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Marvel: This is War

9: Reunions

"Nico!" Chase, the gloved Runaway, cried out in concern as he watched the blonde mutant known as War held his group's leader in a one handed grip. The shrouded mutant was growling heavily as he kept his clawed hand wrapped around Nico Minoru's throat. The young mage, as there's no other way to categorize her, had her hands wrapped around his wrist.

Chase swore as he fought against the pain Lace felt from being tossed into a car. He had to get up! He had to stop this guy! He–

"WAAAAARRR!"

...Had to let the little girl surrounded by a light green orb run past him and slam into the red mutant's leg. The girl had brown hair and a light tan. She looked no older than ten.

To Chase's (and any other witnesses') shock, the girl's orb engulfed all three of them. War, the mutant holding his leader/little sister hostage, lost his red glow and the black makeup that surrounded his eyes and mouth. His claws and fangs receded and the thick markings on his cheeks thinned down to whiskers. The blonde mutant released Nico's throat, took one step away from her and the little girl, and then promptly fell on his back into unconsciousness.

Naruto's Mindscape

"Ugh..." groaned out the protagonist as he slowly sat up in the sewer that was his mindscape. Keeping himself upright with his left palm, Naruto brought his right hand to his head and ignored the water dripping from it.

"Oh, good. You're up."

The blonde mutant winced at the sudden noise invading his ears, glancing up to look at the moderately sized fox staring at him, nine tails waving peacefully behind it. The fox's red eyes narrowed and his blackened mouth curled back in a snarl, "What the Hell happened out there?"

"...Nothing–" "BULLSHIT!" The AI cut him off with a sudden roar, making Naruto flinch. One thing he secretly disliked was being scolded by his AI, as we're about to see why.

K.Y.U.U.B.I. began growing as it growled, and its tails flared around behind it. One tail shot out and wrapped around the blonde's neck. Tightly. Naruto gasped as his blue eyes widened, his airway cut off. Before he could succumb to unconsciousness within his unconsciousness, the tail slackened and he fell to the ground, gasping for air once he pushed himself to his knees.

"That is what you just did to Nico Minoru! You! YOU NEARLY SUFFOCATED A TEENAGER!" exclaimed the AI. Shaking its head, Kyu continued, "I thought we were past that part of your life."

Naruto coughed as he held his throat, "F-Fuck...Fuck you! I was-am past that! I'm not ruled by my emotions! Not anymore!"

"And I'm not ruled by your hormones," snorted out the foxlike artificial intelligence. Naruto's eyes flashed red as he glared at the fox before groaning when the power was cut off. Kyu sighed, "And this is why I was developed by your father. You can't control your own powers! I've already sent a notification to Hill. We're postponing the rescue mission and returning to the Xavier Mansion."

"You can't do that!" Naruto cried out in denial. Glowing orange chains shot out around Naruto and wrapped around him, restraining him. The blonde growled angrily and glared at the disappointed AI.

"You're not paying attention, Naruto. Without your control you are a liability!" Naruto shook his head, growling angrily. Kyu scowled and stomped his foot, getting the blonde mutant's attention and pulling out the big guns, "If this continues you will kill either your mates or Famine!"

Naruto's snarling visage slowly dropped into one of horror. The blonde panted heavily and he bowed his head. He then muttered something. Kyu arched a brow.

"Come again?" it inquired curiously. Naruto's head snapped up in a defeated glare.

"I said 'you were right', okay?" snapped the teenage mutant, "I...I need help."

"Understatement of the century, Kit," joked the foxlike AI, "You talk to voices in your head, for God's sake!"

Naruto felt his eye twitch as he stared with a deadpan expression at the large creature before he asked, "You decide now is the time to be a comedian?"

"Naturally," Kyu replied nonchalantly, "My timing is flawless. Had we an audience, some would have to leave to change themselves."

"Yeah, because of the shit in their pants," shot back the blonde. The AI gave a small glower as he shrank before sighing.

"Touché, Kit."

Outside the Mindscape

"I said move!" Chase growled to the trench coat wearing teen that had introduced himself as Pestilence. The teen reached up and adjusted his glasses with a pasty hand before he replied in his monotone.

"And I informed you that we are SHIELD agents acting under current director Hill. We were preparing for a mission after retaliating against an attempted strike on the Helicarrier. Your youngest Runaway, Molly Hayes, acted irrationally and attacked him after he stopped Flag-Smasher," Pestilence replied before looking at the unconscious girl, "In fact. I'm in every right to arrest her here and now for attacking a member of the X-Men."

"W-What? He-I, Bullshit!" Chase smartly countered, pointing a gloved finger at the entopath before he said, "You ain't got anything on us!"

"For a genius I'm insulted at your grammar," Pestilence muttered before batting the hand away, "I could easily claim she attacked him because he was a mutant. Racism. She'd get ten, twenty years at most."

"You...Heartless bastard," Chase snarled, clenching his fists, "What about him, huh? He practically suffocated Nico!"

"Hm. I'll have a team look into it."

"You motherfu-" "Hey, assholes!" the two arguing males turned to look at the glaring redhead as she knelt next to a frightened Sally, who was kneeling worriedly at the unconscious Naruto's side, before the girl that introduced herself as Tayuya continued, "Keep this up and I'll have Hill throw you both in jail for disturbing the peace! Go check on the civvies will ya? Cool off!"

Chase clenched his teeth and looked at the impassive Pestilence, who nodded when they locked eyes. This would be finished later.

When the two testosterone-filled heroes left, Tayuya sighed and rubbed her head with her hand. She never agreed to play peacemaker for this little group. Hell, she'd rather be in a hotel with War, sharing a room-whoa, where'd that train of thought come from?

Glaring at the unconscious blonde with her brown eyes, Tayuya muttered, "Damn bastard..."

"He choke you, too?" A curious Nico Minoru asked as she rubbed her neck. Tayuya opened her mouth to reply before a rather X-rated memory entered her head and she closed it with an audible click of her teeth. Nico blinked in confusion as the redhead's face slowly matched her hair color.

Finally, Tayuya grumbled out, "You could say that...How's your neck?"

"Sore, but it's expected," Nico admitted, sending a frown to the unconscious mutant's way, "So...Did Molly-?"

"Yes, that little brat started this," Snapped the irate teenage girl before the witch could get out the question, "She attacked him after he put that pussy down!"

Nico winced and lowered her hand slightly before looking at the unconscious girl, who was being kept safe by the still resting dinosaur. Never before had Nico been disappointed in Molly. Not only did she rush into that fight, she started a fight with someone who was both an X-Men and apparently a SHIELD agent. Those were big groups that would have no problem taking them down, even with their Skrull ally and the Runaways' obscure powers.

"War's sorry." The soft voice made the two older girls look to the youngest mutant there.

Sally's normal green eyes had red lines in them and her cheeks were stained from crying. After the blonde, War as Sally called him, had fallen unconscious; the girl broke down worried that she killed him. It was ten minutes later that the two other SHIELD agents (Tayuya and Pestilence) managed to breach her shield and pull a recovering Nico out before the redhead started to (unsurely) comfort the young girl.

Nico shook her head after that short flashback and looked at the girl called Famine, "Wha-What was that?"

"War's sorry he choked you," Sally repeated quietly, "He's sorry he hurt your friends."

Tayuya, curious, crossed her arms and asked, "And...?how do you know this?"

Sally blinked and stared at Tayuya as if she had asked the dumbest question in the world. After a moment, before Tayuya could snap at the girl, Sally beamed, "Cuz War told me so, Muse!"

Nico looked at Tayuya, who groaned and palmed her face in embarrassment, before asking, "Your cover is...Muse?"

"I don't want to fucking talk about it," growled the redhead before looking up when helicopters were heard. The sun hid the details of the chopper before Tayuya's eyes adjusted and she sighed in relief when the familiar SHIELD logo was spotted on the underside of the cockpit.

The helicopters landed a few feet away, their propellers being kept on while agents jumped out and went to secure the area. Chase and Pestilence both returned just as Dum Dum Dugan walked out of the nearest chopper. Tipping his bowler cap, he called over the helicopter's loud props, "Heard ya needed a lift back to Xavier's! Bringing friends along?"

Before anyone could reply, Nico spoke up, "Yeah! Got room for a three kids and a Dinosaur?"

Dugan chuckled before crouching down to pick up the unconscious Naruto, and slung him over his shoulder. He turned around and began walking back to the transport before calling over his shoulder, "This ride isn't waiting for you to finish shopping! Get on the chopper!"

Nico went onto the same helicopter as Tayuya, Sally and Pestilence (who still refused to give his real name), while Chase rode with the unconscious Molly and a still very sore Lace in the second one.

Naruto groaned as he slowly came to, several scents hitting his nostrils. Most of them were familiar, which was good, but then he noticed the honey-like scent he memorized since his fourteenth birthday.

Ah, he was half-naked. That would explain the scent of female arousal. Must be Tayuya as she was the only mate he remembered being in the vicinity.

The beer scent was Logan. No brain needed for that connection.

There was a strong winter scent and a faint one followed by leather from a sports car's seat. Emma Frost and Scott Summers were in the room.

That meant the woodsy scent belonged to-

"Welcome back, Naruto," a humored voice that cut his thoughts off said, "We of the living world thought you had forgotten about us."

"You, are a riot, McCoy," muttered the blonde as he rubbed his head. A plastic cup was held out, and Naruto took it, gratefully swallowing the liquid within it. Finished, he crushed the cup and tossed it to the nearby bin. Naruto blinked before scanning the faces of those in the room.

"I have to hand it to you, Mr. Uzumaki," an amused Emma Frost said, "I've never seen so little collateral damage when a mutant fights."

Naruto rolled his eyes, "Yeah, thanks for that, but you talking to me like I'm Dr. Banner doesn't really make that feel better."

"She's right though," Scott cut in from his spot seated next to his lover and co-headmaster, "You kept casualties down to a record minimum. I think only a few were injured by stray bullets."

"You'd think people would leave when they hear a minigun," Logan idly commented, receiving looks from his peers, "What? I'm just sayin the people should wake up and smell the coffee. Whirring sounds along with many gunshots equals lots of pain."

"I'm with the fucking drunk on this one," Tayuya chipped in from her spot on the wall to the right of Naruto's bed, "Civvies are fucking retarded."

"...I like her, gaki," Logan said with a chuckle, "She's got attitude."

Naruto chuckled as well as he pushed himself to a fully upright position. His right arm shot out and his aura wrapped around Tayuya's waist before he pulled her to sit in his lap. Ignoring the embarrassed scowl on his newest mate's face, the blonde gave Logan a feral grin, "It shows in the sack. Might have to make sure our rooms are soundproofed."

He let out a grunt as Tayuya smacked the back of his head.

"Yes, well, as much as I enjoyed that visual," Emma grumbled, frowning as Tayuya's face flushed and she looked away, the headmistress continued, "I just wanted to inform you that your teammate returned to help Hill clean up the Helicarrier. Sally is upstairs being taught some math by Prodigy. Your guests are in the Danger Room with the New X-Men."

Naruto hummed, keeping his arms around Tayuya's waist (much to her embarrassment), as he thought before he nodded, "Yeah, we'll go talk to them in a bit. Say...forty-five minutes?"

"Forty-five min-Oh God!" Emma gasped before closing her eyes and blushing, "Could you please get some sort of control over yourself?"

"I would if you all got the fuck out," murmured the blonde mutant. The headmistress of Xavier pinched the bridge of her nose as she stood. Without another word, Emma Frost left the infirmary, quickly followed by a worried Scott Summers, an amused Hank McCoy and a snickering Logan. As soon as the door sealed shut, Naruto spun Tayuya around in his lap and gave her a hungry grin.

The grin sent shivers down her spine.

"What's taking him so long?" Complained a very impatient Hellion as he watched Chase and Rockslide have a thumb war, Rockslide's massive hands being matched by the gloves on the Runaway's hands. Hellion crossed his arms and huffed as he leaned against a railing in the observation bay.

"Oh relax Julian," Mercury said to the teen with a smile from her spot seated on a chair next to Nico and Molly, asking them what California is like, "Naruto's gonna show up."

"And when he does, you can get your ass handed to you like always," Surge helpfully chimed in, getting a glower from the telekinetic, "What? You know you will. Hell, only Cessily has been able to get him to fall to the mat. By the way, how did that feel again?"

"Shut up, Nori!" the mercury based mutant hissed while her face reddened slightly. The gauntleted electricity-controlling mutant hummed innocently while Julian looked between the two in confusion.

"Am I missing something?" He asked. Elixir patted his friend on the shoulder in sympathy.

"No, Julian, it's probably for the best that you don't recognize what the rest of us do," the golden boy said with a smile before looking at the door as it opened, "Oh, hey. He's here."

"Finally, now I can-who the Hell is she?" Julian asked as his jaw dropped when Naruto walked in with Tayuya using him as a crutch. The blonde mutant wore his usual X-Men attire Beast gathered for him, but the new girl wore a pair of men's shorts and a shirt that looked several sizes too large. The limp she had was obvious, and it made the New X-Men wonder what had happened.

"I fucking hate you," the redheaded girl snarled to the blonde once he had set her in a chair. Naruto chuckled and brushed a bang of her hair out of her face, electing a blush from her and a frown from a certain silver bodied girl.

"That's not what you were saying a few minutes ago," the blonde said in response, before looking at the gathered group, "Ah, the Runaways...well, three of you. The Dinosaur is...with Sally?"

"Lace has to rest," Chase growled, his fists clenching, "It's not everyday that she's thrown through a car."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah...Sorry about that."

"Whatever," the teen brushed it off with a scowl as he walked to the other Runaways. Molly had her own frown on her face, but Nico looked at her intently and it fell. The girl walked to him and hesitantly tapped his arm, getting the blonde mutant's attention. Arching a brow, Naruto waited patiently.

"I-I'm...sorry." And that was what he was waiting for.

Giving her his small smile, Naruto reached out and patted Molly on the head before he spoke, "As am I. You're not that bad, kid. A bit hotheaded, but that'll go away with time. Some advice: Don't charge at someone you know nothing about."

Molly blinked in confusion before frowning and rejoining Chase and Nico. Naruto looked from the young mutant before eyeing the user of the mystic arts. He approached her and crouched in front of her, eyeing her neck and getting her to blush at his intense stare, before he stood and stepped back. To the shock of everyone present, Naruto bent forward as a traditional Eastern native would and said, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me for losing myself in the battle."

Afterwards he said something in Japanese that made Noriko fall over to the side from her place standing. Still recovering from her surprise, Nico blinked before averting her eyes out of being uncomfortable, "Y-Yeah, um, you're forgiven, or...whatever. Just...stop bowing."

With that, Naruto stood upright and gave Nico a winning foxlike smile, "Of course."

Twenty minutes later, the Runaways, a beaming Sally and a resting Tayuya were in awe as all of the members of the New X-Men were on the ground in pain. Naruto stood in the middle of the Danger Room with a few scratches on him, though they were from the room itself and not the students. He had dropped out of the 'War Zone' and crossed his arms, "That...was the saddest excuse for a fight I have ever been a part of!"

"Ugh..." was the collective groaning response.

"Noriko! You're the leader of these guys," he ticked off to the blue-haired girl that was holding her head, "Don't let Hellion and Rockslide brush your instructions aside. I assumed you'd be taking control of these idiots while I was gone."

"Hai...Itai..." groaned out the electricity manipulator before she succumbed to unconsciousness. The blonde winced when he saw her breathing even out, wondering if he put too much in that last punch to her head.

Nice. Give the girl a concussion. That'll get you laid... Oh, Fuck you! Nah, I'll pass, Kit.

Ignoring his perverted AI's snickering, Naruto turned his attention to the two common teammates and spoke, "Hellion, Rockslide, your insubordination will be punished. When you get your strength back, we're going to run your favorite simulation."

"Aww man..." Rockslide groaned as he reattached his hand. Hellion just became pale and whimpered.

Looking to Elixir and Dust, the blonde gave a light smile, "You two did well as support members. Keep up the good work!"

"Uh-huh..." Elixir muttered as he put his healing abilities to use to help Dust pull herself together after one of Naruto's attacks sent her particles flying.

Naruto then looked at Prodigy and Mercury, both of which were the least injured, but injured nonetheless. Mercury was slowly reforming her right arm after Naruto melted it with his aura. Prodigy, having 'borrowed' Naruto's knowledge and skills in hand to hand, had a few bruised (if not broken) ribs and a possible concussion.

A gleam of approval reflected in the AI blessed mutant's eyes. They kept him busy while Surge tried to come up with various formations to attack him with. Prodigy was a natural leader, but he lacked the confidence needed to be a good one. Perhaps a few missions with him in command would change that, though that would have to be run by Frost and Summers.

Naruto then looked at Mercury, who had a fire in her eyes when she came against him. He wasn't sure where it had come from, but he was sure that it was a much harder fight than he was used to. Though, she needed more one-on-one sessions against opponents with superheated abilities and practice pulling herself together. Although sadistic, he knew a few methods that could help with that.

After all, it was how he got his healing factor to the speed it was at today.

"Well, you two have a few things to worry about, but teamwork is not one of them," Naruto praised with a smile, earning a pained one from David and a shy one from Cessily. He continued by addressing the other New X-Men, "Now, I have an assignment for you all: a three-thousand page report on why the X-Men use teamwork and get full credit for it. Cessily and David, however, only need fifteen hundred words. Along with that, I want each of you to look within yourselves and ask what you could do to be a better team player. Then, incorporate that into your report."

He's worse than Logan, Hellion thought with a groan before asking with blatant disapproval, "Anything else, teach?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed as a sadistic smirk crossed his face, "Yes, Julie, there is something else. Next week I'm going back to California with the Runaways and SHIELD. Whoever gets one hundred percent on the paper can come with me...And I'll fund the entire trip. Clothes, food, fun...you want it, I'll buy it. Think about it, kiddies. The paper's due in two days."

AN: Oh-ho-ho! War's raised the stakes, now! What teenager wouldn't want a fully paid trip through LA without parental supervision? I know I wouldn't mind...I think I might write that report, myself...

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