid in his travels was the Witch, she who had asked him to venture deep into the forbidden depths of Nokron, in search of darkest heresy.
But he hadn't said no to Ranni either now, had he? Might he yet be willing to help her, then?
Fia was no fool; she knew the tides were turning. This noble, sunny Tarnished held more Great Runes than any warrior before him; even the once noble Vyke long since lost to Frenzy. He would become Elden Lord. Fia felt it in her bones, weak though they were. Yet it remained to be seen what kind of Lord he would become-
Aha! But she heard raised voices now! He must've returned whilst she was dwelling on her darker thoughts.
She never doubted he would, not for a single moment; it was merely the matter of his timing that surprised her. He'd been gone for a terribly long time now-so much so that she'd lost track of time altogether. In truth she didn't even realize Naruto had come back to the Roundtable Hold until she heard his voice; or rather, raised voices.
Rising on soundless slippers, she paced her way to her closed door and laid one ear against it.
Sure enough, muffled words emerged:
-don't see your lady friends with you." That was Diallos to be sure. "Don't tell me they left you behind-Lanya?!"
"They're busy, Diallos!" the brash blond's voice boomed through the wooden frame, booming over the man's startled yelp. "And I found your squire just, like ya asked! See? She's safe and sound! Now stop lazing about and go help Coryn find Goldmask! I'm tired of seeing ya laze about!"
"But I-
"No buts! Chop, chop! Get out there! And take "D" with you. He's been getting restless."
"A search for that venerable sage?" Sure enough, the stoic knight's voice came through. "I wouldn't object to such. Have you seen him?"
"Tell ya what, I'll trade you what little I know for the location of this "Beast Sanctum" you mentioned earlier. Sound fair?"
Fia frowned. Beast Sanctum? She'd never heard tell of such a place...
...very well. You've weeded deathroot well in your travels thus far. A favor given is a favor repaid. Lend me your map before I depart...
A faint smile touched Fia's face and smoothed away her scowl. She would not be said to see the twinned knight gone from the Hold, if only for a little while. It would allow her to move freely through the Hold if nothing else. She would not protest if said journey were to claim the knight's life. Rogier might not see it as such, but he, unlike Lionel the Lionhearted-that dear, silly man who took one look at her tattered robes and declared himself her father-was hardly privy to the entirety of her plans. If she was to succeed, she must distance herself from all those who would serve the Order.
Footsteps approached the door. Heart in her throat, she hastened back to her bed and flung herself atop it.
Not a heartbeat later, He pushed the door open.
Her heart hitched a little when she saw the state of him.
His armor was dirty and in need of a good cleaning; but unlike the last set, this one still held. She'd expect no less of Radahn's armor, even if he'd gone without the headpiece. Her gaze strayed to his back, noting the foul blade of Rykard slung loosely over his shoulder, nestled just between the Starscourge Greatswords, and quirked a pale brow. Did he intend to wield all three at once? How would one even go about doing so? Such a boy...
"Hey," he waved her way as he staggered in. "You're looking well."
Fia bowed her head, feigning surprise. "It is good to see you again. How fares your health?"
"Fought a dragon, made it to the Altus Plateau, came back here." he staggered in with a sigh. "Mind if I rest for a bit?"
She didn't miss the new Great Runes glimmering on his body. Fascinating. He truly did possess five of them...was this truly her chance?
"By all means." She smoothed out her robe over her legs and beckoned him forth. "Make yourself comfortable."
Naruto did so happily, all but flinging himself onto his back to land upon her bed and burying his face into a pillow. She felt the mattress creak under his armored weight but didn't protest. Why should she? This was what she wanted...wasn't it? He didn't hesitate anymore. She noticed that much. Good. A lord, the man who just might become HER lord mustn't flinch in the face of adversity.
That wasn't to say he didn't have his regrets. Everyone did. She could sense his now; lingering concerns festering just under the surface. "You seem troubled, my lord-
"Stop." He raised a hand to silence her. "I get enough of that lord crap from others these days. Naruto or nothing, please.
"Naruto, then." The ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Is that pleasing to you?"
He grunted into one of her pillows, a sullen sound all but dragged forth from him. "I guess...
"Tell me your woes then, dear Naruto." She laid a hand on his head. "What troubles you?"
He turned just so, a lone blue eye peeking out past the pillow. "Can I rant a little to ya?"
"You have before. Be assured, nothing you say will leave this room."
His face closed down. "Rennala keeps shoving people at me...
Fia bit her lip to stifle her smile. Yes, she was well of Lady Rennala's predilections. Frankly she found it touching. The Queen of the Full Moon had devoted herself to the boy's happiness at the expense of all else. A more loyal partner one could not hope to find. Truly, that oaf Radagon had been a full to cast her aside.
Does she now?" Her hand stroked his scalp. "And how, pray tell, does your Blade feel about this?"
That's just it!" he turned his head to glare at her fully. "Millicent doesn't mind! If anything she's all for it! She doesn't think she can even HAVE kids, but she's after me to have one for some reason. Something about havin' an heir or something." As quickly as it came, his flash of temper receded and he turned away from her. "I get why she's doing it, at least I think I do. She wants to make me happy. But its too much. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing...
Fia's hand stilled atop his head, and her heart with it.
"I killed Godrick." he said apropos of nothing, heedless of the stilted silence between them. "Don't get me wrong; he was a bastard and he had to die. I get that. Radahn...maybe he was too far gone for me to save after his horse died. But then...
An edge entered is voice, now a bitter bite that alarmed her.
...I butchered Rykard, or, well, what remained of him. And a part of me enjoyed it." his fingers curled into a fist. "I reveled in his death; knowing that I played a part in wiping that tainted thing from existence. Gideon's dead because of me. I wasn't the one to kill him but my actions led to it. And I enjoyed that, too." though she couldn't see his face, she heard the frustrated noise he made. "Albus and all those poor albinaurics were all but butchered because of him. Who else will we lose before this journey is through? How many more deaths will I enjoy? How long before I stop talking and just start killing because its easier? Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing-
Whit those nine fateful words, Fia's temper, long since silent, finally sparked.
"You are!" she seized the would-be-Lord by his face, then yanked forcibly turned him toward her, making him look away from the wall and stare her in the eye. "Do not doubt yourself. Not ever. Doubt is poison. It will eat away at you, devouring you from within until naught but a hollow shell remains. You mustn't let it in. You are on the right path." My path! She hissed at that tiny girlish part of herself that cried thus until it fell silent. "You give of yourself freely, helping any who need your aid, even those you shouldn't. Such kindness is a gift, one you must never abandon." she squeezed his cheeks when he made to protest. "Do you understand?"
"Well, yeah." he squinted up at her, not quite comprehending her sudden fit of temper. "I like to help folks ya know. Its what I do."
It was time. She took a gamble. "Does your kindness extend to those outside the Golden Order?"
...it does." there was no doubt in his voice.
"Then listen to me now." She was leading him and by the look in his eyes he knew it, but he didn't dare interrupt, such was her ire. "You are good. You are just. You are righteous. You save those you can and bring death to the wicked. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool. I have suffered many things in my life but you are one of the few I do not regret meeting."
He drew himself out of her arms and leaned back with a rueful smile. "Thanks. For what its worth, I appreciate the sentiment. I'll be going now...
But nothing! She would not allow it to end on such a poor note as this.
Her hand betrayed her, grasping at his wrist when he made to rise.
"Do you need further proof of my faith in you?" she yanked while he was off balance. "Lay with me, then. Here and now."
Naruto nearly choked on his spit. "Now wait just a second!
"You cannot conceive a child with Millicent, no?" her voice softened, seeing the alarm -and yes, anger- in his eyes. "Not until she is cured of her Rot. Lay with me," she guided his arm down as he looked on, touched their interlocked fingers to her full bosom beneath her ebony robes, "Lend me some of your vitality, and in time, I shall bear you a son. A legacy. Something by which you will be remembered. This is my promise."
Not just any son, but a boy born with the blessing of Runes, a child who might yet take up the Path she found herself faltering on.
Fia watched him waver. Reached up now, drew down her hood.
"Do you think such an act shameless, perhaps?"
When he didn't respond, she released his hand to tug at the string of her robes. A deft pull caused them to unfurl about her waist, baring her upper torso to him. His eyes lingered on her, noting her scars, the marks she bore from her close encounters with those of the Order. She had narrowly escaped their hunters time and time again, but her body had paid the price. Pale white lines crisscrossed the length of her body; each mark told a story.
Yet for all that, he didn't denounce her.
"Do you not desire a son?" Flushing a little, Fia covered her breasts with one arm, beckoning to him with the other. "A child of your very own? Come. Be with me and I shall grant all you desire and more."
She would still go below to Godwyn in search of the other half of the Hallowbrand, that blessed mark of death. She had to. She must. But this took precedence. Without an Elden Lord to right the wrongs of the Shattering, there could be no true solace for those who lived in death. The Lands Between needed such; one who did not cast aspirations upon those outside the Golden Order, but rather united all those within. Naruto was the only suitable candidate for such. If that meant giving herself to him...so be it.
A lie, perhaps. But it was a beautiful lie and hers alone, one none would know save her. This once, just this once, she would ive.
She pushed him down, crawling now into his lap. Muffled his words with her lips time and again, until he gave in.
His hands tugged down the rest of her robe and settled on her waist. She began to move against him.
Oh. Oh, that felt very nice indeed...
(.0.0.0.)
Atop his throne, Morgott creaked an eye open.
Was...was he being ignored? Were they ignoring him?
Nay, surely not. The Tarnished had to come this way sooner or later...didn't he?
(.0.0.0.)
Somewhere in her tomb, Sellen sneezed harshly behind her mask.
Strange. Whatever had brought that about?
Surely it was nothing...?
(.0.0.0.)
Patched grumbled darkly.
Bloody bastard, making me search here...
Who put a prosthetic arm in a swamp?! Madmen, that's who!
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto slipped out of Fia's chamber come morning.
Despite Kurama's good-natured ribbing, he couldn't quite keep the smile from his face nor the spring in his step. His doubts were still there, but they simmered silently, buried beneath a wave of post-coital bliss. That had felt...good. Really good, even. He didn't regret giving in for an instant; being with her obliterated his stress, but more than that, a fog had been lifted from his mind.
Likewise, the path ahead was now clear to him.
Wasn't it? He'd done all he could in Liurnia. There were still loose ends to tie up in Limgrave and Caelid. After that...he couldn't put it off any longer. The way into Altus was open now. Millicent and the others were ranging ahead at his request, but maybe, ust maybe it was time to see what the capital had in store.
A shadow fell over him. His eyes widened. He looked up. Smiled, now. "Oh, hey!"
Trish loomed large over him, her face carved from stone. She was holding something in her hand. A note of vellum?
"What's this?" he squinted at the Tree Sentinel or rather, hernote. "Seluvis. Must kill." His brow furrowed. "That big-hat bastard working for Ranni, right?"
Trish stabbed a finger at the word, her lips moving slowly-yet-soundlessly. "Must kill."
"I get that, really I do, but I'd like to know why...?"
A dark look flashed across her scarred face. She jabbed a hand into her belt. Came up with another parchment. Seemed someone was prepared...
"He took my tongue." he read out the words. "I am like this because of him."
Well, well. He'd never liked the scheming bastard. But this...?
"And how pressing is this need? I said I would help Milli-
Trish slammed a fist against the wall.
"Alright, alright!" He held up his hands. "We'll handle it. Just gotta make a little detour first...
Trish stomped a foot.
A blond brow rose. "You wanna come with me?"
She folded both arms across her armored chest and granted him a grim nod.
...alright." he found himself smiling despite it all. "You've been cooped up in here awhile, haven't ya?"
"Might I...accompany you as well?"
"Hmm?"
Naruto craned his neck back toward the voice. He'd recognized Rya's words anywhere...
.
..
...but he didn't recognize the figure behind him.
Kurama offered a low whistle in his head. Naruto didn't much blame him.
Gone was Rya's telltale hunch, her hair unbound from the plaits and braids of before. Golden curls cascaded down her back, framing eyes of lively vivid green; a deep emerald to match her dress. His gaze traveled lower still and his mind fizzled out entirely. For good reason! He'd thought she was little taller than before, but now he realized why. Just below her waist she'd abandoned her humanity; in place of those once crooked legs her body now ended in a serpent's coiling tail, bearing striking scarlet scales and a white underbelly. Her upper body was coiled atop that very tail, which explained a great many things.
Triss blinked. She blinked hard. Naruto found himself joining her. Well, this changed things...
Rya had gone above and beyond her serpent blood to become a...what was the word, a lamia? Right, right, he'd read about those before.
His brain finally caught up to his tongue. "I...you...how?!"
"I'm sorry I was gone for so long, my champion." Rya spread her arms, standing straight and proud and tall as he'd never seen her do. "It took some time to master my new shape, and I wanted to surprise you-to be of better use to you." Her face went pink under his stricken gaze. "I," she gulped, rallied, and slithered closer to them. "I can fight alongside you, now! Look! She pivoted with startling speed and cracked the length of her tail at a stand of steel plate armor, encircling it in an instant, squeezing now, until-
CRUNCH.
The results spoke for themselves.
Trish whistled silently, making not a sound.
"Do you like it?" Rya rounded on him with hopeful eyes. "How do I look?"
Naruto's jaw clicked open. She was pleading with him, begging for his approval...and his tongue betrayed him. "...beautiful."
Rya squeaked turned redder than her scales and wrung her hands. "You truly think so...?"
Naruto managed a numb nod. Her bright eyes widened further still. Foolishly, he remained where he was, rooted to the spot. Errors were made on his part.
Her squeal was his only warning.
"I knew you would!"
Rya pounced a heartbeat later, moving with serpentine grace to enfold him in her embrace. In an instant he found himself bound, squeezing between her arms and tail for all she was worth. It didn't hurt; rather, she held him so tight he found himself incapable of feeling pain...or breathing for that matter. Wuh-oh. World was going black...!
"Ouch!" he rasped out a laugh. "Lungs! Lungs! Lemme breathe~!"
A/N: Didn't see that coming, did you?
These holidays are driving me insane at work. Stark raving mad. Can't wait for them to be over.
Well? Did you like this story? Yes? No? Maybe? Speak up! Make yourselves heard! Your voice matters~! Silence hurts worse than any flame.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story.
If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs during the holidays 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.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas....Review, Wouldst Thou Kindly?
And have some previews. Some are quite off, but still...
Mind you, these are all potential potential previews.
Vote for what you want to see!
And as ever:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS LAY AHEAD!
YE BE WARNED!
(Previews)
Millicent was not herself.
She could feel it now; a dull ache in her temples, one that grew more and more pronounced with each passing day.
At long last, the Altus Plateau yawned before them.
Millicent drank in the sight of it, knew the outcome was never in doubt; they were bound to reach this place sooner or later.
Being here...hurt. Made the Rot within her had begun to writhe again.
There was something important in Caelid. Something she'd forgotten, yet couldn't quite recall.
But this was not Caelid. There were far from that place of rot.
She stood now upon the Erdtree Gazing Hills, admiring Leyndell in the distance and the Erdtree within, those fertile fields and deathly banners. She drank it all in. Gazing upon it all-upon the Erdtree!- filled her with a mournful sense of longing, as though she were traveling endlessly, searching for something -or perhaps someone?-that she knew wasn't around anymore.
And yet still she searched.
Smarag had been bested days ago. The outcome was never in question. With so many arrayed against it the dragon fell in short order. From there
Credit where it was due, it didn't go quietly. with som
The outcome was never in doubt; Millicent knew,
"There had been another encounter with a white dragon, but it had flown on by after blitzing them.
Got a bit of dirt, there.
He thumbed some soot away from her cheek; a simple gesture, little more.
"Oi! Got you something!"
Milicent turned to face him. Paused. "Is that an arm...?!"
Naruto hefted the prosthetic limb like some bloody trophy. "You have no idea what Patches and I went through to get this...so much poison...
"...that is a horrid pun, and I do not find it funny."
"No? Then why are ya smiling?"
...my dearest Lord."
"Yeeeees?"
"Hush."
Rennala looked at her for a long moment.
"You are becoming her."
...her?" Milicent shook her head. "I am me. No one else."
"No?" the older woman took her by the chin. "I see the signs, even if you do not. You are a piece of her. You and your sisters. Take care going forward, I wonder who you will be by the end. Will you still be Milicent? Or will you be...Malenia?"
"Alright, then!
Millicent shook her head and hastened after the lot of them.
She was still herself. Of that, she was certain.
But for how much longer?
"Your end approaches, Naruto. What will it be, I wonder? Which will you choose?"
"I need a word with that sorcerer of yours.
Ranni blinked, taken aback by his sudden declaration. "Seluvis? Whatever for? He is useful."
Naruto didn't give her the chance to recover. "I just wanna talk to him. Loudly. Repeatedly. With my fists."
"Be that as it may, I cannot allow you to kill him-
He drew himself up, towering over her.
"Wasn't asking."
"Take care of our sister."
He drew forth a needle from the muck of Caelid. "Well, that's certainly something...
"We'll rest here."
A faint shimmer behind him told a different story. "Finally done hiding, are you?"
Melina was silent for a long moment. "This is not the place of my death."
And didn't that just sting? Well, screw that! He wasn't going to let her die. Even if it killed him.
Then she sat beside him. Her head came to rest against his bloody shoulder. As he looked on, her good eye closed.
"The enemy you face is no base foe. You will need all the strength you can muster." she offered her hand once more. "Shall I turn your runes to strength?"
He blew out a small, irritated sigh. "Do it."
His world burst into light. And through it, he heard her voice. "I wish to tell you a story."
"Blech! Lobo, no! No licking! Yes, yes, I know you're happy to see me again but-hey! I told you to stop!"
Latenna's mount would have none of it.
Naruto sputtered. "Enough! Sit!"
The wolf obeyed.
"Great, now I'm covered in drool...
Latenna hid a laugh behind her hand. "No, no, you look wonderful."
...you're mocking me, aren't you?"
"Hey, there's a grace here, too! I wonder if...
He touched it and unbidden the image of a golden plain sprung to his mind.
The warm rune-ring on his finger sang, striking a low harmony with the Great Runes embedded in his body.
Without warning the world lurched around him, shifting in whorls of myriad gold on black. A faint sense of nausea shot up his throat. He choked it down.
Please. A voice begged. Help me...
Everything went dark.
"What have you done now?!" It was to that oh-so-familiar, exasperated cry that he returned to the roundtable.
"OI! I wasn't gone that long!"
"...I've finally hit my limit, boss. Take care of her, will ya?"
Naruto frowned at his exhausted shadow clone. "Take care of who?"
"Its not like I'm dying. My experiences, my memories, my emotions will live on in you."
"Oi!" he grabed him by the arm "You're starting to worry me! Just what did you get up to while I was gone."
His doppelganger didn't answer. His eyes had already gone dull.
He crumbled in his grasp and turned to so much smoke.
And the very moment he did..memories rushed in.
Naruto felt his lips move.
"Irina...?"
"Heed my words...
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.
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.
Silence...silence only hurts.
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
R&R~!