A/N: Alright ladies and gentlemen, good news and bad news. Good news first. I'm fresh out of ANOTHER surgery-hurts like hell, congestive heart failure, which, to me, makes no sense because I exercise daily. Alas, my health is still poorly, and the docs say it ain't looking good. So...I just...wanted to let you all know about this. Somehow. Just in case death has plans to take me out of this sickly body of mine...hopefully it won't!

Anywho, I managed to put this up here at points between the forced anesthetic. Bad news is I still have more surgeries ahead. It's been great, guys. Really. I'm hanging tough though, despite everything life is throwing at me. Despite all that's happening, I don't intend to die quietly in a bed somewhere! On another note, my health and my job may start cutting into my update schedule, so I apologize for that. Now, onto this. I recently played the cinematic game, the Walking Dead. Not those other two, the Telltale version with Lee. And after completing it naturally, my mind came up with an idea...and here it is!

This is a gritty, realistic take on what would happen if a certain someone found himself flung into a certain universe. Remember, this is based on the GAME not the show! So...

...enjoy! And aye, for those who are wondering, this WILL cover the events of season two. Just...a little differently. We also get a look at more than one perspective this chapter, shedding a good deal of light on what everyone thinks of Naruto...*ahem*...actions...and our favorite blond finds himself having to come to terms with his actions and wonder, is he really the good guy he claims to be...

...or is he becoming something he hates?

"If you were to write a story with me in the lead role, it would certainly be a tragedy."

~?!

The Sum of Our Parts

Damn it all to fucking hell.

I did it; why did I do it?

I shouldn't have done it, but I did.

Gah, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself-gotta stop and explain.

In case you're reading this and wondering...

...I've decided to start keeping a journal, now. Found it here, and decided to take it for my own.

A chronicle I guess, so I can look back someday and see where it all went wrong. IF it went wrong. I'm not sure yet, penning this. Did I do the right thing? Was I wrong? Do I have the right to decide who lives, and who dies? Who made me god? What gave me the right? Who says I wanted it in the first place?

Ah, but I digress.

I guess what I'm trying to say is this: I've always been on about how we need to preserve our humanity. Show kindness to others. Take care of others. Show mercy. Compassion. I told those who follow me these things time and time again. Tried to be a paradigm of goodness. And yet, when it came down to it, when temptation presented itself, what did I do? I proved myself a hypocrite.

Because today...

...today I killed.

I could've just as easily run them off, like I did that crazy woman in the camp when I found Clem's hat. But I didn't.

My reason?

Those no good BASTARDS took one of my own.

I never liked Larry. Truth be told, there were times when I wanted to kill him myself. But even so, nobody deserves to go out like that.

So what did I do? I'll tell you. I walked right up into that house, found the ones responsible, and SLAUGHTERED them for butchering Lily's pops. I didn't hesitate in the least. Didn't pause, even when that retarded brute Andrew chased after me. I found his mother, his brother, saw Larry's body. The knife came out and they died. Simple as that, right? Nope.

Wrong.

If it was just that, maybe I wouldn't feel so bad. But I saw it. Him. Larry. Lying there, all cut apart. And I snapped.

I...hurt them. Took my time.

First I started with their legs-after all, they took his-then the fingers, arms. Ears. Made them scream. I gouged out their eyes, cut out their tongues. I'd never done something like that in my life; never been that brutal, until now. Somehow, in my rage, I still had the wherewithall to slap a silencing seal on the door. No one heard anything. Except me. I listened to the St. John's whimper and beg and plead, cajole and threaten as I took my time carving retribution into their bodies.

ANd when it was finished, I felt good.

I can try and rationalize what I've done, say that I had gone the right thing-served justice-by killing these...god, I can't even call them people after what I saw in that room. But then what does that make me? I chopped those three, Andrew, Terry, Brenda, into little bits when I was done. While they were still ALIVE. I'll not let Clementine see me; not like this.

An eye for an eye. Tooth for a tooth. Evil for evil. I'm not a man anymore. At all.

I'm a monster.

Naruto was covered in blood when he finally came out of that house.

Lily watched the battered blond like a hawk all the while, hoping-praying-for a miracle as he slowly, wearily trudged down the porch steps an eternity later. That somehow, someway, Larry -DAD!- would be there behind him. Praying. For a miracle. She saw the eerily red knife in his grasp, still dripping blood and she prayed even harder, wishing for the impossible. What she wanted was a miracle, an act of god. Something-anything!-she just needed it...needed it now...

But there wasn't one.

"Na-

The look on his face stopped her cold, if only for a moment.

But Lily was stubborn; always had been, always would be. Even with the terrible anxiety of the unknown ripping her into pieces, she still had the strength-drive-to pursue him.

"Hey, will you just...wait...a...second!"

Eyes like black glass, he walked down the porch alone, a small book tucked into his coat. He wouldn't even so much as look at her. Her words seemed to ghost over him, unheard. By the time she finally managed to get him to stop-to capture his attention-dread was clawing at her, tearing terrible strips out of her heart. At first she thought the blood on his shirt was his own-it certainly looked like it was. Her hand touched his chest and came away sopping red.

"Oh my god, you're hurt!"

"No." vacant eyes stared down at her hand. "I'm not."

"Where's my dad?"

His silence was telling; that was when Lily knew.

Gone.

Larry was gone.

Her father was gone.

Strength abandoned her to the wolves of her own despair.

Her knees buckled, a small cry tearing past her lips. Strong hands closed around her before she could fall, holding her up, and desperately she clung to them. This was a dream. It had to be. A nightmare. A terrible, awful dream, one she'd wake up from any minute now because she had to because it felt like reality was slipping through her fingers and she didn't know what to do, didn't know what to do and Oh God, what am I going to do nowdadwhywhywhywhyidontcantijustcantnonononononononono...

"He can't be dead, he just can't...I have to see him!"

"You don't wanna go in there," his hand were a vice now, holding her fast. "Just...don't."

"Let go of me!" she thrashed in his arms, struggling to escape. "LET GO!" Maybe he was wrong! How did he know, anyway?! He wasn't a doctor! She shouted at him, told him as much, shrieked and screamed and swore with all her might, but still he refused to release her. She slapped him, spit at him, but still those iron bars held fast. Then came the sobbing.

"LILY!"

The sound of his voice-of her name-snapped her out of that maddened daze for a moment, just long enough to see those emerald-blue eyes boring into her. He looked just as bad as she felt sad, the bright blues of his eyes taking on the color of hard, rapid river rocks as he gazed down at her.

"It's gonna be alright." he soothed.

"Did you kill them?"

Pain flashed in those cerulean depths. "...they don't get much deader than that."

"Good." her voice broke on the wor.d I hope it hurt!"

Those hurtful eyes swung away. "You gonna be okay?"

It was the soft-short-speak like that worried her the most; Naruto was always so intense, so vibrant, always willing to talk. The clipped, curt tone of his voice told her there would be none of that today, but the question threatened to open the floodgates all over again.

No. Not at all. Not even a little bit. Don't go. Please. I don't want you to go.

Part of her wanted-longed!-to say all these things and more to him, but a thorn of stubborn pride pricked her heart and held her back. She didn't know how to open up to people. Too hard. Too difficult. Better off alone, she told herself. She almost believed it.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." she muttered, wriggling out of his arms. "Can we go now?" her gaze slid to the house, half-fearing it would somehow come to life-she didn't know what to expect after all this. "Please?"

"Hang in there; gotta wrap up a few things."

"Whatever you say, you're the boss, not me."

"You know what? Sometimes I wish I wasn't." Naruto grunted and just like that she was alone again with her grief; because he'd let go of her to speak with the other survivors. His people. Hers. Now one less. Damnit.

When it came, Lily grabbed onto the rage and held on. Not at him, but the anger at Saint Johns. All they were, all that they'd done. The anger did the trick-it kept her focused. Furious. Anything was better than dwelling on what she'd lost, she told herself. She couldn't think of Dad now. There would be time for tears later. Much later.

She didn't feel a speck of guilt for what Naruto had done. On the contrary, she didn't blame him in the least. Justice.

Andrew...Brenda...Terry...

The Saint Johns got what they deserved.

Bastards.

Naruto was sad.

Clementine knew it at a glance; from the way those hollow, empty blue eyes seemed to skim right over her, as though she weren't even there. Just as she also knew something was wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong. She had never seen him like this before and it frightened her. It was like he'd become a completely different person in the last five minutes. He was still Naruto, she was certain of that much, but the blood on his jacket and the way he mumbled to himself worried her.

A few harsh words had Ben and Travis running to scavenge supplies from the house; dusk was fast approaching and no one wanted to be caught in the open. Least of all her. With next to no one, save a wounded David left to tend the motor inn, she was honestly beginning to wonder whether or not they should just stay the night or-oh.

He was coming over here.

"How ya doing?" Naruto asked, crouching down to speak with her. "Sorry for being gone so long."

Clementine glanced down fretfully. Saw his hand.

"You're bleeding." it was a whisper.

Her caretaker blinked slowly, distantly, looking down at himself and the thin rent on the knuckles of his off hand where Lily had scratched him. "I suppose I am. Don't worry. I'll heal." Clementine wanted to believe him, she really did, but the fresh blood on his jacket was staring her in the face, impossible to ignore. "Its not my blood." he reassured her.

Somehow, those words didn't make little Clem feel any better.

"Okay." she fidgeted restlessly. "Are...Are the bad guys gone?"

His face twisted like she'd just kicked him in the shin.

...yes. They are."

"Really?"

Poor thing, she looked like she wanted to hide under that hat of hers.

"Clem, honey, I'm sorry if I scared you. It's complicated."

"Why?"

"Sometimes bad people need to be punished." he explained, mussing her hair, it sounded like he was trying to convince himself just as much as her. "Otherwise, they'll just keep doing bad things."

"But does that make you bad, then? For hurting them?"

"Wha-No!" For a moment, it looked as though the whiskered warrior would explode, then, sighing, he reigned himself in again. "I'm not one of the bad guys sweetie, trust me. I'm really a good guy. Today, well...things just got a little out of control today. Out of hand."

"Then you'll stay?"

"Of course I will." Naruto blinked, baffled. "Why wouldn't I?"

A seed of hope sprouted in her chest.

"Last night, I heard you arguing with Larry. You said-

His hand shot out, covering her mouth.

"I didn't mean that; I only said it to shut that fat bastard up and now he's-

"Swear." Clem chirruped, interrupting him.

"Hehe, sorry. Look, the point is...gah, how do I put this?" to her disbelief the blond actually flushed, glancing away as he scratched at the tip of his nose. "You guys are like family to me. You're family, Clem. And do you know what my motto is concerning family?"

"What-hey!"

Her words turned into a startled yelp as the arms of that battered jacket closed around her in a gentle embrace. Not painful, but firm. Protecting. Warm. Slightly awkward so as not to get any blood on her, but still a hug all the same. Tentatively, she willed herself to relax.

"I don't leave family behind." he drew back, holding her by the shoulders. "No matter what. Understand?"

"Promise?"

She told herself he meant it; because to think otherwise was too painful to imagine.

"Promise."

"So...you're really going to stay?"

"As long as you'll have me." Naruto nodded.

"Always?" she pressed.

His smile was almost like daddy's, she thought.

"Always."

"You alright?"

...do I look alright to you, Ken?"

Kenny felt a chill run over him when those dead orbs finally found his, next. There had been a spark of emotion in them when he'd talked to little Clem, but now...

...now...

Yikes.

It was like looking into the eye of an icy hurricane; all sharp and jagged edges. Speaking to a force of nature. It didn't care about you or what you thought and it'd roll right up over you if you got in its way. He didn't need to ask to know what must've happened in that house. The blood, the knife, the notable lack of Larry, Lily's ashen face. He didn't fault him for losing it like that, but the abrupt lack of emotion was almost surreal. Mark seemed to notice it, too, though if the sharpshooter had any opinions of it, he kept it to himself.

"Naw," he managed with a gulp, "I reckon you don't."

"Sorry." the younger man spun away, pinching his nose. "I'm not trying to be short with you, its just," he glanced down, fretting at the blood on his clothes. "They didn't have any working water. I...couldn't get this shit off of me, after..."

"How bad?"

Now, Kenny had never seen Naruto turn green before. He'd always struck him as the stoic sort, but in that moment, those whiskered cheeks went pale.

"They...they cut him into pieces, Kenny. His legs and arms were gone, and by the time I got there he was...

He lapsed into silence.

"Look," Mark added wearily, "For what its worth, I think you did the right thing. If you hadn't said something back there, that would've been me they sliced up. Ugh," a shudder shook through his shoulders, and it wasn't entirely from the brisk chill in the air. "I don't even want to think what would've happened if they cut off my legs...

The blond laughed hollowly. "We'd have to call you stumpy."

"Not funny, brother." the deadpan was there, but the words lacked rancor, Kenny thought.

"Shame about Lily's dad, though."

Naruto's smile crumpled into a dark scowl at that, his face puckering as though he'd just tasted something foul.

"Yeah...

"Look," Kenny interrupted, "You've been straight with us until now, but I think its time we had answers. Just what in the hell are you? And don't say you're military. Our boys can't do half the shit I've seen you do." Mark jumped right in after him, perhaps seeing the opportunity to get his own answers from their ordeal.

"Yeah, not gonna lie, when I got hit by that arrow, you closed the wound...how did you do that?"

Oddly enough, those words only made Naruto retreat even further into himself.

"I will. Lets...lets just get home, first."

Once more Kenny found himself reminded of these so-called 'answers' his friend promised him. They'd certainly been a long time coming, now. Here, was a man who do the impossible. Someone who could leap the length of a rather large barn, capable of tossing entire cars at walkers back in town, get bit, and not feel a damn thing, had all but pried a bear trap open with his own hands and now, murdered three people in cold blood for their crimes.

To top it all off, no one had heard so much as a peep the entire time he'd been in that house.

What was he, special forces or something? It'd explain a lot-no, those guys couldn't toss trucks like they were toys. If it kept up like this, he might become just as much a danger to his family as the walkers-idiot! He mentally rebuked himself for thinking such things. Naruto had saved Duck, stood up for him, punched the shit out of Larry for threatening his family. Whatever he was, he was on their side. There was no doubting that.

All that blood really made you want to stay on his good side, though.

"Anything else you want before we head out?" he dared ask.

"You and Mark take the generator and as much wiring as you can find." a scarred hand waved loosely in the direction of the generator. "An electric fence would be useful. Take the cow, too. Let me know if you need any help." Kenny didn't doubt for a minute that the blond could probably carry the bovine all by himself, but he knew with one look that he wasn't in any mood to be doing heavy lifting.

"What're we going to do about the house?" Kenny asked, watching as Travis and Ben scrambled out the door, each bearing the one of the last box of supplies liberated from their would-be captors. Their provisions were decidedly meager, at least he thought, watching Travis present a few clips of ammo to Carley and Ben offer a faded red hoodie to Clementine. But when he looked back at their leader...

...there was no emotion in those ice blue eyes.

"Burn it." he spat. "Burn it to the fucking ground."

"You sure?"

"Yes." there was no emotion to be found in that word. "A den of thieves and murders like this doesn't deserve to exist any longer."

"The fire might attract walkers...

"For the love of god, man!"

Swearing, the blond violently jerked around, turned his head, and spat napalm onto the porch.

Fire.

That was Kenny's first thought as a blossom of flame ignited against the St. John family home; it was a great, orange blaze that spread within seconds, amber flames offering light in the fading twilight, casting everyone in brilliant, bloody orange relief. Naruto stood slowly, straightening woodenly and without care, ignoring the dumbfounded expressions that greeted him there.

"There. Done."

When the blond moved to leave, so did Kenny.

Naruto noticed.

For some reason he just wasn't able to help himself; instinctively placing himself between the whiskered walker-not that kind!-and his family for protection. Nothing happened. Their leader just kept walking, never once glancing at Duck or Katjaa as he strode past. His head simply bobbed, as though acknowledging the threat he posed. And there, against his face, almost invisible in the burning light...

...Kenny thought he saw a tear.

"How are you doing?"

Naruto felt a muscle jump in his jaw.

"How am I doing?" he glanced at her, vein throbbing in his forehead, "I just murdered three people, lost one of our group to a bunch of god-forsaken cannibals, and now to top it off, everyone that thinks I'm some kind of Black Ops assassin or something. I don't think I'm doing all that well."

Carley flinched aside. "That bad, huh?"

"Yes."

Everyone, everyone, EVERYONE save Lily and Clem had been asking him this-checking up on him. As if they wanted to reassured that he would snap and start carving them into little bits. Now it was Carley's turn to ask as they trekked back towards the motor home. Darkness pervaded every inch of the forest, the lack of light leaving everyone on edge. Under any other circumstance he might have actually found it amusing; every noise every sound, every bump in the night had his survivors jumping like frightened kittens.

Everything was tense, cracks were forming in the group, fractures born, battle lines already being drawn among the survivors. His survivors. Some saw him as a murderer for what he'd done; others believed his actions justified. One way or another, he'd learn where their loyalties lie, and then...

...and then what? He'd kill them? No. He couldn't do that. It wasn't right. He'd deal with things if it ever came to that, he swore. But for now, he wasn't about to raise a hand against the good men and women he'd tried to hard to protect.

"No, its not your fault." he sighed, pinching his nose, struggling to stifle his own irritation.

"Mom, what's that sound?"

Kenny frowned, straightening. "It sounds like a car.

"Oh, not more strangers!" Ben whined.

"Can't be as bad as the last ones." muttered Travis.

"Let's find out." Naruto muttered, drawing a knife.

Creeping forward he saw it; a strange, box-like vehicle, beeping softly in the night. What was that? What even was that?

"Come on out!" he called. "We don't mean you any harm!"

Silence pervaded the night.

"Okay, so I guess we're doing this the hard way."

The station wagon, when they finally approached it at last, looked to be recently used. Its dash was warm under his hand. So. This was a car. He didn't see the appeal. How did something like this transport someone in a forest? Whoever was driving it had vanished without a trace, leaving the trunk filled with supplies. So many supplies. Boxes and boxes of them, just waiting-begging to be taken. Surely the former occupants wouldn't mind? Maybe they had wandered off somewhere.

Maybe they'd become a walker's meal.

Was that a dash of blood on the ground? Or just wishful thinking? He didn't know.

Everything in him screamed to take advantage of the situation; to capitalize upon the opportunity presented to them.

"Oh, crap! Look at all this!"

Naruto felt his blood turn to ice in his veins when Kenny laid eye on the supplies; in that instant he knew, the man would take them, with or without his say. He had a family to provide for, and nothing as petty as simple morality was going to hold him back from providing for them. It was a noble thought, but roads to ruin were often paved with good intentions. He could stop him, of course, but nothing short of brute force would be able keep the determined father at bay.

"With all this, we'll be set for months!"

"No." Lily piped up.

"Whaddya mean, no?!" Kenny snapped, rounding on her. "You can't be serious!"

"It isn't ours. We do this, we're just a bunch of monsters who came by and robbed these people." the rifle settled loosely in her grip.

"Well fuck that, I'm taking it! We need this!"

The rest of the group dissolved into chatter.

"Mom, whose car is this?"

"Its abandoned, Ducky."

"Like hell it is!"

"Stop it, all of you!"

Naruto barked, his voice ripping through them like an angry shark. "Clem, Lily, we'll wait half an hour; if whomever owns this wagon doesn't come back, then I'll consider Kenny's proposal-

"Ha!"

"Quiet, you! We're waiting."

The time passed painfully, slowly.

Second by second, minute by minute, he waited. So did they. Time dragged itself by with agonizing slowness, nothing but the sound of the night and still distant walkers reverberating in the distance. Naruto tried to tell himself he was doing the right thing by waiting first, abstaining instead of taking.

Right down to the last second, no one came.

In the end, they took the supplies.

And the cracks in the group became wider still.

Later that night, one of those cracks found itself mended.

Because she came to him that night.

Ever a light sleeper, he was awake almost before he even heard the door click open. Everyone had all but slammed into bed the moment they made it home, dropping newfound boxes of food and provisions where they lay, items to be cataloged come morning. He'd nearly fallen asleep himself, with Clem temporarily bunking with Kenny and his family. He'd sworn to tell them all the truth tomorrow morning but tonight he just wanted to sleep, sleep, and forget this ever happened at all.

Even so he laid still, waiting to see what would happen. What she would do.

"Naruto...?"

Lily's voice trickled through the cabin with almost tentative concern, as though she were afraid he'd snap at her.

So much for that plan.

Groaning he rolled over in bed-

Words abandoned him.

Lily apparently took after her old man in one particular aspect: She tended to look good-striking-downright imposing, even, standing in doorways.

She was, however, significantly less clothed than he, and exuding far less menace than Larry ever could. She was wearing a simple white shift-surprised she even had one-and somehow, in the dimness of the light, it was practically translucent. Naruto could see the entire outline beneath it. It whispered of suggestion and desire, her hips swaying slightly in the light.

He paused, half-expecting her to retreat behind an angry shell at his gawking.

She did not.

"Lily, wha...

"I didn't want to be alone, tonight." she murmured.

"You stubborn girl." Naruto muttered, stroking her cheek. "Why do you always have to act so damn tough...?"

She sobbed softly; no longer certain whether it was relief or sorrow that caused her tears. Regardless, she didn't resist as he pulled her towards him. She felt his nose brush against hers, his breath warm in the rain. A moment of silence passed between the two bloosoaked survivors. It was over. The St. John dairy was still and silent after all of their carnage had been wrought; a hell disguised as paradise, a savior turned Satan. The horrors of what they'd witnessed would haunt everyone for the rest of their lives, but none morseo than the two of them.

What kind of sick person would...no, she couldn't complete the thought. That way lay ruin.

She wrapped her arms around his neck with a tiny cry. Still in his state of shock, it took Naruto a moment to react and place his own arms around the thin waist of his fellow exile. He buried his face in her neck, enjoying the warmth of her pale skin on his cheeks and the smell of her hair in his nostrils. He felt her arms tighten around him and her breathing quickened, her breasts heaving up and down against his chest.

"Sorry." she mumbled into his neck. "I'm so sorry. I should've listened...oh God, why didn't I listen...

"You have nothing to apologize for."

After almost a full minute, they pulled away from one another, his light blue eyes looking deeply into hers. She wore a subtle expression of sorrow on her face as she returned his gaze, her visage turning in a slight and small smile as she leaned in and pressed her mouth to his, pulling him backwards with her.

Lips touched.

Lily...

A/N: Poor Larry! I feel so bad, just offing him like that. But I've already beaten the game and quite frankly, this story is about Naruto, not him. I have no intentions of making him a side character in any way. Naruto's got quite the chip on his shoulder after losing the Fourth Shinobi War, and without Kurama, he's quite a bit weaker, so don't expect him to be hurling Rasenshuriken's anytime in the near futures, despite the fact that he's still stronger and faster than your average human. He's flawed-afraid that he won't be able to protect anyone after what Madara did to his comrades and can you blame him? I certainly can't.

He's going to be every bit the protagonist in this story although, and if you think for a second that its going to follow the events of canon to the letter...you're dead wrong. Ha! Dead! I crack myself up. But seriously guys, let me know what you think, eh? Some major changes will be taking place!

So...in the immortal words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly? And of course, enjoy the preview! Drama awaits and finally some romance! But who...oh who is it?!

(Preview)

...no one touches my family."

"Huh? And what're you gonna do about it, punk?"

Naruto was silent for a long moment.

Then he twitched.

Just a twitch, the slightest of movements in his hand, but Lily recognized it all the same. Just as she saw the pistols-fully loaded in their magazines-drop from his sleeves into his waiting hands. She'd seen firsthand what he could do with a knife, and at his behest, she'd beaten the art of the bullet into him. He had been the one to ask her for lessons in the first place, and in truth at the time, she'd been almost grateful for the distraction. Her 'relationship' with the enigmatic settler was a balm in many ways...

...and Lily supposed that this could be called one of them.

Yes, she had seen him with a knife, not so long ago.

Now she saw what he could do with a gun.

Bangbangbangbangbang!

Five shots echoed in impossible unison and five men, their leader included, dropped dead on the spot, their skulls empty and void.

A lone blue eye glowered at the remaining looters.

"Get offa my property."

"But-

"GET!"

Hope you enjoyed! R&R! =D