I OWN NOTHING

Many of you want me to add Gentiana as another lover for Naruto. Can't blame you. Especially if you know some spoilers of how cool and hot she can be at the same time. Picture me winking like an idiot.

WARNING: As you saw in the previous chapter, I've massively changed the story to have Noctis and Lunafreya to be wed sooner before the events of the Kingsglaive movie. I'm taking things on a more lighthearted note here. Also, you-know-who has his eyes on the trio.

XXXXXX

Time had passed, and not only did Kaguya try to figure out how to get back home using Naruto's chakra to revert the process, but she became a big hit. Being a goddess wasn't a mere title she got for eating a fruit, she was smart too. Her intelligence fascinated many of her teachers and astounded the world around her. She really thanked the king for keeping his word about being tight-lipped on the whole thing of her not being really human. Some did think she was not from their world with her appearance, but a pair of shades she said were for medical reasons helped hide some of that.

Cliché as it may be, the good old "wearing shades" trick at least covered the eyes the Hyuuga clan inherited from her. Naruto also noticed that Hinata and her family inherited far more… far, far more. He had to commend whoever made the robe he saw Kaguya wear when he first met her to be able to hide her body with so much modesty. Forced into normal clothes he could firmly say where some of Tsunade and Hinata's blessings came from. Due to the clothing worn in the world they arrived in he could see how gifted she was. Sadly, that was a double-edged sword.

"Are you staring?" she asked with some anger and, dare he say it, amusement in her voice.

At sixteen Kaguya was seen through the world as the biggest engineer. It helped that she had the motivation to become one: getting out of the world they were in. Thanks to her studies she could also ponder on new ways to solve many of their problems, starting with a not so simple one. The sunglasses covering her face were on her forehead as she and the blond were in the latter's room with her eyes fixed on his hands.

"I'm getting bored, and you're taking forever." The equally sixteen-year-old said while moving his eyes away and trying to see if her white flat shoes were more interesting than the ceiling. She just grunted.

Her body was covered in tight white pants that showed the ridiculous curves of her child-bearing hips and thick, plump yet not overly massive behind. Going up, her body's chest seemed to struggle in a red dress with a short skirt and no sleeves. He tried as hard as he could to pay attention to the ceiling, but he just… couldn't. It wasn't his fault really; they were just so… rotund. One would have to use two hands just to…

Kurama's snoring was a welcomed and very thanked distraction. The one-tailed kit had grown, massively, into a fox the size of a large dog, even bigger than a Saint Bernard. His claws were still sharp, but he at least wasn't clawing at Naruto's bedsheets. Kaguya gave an annoyed grunt at the fox's laziness but didn't say anything, instead she focused on finishing the last touches to her latest project.

When she finally stood back, he stood up. Aside from cutting his hair shorter which showed how nicely his face was losing baby fat, he was like himself before the incident. Wearing a white hoodie which was opened to reveal an orange tank top, black pants, and red sneakers he looked like an average teen. He also had a pair of large red headphones hanging around his neck, Queen's Killer Queen echoing to mock Kaguya. He had also gotten a lot buffer thanks to training with Cor, compacted muscle marking lean arms and a six-pack showing on his abdomen.

"There, it's done." She let him glance at his hands, covered in odd metallic fingerless gloves. They were black with red knuckle guards. What called his attention were the small holes between the knuckles, three in each hand. They were circular and didn't seem to have much use.

"So this'll help me control my chakra in battle?" he asked while staring at his mitts with an arched eyebrow.

"It's a prototype, so we have to test it to see if it works. Don't blow your hands off."

He panicked, "What do you mean don't blow my hands off?! Did you forget you need me?!"

She snapped, "Trust me, I don't, otherwise I'd have thrown you down this building in your sleep after strangling, stabbing, and-"

"Get to the point!" Kurama yelled at them, too tired to deal with their fights.

She groaned, "Anyway, you think it's easy to make something like this? Chakra's a natural source of energy that comes from the body, and this technology is the best we got to keep your massive overload in check. But, as you know, your levels of chakra are too immense for anything but your Uzumaki body to hold it. These gloves will let you fight and use a percentage of that power with some form of control."

He groaned and tightened his hands into fists, "You're just going to have a blast, aren't you?"

She smirked, "Oh, maliciously." She nearly moaned at the idea of him being in pain, but quickly shook her head, "Anyway, I need you to at least try. If worst comes to it, I'll be ready to reattach your fingers."

"You are crazy if you… Wait, you're already crazy! You're not going to make me lose a finger if you mess this up!" he yelled, ready to fight.

She snarled, "What're you going to do ab- ow!" he flicked her.

With a smirk all over his face, he retorted, "Did you say something?"

"Why you…"

Just as Naruto was pulling up a sleeve and Kaguya's fingernails flared with a little chakra to start harming him, a knock at the door stopped them. In walked a familiar face no longer bound to a wheelchair thanks to a certain princess. Noctis had grown into a strong young man who still dressed mostly in black. He had cargo pants, an opened medium-sleeved trench coat, and a t-shirt all colored the same, complete with boots.

"If you two need time, I can come back later." He had also grown to be a massive smartass.

"Can it!" the two snapped at him as one.

He smirked, "See, you're already working together and making a cute couple."

"Noct, last warning…" Naruto said, holding up a fist, "Don't make me break my promise to your pops by saying something as stupid as me being with this sadist."

"Same here." Kaguya warned, "I could try and dissect you to find out how your heritage works, remember that, young prince."

Noctis snickered, "You're too easy to tease, that's why Luna thinks you two should date. Really, if you get so worked up about it, you're just giving people ammo to have a laugh."

"Being a smartass while neglecting his duties. Our prince, ladies and gentlemen." Naruto shot back.

Noctis smiled, "I'm taking it easy, so far I've completed my training and I decided to get a favor from you, Naruto."

Said blond arched a brow, "What do you need me for? If it's to put paint or glue in a bully's pants, it's just fifty G."

"No, see, I met a new friend and he seems like the life of the party." The young prince then chuckled as he stared at the blond youth's hair, "I'd like you to watch my back since I feel you could be lost brothers."

Crossing his arms, the blond looked at the prince right in the eye, "What's that supposed to mean? No crap, please."

"I'll let you find out. We'll go to see you once you are done with your shift." The prince said, making Naruto slap his forehead.

"Oh great, and today's payday." He rushed to his bed, pulling out a yellow sling pack he put on just as he jumped out the window, "I'll test this later when you've done your job properly, Usagi-chan!"

Kaguya blinked before noticing something coming her way and catching it, seeing the gauntlets, "You- Wait you self-centered imbecile! Where do you think you're going?!" she heard nothing as Naruto started to run down the side of the building, waiting until the last moment to jump off it and towards the gates, then running into the city as soon as they were open for him.

Deciding to be kind to the fake Messenger, Noctis answered her, "Didn't you know? He's got a part-time job. He really wants a car of his own."

She ground her teeth, "So I work to be this world's greatest prodigy in engineering while helping him pass his classes whenever he has a hard time with a subject… And he thanks me by taking a job so he can buy a car?!" she threw the gauntlets at the floor in anger, not noticing a spark coming from them, "That infuriating, thickheaded, insensitive, stressful little-"

"Shit!" Noctis' cry alerted her to look down at the gauntlets as they started to shake with sparks flying all around them.

Kurama opened a single eye to notice, all too late, that the former goddess should have tested the gauntlets better as they blew up, covering the room in smoke and soot, and leaving everyone coated in the latter.

XXXXXX

"That job again?" the king asked Naruto's caretaker as they walked through an office building to discuss some weapon manufacturer's latest decisions to arm their guards.

Cor nodded, "He's really insistent on not taking any money aside from the allowance we give him, and even then he's still strongly against being given too much. I do not know whether he's proud, really kind, or if he has some complex that makes him feel unworthy of kindness. Then again, he's no slouch and at least tries to earn his own car."

The monarch couldn't help but chuckle, "I wonder how Noct would react to knowing I will give him the Regalia for his wedding trip."

Cor nodded with a small smile, "Knowing how much he wanted that car, he may jump up and down."

The king shook his head, "I… I worry if that will be the case."

"My lord?" as a loyal warrior, Cor was saddened hearing those words.

"It is my job to attend to matters such as this, but it prevents me from seeing my son smile. I can't help but wonder if, or rather wish, he is happy." The father sighed.

"I do understand." Cor nodded, "I do raise Naruto, train him, but I am not much of a father as just someone taking the role. However, I can tell that your son is someone that wouldn't ignore your kindness. Those two are alike in that regard, when seeing the good in someone that wants to be kind to them, they can't let them down."

The king smiled again, "Thank you, my friend, it-"

"Sorry!" and speak of at least one devil, the two men watched the whiskered boy doing a backflip to pass by them and run into an office with something big and cube-like in his hands, "Office 27, 27… Here!" he put down the object he was carrying and smiled at the shocked men and women in suit staring at him, "Alright, that's 20 extra-large pizzas fo-"

"Get him!" And he was tackled to the ground by a squad of guards, "You little punk, do you know what you just did?! You disrespected the crown, the-"

King Regis spoke up, "Excuse me, but-"

A businessman ran forth, talking to the ruler while rubbing his hands anxiously, "Your Majesty, I'm so terribly sorry, I will have this ruffian apprehended for daring to insult your presence with such actions-"

"No, you don't understand, I trained that kid." Cor said before taking a step back.

"Geddoff!" five guards flew over the men's heads while the blond was holding one by the lapels of his suit, "Hey, I'm just doing my job, what's the big d-"

Before he could say or do more, Cor smacked him on the head with his sheathed katana, "Manners, boy!"

"Ow, who the- Master?!" Naruto's eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets while he still held a confused and terrified guard that was sweating bullets at what he saw.

Cor nodded, "You're before the king, act with some tact… or sense, for once." He sighed at the end.

Naruto's face started to sweat nervously before he grabbed the guard into a one-armed hug, "W-What do you mean, master? I was just… uh…"

"You were roughing up my employees, that's what!" the businessman from before shouted at him, "Do you have any idea what you're doing before these men or who they are?! You should be ashamed! Ashamed!"

"Actually…" the king started before noticing the fact that Naruto's sling pack also carried some bottles that nearly fell when he was tackled, "I believe he was doing his job. Let him go, please."

"But this punk just dared to attack my men, sir, you must see he deserves-"

"He's a good friend to my son."

"He deserves a lot of respect and a big tip! Aha… ahahaha…"

Moments later, after Naruto was paid and was getting ready to return to do his job, he and Cor were face to face outside of the meeting room where the kind was busy.

"Again with your temper, boy." The swordsman started, looking him in the eye, "Let me guess, Kaguya and you had another fight."

He frowned, crossing his arms, "The bunny wanted me to test her new toy, which could actually rip off my fingers. I told her to-" he noticed Cor frowning. Cor frowning at you is a bad thing, it usually means your next words better be good or else his sword's edge will be the least of your worries, "Told her to… think of something else and that I wasn't doing it. Then I decided to do my job to run around and relax."

Cor sighed, rubbing his face with a hand, "Patience is a virtue. If you two have problems, at least try to find a simple solution that won't involve violence." He closed his eyes and thought his words better, "I know you can do a lot when you put your mind to it. Working to get a car proves it. Why don't you try to get along? I know you have your issues, but you told me that she's the only thing you got from your own home."

Restraining a grunt, the whiskered boy shook his head, "It ain't that easy, master. You are a good master, I'll admit. Hell, I respect you enough to call you that because I've been fighting better than ever in my life because of you. Kaguya, though, she's the last person I want to depend or rely on, even if she and Kurama are all I got from home."

"People change." Cor said, "After all, if you two really hated each other so much, you wouldn't have come to terms to do whatever you're doing to get back home. If she can work with you, maybe-"

Naruto gave him a deadpan stare, "Master, no, that… that idea is a mockery of all things good, logical and pure."

"Who knows? There's no such thing as impossible in the world." Then he smiled, "And I do want to see Lady Lunafreya happy if you two end together."

With a twitching right eye, Naruto stared at the man in disbelief, "I'd… kick your ass if you weren't capable of kicking mine just as hard."

"Don't overestimate me, there's still much I have to teach you." Then he motioned to the door, "Now go, I don't want to keep you while you're working this hard."

Biding the man farewell with a wave of the hand, the blond raced out the room, up the stairs, through the roof, and jumped to the nearest building to get his next delivery.

XXXXXX

It was nighttime and Noctis had a small, friendly smile on his face while he followed a blond boy around his age with a hairdo that reminded him of a certain bird, a black vest, t-shit, cargo pants, and boots. They arrived at a pizzeria with some tables outdoors and a sign consisting of a deliveryman riding a Chocobo. On the deliveryman's only raised arm was a pizza box with a Chocobo on it giving a thumb up with its wing.

"I'm telling you, this place is awesome!" the blond cheered.

"I know. I've been here before." He knew who worked there.

"Oh yeah, sorry! I can't believe you actually decided to hang out with me… I mean, sure, who wouldn't? But still!" the youth was really excitable. He did look energetic like another blond he knew of, but wasn't as muscular, and he was at least a good five inches shorter than the whiskered one.

"Hey, you invited, I couldn't just leave you hanging after you asked me to join you." Responded the prince.

"Well, being royalty I thought… Oh, sorry…" the blond caught himself too late.

Noctis shook his head, "Listen, I don't really like all those royalties too much. Certainly wish I didn't have to be forced to do several things as a member of royalty. Meeting new people that actually want to be friends with me is a nice change of pace, I'll say."

"Wait, you really don't mind that I think you're acting high and mighty… And I should've shut up, right?" the blond started to panic.

Noctis smiled, "Actually, I'd rather talk to someone that speaks his mind than some uptight guy thinking he has to do their job or the world will end. So let's just enjoy some pizza, Prompto."

Said blond nodded, slightly dumbfounded by the kindness given to him by a prince, "Sure! I mean, you got it! Hey, it's my treat for taking things so well with me and my big mouth."

They took a seat at an empty table and, after placing their orders, just decided to make small talk, "So you're training to be a marksman, right? I wanted to know what it's like, but I'm much better with a sword."

Prompto nodded, "Well, it's easy, fast, and keeps you away from danger, perhaps why I like it better than being all close and personal. Besides, you should see me shooting. Bet I could blow off an ant's head from a mile away."

Noctis decided to be a bit playful, "Is that a bet?"

Prompto mentally slapped himself, "Wait, I didn't mean it, like, literally! Just, you know, I bet I could shoot anything you throw at me with enough time and patience… I'm still practicing, after all."

Seeing that he was being a bit of a bully, Noctis became friendlier, "I saw you at the shooting gallery, you certainly are a good shot. I don't think anyone else got that high a score before."

Prompto was immediately in better spirits, "See? You could just hire me as a bodyguard. Tell me where you are, give me a fully loaded revolver and an idea of where you go, and you won't have to worry about being too exposed in a parade ever again!"

"I'd worry more about the mess two… bodyguards could do." The prince mumbled under his breath.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch it." Prompto asked genuinely confused.

Before he could answer, Noctis felt a hand on his head, "I knew I recognized that duck-butt hairdo." Four blue eyes met, spiky golden locks still stood up, and a gasp was uttered as fingers were pointed, "This is what you meant with lost brother?!" Naruto and Prompto shouted in surprise and near amused shock respectively.

"I'd say blondes have a thing for me." Noctis teased.

Naruto looked up thoughtfully, "I'm… willing to believe that for one reason and one reason only, Luna." He then turned to his fellow blond and stretched a hand, "The name's Naruto, what's yours?"

"Prompto, so…" the thinner blond scanned the whiskered one, "…any chances there are others like you? Trust me, it's kinda hard to find blondes here."

"You're the first one I meet, and I've been all over this city delivering pizza." He sat down with them and sighed, "Have you two ordered?"

"I ordered for you." Noctis answered, "How's your job so far?"

"If I keep it up, I should be able to buy a decent second hand car." The blond replied, hand on his chin, "Then again, a bike wouldn't be so bad, like riding a steel ox into battle."

Prompto lit up at that, "That sounds like a cool name for a new bike series: Steel Ox, capable of stampeding through anything."

The two others chuckled, their new friend seemed to really try his best to make things lighthearted and fun, and with the stuff they had to deal with such a small act was very, very welcomed. The three ate in good mood, often talking of how things were at their classes - Naruto attending a different one that Noctis to seem more like a normal child – and taking things lightly. Truth be told, it was a welcomed change of pace.

It wasn't like Naruto had much of a choice but try to cope with his real problem like that. He and Kaguya were still trying to figure out how to get back home, and the explosion her latest experiment caused showed that they had a long way to go. Noctis actually told Naruto of the incident with some detail, and while Naruto wanted to see Kaguya missing some hair, he knew he'd have to be careful when getting back home.

"So this Kaguya chick, she's the greatest prodigy around, right?" Prompto asked after hearing of the explosion but not the cause or who made Kaguya mad, smiling a bit absentmindedly, "I mean, people talk about her being our age because she already got a lot of degrees in science and stuff. It must be great to have someone like that around if some things I've heard are true."

"You mean being a pain in the ass?" the other blond asked dryly.

Prompto chuckled, "All right, I heard she's got an attitude, but I also heard she's drop dead gorgeous… Like BAM!" he mimicked an explosion with his hands, "I heard she's turned down a lot of guys and colleagues due to her curves. I mean, I do like girls with a more athletic physic, a warm, friendly smile, a sunny disposition and… well, short hair. But if what I heard is true, whoever can win her heart would be a lucky man."

And the whiskered boy burst out laughing like a hyena, a hand on his face as he roared in laughter and doubled over when his lungs started to hurt, his free hand turning into a fist he banged on the table.

It was when he got out of breath from laughing, nearly passing out, that Noctis replied, "Yeah, he begs to differ."

Once calm, Naruto looked at Prompto, "Trust me, the day someone marries that prude we'll have to see if he's legally dead, or deaf, blind, mute and stupider than a rotten piece of maggot infested wood in a pond. If someone marries that crazy bunny he'll be the most miserable sad excuse of a human being ever. I pity whoever first tried to win her heart, I bet she was still as much of a raging ice queen as she is now."

"Uh…" went Noctis and Prompto.

Naruto sighed, "She's not behind me, drop the act."

Prompto snapped his fingers, "Dammit, how'd you know?"

Noctis answered him, "He's got a sixth sense or something to detect danger. Comes in useful, like when we snuck into the wine cellar to get a drink without Cor noticing… He still found out because we left a few clues. I won't forget the five months after that. So many training drills and blisters… I can still feel the skin peeling off my hands from so many sword swings."

"So a rule-breaking prince, couldn't resist the thrill of a small adventure, right?" Prompto asked.

Noctis chuckled, "With Naruto and Kaguya, every day's an adventure if only because one has to deal with how dangerous they're together."

"Wait, so you really do know her?" Prompto asked before thinking back, "Actually, you did talk like you did, I just thought you were speaking because of rumors."

"Why would I?" Naruto asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"Hey, many people tend to talk a lot of trash these days and suddenly drag in anyone to think like themselves, just like an evil hive mind from some horror flick." Prompto's answer made the other two nod.

Noctis responded, "Indeed, but we came here to have some fun, not to get too serious. So, what do you guys want to do next?"

"I'll get home and train a bit, and it'll be for the best that I deal with Kaguya now than later." He stood up and gave the prince a salute, "I'll leave you with the bill."

"Wait, why me?!" Noctis asked in shock.

"It's payday, and I'm not wasting my money here even if you asked me to come for you."

"Stingy-" Noctis started, but the blond was already gone.

"Good to know you're paying; it seems I… forgot my wallet." Prompto confessed with a sheepish smile.

Noctis grumbled, "I'm never trusting you two again."

XXXXXX

"Better get this over with." The blond said to himself while massaging his temples with a hand just as he was about to enter the building, "Best case scenario, we fight and break each other's legs."

"Did you fight again?" so deep was he in his thoughts that he paid no mind to the car parking behind him or the one getting out of it.

He smiled tiredly, "Nah, Luna, just the bunny being the same bloodsucking leech as always. She wanted me to test one of her new toys that could've ripped off my fingers, so I bl-"

"Language, boy." Growled a towering man in a fancy white uniform standing beside the petite but lovely blonde girl whose hair and looks had gotten better with time like a fine wine.

Luna was even more calming to the eyes than ever, but the man at her side was anything but peaceful. The wild gray hair, elegant trench coat with purple to make it more striking, and armor-covered left arm showed he was a soldier first and foremost. His main weapon was a simple rapier on his left hip, and he knew how to use it. However, Lunafreya could make the man fall.

"Ravus, don't be rude, Naruto's my friend and we're visiting my future husband's home."

The man scowled at the blond but nodded at his sister, "If it would please you." He stepped into the car, "I shall return shortly in order to make sure that the boy's promise to the king isn't an empty one."

After the car drove off, the boy replied to the vehicle with as much sarcasm and venom as one could muster, "Love you too."

Luna sighed, "He's not as bad as he seems. Lately, things have been very tense with the emperor after the chancellor took more control over the government."

He worried, "Is everything all right?"

She sighed tiredly, head low, "I just don't like that man at all, ever since he's started to push more of his ideas into the emperor's agenda, he… the emperor has been a different person. Even my brother has been affected. At times it feels horrible, you know? Seeing all these changes with people you think the world of, to see them become someone… something they're not."

"Wait, was Ravus anything other than a guy with a stick up his-"

She started to giggle, but did her best to answer him, "Believe it or not, yes, and he'd kill you if you finished that sentence."

He led her into the building, "He can try, I could use something to get some stress out of the way."

As she followed him closely, she asked, "Did you and Kaguya fight again? You didn't answer that."

Once he opened the elevator, he answered, "Like I said, she wanted me to be her test subject, so I ran off the instant I had the chance."

Both got in and she continued, "You should try to trust her, after all, you two do have to work together to get back home."

He chortled sarcastically, "The day I trust that selfish rabbit will be the day Ravus cleans my shoes."

She frowned as they got closer to their destination, "That's just mean on both my brother and her."

"Her latest toy caused an explosion that Noctis says will take an entire day to clean off, I'm just checking how much she messed up." His counter did the trick.

Lunafreya tried to think of better things to say, "She… She at least isn't as bad as before, at least."

"That bunny's meaner than mean. She's vicious rabbit, she's got a vicious streak a mile wide! She's a killer, I'm telling you! She's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you'll ever lay eyes upon!"

"What a delight you are." Upon hearing the door's opening, they didn't expect Kaguya to be there, though they should have given her Byakugan.

Naruto stared in shock at her. The explosion had ruined her clothes since she was the closest to the gauntlets. After scrubbing the soot off, she had to do some changes. Her hair had been safe, but the same couldn't be said of her outfit. She must have really wanted to give him a piece of his mind because she was only wearing a towel and nothing else around her body, making Lunafreya feel a little inadequate. As ashamed as she had been of nearly showing her preteen body in a fight when they first arrived to this world, her shame was overcome with rage.

She grabbed him by the throat and tried to punch him in the face, which he replied by parrying the strike with an arm before kicking her away. She skidded on bare feet on the ground, sliding due to the water clinging to her body. With a growl she raced at the blond with murder in her eyes and all intentions to hurt him. Lunafreya and Naruto got out of the elevator and the girl stood on a corner as she watched the two.

That was the sight Noctis arrived at, blushing for a moment before turning to the simultaneously horrified and awed Luna, "How long have they been going at it?"

"Son of a…" that was Naruto, who had been flung over the rabbit's shoulder after a failed kick to her sides, crashing into a wall.

Luna responded after breaking off her trance, "Two hours… I should have stopped them, but… uh… I don't think Kaguya would like to be reminded of her… current outfit. My guess is that she was so furious with him that the instant she knew he was in the building she just charged at him… despite, like I said, her state of dress."

"Or undress if it keeps going." He got a glare for that, to which he sighed, "Just calm down. They'll probably tire themselves out. Then she can deal with realizing how she's fighting him."

"Little punk!" Kaguya growled as she stood over Naruto, heel on his throat, and making him red on the face from the lack of oxygen and… quite a view. He could have and would have reversed the position quite easily by grabbing her ankle, forcing her into a leg lock and that would have been an easy victory. Sadly, the sight before him would forever be in his mind even if he'd rather it be otherwise.

Luna blushed beet red when seeing what the bunny goddess was putting on Naruto's line of sight, "Kaguya, cover your… low purity!"

Hearing that after getting a slight high from having Naruto down, Kaguya looked down at her towel and did the one thing no one thought she'd do: she gave a girly squeak, "Ah!" she let go of Naruto, who rolled out of her reach and jumped back to his feet, coughing and choking for breath.

And through all that, Noctis had only one thing to ask, "Low purity?"

"It was the best I could think about to not sound vulgar, you try." He winced at his future bride's answer.

Kaguya grew red from the massive embarrassment and even larger and further increasing rage inside her, "You little-"

"Give me a moment…" Naruto coughed, rubbing his sore throat, "I seriously… never thought… you'd be wearing pink with hearts…" the phrase needed for the moment was: digging one's grave deeper.

"Oh thank goodness." Lunafreya said absentmindedly, earning a dumbfounded look from her husband to be that forced her to explain herself, "I-I mean, a girl doesn't want to show… that to a guy, so at the very least she didn't have it seen by… We girls like to be a little romantic and want to have the first… I… You know, it has to be special, right?"

Noctis nodded, "I'll pretend I got that."

However, their little discussion was unheard as Kaguya marched to Naruto, who was thankful he got his breath back as he raised his fists. Good thing too, because it was time for round two.

"Should we stop them?" Luna asked, "I thought on trying, but…" she heard a loud crack and winced when both Naruto and Kaguya head-butted each other, making the two stagger back.

"The only one that could stop them without getting hurt is Cor, and he and my father are busy." He shrugged, "So, how was your day?"

"It was all right." she replied, "I did have some fish to eat from this nearby beach, it was good… I can't recall the name, but maybe you can help, Mr. Fishman."

He smiled, "Sure. Speaking of food, I made a new friend. He treated me for lunch and…"

As the two walked away, talking about their daily lives, the other two kept fighting like possessed chimps. Cor's arrival stopped them. After that they were forced to return to their rooms. The man wanted them to apologize, but he knew that'd start another fight he didn't want to be a part of. It wasn't that he couldn't handle himself, but he'd rather not deal with a girl clad in only a towel with murder in her mind.

Once in his room, which had thankfully been cleaned, Naruto plopped down on his bead with a grunt, "Crazy bunny, I should be the one mad. She could've taken off my hands if I used those gauntlets."

"Do not fault her." The blond sat up straight with a startled yelp.

"Gentiana, don't do that again!" he patted his chest, feeling his heart about to jump out of the ribcage as he looked at the Messenger sitting on a chair.

She merely smiled at him, "My apologies, but I'd like to talk with you." He rubbed his face and nodded at her, "I know Lady Lunafreya has talked with you about changes in her kingdom, in her family."

He grew worried again, "Is something wrong with them?"

She gave him a small nod, "I'm afraid this is a matter you have no reason to be involved in, but I implore you to listen. A man corrupted by hatred and consumed by spite roams around the empire. If you're willing to protect Lunafreya then you must know this man can't be harmed, not by you, not by any power but only one person's. That is why, if it comes down to it, we must ask you to protect Noctis over Lu-"

"Screw that!" he jumped up, glaring at her, "What're you telling me?! To just half-ass a promise I made to them?! What… Who do you think you are to ask something so cruel?!"

She remained calm, which made his anger subside slightly, "I know, and while it pains me… to just think about it…" he was surprised and slightly relieved to see her ball her hands into fists, even if she kept her face stoic, "However, the only way more people could live and avoid falling into danger would be to keep Noctis safe to face this man."

"Why're you telling me this?" he walked to her, looking her in her closed eyes.

"Because you're an outsider, a force this dark man couldn't see coming. Which is why I ask that you keep yourself a secret from him, as much as we have to keep this a secret from others."

"No, I won't take that-"

"If you were to tell Noctis, do you think he'd be prepared to lose her?" Her question stung his heart, "Please, Naruto. I despise the way things have to be made, but it isn't my choice. Unfortunately, the only way to be rid of this evil is by letting the young prince grow stronger, even if it means requiring sacrifices."

He ground his teeth, "Don't joke with me, Gentiana. Sacrifice?" he asked lowly, before shocking the woman by grabbing her by the lapels, lifting her to his face, "Don't give me that shit! I've watched many people die to make sure others kept living, throwing away their lives and having bastards spit on their corpses! Sacrifice ain't a word you can use on me and say it's for the best! If there's a chance to save everyone, I don't care how small it is or how laughably impossible you say it is, I'll do it! So think your next words carefully!"

Gentiana stared at him, surprise in her still close-eyed face with her lips partly open. However, soon a smile came to her lips as she held his wrists, "Thank you…"

He didn't know whether to be confused or angry, but he was both, "What?"

"For showing me how far you'd go for them… I thank you for being this kind of man." He let go of her and she bowed her head politely, "You would go far for them, I can see it, even if you are a stranger to this world. Whatever made you the way you are was true strength. When people say they are powerful or deserve more because of their pain, they're simply giving excuses to be greedy or cruel. You… You don't care about your pain, you're someone who wants to move past it for his and others' sake."

He blushed when she caressed his cheek with a delectably soft hand, "I…" he looked down, "Look, I am not going to be sorry for saying what I said, but if you understand what I'll do, then…"

"I will see to it that you reach that laughably impossible chance and make it work." She said with a smile he returned.

"Do you really expect me to keep this secret?" he asked, looking down, "It's sickening, you know?"

"That is why I told you, so you can prevent this man's actions." The look on his face said he needed more than that, "He is hidden among others, and even if I were to say who he is that man has dangerous ties for he is a servant of a being that despises human beyond comprehension."

"And who's this guy, then?"

"Ifrit, the Infernian. He made this man a servant due to their mutual interest in seeing mankind burn to ashes." She sighed, "Ifrit is a god of this world, and one to not be taken lightly. That is why I ask for your help, you can work in ways he could never predict, just like the way you acted towards me. Never would I have imagined to see someone do what you did."

"I still call bull on this, bull and shit." He grunted, "All this to beat some guy who is a puppet of another for their sick desire to…" he slapped his forehead, "Wait… Oh…"

Gentiana stared at him quizzically, "What's the matter?"

He dragged his hand down his face before answering tiredly, "I've had… quite a lot of experience with this kind of madmen before, so… I guess you got the right guy for the job."

"You should still be careful, Ifrit's servant is very crafty and unable to die."

"Then tell me, who he is." He narrowed his eyes, "If I can't kill him, I want to punch him until I get sick of it."

"You will meet him in due time, but for now I wish to talk to you about another matter." She opened her eyes, looking right into his, "I know you and Kaguya don't get along, but sooner or later you'll have to. When you look at her, you may see a reluctant ally. When I look at her, I see someone that has changed."

"How so? Being more of a pain in the-"

"Putting effort into repairing the weapon she devised so you could protect yourself." She certainly surprised him with that, "You can say it's because she needs you, but she still made something so you could protect yourself. Think about it next time you see her."

And with that, she left, leaving him to sigh loudly, "Great…"

A moment later Kaguya opened her door in her pajamas to find Naruto, who quickly put his hand up to halt her from closing the door, "What do you want?"

"Thank you." His words shocked her.

"W-What?"

"For making a weapon so I could defend myself better, thank you."

"You…" she didn't understand what the feeling in her chest was.

"There, that's all I wanted to say." He just had to ruin the moment.

She snapped, "You little… Do you know how much effort I put into it for you to give me that attitude?!"

Taking a step back, he tried to understand the problem, "What? I said thank you."

She grabbed her head, "You're impossibly idiotic! Good night!"

And she slammed the door, making him shout back at her, "Good night to you too!"

He walked back to his room, growling, but she didn't want him to have the last word, "Oh, and you're welcome!" she screamed before slamming her door again.

As Naruto passed by the hall, Lunafreya and Gentiana watched, with the former giggling, "I should try and practice my aim so Kaguya catches the bouquet…"

Gentiana nodded, but watched it all feeling… confused. It was amusing, but she couldn't help but replay the image of Naruto's determined face in her mind, the way he overpowered her even though she wasn't really intending to fight back at all. To see him change into such a man for the sake of others and then act the way he did around Kaguya had the dark haired woman… confused.

XXXXXX

Time had passed, and Cor could only look at the sight before him puzzled. Noctis was about to get married, and while the young lad had troubling thoughts regarding his position and the fact he'd have to take responsibility for far too many things, others had their duties too. Which is why he found himself at a gas station in the city, talking to a very changed person, at least physically speaking. Maturity did wonders to Naruto, as he looked handsome and no longer boyish. With a lean face, shorter hair than before slicked back with the sides even shorter, and an athletic body, he was quite the looker.

His attire wasn't as formal as many would want him to be, but he was called by a friend, not supposed to attend a party. A black blazer with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, an orange muscle shirt underneath, black dress pants, and black, steel-toed dress shoes, all gifts that were supposed to make him look presentable. He wasted no time in putting his own touch to them. Speaking of touch, on his hands were a pair of black, fingerless steel gloves.

"Was the matter as serious as to make you three go to find Lady Lunafreya immediately?" he asked the blond.

Naruto was putting gas on his car, a dark orange 1970 Chevelle he bought, repaired, and tuned up himself. It was barely standing on its wheels when he got it, but hard work always paid off. Cor still remembered when the boy finished repairing the old thing that was the automobile before him, the blond had been so overjoyed he actually cried before hugging the car. It was as awkward as it sounds, and Noctis, Kaguya and even Kurama used that to juice any good joke about it.

Speaking of the bunny goddess, she certainly grew too in… many good areas, "She said she wanted to see us as soon as possible, and we can't really decline her wishes given our promise." She wore a white sweater top that had no sleeves and was backless, which would've left her back exposed if not for her hair. The fabric did struggle at the chest area, while a pair of red tight pants struggled with her bottom. Last but not least, she had a nice pair of black flat shoes. She wasn't one for heels.

And on the back of the car was Kurama, the fox having grown to the size of an adult man, and taking the two back seats for himself in order to nap.

Naruto nodded at the man, "It sounded urgent to say the least. Besides, she seems to have her eye on something. She hasn't said much of what's bothering her, but that what we're going to find out. We can't really call off the wedding, can we?"

"Listen, in case anything happens, let us remain in touch." Cor said before staring at Kaguya, who was calmly staring at her nails through the shades still covering her Byakugan eyes, "I know you can see a lot, but I speak from experience when saying looking at a person is different than seeing who they really are. Be careful."

"What do you worry about? I'm strong, you know it." The blond said with a cheerful grin.

Cor stared at him seriously, "I'm more concerned about you two trying to kill each other on this journey."

"Point taken." The two said, with Kurama mentally agreeing.

The trio got ready to depart for an adventure they never thought they'd share with laughter, tears, and bizarre settings. All with Aerosmith's I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing playing in the radio.

XXXXXX

And that's my rap!

Hopefully you can forgive the odd time-skipping and length. I couldn't come with any ways for Naruto to meet Gladio or Ignis, so I decided to make him formally meet them later on in this adventure. Also, I do like Prompto since he's a decent enough comic relief. He's there for comedy, but I found him more endearing than other such characters.

Anyway, for those that wanted to see Gentiana with Naruto, that'll take some time to happen. Now for the party we have Naruto as the classic martial arts monk from other FF games, Kaguya being a mixture of a mage and healer, and Kurama being the thief. Though don't think Lunafreya will be out of the fray. Being the princess in this journey doesn't mean her bodyguards will do all the work. A friend and I pondered some ideas for her in combat, so wait and see. No spoilers.

Swordslinger out!