So you challenged him?" Reina questioned as she drove Shiori to the spot stated in the note. "Is that wise to fight him alone?" Reina asked calmly.

"Most likely not." Shiori admitted as she ran a hand over her cloneblade, "But I've got to know something that only he can answer."

"And that is?" Reina asked as she eyed her partner.

"Why do I feel so complete when he's near?" Shiori answered, looking away from Reina's confused expression. "Whenever he's near me, its as if I feel a strong, overwhelming power building up within my cloneblade, almost as if it's resonating with his blade."

"Interesting..." Reina muttered as she made a mental note of that for later.

"Plus," Shiori added with a wicked grin as she slammed her fist into her other hand's plam, "I've still got to pay him back for that little technique of his."

"I figured as much," Reina said with a slight smirk as she pulled the car to a stop in front of the park. Then she tensed suddenly. "Do you feel that?" Reina asked as both Shiori and her got out of the car.

"An Ex-con," Shiori replied calmly as they both walk into the park.

With Naruto:

Slowly making his way towards the meeting place to fight Shiori, Naruto couldn't help but try to figure out how he got in this mess.

'I beat her once, and now that my memories are coming back...at least I think they are...this fight could be a lot easier this time.' Naruto thought as he walked through a park, 'But then I had to go and introduce her to Masane and Rihoko.' Suddenly he stopped and looked around as he felt a presence near by as several overweight men appeared around him. "Ex-cons...and the microwave-types too..." Naruto muttered as he transformed.

"We'll make you warm," they said, bursting from their human skins and rolled forward a little. With that, the bulbs on the machines' backs lit up and their front panels opened up revealing several bright lights that gave off a soft humming sound. Naruto just sighed.

"Look, I'm busy and have somewhere to be right now, seeing as I have a prior engagement. So since I know you lumps of lead, foil, and scrap metal won't accept a rain-check...let's just settle this quick." he said with his wrist blades extending.

With Reina and Shiori:

"Shiori," Reina said as she got Shiori's attention as they eyed Naruto fight four Ex-cons from a safe distance, yet both ready to transform if needed, should the Ex-cons notice them, but that was unlikely, seeing as Naruto was proving to be more than a match for them all. Dispite being outnumbered, he had them outclassed.

"This is a chance to get information on his fighting abilities." Shiori only nodded in reply as she watched Naruto fight.

Driving down the road:

"Stop!" Masane shouted as Segawa slammed on the breaks. "Over there!" she shouted as she jumped out of the car and ran into the park.

"Mrs. Masane!" Segawa shouted.

With Naruto:

"Wow," Naruto drawlled as he cut through a cable that went to attach to him around his waist. "These are pathetic. Even for Ex-cons..."

He grabbed the end of the cut cable, pulling the thing towards him and slashing through it like it was nothing as Naruto spun around and using the cable of the destroyed Ex-con to prevent another from opening up and charged.

"He's playing with them," Reina muttered as Naruto used the one he was charging as a shield to protect himself as another grapple attached itself to his shield and pulled it towards itself.

"How is it that we have nothing on him?" Shiori questioned as she watched Naruto cut through both Ex-cons. "He had to be trained somewhere." she said as Reina nodded in agreement.

"Naruto!" a voice shouted, causing both of them to stare towards the opposite treeline to see Masane run out, "What the hell you doing out here?"

"Masane." Naruto muttered as his transformation ended. "I was…" He tried to explain before falling to one knee, sweat pouring from his face.

"What happened?" Shiori questioned as Reina exclaimed Naruto from a distance.

"A side effect of using Excalibur?" Reina suggested as she backed away from the treeline.

"Naruto!" Masane shouted, running over to him and helping him stand. "What happened?" She asked as Naruto's eyes begin to droop.

"Nothing Masane, Just thought I sensed something Excalibure didn't like." Naruto answered looking to the opposing treeline. "And just so you know, it wasn't you I meant. You two can come out now, by the way." He shouted, causing Masane to stare at him oddly until she followed his gaze to see Reina and Shiori come out from behind some trees.

"I'm starting to think you have a thing for me Shiori," He said and Shiori snorted.

"You wish pervert." Shiori scowled, mentally rubbing her ass from the poke she was given, "After that humiliating technique you pulled..."

"What technique?" Masane questioned as Naruto went pale and Shiori smirked. REVENGE!

"Oh just a little technique called..." Shiori started as Naruto gave her a pleading look as she smiled evilly at him, "Sennen Goroshi."

Masane blinked a few minutes as she thought back. Sennen Goroshi? She could've sworn she'd heard of that somewhere befor...Hold on! Masane's eyes widened.

Flashback:

"My ultimate technique," She watched Naruto shout as a two-year-old Rihoko clapped and the officer in front of him was launched up and forwards like a rocket, Naruto's index fingers held together and pointed up, the unfortunate cop having had them rammed up his butt. "Sennen Goroshi."

End Flashback

Masane grabbed onto Naruto tightly, her fist clenched as she glared at him. "You used that technique on women!?" Masane shouted dropping him on his ass, causing Naruto to look up at her in fear.

"Now Masane please," Naruto tried to plead as Shiori smirked at him. 'This is going to be so good, and I can't tape it!' Shiori thought as Reina just shook her head.

"So I take it he's used that technique before?" Reina asked as Masane looked towards her, clearly pissed off.

"Did he do it to you too?" Masane asked as the Witchblade started to shine and her right arm transformed.

"No," Reina replied as she looked toward Shiori, "But I am sure Shiori here would like to beat him down for using it on her."

Masane smirked as she gave Naruto the evil eye. "I believe we can work something out, Mrs. Shiori," Masane told Shiori as she too transformed, causing Masane to stare at her, "but I would like him to at least be able to feel it, don't you agree?"

"Yes I do." Shiori responded, looking towards the passed-out Naruto, "But I am curious on what wore him out so much."

"That's what I'd like to know..." Masane added, eyeing the blond as Reina went into doctor mode and walked over to him.

"Breathing seems fine," Reina told them as she put a hand on his chest, "A little labored."

"Mrs. Masane!" Segawa's voice shouted, getting the group's attention as Naruto cracked open an eye.

'Thank you Segawa!' Naruto mentally shouted happily as he closed his eyes.

"We should go," Reina instructed as Shiori glared at the blond. "We don't want any unnecessary attention."

"Agreed," Shiori replied before smirking at Naruto. "Don't forget our rematch Naru...and stop pretending to be asleep." This caused Naruto's face to crunch up in annoyance as Masane glared at him.

'Shit!' Naruto mentally shouted as he jumped up and ran toward Segawa. Masane followed, not willing to let her husband get away with what she had learned he'd done. Several hours later and a beating to the head, Naruto was back home with Masane, having a rather heated make-out session.

"You look so cute blushing like that," Masane muttered as she moved closer to him, her lips pressing against his.

"Masane..." Naruto muttered, taking a breath as they part shortly and go back to kissing one another again.

"Say cheese!" a child's voice said, getting both Masane and Naruto's attention as a flash goes off.

"Rihoko!" Masane shouted, her face bright red as she pushed Naruto away, sending him off the couch. "How long have you been up?" Masane questioned as Rihoko smiled back at her, holding a camera up.

"Since you two got home." Rihoko answered happily as she sat back on the bed. "Does it mean I'm getting a little brother or sister soon?"

"Rihoko!" Masane shouted in embarrassment, face red, before turning to Naruto, annoyed that he was simply just lying on the ground. "Naruto help me here! Naruto?" Naruto, as it turned out, was out cold. "Ahh! Naruto are you all right?" Masane shouted moving toward him. Naruto groaned and the yellow gem of Excalibur briefly gave a small, glow that lasted for two seconds and Naruto's eyes fluttered open and he sat up. He glared at the silver band of metal, swearing he heard someone snickering at him.

with Naruto and Masane:

"So you're going to fight her?" Masane asked as the two of them made their way down the dark road toward an Ex-con, both transformed.

"Well I said I would do it." Naruto replied with a small, sheepish grin, "I'd prefer not to have to beat her too bad, and Rihoko kind of likes her."

"She's a bad influence!" Masane countered with a huff as she crossed her arms under her breasts.

"You just don't like the fact she flirts with me." Naruto countered back as he gave her a large smirk as Masane hissed angrily.

"I don't care if she flirts with you!" Masane argued as they come to a stop under a highway, "She can flirt all she wants with a dumbass like you."

"Ouch," Naruto muttered mockingly to her as he crosses his hands over his chest pretending to be hurt. "That really hurts Masane." he told her with a false sadness.

"Smartass," Masane muttered as she turned to look at the spider-like Ex-con. "I'll take it because I need to vent." Naruto then watched as Masane pummeled the poor Ex-con, wincing at each blow.

'I am so glad we found that thing,' Naruto thought as he looked away, actually pitting the Ex-con. A few minutes later Naruto watched the Ex-con fall apart after crystallizing and trying to crawl away from a still very angry Masane. "I feel kind of sorry for it..." Naruto mumbled as Masane approached him, still transformed. "Um Masane…" Naruto tried to say before being pinned against stone pillar as Masane shoved her lips against his.

"MMMM!" Masane hummed as her lips ran across Naruto's then pulled away and smirked coyly at him. "This could be enjoyable..." Masane told him as she broke off the kiss for a second and ran a hand over his chest.

A loud snort drew Naruto and Masane's attention and they both looked to see a red-faced Shiori, with Reina next to her with a blank expression. "We can come back later if you want!" Shiori shouted, fist clenched so tight that her knuckles were white.

"You do that." Masane replied coyly, turning back to Naruto with a devilish grin as she licked her lips.

'This can't end well,' Naruto thought, eyeing the two women. Just a suddenly as that thought came to his mind, Shiori transformed and charged Masane, who lunged at her in turn, meeting halfway with a clash of steel blades. 'Yep,' Naruto thought weakly as he shook his head at the two fighting, 'This is a very violent, arousing fight.'

"Something's wrong." Reina muttered moving next to Naruto as she eyes Shiori's cloneblade.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked curiously as he moved away from the wall.

"Shiori is just fighting on instinct now," Reina answered as she kept her eyes on the battle in front of her, "And it looks like her blade's cracking."

Naruto watched Masane get thrown into a wall, before charging again and ducking under Shiori's attack and thrusting her blade forward. "Masane's getting better though..." Naruto pointed out as Reina nodded.

"I'm surprised you seem so at ease around me, considering we're supposed to be enemies." Reina said.

Naruto shrugged, his eyes never leaving Masane and Shiori's fight, "We're both aware of the difference in strength and combat ability between us, and the first AND second times we've met, you pointed out that you don't wish to fight me, and even if you did, we both know how it would end. So unless you attack me first, I see no point in being hostile with you."

Reina nodded. That was actually quite reasonable.

"Come on, Witchblade. Why don't you show me what you've got?" Shiori taunted, raising her crescent blade.

Despite the condescending attitude of her opponent, Masane remained confident. "That so? Are you sure you can handle it?" Her blade shot forward from under her arm.

Each jumped forward. Their blades clashed, but it was Masane who was pushed back. Masane retreated, but the woman pressed her attack. Again, blades clashed, metal singing. Sparks briefly illuminated the underside of the overpass. Retaliating, Masane was sliced twice her breasts the wound in the shape of an X, but it wasn't for nothing. Her attacker's blade cracked under the assault.

Ignorant of the damage, Shiori continued attacking. Blades together, she used the contact to her advantage, throwing the Witchblade bearer. Masane flew backwards to crash into one of the overpass' concrete supports, bringing debris down onto herself.

"Really? That's all you've got?" she mocked. "How disappointing. I expected so much more from you. Then again, few can compare to Naru as an opponent."

"I've got plenty more," the redhead countered, pushing her way out of the rubble.

"Hn. I hope that's true. Because if you're bluffing then you don't deserve a man like Naru!"

Masane scowled at that. "You bitch! This little "dance" is just getting started. I'll kill you!"

The other woman scoffed, dramatically different from her earlier eagerness to fight. "If you refuse to take this seriously, I won't enjoy killing you. And with you out of the way, whomever wins gets to keep him!"

"Then by all means..." Bringing her hand up, Masane gave her thumb a quick, sensuous lick. "Let's get serious!" Bursting forward, she stabbed wildly. Shiori sent a horizontal slash back at her, but she managed to duck under it. Using the angle to her advantage, she followed through with her attack, and caught her opponent a glancing blow to her shoulder. A flesh wound.

The blue-armored woman didn't appear worried though. In fact, she seemed increasingly aroused. "You've got nice moves." Leaning in close, to the side of their warring blades, her free hand caressed the redhead's face before pulling it closer to her own.

Shiori moved on Masane so they were face-to-face saying something just under everyone but Masane's hearing. "Is she going to…?" Naruto questioned as Reina shook her head.

"Sorry not my type," Masane said loud enough for everyone to hear before driving her knee up into Shiori's stomach with a small blade extended.

"You...!" Shiori shouted, knocking Masane upside the head, before swinging up and smacking Masane across the face.

"SHIORI!" Naruto shouted as he grabbed Shiori's wrist, his eyes glaring into Shiori's blue eyes.

"Naru!" Shiori muttered seductively, leaning into him, "You've come to play!"

"Shiori," Naruto said, seeing the lust in Shiori's eyes, "What's wrong with you?"

"Naruto!" Masane shouted as Naruto looked toward her before feeling a pain in his stomach causing him to look down to see Shiori's crescent-shaped blade sticking into his stomach.

"Shiori!" Naruto shouted, pulling himself off her weapon and chutching his injury as he jumped back, eyeing the women who was licking his blood from her blade.

"You taste so good Naru," Shiori cooed before jumping at Naruto, causing him to raise his blade in defense as he winced in pain from his wound. "I want more!" Shiori shouted, attacking wildly as Naruto blocked each hit.

"Shiori," Naruto muttered as pain racked his stomach from the wound that was slowly closing and reopening over and over again from the blows. "Stop this!" He shouted, forcing her back after her last strike and kicking her in the stomach.

"Naruto!" Masane shouted, forcing herself to her hands and knees wincing from the x-like cut across her chest. "Fight back!" she cried out.

"Something's wrong with her!" Naruto shouted as he forces himself into a guarded position, his left hand holding the wound in stomach closed. "I won't just hurt for any reason," Naruto told Masane as Shiori jumped at him, forcing him on the defense.

"Come on Naru!" Shiori shouted happily, overcome by a battle-lust. "Just a little taste," she pleaded.

"Naruto!" Masane shouted as Naruto was forced back against a wall, Shiori forcing Naruto's blade to his chest as she leaned her blade near his throat.

"Shiori..." Naruto muttered, grunting as he pushed back enough to keep her blade from cutting his throat, "What are you…?" he was cut off as Shiori leaned in, kissing Naruto deeply, surprising everyone.

'Something is defiantly wrong,' Reina thought as she watched Shiori to continue to kiss Naruto. "How are they breathing?" Reina asked herself as she looked to her watch.

"Naru," Shiori muttered, pulling away and ran her tongue across Naruto's lips, "Make me feel free...please Naru."Grinning insanely, she licked his cheek.

Naruto's demeanor suddenly shifted, blue eyes visibly glowing as he stood defiantly against her, Seeing it, Masane, or rather the Witchblade, felt her face heat up...damn it had been too long since the Witchblade had seen it's mate. And Masane's thoughts that Naruto looked good that way only added to the Witchblade's satisfaction about it.

"That'll be enough of that," he intoned darkly, his metal-covered hand gripping Shiori's blade firmly before breaking it off.

"What the-why are you ruining my fun, Naru?" This shock was enough to shake her mental gears a little into processing.

"You're not speaking to my host, I am her sword. I am King to her Queen, her knight when she needs me." His metallic voice was cool and even. "I am Excalibur." The words poured from his lips like an ancient river. The source being bleed over off the connection between him and Excalibur.

Smirking, she fell back into her primal, killing state of mind. She cackled. Lashing out, her broken and cracked blade was again blocked. This time by a rapier-length blade that came out of his armor's wrist that the man brought forth. They traded slashes, but it was immediately evident, by the fact that he didn't move from his spot, that he was better with a sword than she was. A bit put off, a new idea crossed her fevered mind. "Could you let me and Naru try something more fun?" she cooed suggestively.

Glowing silver-and-blue eyes widened just a fraction. He mentally scoffed, amazed. It was actually very familiar to his host's early days of using that being, Kurama's...what was it called again? Ah. wait, he remembered now...the energy was called "chakra". He could sense what was wrong with her. Whatever it was, its progression seemed to be the reason her face and armor were literally cracking before his eyes. Her bracelet, the one so similar to the Witchblade, it was…wrong. Something about it felt wrong to him. Off. Imperfect. And it was eating away at her mind...no wonder his bearer had refused to fight back against her. "You can't even think for yourself anymore," he chastised, tilting his head away from a reckless slash. "Are you even aware of what you're doing?"

"Come back out, Naru…I need you… Satisfy me!"

Glowing eyes narrowed. Her latest blow already en route, his arm shot out and grasped her left wrist, his armored hand covering her cloneblade. "Let's see what we can do about this…" His free hand blocked the incoming retaliatory attack, holding it in an unrelenting grip.

Glaring at him, she found herself frozen as he met her eyes with an expression of fierce annoyance. then his eyes glazed over and Excalibur nodded, giving control back to his bearer as that happened.

The deterioration of her mind was reaching critical levels as her eyes went from fierce and crazed, to piteous. "Naru...Please, I just need to feel it. I need release, I need you!" she moaned, even going so far as rubbing her thighs together for the pleasurable friction.

Ignoring her, he concentrated on his connection with Excalibur. His hand glowed a mix of alternating ribbons of silver and blue energies. "Shiori," Naruto muttered sadly as he looked away, "Forgive me for what I'm about to do."

"Naruto!" Masane shouted as she watched Naruto let his blade retract, causing Shiori's blade to collide with his chest once more, going deep into his body.

"What the...?" Reina questioned as she watched Excalibur shine.

Almost immediately, for a new reason, Shiori went absolutely still. The cracks in her body and armor shrunk, healing in the case of both, and the blue armor began to recede. Shiori screamed as she tried to pull her wrist away from Naruto. "Let go!" She cried as everyone looked on.

"Not until your back to normal!" Naruto shouted as blood poured from his chest and Excalibur turned into a crescent blade temporarily. "You'll be back to your old self soon," he explained as his transformation ended and Shiori's blade was still wedged in his chest causing Masane's eyes to widen.

"Naruto!" Masane cried out, forcing herself to her feet by shear force of will.

"Naru..." Shiori muttered almost drunkenly, her eyes were glazed over as she looked to Masane coming toward her, puzzled by it until she felt a weight on her, causing her to look at Naruto as he used her for support and her eyes snapped back into focus, leaving her horrified at what she was seeing. "NARUTO!" Shiori screamed as she saw her blade covered in the red liquid, "OH GOD!"

"Get away from him!" Masane shouted as she pulled Naruto off her blade and pushed Shiori away to hold Naruto herself, and tried to put pressure on the wound by using her own hands and hold the wound closed by wrapping him in the red, tentacle-like hair of her transformed state. "Naruto!" Masane cried out as Shiori crouched down next to them in shock.

"Seems I...got you back..." Naruto muttered weakly as he looked from Masane to Shiori.

"Naruto, don't talk!" Masane shouted, worry filling her as she held him close, before glaring at Shiori. "This is your fault!" Masane screamed at Shiori as a black van peeled into the area.

"Masane..." Naruto muttered weakly as his hand ran against Masane's cheek. "Her blade was...breaking down..." he told them weakly, before coughing up some of his blood then forced a smile, blood running form the corner of his mouth, "She wasn't in control…not her fault..."

"Just be quiet now Naruto, please, save your energy, you'll be okay," Masane told him as a crash cart was wheeled towards them, "everything will be fine soon."

"Mrs. Masane!" Segawa shouted as he came near, pulling her away, "We need to get him in the van now!"

"Naru..." Shiori muttered as her mind started to click back into play, "Naru!" She cried as went into doctor mode as she reverted back to normal. "We need to disinfect the wound," She shouted as the men look at her.

"Don't you..." Masane started until a hand grabbed her wrist, causing her to turn, "Naruto…"

"Let her...do her job..." Naruto muttered before passing out.

Clenching her fists, Masane looked to Shiori. "You try anything..." Masane warned her, the brunette's eyes glowing silver.

"I won't." Shiori replied as she got in the van with Naruto and the others.

Walking up, forgotten, to where a pool of Naruto's blood had formed, Reina took out a small test tube and collected a sample. 'Well that was interesting,' Reina thought watching the van drive away, 'This might also cause problems with Shiori later.'

"Die demon!" a voice yelled angrily, causing Masane to look around, "You'll pay for what you did to those people!"

"Where am I?" Masane asked herself looking around to see buildings all around her, some of them looking similar in architectural style to those of Japan's Edo period. "This isn't Tokyo."

"You're here too?!" a female voice shouted, causing Masane to turn around and see Shiori, "So where are we, Witchblade?"

"Don't look at me," Masane replied, looking around, "I've never been here bef…"

"Ahh!" a four-year-old child's voice screamed, causing both women to turn down an alley to see a blond boy grasping his left side as blood poured out of it with several people behind him.

"It's over demon!" the closest one said, raising a short sword over his head, "We'll finish what the Fourth started!"

"Hey stop it!" Masane shouted, but the people ignored her and drove their weapons into the child, causing both Shiori and Masane to go wide eyed as they stab repeatedly, "Leave him alone!" Masane yelled, running forward and raising her right arm, only to have nothing happen.

Shiori eyed her Cloneblade as she tried to transform as well, "We can't transform!" Shiori shouted.

"Of course you can't," a voice of a man told them, causing them to turn around and see a old man in red and white robes and a large red hat, "this is a place where neither of you exist."

"What do you mean, old man?" Shiori shouted angrily as she glared at the man.

"Please, if you couldn't take Naruto," the man said calmly as he pulled out a wooden pipe, "There is no chance you can take me."

"How do you know Naruto?" Masane asked curiously, walking up to the old man.

The man only looked to the injured boy and walked over to him, "Naruto?" he asked, causing both women to look at the child as the man flipped him over to reveal the small whisker-marks on his cheeks, "Naruto, answer me, are you all right?"

"Old man..." the younger Naruto replied weakly as he was lifted up by the old man, "...I think I did something bad and didn't know it."

"You did nothing wrong Naruto," the old man informed the boy as everything vanished, "nothing at all wrong." The old man told the boy as he ran a hand through his hair to show the boy's blond hair covered in blood.

"That was Naruto..." Masane said, covering her mouth in horror and shock as Shiori swallowed her vomit and forced herself not to be sick, then looked around as the darkness around them turned to white halls.

"The injuries are bad," a doctor told the old man, "He had several organs pierced along with several fractured bones, sir."

This new caused Masane to go wide eyed, along with Shiori, who looked disbelieving, "How is he now?" the old man asked.

"Worn out and resting," the doctor informed, turning towards a window leading into a room with a bandaged blond in it and a nurse doing something to an IV.

"Hey that's...!" Shiori shouted, horror-struck, before Naruto started to thrash about.

"What are you doing!?" the doctor shouted, running in and grabbing her, trying to pull her away as the old man went for Naruto.

"IT DESERVES TO DIE!" the women shouted hysterically, thrashing, "FOR ALL THOSE IT KILLED FOUR YEARS AGO!"

"That bitch...!" Masane shouted as she rushed to Naruto's side and knelt next to him and held his hand, "What's going on here?" She demanded, running a hand through Naruto's hair. "What's going on here?!"

The old man looked to Masane with remorse, "These are memories," he answered sadly as he stood straight as Naruto stopped thrashing.

"Memories?!" Shiori demanded as she walked forward, "Are you telling me this really happened?! That he really had to suffer this much!?"

"Yes, and more, I'm loath to confess," the man responded weakly as he looked to Naruto, "and even after all of it, he remained strong and pushed through it all."

"Who are you?!" Masane demanded, not leaving the young Naruto's side.

"I am Haruzen Sarutobi," the old man said, introducing himself, "the old fool that tried and failed to protect Naruto when he was a child."

"How did he survive those wounds?" Shiori questioned, walking toward the boy as he slept and took up the spot next to him on the other side of his bed.

"I can't answer because he doesn't wish anyone to know at this current time," Sarutobi replied, getting curious looks from the two women, "I myself am a memory as well," before the women could ask, he gave a gentle smile, "and the reason we can communicate with each other is because of the bond created between Excalibur and the two of you."

"Bond?" Shiori asked, confused. Sarutobi pointed to her cloneblade.

"The bond made between your cloneblade and Excalibur is what I speak of," Sarutobi answered calmly as Masane looked down at the Witchblade, regarding the odd, intricately wrought metal bracelet on her right wrist."You have a similar bond with him as well Mrs. Masane, but it was your Witchblade that created Excalibur."

"There are MORE of these type of memories?" Shiori questioned, feeling sick at the information, looking around as she watched the medical staff walk by, ignoring Naruto, 'What's WRONG with these people? He has several sever wounds and cuts and they walk right by without a care.'

"Too many to count," he told them as he looked to Masane, "They've started to return to him and come off as nightmares to him and they haunt him," he informed them while looking at the sleeping child, "Since then, until the negative memories pass, he's only at peace with you and Rihoko near."

Masane looked at the sleeping, younger-version of her unofficial husband before leaning down kissing his forehead softly, "I'll never leave him alone again then." she said calmly, giving him a loving smile.

"All right," Shiori said in a tone of forced calm, showing she was annoyed though, "Why am I here then?"

"Simple," Sarutobi told her as he walked toward Shiori, "You reminded him of someone and it dragged you here," the old man then looked back to Naruto with a smile, "He's only ever made friends by fighting them first and earning their respect. Furthermore, your Cloneblade was altered by Excallibur, making it more of a Vassalblade than a Cloneblade any longer. You're stronger than the Cloneblades, yet still weaker than Excalibur and the Witchblade."

"So he considers me a friend?" Shiori questioned.

"Who knows?" Sarutobi answered smugly as he and their surroundings started to vanish, "I am just one of his memories of the past, after all."

'Useless old coot,' both Shiori and Masane thought together.

"I agree with you." a deep rumbling voice said as their surroundings vanished and Masane and Shiori turned to see a massive, nine-tailed fox speaking to them. It had rust-red fur with black around it's eyes that curled into it's long, rabbit-like ears and almost hand shaped frontal paws, complete with opposable thumbs on his clawed hands.

"WHAT THE...?!" Masane and Shiori both shouted. Equally shocked.

The fox leered at them, "Well, if you're done admiring how awesome I am, which I'm enjoying by the way, Allow me to introduce myself: Name's Kurama ladies, spirit of foxes and strongest of the tailed-beast demons...pleasure to meet you both."

"Kurama? Who...what are you?" Masane said, taking a half-step back.

"You don't know me? Oh-ho, I'm hurt, really, I am." The fox laughed, "Fine, you can talk to the kit about me, or what's left of him anyway." the large fox said maliciously.

'Kit...?' the two women wondered, then their eyes widened, "You mean Naruto, don't you?!"

Kurama nodded "Yeah...gotta say...he's amusing to mess with. I quite enjoy it."

"You bastard...!" Masane and Shiori both screamed. "What have you done to him!?"

"You wanna talk to Uzumaki? Say 'please'...if you two beg me, I might give you five minutes...if I feel like it." Kurama cackled. He closed his blood-red eyes for a second, expression becoming serious. The two women ground their teeth. A demon? What was this...thing...doing to Naruto?!

"FUCK!" The fox growled out, eyes snapping open. "FUCK! That stupid shit!"

"What do you mean?! Where's Naruto?" growled out Masane, all fear forgotten with rage in it's place.

The demon glared at her "Looks like your out of luck, bitch. I can't reach him. FUCK!" The fox growled.

Can't reach him...no, he couldn't... "What do you mean?!" Masane asked, "WHAT did you DO?"

The fox's expression turned sour, "Fucking shit. I can't believe this, I should have had a couple more weeks first. This isn't fair at all."

Shiori was in shock, "NOT FAIR? You shouldn't be the one talking about fair, you monster. Now what the hell happened to Naru?"

"Nothing...except I can't reach him." The fox frowned, the red eyes fixed Masane with a baleful glare, "I blame you." he said petulantly.

"What?" she said, not getting what Kurama meant.

"You were who introduced that bastard and Naruto, right? So this is your fault!"

'Wait...What? So this is my fault...and why is this fox acting like a kid denied candy?' Masane thought.

"So she had Naru meet someone, how does that make it her fault?" Shiori snapped, wishing she could transform and gut the demon.

The fox growled "Damn sword-entity or whatever he is...I should have KNOWN he'd pull some shit..." He pulled his fur with his hand-like front paws in an almost human gesture of ripping his hair out, "GAH! AND I THOUGHT MINATO WAS AN ASS BEFORE?! FUCK!"

"Wait...Excalibur?" Masane said, brightening, as did Shiori. If Excalibur was out to help Naruto, then just maybe he'd be safe.

"YES! Fucker must've did something...he's getting in my way! HE CAN'T HAVE NARUTO!" The fox snarled, "The boy is mine."

Shiori had had enough, "He's not yours, you demonic piece of shit!"

Kurama turned to her and started to chuckle, "Oh really now?"

"YES! He's not your plaything, he's..."

The fox laughed harder, interrupting her, "Oh, please, keep going! This is great. Hahaha...tell me again how he's not mine!"

He grinned sardonically and pointed at Sarutobi, who had reformed and was glaring at the fox. "HE can tell you how the kit's mother was treated in Konoha village...it was NOTHING compared to what happened to the boy...Oh, Sarutobi tried to 'look after' Naruto. I'll grant the crappy old shit that. He spent plenty of time next to Naruto's bed while he recovered from the latest beating and was just barely alive...but he never stopped the beatings, now did he? Or encourage people to open up to Naruto."

He shrugged, "Naruto belongs to the village of Konoha? They've taken more then their pound of flesh. His Family? Dead. And you've only known him six years. His friends? Don't make me laugh, he didn't HAVE any before he became a genin."

The fox pulled a thoughtful expression, "Ah! But he's always had me, though, hasn't he?"

"That's not the same! You're evil..." Masane said, shaking all over with outrage.

"Hah! You should have asked Naruto about his childhood. Not that it would have done you any good seeing as I only just started helping him get his memory back. I, uh... softened the edges some parts...of course, some memories had to be...removed all together before the boy got them back."

Masane and Shiori stared at him in shock. To them, it sounded as if the fox had been helping Naruto...

"I couldn't have Naruto going on a rampage before he was strong enough to hold up to my chakra. But that bastard Excalibur is stopping me now. And I hate saying it, but he's damned good at it!"

"Really? Is that the reason you played with his mind? What about now?" Masane snarled, loathing Kurama more with every passing second.

The fox shrugged again, "Shits and giggles? The point is, you skank, Naruto is mine, he's always been mine."

"Shove it, you Merda-striate forfettaria psicotici di dente di leone. You and the king made peace already. So cut the bullshit you're pulling to mess with theses two." a new voice said and Masane and Shiori turned to see a man, Italian-American in ethnicity and wearing all black, walk up to them, hands in his pockets.

"Bastard! Why'd you have to ruin my fun by telling them that!? And who the FUCK are you?!" Kurama snarled. The pair of blade-bearers glared at the demon for pulling that on them for the sake of amusement.

"Name's Jackie Estacado." the man said, and Masane whipped her attention back to him. Jackie Estacado...! At the name, Masane felt the Witchblade pulse with anger. Now she knew what Naruto had meant when he said he had sensed something Excalibure didn't like: It was Estacado!

More accurately it was what was INSIDE him: the ancient male demon soul of ageless power belonging to a being of pure darkness and dating back beyond human history. One of the two constants in the universe: the dark and the light. A male entity of darkness which represented chaos that had been at war with his natural female counterpart, to whom he was equal and opposite of at the dawn of time, the original void before the coming of light which resulted in The Creation.

"You...!" Masane hissed, feeling the Witchblade try to activate itself and kill him, both her and the Witchblade knowing that it couldn't be done. And that knowledge was like the roar of an atomic inferno within the band of living metal on her wrist.

Jackie looked at the Witchblade in it's bracelet-form and whistled. "So that's what's got him so mad...his kid's here."

"What?" Shiori asked.

"Long story. And only reason I'm here is to let you know that Little-Miss-Sunshine is on her way towards you should be there by the end of the week."

Masane groaned as a pounding built up behind her temples, coming from the Witchblade. "I take it she's not on good terms with the Witchblade either?"

Jackie actually laughed, abet a a bit bitterly, "Quick on the up-take, aren't you? The Witchblade can't stand either of 'em in the slightest. I'm currently indisposed, so I tried using old Tall, Dark and Gruesome to contact Excalibur. Guy he's partnered with let me in, same as the two of you." He spun on his heel and walked away. "Do what you want, just do me a favor: don't hurt Jenny."

Masane and Shiori stared after him. Who the HELL was Jenny?

Once Estacado was gone, the female pair looked around for a way out and to their disgust, they were in was in what looked more like a flooded boiler room. It was full of ankle-high water with water dripping at random intervals. Masane raised an eyebrow in confusion then turned to Shiori, who shrugged, what the heck was this?

Shori noted how there were faintly glowing blue bars scattered around the ceiling allong with a much larger red one. She shook her head, she had more important things to do. Like finding a way out.

Masane and Shiori wandered...and wandered...and wandered. Until their eyes started twitching. "WHERE THE FUCK'S THE WAY OUT!?" Masane shouted in anger and frustration. In responce, the Witchblade's gem glowed, and in responce, a yellow orb of light appeared in front of her and Shiori. "What?" She muttered. The orb looked just like Excalibur's yellow gem.

The yellow orb flew around them for a moment before it moved down the tunnel and turned right. Masane and Shiroi, with nothing better to do simply followed it. After what felt like at least an hour of following the strange little ball, it stopped at a white door with gold plating on it. The two women looked at the little orb and gave it a thankful nod before they opened it and entered the room.

As soon as they did, the two female blade-bearers had to shild themselves from the light coming off what looked like a massive blue and white fireball resting on a pedestal with a plaqlue attached to it.

"Ok...WHAT is THAT?!" Shiori asked, but for some reason she felt safe around the ball of flames. The light was strong, but not so much at to be blinding.

"Got me." Masane said before looking at the plaque, hoping for answeres. As soon as she did, Masane's eyes widened before they grew warm at what was inscribed on it.

"What?" Shiori asked, seeing Masane smile with tears in her eyes. In responce, the Aamaha woman pointed at what she had just seen "Read it." she instructed.

Confused, Shiori looked at it and her eyes widened. No way. She looked at the fireball, shocked, then turned back to what was written on the plaque:

We all have things we not only refuse, but REJECT allowing to happen. For me, its letting anything happen to those I care for and those that need help, the power I have...the things I can do...I have them all for just that very reason. And if I become a demon, so be it. I will endure the persicution and exile. As long as those who matter to me are safe, the rest of the world can see me however it so chooses. The darkness can freely consume my flesh, my mind, my heart, my very soul if it so desires, but the one thing it cannot lay clame to is those I love, and for their sake, I'll become anything. Demon, Human, Angel, or God, I don't really care. This is the path I choose to walk and this is who I am.

"It's Naruto's truth, etched onto his soul. The very core of who he is, the thing you can't take away without changing who he is as a person." Masane said, looking at it fondly.

Shiori looked at the message. So this was the kind of person chosen by Excalibur, huh? She had to admit it was a good truth. She looked up at the fireball...a will-o-the-whisp that served as a reflected representation of Naruto's own soul.

As the two women were staring at it, a red glow came from the Witchblade and a blue one came from Shiori's Vassalblade before the ladies both looked down at them as the light from their respective blades enveloped them both.

Masane and Shiori's eyes fluttered open. They blinked at one another and looked around, seeing they were in the cabin of a yacht, each one on either side of Naruto as he was resting in a bed. What was that just now? Judging from the pulse coming from their blades, it wasn't just a simple dream. So what was it? Then they looked at Naruto and their eyes widened.

Shiori checked his wounds, half-expecting to see the injuries he'd suffered from their shared vision on him, to her relief, he was perfectly fine.

"Well, he should be fine in a few days," Shiori told Masane, who gave her a glare. "Should be able to move on his own by the end of the week..." Shiori added, running a finger over Naruto's stomach, which caused Masane to grab her hand and forcing her to look at her.

"Thanks," Masane said with an annoyed tone as she squeezed Shiori's hand and glared at her. "You can stop feeling up on my husband now." Masane told Shiori, who started to twitch.

"I'm not feeling him up," Shiori shouted as she put a hand on Masane's hand and squeezed tightly as electricity seemed to fly between the two.

"Hey I brought..." Segawa said, walking into the room with Takayama and both men instantly turn around upon seeing the looks on Masane's and Shiori's faces.

"So move your hands off him!" Masane shouted, her eyes shining with a moon-like silver glint as Shiori's brown eyes became blue.

"Don't tell me what to do!" Shiori shouted back as she glared at Masane, "Or do you want me to beat you all over again?"

"I'd like to see you try!" Masane shouted as she transformed while Shiori did the same.

"Get ready then!" Shiori shouted back as Naruto started to stir slowly.

"Let's go!" Masane shouted charging Shiori just as Naruto opened his eyes to see them charge each other.

'This is slightly arousing,' Naruto thought as he watched the two clashing before sighing. 'But I should really stop them before they hurt someone or each other.'

"Utter-chest!" Shiori screamed angrily as she attacked Masane with a downwards swing.

"Look whose talking!" Masane shouted back as she swung vertically before two new blades entered their fray, blocking Masane's and Shiori's attacks.

"I sleep for a little while," Naruto told them as he glared at the two, "And both of you start trying to kill one another again."

"Naruto!" Both of them shouted in unison, "You shouldn't be up!"

"Okay," Naruto muttered as the two turned and glared at one another. "That was creepy," he finished as he pushed both of them back. "Now both of you sit down and be quiet or I'll send you to the corner," he threatened as both stare at him.

"We're not children!" they both screamed again before looking at one another again, glaring.

"That's it," Naruto snapped, grabbing both of their hands and tossing them both onto the bed. "You're not going anywhere until you settle what's going on, understand?" he told them as both nodded nervously until Shiori saw Naruto's stomach.

"Your wounds are open again." Shiori pointed out as Masane and Naruto looked towards the bloody bandage around his torso.

"Shit," Naruto muttered as Masane and Shiori each grab an arm and guided him to the bed.

"Now lie down and let me treat you, Naru." Shiori told him as she looked to Masane. "Keep him from moving about." Shiori instructed Masane who nodded and looked at Naruto seductively.

"This is bad..." Naruto muttered as Masane, who was still transformed, ran a hand over Naruto's shoulders before leaning down to look him in the eyes. "You're going to take advantage of me aren't you?" Naruto questioned as Shiori just stared in disbelief as Masane nodded and kissed Naruto deeply, slowly sending him back on the bed.

Shiori started twitching as Masane made out with Naruto, before she started on replacing Naruto's bandages, 'Lucky bitch! I wanted to lip-lock him first!'

"Mamane..." Naruto struggled to say as Masane made out with him. "Mi meed mair," he told her before Shiori pulled her off. "Thanks," Naruto muttered as Shiori gave him a smile and a wink then glared at Masane.

"I've patched up your wounds," Shiori told him as she tossed the old bandages away, "But I am curious about that weird tattoo you have."

"Tattoo?" Masane questioned as Shiori gestured to Naruto's stomach just below the bandages showing a small portion of the seal that held the nine-tailed fox within him. "When did you get a tattoo, Naruto?" Masane asked as Naruto backed up against the headboard under the women's glare.

"I um…" Naruto stuttered looking for an escape, "Don't remember."

"Don't remember huh," Masane repeated, walking over to Naruto and grabbing his right ear between her thumb and index finger. "HOW DO YOU NOT REMEMBER?!" Masane shouted as she forced him to look her in the eye as Shiori just laughed.

"It happened before I met you and Rihoko," Naruto muttered as Masane calmed down a bit, knowing Naruto didn't like to talk about his past, what little of it he seemed to remember. "I've had it since I was little," Naruto told them as both sat across from him, reverting back to their normal forms.

"You got it in the same place we saw in your memories?" Masane asked as Shiori looked at her before looking at Naruto, who looked shocked and tensed before he sighed.

"Yeah," Naruto replied tensely, looking forward as both Masane and Shiori look at one another. "Something wrong?" he asked as Masane wrapped him up in a tight hug, "Masane?"

"Why you didn't tell me about the dreams?" Masane asked as Naruto's eyes go wide before softening.

"I didn't want you to worry," Naruto answered as he held her, "Having dreams about your childhood where you're beaten or worse really aren't something you want loved ones knowing about."

"Idiot," Masane replied calmly as she pulled back, "It wouldn't have mattered."

"Thank you Masane," Naruto said as he tried giving her a smile, "But don't worry about it, Masane. I'm fine."

"You should have told me," Masane muttered, pulling away from him.

"I think I speak for both of us," Shiori said calmly as Naruto looked at her. "That if we ever meet who did that to you, we'll kill them."

"For once I agree with you." Masane told Shiori with a nod of agreement.

"Well, that's nice and all, but I don't want them dead...if they're not already." Naruto told them and both women look at him in surprise.

"Why not?" Masane asked as she ran a hand over Naruto's shoulder.

"Because if I wanted them dead, I'd be no better then them in the end." he answered with a sigh.

Masane smiled as she leaned down and kissed Naruto gently. "And that's what makes you so loveable," she told him as Shiori just leaned back placing her head on his stomach gently.

"I can agree with that too," Shiori told them as she looked at the roof. "But I do have a question for both of you," Shiori said as both Masane and Naruto look at her. "Do you two know of a place I could stay for awhile?"

"What about your place?" Masane asked, slightly annoyed at Shiori's continued intrusion on her romantic time with Naruto.

"Because I helped you two," Shiori answered, looking at Masane as she sat up, "I've probably been blacklisted by Father to kill on sight."

"Why would he do that?" Naruto demanded as he sat up with Masane sitting next to him.

"Its called 'fraternizing with the enemy'," Shiori muttered as she looked to them sadly. "Instead of getting your blades, I helped save you."

"And they'd punish you for that," Masane questioned as she looked at Shiori, "What kind of organization is this?"

"Drop it Masane," Naruto said as he looked at Shiori. "I'm sure we can find you a place to stay somewhere near us."

"What?" Masane screamed as Shiori looked at Naruto wide-eyed.

"I mean, Rihoko is quiet fond of you," Naruto told them as he felt someone glaring holes through him, knowing who it was. "And I can't say Masane doesn't enjoy your company either." Naruto added, looking to Masane, who hardened her glare.

"What the hell you talking about Uzumaki?" Masane asked as Shiori looked to her, confused.

"This is the most lively you've been in days," Naruto told them as Masane elbowed him in the rips, causing him to fall back clutching his stomach.

"Why don't you just shut up!?" Masane yelled at him as she got up and walked out of the room.

"Wonder when she'll remember we are on a boat?" Naruto asked and Shiori snickered as a scream was heard from above deck and Masane stomped back down into the room, glaring at Naruto.

"Pray that she behaves herself!" Masane warned as Naruto began to sweat as Shiori wrapped her arms around his stomach.

"We could always have a three-way Masane." Shiori offered as Naruto went bright red and found the ceiling very interesting at the moment.

"Like hell!" Masane shouted back as Shiori smirked as she looked at Naruto's flustered face.

"Don't see Naru denying it," Shiori pointed out playfully.

"You'd get a long great with Anko, Shiori..." Naruto muttered, getting looks from the two.

"Who?" Masane asked curiously as Naruto blinked at what he just said and muttered several curses under his breath.

"Nothing," Naruto replied as he felt Shiori's grip on his waist tighten.

"Let's torture it out of him," Shiori suggested as Masane stalked over towards Naruto with an evil grin.

"Let there be mercy on my soul," Naruto said aloud as Masane jumped at him, pinning him down and Shiori readied for her cues...Right before Segawa entered the room.

"We've arrived at the docks." He said, causing Masane and Shiori to glare at the glasses-wearing man as Naruto let out a sigh, mentally blessing the man's timing. As the two changed back to normal, Masane and Shiori had to confess it wasn't a total loss...as a consolation prize at least, they weren't asked to leave as Naruto got dressed.

Stepping off the boat with Masane and Smile supporting him, Naruto came face-to-face with a man with a white dress shirt and pants, his gray hair tied back into a ponytail. Standing next to him was a women in a blue dress with platinum orange-blond hair.

"Ahh," the man said calmly as he walked forward, extending his hand. "Mr. Uzumaki, I am…"

"Tatsuoki Furumizu," Naruto finished as he glared at the man, hating him for the NSWF trying to take his daughter away and now knowing that this bastard had an intrest in both of the blades him and Masane weilded, before looking towards the women, "and his assistant Nora."

Everyone looked at Naruto curiously, "What? I liked to be informed." the blond man said.

"Indeed," Furumizu replied calmly, eyeing Naruto before looking at Shiori. 'Reports said she went berserk like the others and yet she is calm as can be now.' He thought before Naruto's hand shot up in front of Shiori.

"I won't let her become a test subject for you, Old Man!" Naruto said as Furumizu looked into Naruto's eyes, seeing crimson eyes with slit pupils looking back. "You even touch her and I'll make sure that you're the last of your family!"

"You dare...!" Nora shouted as Furumizu raised his hand in front of her.

"That's quiet a threat," Furumizu replied as he looked Naruto in the eye to see only crimson glaring back at him. 'What is…?' Suddenly, before Furumizu's eyes and his eyes alone, there appeared the form of a massive spectral fox before him with nine tails, releasing murderous intent that caused Furumizu to step back.

"A threat? It's only a threat if you can't back it up. No...what I told you is a promise!" Naruto said coldly.

"Father?" Nora questioned, surprised, as she watched Furumizu step back.

"We'll be leaving Nora," Furumizu told her as he turned to leave, sweating and doing everything possible to prevent himself from running from Naruto. 'The Hero worthy of the title of the One True King indeed...Excalibur has frighteningly refined taste in those that use it...' the thought was anything but reassuring.

"Yes sir," Nora replied as she glanced at Naruto curiously before following Furumizu. With the exception of Furumizu himself, Nora considered everyone and everything around her as a tool for her own personal advancement...that man whom intimidated Father would bear watching. He could prove very useful once she found a use for him and a way to exploit him into aiding in the achievement of her personal goals.

"Ass." Naruto muttered while turning to look at Takayama and Segawa, who were standing behind Shiori and Masane.

"What did you just do Naruto?" Masane asked looking at the blond with a look that could kill.

"I agree," Takayama added, walking up as Shiori noded, "Making enemies of Furumizu is not a smart idea."

"I just warned him to stay away from the people I care about, all right." Naruto muttered as he looked at Masane and Shiori. "You can stay with us for right now, Shiori."

"WHAT?!" Masane shouted as she looked at Naruto, wide-eyed.

"She can't return home because she helped me, Masane," Naruto argued as Masane glared at him and Shiori mentally cheered. "And I don't think it would be safe for her to return home," he added looking towards the path Furumizu left.

Masane sighed as she rubbed her temples. "You attract too many women, you know that?!" Masane told her husband as everyone looked at her.

"First the beach, then the time we stayed at that snow lodge and every women in the building offered to teach you to ski, and then when we left that place every women we passed gave you their number while asking you to call."

"Oh yeah..." Naruto muttered, scratching the back of his head as Takayama and Segawa just stared at him.

"I swear," Masane continued as crosses her arms under her breasts, "you could turn a lesbian straight if you wanted!"

At that, Shiori blushed and turned away, whistling a little, getting everyone's attention as Masane pointed at her. "You're kidding right?" She asked as Shiori looked embarrassed as she shook her head, causing Masane to palm her face as she grabbed Naruto's arm and walked away, dragging him with her. "Come on...this idiot decided you're staying with us, right?!" Masane shouted, getting Shiori to follow, grabbing Naruto's other arm as they walked away.

Shiori smiled and made to follow them, counting that as a victory over Masane in her book seeing as the other woman was so hellbent against it, yet had basically given in by that question just now.

But such was the way life went with Naruto as a factor in it she supposed.

Best enjoy the time before that "Angelus" person showed up to further complicate the lives of those with ties to the Witchblade.