Implausible Tales chapter 13

Laying with his back to the black surface, breathing heavily, Naruto stared up to the much darker sky than he was used to. Everything seemed to be moving so slow right now. Everything was ringing and he was very dizzy. Around him were defeated creatures he had managed to defeat in the heat of his battle with Zetsu. He was so very, very tired.

Years… years of a constant cycle of battling. After all this time, he knew today was the day. This very day would be the end of their struggle. This is where it ends. Zetsu made that very clear here. Either he was dying today, or Naruto was.

"-et up... Nar-.. et up!" Naruto blinked a few times and shook his head out. "Get up!" he peeked his head around to see Zetsu struggling to his feet. He rolled over and got on all fours before pushing himself up, painfully.

He staggered, trying to stay upright. Looking across the way, Zetsu was preparing something very big. In his hands was growing a black ball. It began to grow and grow until Naruto could physically feel how much condensed chakra it was even without his sage mode.

"He's preparing a final attack… This is it kid… either he dies or we do…" Kurama said calmly.

Naruto's head rolled around in exhaustion. 'There's… there's got to be another way…' he basically pleaded.

"Naruto! He will kill us!" Kurama demanded. The boy was trying to remain true to his morals, but this was no time for that. It was literally a life or death situation. "He is not even human you idiot!"

Naruto just continued to shake his head regretfully. "I ca-… I can't…"

Kurama went silent for a few seconds. "… let me do it…" he said suddenly. "Let me do it… It'll take the last of my chakra, but I can still do it… Switch me quickly boy!" he demanded which Naruto was too tired to argue with. He shut his eyes and relinquished control. His skin began ripping off, taking the form of the red humanoid creature Naruto was no longer used to. 'You're gonna wreck my body.' "Better than being dead."

He crouched down on all fours and opened his mouth. A similar ball of chakra began gathering in front of his mouth. "I won't have enough time to build up a big enough blast, His attack is so big it'll hit us regardless…"

'I thought you said you could do it!?' Naruto demanded comically, now fearing for his life.

"If you weren't such an idiot, we wouldn't even BE in this situation!" Kurama snapped back. "If I can hold it through the blast, the flash should be enough to blind him. That's pure chakra so when it explodes, his Byakugan will become his handicap. I just have to hit him." Naruto said nothing. Within his mind, he was sitting back in the water, waiting to see what happens. "I'll do what I can… but if we don't make it… I'm glad I met you kid…"

He smiled and laid back in the murky water. Shutting his eyes, memories of him and Kurama at odds passed through his mind, illuminating the darkness above him. "You too Kurama…"

Zetsu finally finished the buildup of the massive ball of chakra above his head. "Some hero you turned out to be Naruto Uzumaki." With a downward jerk of both of his arms, the ball of chakra came speeding towards them and Zetsu dropped to his knees. Kurama, still buildup his attack ran towards the flying meteor of dark chakra that was ready to blow. Zetsu watched him the whole time.

Just before the ball of chakra hit him, he slid down allowing it to pass right over him. Zetsu wasn't alarmed in the slightest. He would never be able to escape that blast radius. Not even with Kyubi's chakra. It was only a matter of seconds.

When the ball of chakra finally touched down, there was silence and a pulse of chakra through the ground, shaking it briefly. The explosion that followed was absolutely catastrophic. In a very bright flash of white, Kurama lunged forward towards the still kneeling Zetsu who didn't seem as though he wanted to live anyways. He covered his eyes, giving Kurama the chance he was waiting for. He spit his tailed beast ball out and it soared like a bullet until it hit directly in front of the blinded man, blowing him away and into the other explosion.

The violent backlash of Zetsu's blast finally caught up to the red shrouded Naruto and he was thrown harder and faster than ever for well over a few hundred yards until his body smacked into the side of his own cliff, followed quickly by huge chunks of rocks and dead animal carcasses that pounded against his body until he could no longer be seen within the mess.

Kicking his way out of the group of clones, Madara swiveled and swerved out of the way of each attack, his sharingan truly displaying his prowess on the battle field. Naruto was just waiting for one of his attacks to land. That's all he needed to make his escape with Boruto. He just had to get him out of here. Madara jumped into the air going through hand signs rapidly until he puffed his chest out. A jutsu Naruto remembered very well sprang to life once again. The entire area was flooded with a raging fire, killing every clone he had down besides the ones close enough to sink into the water.

He jumped up to Hashirama's statue with Boruto to avoid the hit and just sat back and watched as Madara landed on the broken head of his own.

"We can do this all day Uzumaki. I will not let you leave this place until you have given me the fight I deserve. If I have to kill your son to make you do so, then so be it." His eyes shot open and before Naruto realized what was happening.

"Dad!?" Boruto shouted out in worry looking behind them. Naruto turned to see what it was he was looking at and didn't have to look far at all to see the horrifying images of multiple Susano surrounding the forest leading back to Konoha.

"Clones are easy Naruto… Now, you will fight me as I have demanded and I will leave your son be." He demanded. Naruto stared down at the stone beneath his feet before relenting. He grabbed Boruto's arm from around his neck and swung him around until he was holding him in his arms.

"Boruto… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry." He hugged him tightly before setting him down on the back of the statue. Boruto's attention was completely captured by the giant humanoid creatures surrounding the forest all seemingly looking their way. It was horrifying and it also made him realize exactly who this was. He was one of the main enemies in the last war. So, how was he alive? And if it took the entire ninja world to take him down last time, then how was his dad gonna do it by himself?

Naruto stepped up to the head of the statue and stared across with a fire in his eyes Madara had not seen until this point. "Ah… the war hero himself has finally arrived." He mocked. "Well, let's see how far Zetsu's little world has brought you."

Naruto and Madara both lunged from their positions intent on a head on collision. Both flying towards each other, Naruto cocked his fist back as did Madara. Just a bit out of range, Madara's body was surrounded by the ribcage of his Susano and his cocked back fist elongated with that blue chakra. They both thrusted forward, fist to fist of chakra and to Madara's surprise and delight his arm was thrown back, unable to protect him from the follow up hit to the front of his rib cage which cracked so much it nearly shattered.

He was flung back into the broken piece of his statue and he landed, readying himself for the next attack. Naruto landed in front of him and blocked the right swing headed for his face. He blocked the follow up left as well and pushed him away with his shoulder. With the space, he got a bit of a running start and jumped up, going for a knee.

Madara swiveled out the way of the attack and caught him in his side before he landed. Naruto was flung aside but quickly righted himself. He turned around and was met with Madara's boot that threw him off the side of the statue.

He hit the water and quickly flipped up to the surface. He cut his chakra and sunk down however when he caught sight of the ball of chakra coming his way. When it dissipated, Madara was already in a nosedive right behind it. He quickly regret the decision when he saw multiple clones shoot out of the surface, ready to attack.

From his position up on the cliff, Boruto stared down in astonishment. The battle was far more interesting this time around. Earlier, he was just watching his dad get his ass kicked for a few minutes. Now, it looked like he's really fighting back, and he's actually winning! Briefly he wondered why he would even be fighting this hard. He had assumed he hated him after his outburst a few days ago. He hit him in the face and wished him dead, so why was he so adamant in this battle, as if he still cares?

Contrary to all he's said, he and his mom weren't always on the best of terms. They had a falling out a few years ago when he decided to stop believing in the stories she was telling him about his dad. He told her to stop lying to him and, echoing the words of the villagers, called her crazy for having faith he would return. She slapped him in the face, ending that rage filled rant where it stood.

That entire day, he sat in his room thinking exactly what he was thinking earlier. He believed whole heartedly that she hated him now for calling her crazy. That's what he thought until later on, she brought him something to eat. When he questioned her about it, she told him that no matter what, she would always love him. Even when they don't agree or when she seems mad at him. She said she would always love him because that's just what mothers do.

If that were true, then could this be the same case? His dad is down there fighting for his life even after all he said. When he had time to calm down and after a few speeches and stories from his grandpa, he realized it wasn't his fault. His dad was just a target and his mother was bait. Such is the life of a ninja. But, that didn't mean he couldn't be angry. That didn't mean he couldn't cry about it and miss his mother for the rest of his life.

On the same note, he couldn't just hate his father for something out of his control. It would be the same as hating him for being gone all those years even knowing he was kidnapped. In truth, up until a few hours ago he did still hate him. He hated everything about him and was ready to tell him off for leaving, but seeing him break down multiple times showed that he really cared for his mother. His dad loved her just like he did.

The issue was his previous perception of him that was changed a few minutes before his mom died. He trusted their lives in his hands in that one conversation, believing him to be the strongest person to ever live, just like the people say. He convinced himself that his dad was unbeatable, almost god-like when in truth, he's just like everyone else. Sure, he's strong, but he's still human. That's what he'll always be so for anyone to make him seem like more is just selfish. Boruto realized he was guilty of just that.

Now, watching this fight, his heart raced realizing there was a chance he could lose someone else he loves. The way Madara had him pinned against the wall by his throat wasn't doing much to calm his worry. Feeling desperate seeing the spike slowly jut out of the ground, he leaned forward and took a deep breath. "DAAAAD!"

Naruto's eyes looked up to the cliff seeing Boruto watching. His eyes slowly shifted back to Madara and he grabbed his arm. He squeezed and squeezed and squeezed until the grip became too great to take. Madara ripped the spike from the ground and plunged it forward. Before it lodged into Naruto's eye, a yellow hand of chakra grabbed hold of it. Madara jumped back, avoiding the other that swiped at him.

Landing gracefully on the other side of the water, he watched as Naruto's body was engulfed in the yellow flames, signifying the return of the Kyubi's chakra. He nodded slightly before blue chakra began materializing around him. Boruto noticed it began to look a lot like the creatures behind him, but this one was growing bigger. Finally, it got so big it grew legs as well. He stared up at the towering monster wondering how in the world his dad was gonna fight that. It wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of how.

Naruto leaped back up to the cliff and stood by Boruto. "Stay close to me Bolt." He demanded, still looking across the way at Madara. Boruto wordlessly stood to his feet and inched closer to his side. Then, before his eyes and to his shock, the yellow flames on his body began to spread around them. He was scared at first, expecting it to be hot, but instead it was a very gentle feeling. He was so focused on the way it surrounded his body, he didn't even realize they were no longer on the ground until he saw the giant yellow clawed hand smash down onto the edge of the cliff. His eyes widened when he realized, this was the Kyubi form his dad was telling him about.

He couldn't explain the sensation of this situation, but it was something he's never felt before. For a slight moment, his world stopped and he looked up to see the side of his father's face. That cloak made of chakra billowed in the wind and for a moment, he looked just like Boruto had imagined. Well, that wasn't completely true, but this unbelievably heroic stance in the face of an impossible enemy. The lack of fear in his eyes and his unwavering will! The hell with Kagemasa, this was a real superninja! What's more, this was his dad!

Before he kicked those flustered thoughts, they began charging towards the blue monster man who was running for them as well, shaking the ground with every step. Kurama ducked the swing of the Susano's blade and came through with a punch to its rib cage. Madara's construct withstood the hit seemingly effortlessly, but Naruto noticed something. "Keep him on the defensive Kurama!" He called out as he stuck his hands out, creating the feared tailed beast bomb while Kurama swung away.

"Boruto, come over here." Naruto said surprising him. He was confused but he did as he was told. Using one hand to maintain the tailed beast bomb, he pulled him closer, and positioned him in front off himself. "Kurama! Close encounter!" He called out receiving a roar of confirmation. Kurama used his claw and pushed the face of Madara's Susano back, enough to blind him. With Madara unable to recover, Naruto shot off the tailed beast bomb and immediately wrapped Boruto up tightly, covering his eyes with his own hand. The form of Kurama seemed to shrink into a tight ball that surrounded the two blondes and lit up brighter than ever.

Within the darkness of his father's hand, Boruto listened for what was going to happen. His stomach dropped as if they were falling, then with a giant explosion that popped his ears, that feeling left and they were thrown back roughly.

Pushing the rubble off his form with his left arm, Naruto roared in pain. Using that one arm, he dragged himself out of the huge chunks of rocks until he finally landed flat on his face. He picked his head up to look around the completely changed landscape. That explosion rocked this entire fictitious world completely.

He flipped over to assess the damage to his body. "Argh!" Looking down at his legs, his left was completely crushed and it hurt to even turn it. His right arm, which was a transplant anyways, was now hanging limply on the ground. His head was still ringing from the explosion and his vision was a little blurry.

"Ugh… Kura… Argh!" he struggled. "Kuram.. you there?" He received no reply. Great. Looking around the barren field, his eyes landed on the impact of Kurama's attack. Finally making it to his feet after a good few moments of trying and failing, he began limping that way, hoping to see the dead body of Zetsu somewhere nearby.

In his slow and steady stride towards the crater, he stopped, hearing the scuffling of feet that weren't his own. Turning to his right, he saw the very disfigured body of whoever it was Zetsu used for his possession, trudging towards him. Missing chunks from his midsection and pieces of his head. Naruto breathed a sigh of exhaustion and rolled his head back. With a final steadying breath, he leaned his body forward slightly to rush him. Before he made it, Zetsu fell at his feet.

He took a step back, uncertain if it were a ploy or not. When he was certain it wasn't, he fell to his knees, trying to take some weight off of that broken leg of his. Neither of them spoke for what felt like hours. They both laid there pain-riddled and exhausted. Finally, after quite some time, Zetsu said his piece.

"… Four years… I scooped up this power… It took me four long years…" he paused and stared up into the sky he created. "I molded the shinobi in my own image many years ago… I created the shinobi for the purpose of bringing my mother back… They stole her power and used it as selfishly as they could… War... death… and utter destruction…"

Naruto's eyes remained locked on the three sunned sky, clouds of grey blocking their rays. He didn't say anything. He was too tired and too hurt to even bother.

"Humanity is selfish… Humanity will always be selfish… that peace you think you've created will never last… before you know it, your own children will be fighting the next war against a new opponent for a new cause… its all a disturbed cycle of demented human beings trying to assert dominance… When in truth, they have no idea what it means… Not like we do."

Naruto let his head fall to the see to look at the side of Zetsu's face.

"You and I… Hashirama and Madara… that Uchiha friend of yours… there will never be a breed of warriors stronger than us… and when I say us… I mean you… You're godlike in Nature and humble in the face of praise… that's why I chose you for such a task as this over your counterpart… That's why he'll choose you…"

Naruto couldn't understand half of what he was saying, but it strangely enough sounded like he was complimenting him for some reason… Laughable…

"A man who believes he is all powerful more often than not ends up a villain in history… Men like that have so many weaknesses its almost criminal for them to believe in their own merit… Intelligence and power are nothing when they are given to the foolish… That's what Madara never could understand… that's what he's been trying to understand for generations… Even with the example of Hashirama he was blind… That's the life of a shinobi… the shinobi I created… deception in all aspects, even self-awareness…"

Naruto was hardly listening now. He was getting dizzy at this point.

"But you Naruto… You're not like the rest of them… the rest of us…" he said, saying that last piece softer. "Your nobility sets you apart from all of the great warriors of the past… As an enemy, it is an honor to be ended by your hand… Regardless… you took the world my mother and I created and you made it your own. You shaped it into something it was never meant to be. That's why it will fall. Maybe not now… maybe not even in your child's lifetime… but like a house built of wood… it will rot and crumble by the hands of humanity. For it was never meant to be a house… You've won your freedom and this temporary safety…"

Naruto shook his head tiredly. "No… not temporary… you won't be coming back…" he said which Zetsu chuckled at.

"You think that matters? There will always be selfishness in the world, there will always be pain… therefore there will always be another me." He warned ominously. "As long as love and joy exit, so will pain and hatred… a whisper from the past. Hehe…" he chuckled.

Naruto knew immediately he was speaking of Nagato's wording for the cycle of hatred. Before he could argue his case on the matter, he looked over to see the black formation on this unknown bodies face beginning to solidify, as if turning to stone.

"As I said… you've won your freedom… But as you know… freedom is not always free… There is one last portal open within this world… My mother's eye is now gone." He said just as the eye piece turned to stone. "That portal will remain open for no longer than an hour… and it's a very steep journey hehehe…" his chuckles ended with the complete solidification of all that made Zetsu… Before his very eyes, the body he had been using began to rot away.

He turned his head to stair at that mountain that was split at the top. He knew that's where the portal was. Turning his head straight once more, he looked up into the sky. This was a different world. After years of war… it felt like a completely different place… A world without pain. A world without suffering or sorrow. A world with just him and the sky. This was truly a beautiful world, and he could stay here forever… 'aad.. ad.. et u..'

"Dad get UP! He's coming back!" Naruto opened his eyes to see Boruto beating on his chest. Shaking that dizziness from the impact away, he stood to his feet. Reforming Kurama, they toward above the broken form of Madara's Susano. Hearing the sounds of a distant battle, he turned his head and saw Sasuke's Susano handling the five clones. Boruto saw it too and let out an amaze, 'whoa' at the incredible spectacle.

Naruto turned back and stared at the original. The entire left half of the ribs was blown off of his construct of chakra and he seemed as though he were in pain of some sort. With a silent grunt of pain, he grabbed his eyes and his defense crumbled down. He landed in a crouch that quickly sunk lower into a kneeling position. Seeing this, Naruto slowly retracted Kurama. He grabbed Boruto and put him on his back before cutting the rest of his chakra.

They landed on the opposite bank of the further destroyed area and Naruto set him down. He reactivated his chakra mode just in case and began walking over. Boruto was amazed by the sight, for some reason seeing the scene as being an amazing poster. He watched the patterns on the back of his dads chakra made cloak in wonder. One of the spheres from earlier popped up and to Boruto's surprise, formed a spear.

Wait… that wasn't right.

In all the stories he's heard, that was the one thing they all had in common. He doesn't kill. Was he really going to… His heart was beating faster and faster right now. He knew he was angry, hell he was furious himself… but was he really going to kill this man? He never thought he'd care so much about the death of an enemy, but being once again in the heat of the moment, he found it inhumane.

The night after his mother's murder, that's all he could think about. What kind of monster could just take his mother's life and leave like that? What kind of monster could take any life and be fine with it? It was a hypocritical way of thinking of course. He knew his grandpa has killed people before… his mom probably killed people before… and Kakashi has killed before and from what he was told, his uncle Sasuke has killed a lot of people… but…

His dad doesn't kill… He's only known him for a few months, but from everything he's been told, his dad is the one from those stories and he doesn't kill!

Making it to the downed form of Madara, Naruto stared him down. Madara's coal black eyes stared back up to him emotionlessly. "And so the story ends…" he mocked with a small chuckle. "The will of fire burns its enemies to ash as it has for so many years… Let my death be remembered Uzumaki… if not in history, let it be remembered by you… Vengeance is a sweet thing once it has been achieved. They say it's not, but when there's no one left on one side to continue the cycle… it truly is."

Naruto gripped that rod of his so tightly he almost felt like he was going to snap it in half. All that was going through his mind was that image of his dying wife begging him to save her. He was trying to convince himself that this was a righteous action. "t-… tell me you would have done it…" he said lowly, just loud enough for Madara to hear. He didn't say anything, mainly because he didn't understand what was being asked. "Tell me you would have killed my son if I didn't give you the fight you wanted…" he spat out through gritted teeth.

Madara realized what was happening. He could see the war playing out within his mind. Of course he would have done it. He would've lain waste to the entire goddamned world for the end he sought… but, he wanted to test him. He shook his head. "I couldn't have… he reminds me of my younger brother… Innocence like that is to be preserved at all costs."

Naruto looked absolutely furious. His breathing sped up erratically and with a war cry, he smacked him across the face, causing him to fall on his back. Madara took the hit and chuckled arrogantly. He spit the blood out and smiled, staring up at the flame engulfed blonde standing over him with the spear to his throat.

"It truly baffles me how someone like you was able to survive in this world… Surrounded by death, unsure if this day could be your last, and you refuse to kill…" Naruto shut his eyes and shook his head furiously. "You can't even kill a man that's already dead… This makes that dream of yours to become Hokage a lot less believable…"

Naruto grit his teeth and adjusted his grip on the created spear as if he were ready to drive it down. Even so, he held it just above his throat. Shakily trying to force it down against his own steel built will.

"I killed your wife…" He let that statement hang there. He expected to be impaled immediately after saying that. "I murdered your wife… just to get to you…"

Naruto's visage contorted in pain, but still he held his ground.

Madara was now getting a bit agitated. "I would have made him suffer…" He said suddenly, making Naruto's eyes shoot open in shock and anger when he realized what he was talking about. "I would have made him suffer and relive it a thousand times over… and I would have made you watch. Hell, with today's technology, I would have let everyone see it. Let everyone see how much of a coward you truly are."

Again, he gained that deathly look in his eyes.

"They glorify you like some kind of hero! But, you won't even do what needs to be done for THEIR SAKE!" he yelled in complete anger. "What kind of hero are you!?"

"ARRGH!" He drove the spear down, barely hearing the prepubescent scream beneath his own roar. Opening his eyes, he gave the still motionless Madara a deathly stare, the spear in the ground right next to his head. "I'm not here to be your hero…" he whispered harshly. "I'm here to be his." He said, gesturing back to his son. Madara continued staring at him. "A man like you deserves the lonely death you receive."

Madara chuckled at his stupidity and rolled his eyes. "Heartwarming. We'll meet again boy. We'll meet as many times as it takes." He said as Naruto walked away.

"Not likely." Said a new voice. Madara watched as Sasuke walked into his line of sight.

He looked him over and chuckled dryly. "You do look just like him…" he said lowly. "Fitting enough to be killed by my own kin…" he said as he shut his eyes. Sasuke drew his sword and stared down at the man. "Maybe you can take the clan in a new direction… a better one…" he said.

Sasuke remained silent for a few seconds. "Hn… I plan to."

Madara smiled. "…Hn… so be it… Let these be my final words… We are not a clan of hatred… we're a clan of love… Take my life please… Sasuke Uchiha."

Naruto walked across the water at the shocked face of his son. He cut his chakra cloak off and when he made it to him. He squat down in front of him. Boruto watched him the whole way, unsure of what to say. There were once again no words he could think of for this situation. This wasn't explaining one of his legendary pranks or talking with his friends, this was something he didn't know how to do. This was talking with your dad.

Naruto watched him go through a sea of emotions, clearly unsure of how to feel in this moment. He gave him a small weary grin that seemed to kick a rock in that fragile damn he had behind his eyelids. Tears came in howls of sorrow and regret and he lunged forward. Naruto caught him and wrapped his arms around him. He held him as tightly and as gently as he did when he awoke in that hospital bed ten years ago. He held him for what felt like forever. With the first beat of rain, Naruto looked up and decided he had to get his son home. He picked him up and put him on his back.

Boruto tucked his head into his shoulder, sniffling away as he had done so much lately. He shut his eyes to protect him from the rain as his dad climbed up the side of the cliff. When they finally made it, his eyes locked onto something behind the statue. "Dad?" he said with a sniffle. Naruto turned to him slightly. "I'm cold." Naruto's eyes locked onto what he saw as well and he smiled. They walked over to Hashirama's statue and grabbed the black and red jacket he bought for him. When he slipped it on, the two went home, leaving Sasuke to his business with his ancestor.

Pulling his cape down tightly over his mouth and nose, Naruto struggled through the multiple feet of snow painfully. Leaving a trail of blood behind with every step he took. Limping as much as he could on his way up this steep and impossible mountain, he could've sworn he saw Hinata in the distance. The wind mysteriously picked up, leaving him in this blizzard, but he was almost certain he saw her cradling a child. Or maybe she was teaching him how to walk? Or… trying to get him to talk? He wasn't sure, but he was determined to find out. He couldn't see the top anymore and he had no idea how long he's been walking.

It's been quite a while. A part of him was afraid there would be no portal when he made it to the top. Maybe he had passed out and he was dreaming about this. No, no he was definitely struggling up this mountain. That pain was too real for him to be dreaming this. Way too real.

Taking another step, the snow beneath his foot shifted and crumbled, bringing him to his knees. He was so cold. So very, very cold. He picked his head up and looked towards the top, as high as he could see. There was nothing but white snow blocking his view. That's when he saw it.

It began as a blub of black seeming to float and sway with the push and pull of the wind. As it drew closer, it was joined by another color he couldn't truly distinguish. Not completely white, but pale nonetheless. Then, the shape of his wife broke through the white covered distance. A soft smile on her face and a gentle sway to her walk. He smiled ever so slightly and shut his eyes, once again performing the test he's become accustomed to. When he opened them, she was still there. Smiling softly at him.

"Heh… Hehehe!" he began chuckling as he stood to his feet and continued trudging along. As fast as he could on one leg, he hobbled towards her. She didn't say anything. She remained in her spot, smiling at him. His eyes were locked onto her endearingly. Determination settled in and he used every ounce of it. The way he was moving, he almost felt as though he were running, or flying even. She was so close he could feel her.

With his eyes on her, he continued moving. Fear settled in when her image began disappearing within the snow that began kicking up much faster. It was only then did he realize he was never getting closer to her. Even after that distance he limped, she was as far away as she was when he was kneeling in the snow. "N-huh… No!" he called out, trying to go faster, ultimately failing and falling to his knees once more. When she was gone, he was left staring into the wall of blazing white yet again.

He sat there, waiting for her to reappear so that he had something to chase, but she never came. He clutched the cold sand in his hand cursing it for even existing. With a frustrated yell, he threw it forward into the unknown in front of him. He stopped when he heard it impact with something.

What was that? He piled up another ball of snow and threw it forward. Again, that sound. It sounded like… water? Or… mud? Way up here? It should be frozen by now.

Standing back up, he continued on. As he drew closer, he saw the two rocks that split at the top of the mountain. Getting even closer, he could see it. He could see that portal. As if for an accomplishment for his victory, the storm slowly died out, clearing the sky around him and the wall of white below him. He turned and could see the world he's called home for seven years. He couldn't believe it. He was going home.

With a small chuckle at that heart throbbing realization, he turned and began trudging faster towards the portal, not wanting it to close. He was going home. Stepping in, he didn't account for where exactly the other side led or if it were going to be on the ground or not. Of course, the bottom of the porta was a foot or two off the ground and he fell flat on his face into the fresh muddied floor below, covering him in the substance completely.

The weight of Zetsu's world no longer having an effect on him, the fall didn't hurt much. Sadly, his injuries were still severe. Maybe not as severe, but definitely painful. Laying in that mud, he chuckled again. He was home. This was home.

Standing in his room, Boruto rubbed his eyes. He just awoke from a long nap, the previous night's escapade still weighed heavily on him. Rolling his neck out, he left his room and was greeted to the silence of his home. Silence he remembered from those days of solitude. Days he hated. This was a different silence though. This was a peaceful silence. Content.

He headed down the hall and walked down the stairs. He stopped however when he heard something suspicious. It sounded like laughter. Walking into the living room, all the lights were off and it didn't seem like anyone was here. He continued on, trusting his ears to follow the sound and sure enough he was heading for the kitchen. He stopped on his way, right next to the back door. Outside in the backyard, his dad and his sister.

Himawari had her arms wrapped around his neck and the rest of her body hung down limply. Naruto's arms were wrapped tightly around her frame as he swayed back and forth to the silent music of the wind. Boruto smiled at the scene and was about to continue on his way. He didn't want to interrupt their moment together, but his dad spotted him.

He smiled his way and waved him over, drawing Himawari's attention from the lack of that extra arm warmth.

"Boruto!" Himawari called out happily. Naruto squatted down, letting her feet hit the ground. She did not release his neck.

When he made it to the two, he was pulled into the little family hug of theirs and accepted the comfort. Like a domino effect, Himawari began crying at the beautiful moment making Boruto cry. Naruto smiled at the two and pulled them in closer. As if he heard a whisper, he pulled his head up and looked towards the porch. There she was again. Hinata, standing in her white dress with that small smile resting on her face. Naruto smiled again and rubbed Boruto's head. "We'll be ok." He said as he shut his eyes. When he opened them again, she was gone. It was just the three of them… and things would be fine.

AN: There it is. I don't know about this one. It's alright I guess. The action is pretty weak as I was more focused on the dramatic aspect of it, but I think it worked alright for the most part. If you enjoyed it, thank you for reading, if not still, thank you for reading. It was fun to write at the very least.

If you are at all interested, I am currently writing a true Naruto Horror fic. Meaning ghosts, demons, exorcisms, and crazed cults! Disturbed back stories and fantastic character use and of course!... a kick ass Naruto. If you are interested at all, review and let me know. I've already got the pilot chapter pretty much ready, so if enough people want to read it, I'll post it within the week. If not, I'll hold off on it and most likely post it on Halloween night. Nevertheless, I will be doing it! Stick around if you dare…