Chapter 11

The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Naruto sympathized greatly with the quote, despite all his planning, despite his power, he had failed. He wanted to lash out, he wanted to make them pay for stopping the ritual but after seeing what happened to Hippolyta, he found himself somewhat grateful that they had stopped him if only to free him from the Egyptian Gods control.

He had never felt pain like that before, it was as if he was lifting the very weight of the earth upon his shoulders whilst someone was pouring acid onto him. Still, he had gained something particularly special during his time in 'hell'. He had seen it, he saw something that he was sure he wasn't meant to see. He saw a wall of energy, or rather something akin to an ocean. Naruto couldn't describe what it was, it lacked form, but it called to him all the same as if it had consciousness. A part of him was sure that it was the only reason that he had returned to the world of the living without any lasting damage. And it was strong, in fact, Naruto had no doubt that it was an entity of sorts. One that transcended any and all domains.

Perhaps if he could reach it, he might able to persuade it to return his family. He shook his head from his thoughts, he couldn't go down that road until he was stronger. Still, Naruto felt much lighter without all the voices in his head, it took him a while to understand how much of an impact they had on his mental state. In turn, he guessed he felt somewhat lost without their guidance though Naruto was given very little time to wallow in his misery.

The Light wanted answers for his actions.

"You broke the one rule, I gave you." He heard Savage's voice ring through the computer.

Naruto growled, "And I told you, it wasn't my intent to attract so much attention."

"Oh really. Then perhaps you can explain to us, why your game of cat and mouse across three continents has led to several different agencies trying to locate you." Lex's voice appeared smooth and calm, but Naruto could practically feel the deadly edge.

Naruto smirked, "Says the bastard who tries to kill Superman every other week." Lex's frown seemed to egg Naruto on, "Or the fact that Queen Bee's hive controls an entire country." He pointed at each of them, "You all have your own agendas for being a part of the light. Seems like the only thing that has banded us all together is that we are unable to succeed in them alone."

"Stay your tongue, boy." Ra's Al Ghul spoke gruffly.

Savage stayed quiet for a moment; Naruto could practically feel the immortal's gaze ripping into him despite being hundreds of miles apart. Then the man smiled as if he had discovered something that he hadn't before. "Hmm…Perhaps a little leeway should be given to the young man." He stared hard at Naruto, "After all, he did accomplish something in his brazen efforts. He managed to divide what we couldn't."

Queen Bee nodded, "Yes, yes. Even if I don't agree with his methods, the justice league is more divided than ever." She gave him a little smirk that no doubt was meant to antagonize him. "We should be focusing on capitalizing on that weakness."

Luthor and Ra's didn't look pleased but were left helpless as the other members agreed with Queen Bee's perspective. Savage nodded. "As you have already placed yourself in the limelight, Naruto. I expect that you will keep a low profile." Naruto grunted but gave no sign to argue, Savage saw through the fake bravado. He knew to which the depth of Naruto's despair lay. "Worry not, I have more important matters to talk with you about." Naruto raised an eyebrow at that but received no response as they shut off the connection.

"Bastards." He mumbled under his throat. The Light's end goal was still a mystery to him and from what he knew, it seemed like neither did the other members truly know what the organization was about, well all, except Savage of course. He practically assembled the group using their and his hatred against the Justice League to form an organization that thrived in the shadows.

Ironic wasn't it.

He opened the door from the secret room hidden in his bedroom with a worn-down sigh, perhaps Savage was right. Some downtime never hurt anybody. His senses were immediately hit with the powerful scent of burning and waffles. Naruto rushed downstairs and found Raven in the Kitchen trying her best to qualm the smoke.

He shook his head in amusement and channelled his chakra into his mouth, a burst of air spread through the room-clearing the smoke. "What have I told you about cooking, Raven?"

Raven groaned, "Sorry. I saw them make these on TV and I wanted to see what exactly they found so delicious about them." She looked at him with a pouty smile and wide eyes, Naruto knew what the little devil was trying to do but found himself giving in regardless.

"Fine. I'll make them for you." He relented. Raven gave him a crooked smile, almost proclaiming her victory over him. "But only after you clean the dishes." He said, grinning as the smile faded from her face.

Raven grumbled as she took to cleaning the dishes, Naruto merely tapped the desk and headed out to check on the other guest staying in his apartment. Wonder Woman was busy spinning her blade in the courtyard of the secret house that Savage had gifted him. He guessed she found it easier to track him without the amulet now.

"You know that's not going to bring him back," Naruto said softly.

Diana glared at her protégé, "But it'll stop me from doing something reckless." How very monk of her, Naruto thought. Where was this version of her when they met. She said, "It was a mutual decision anyway."

'Sure.' Naruto murmured to himself. He stared evenly at his mentor, "You still haven't told me what you are doing here."

"I'm not too sure myself." She replied, more so to herself than to him but Naruto didn't attempt pry. "Why?" Her lips quirked in a teasing manner that Naruto rarely saw, "Trying to get rid off me so you can spend more time with Raven."

He chuckled briefly at her little jab. "Why? Want to watch?" Naruto mirrored with his own smirk. Diana's cheek flustered for a short while, her response was a soft punch to his bicep.

"Come in, after you're…finished. I'm making breakfast." Diana nodded somewhat before returning to her training. An idea popped in Naruto's head, Diana was thrown of her set by a loud plume of smoke and several dozen Narutos staring at her.

He peered back at her as he entered the house, "Have fun."

Diana smirked; her blade edged in a controlled form as she stared at the clones. "Well come on then boys."

Half an hour later

Naruto rubbed his head in slight pain as a wave of memories from the last set of clones entered his mind. He grimaced, "Ouch…That must have hurt." He was thankful that he didn't have to feel the pain that his clones felt, otherwise he would probably have to stop using the technique.

The front door opened, and a somewhat battered Diana entered the house, she groaned in pain as she seated herself on the sofa. Raven shifted uncomfortably at the presence of the warrior woman, whilst she had really never interacted with Diana before, she still found herself anxious considering what the other leaguers tried to do to her and Naruto.

Diana gave her a strained smile, which served to simply increase the weird tension between the two strangers.

"Foods ready," Naruto shouted from the Kitchen.

Raven sighed in relief at not having to endure any more of the uncomfortable silence anymore. She moved to the dining room which was conveniently connected to the Kitchen and found a plate of pancakes and syrup being placed on the table.

Naruto placed a jug of orange juice on the table before he took his seat, Raven sat beside him and immediately dug into the pancakes. "Wow, Raven. Slow down you might choke."

Raven didn't really stop, she enjoyed the taste of pancakes too much to care what Naruto was saying. How had she not tasted something like this before. Azareth had tasty food as well, she thought, but this…this was beyond anything that she had tasted. She guwaffed, "So good."

Naruto shook his head in amusement, his smile faltered as he saw Diana enter the room. Her gaze and posture remained stiff, he had hoped that she may be more inclined to forget Superman if she were preoccupied but clearly that hadn't worked. He guessed only time would help.

But for now.

"Diana…Sit." He said.

She did, and he plated some pancakes for her and poured a jug of orange juice. Raven didn't like the sombre atmosphere that washed over the table, both of her seniors were troubled by their own problems, their presence together only seemingly furthered their depression.

Naruto frowned similarly, his memories briefly flickering to a similar time during the civil war in Uzushiogakure. They had their problems, Uzumaki's were prideful people and he guessed that was what had begun all the tension between the branch and the royal family. But that wasn't at all near the truth, he had been plagued with dreams that told two very distinct tales. Uzushiogakure was an enclosed environment, no Uzumaki could travel beyond its borders and as such the Branch members felt trapped in a life where they felt below the royal family who served as the island's monarchy. Perhaps its traditionalism was what stirred the very flames that his uncle took advantage off.

It made him wonder why such a thing didn't happen to Themyscira. Where the sisters satisfied with simply serving for all of their immortal lives. Naruto shook himself from his thoughts in time to see Raven sighing as she finished her meal. The girl stood up and walked out of the room, her gaze settling on him as she said telepathically, "You guys have a lot of problems to sort out." At this point, she'd rather spend time with Ravager though she would never admit it.

They did but it wasn't so easy that he could just address them openly, their problems where inherently one of trust and the like.

Diana asked, "Do you want me to go?" Her voice was soft and whilst it clearly was guarded, Naruto could sense the vulnerability in her tone. She looked up from her plate, "You asked me why I was here?" He nodded, "What if I told you I feel responsible for everything."

"You're no-" He tried to placate her but was silenced by her even stare.

"Let me finish, Naruto." She said. "It was my responsibility to guide you. I spent my time between Metropolis, I left you alone too often with the guidance that you clearly needed. Instead of trying to accept you, I plotted against you with Batman. I guess I'm not as good of a mentor than I thought I would be."

Naruto sighed. Diana and he never really had the type of relationship that the other sidekicks had with their mentors. Their relationship felt more like a partnership than anything.

"I misjudged the situation," Naruto admitted, immediately finding the patterned cloth on the table more comfortable than looking at her. He laughed awkwardly, "Looking back, I might have overreacted." And he did, he was willing to admit that such a reaction only served to not just distance them but also begin a war that he wished no part off.

Diana frowned, "I cannot blame you for reacting the way you did. I betrayed you and so did the league."

Naruto sighed. "Perhaps it's easier to admit to myself now or maybe I've gone completely crazy but I understand why Batman did what he did." Her eyes widened in pure shock, "How would you react if you found an unstable teenager with the power to level an entire continent." Diana snorted at his self-praising comment but she did see the logic in his words.

"Where is this coming from?" She asked.

"What do you mean?"

"A few days ago, you wanted to kill Batman for messing with your plans." She noticed the way his eyes glazed over in sadness upon mention of his failed quest to save his family.

Naruto didn't understand this newfound clarity but it was quite clear that he had lost himself with the burden of having to carry all of those souls and memories from the orb. They hadn't manipulated him but it would be foolish to say that they didn't play a hand in his spiral. He understood that more and more each time he pondered about it.

"I guess, I must have lost myself." She raised an eyebrow at his admission, "No." He fiddled with the tablecloth as he tried to form the right words, "It would be more accurate to say that I lost myself in my mission. Nothing mattered to me more than reviving my family. I…I would have done anything, even if it meant I spent a thousand years in hell or if I had to kill everyone just to get them back." Diana stayed silent, contemplating and registering what he had said. Had he really fell so much that he was willing to contemplate murder.

"But I realize now that maybe, just maybe, it was that very mindset that had led me down this path." It was a difficult pill to swallow; it was easier to assign the blame to everybody around him but Naruto had never been the type of person to deflect.

Diana said, "So what do you plan on doing now?"

Naruto said, "I…I don't know." He felt empty inside, it was easier before when he had a goal but he had no such thing anymore. He could, could continue to pursue the goal of resurrecting his family but until he found a way to do so without so much collateral, he had to put it on hold. And he didn't trust the Light, with some research on the most public figure among them, Lex had an almost uncanny resemblance to his uncle. Both wanting to shape the world into whatever they wanted, freewill and damage be damaged.

But he didn't trust the Justice League either, especially Batman. Batman had a way of burdening everybody with his own sense of justice, essentially proclaiming it to be for the greater good. Of course, the greater good was just whatever Batman wanted to be. He saw everything in black and white, you were either guilty or you were not, intentions be damned. Once he judged someone as a threat, he went above and beyond to ensure that the threat was neutralized. He snorted internally, all of that work just so they could break out of prison and plague the streets of Gotham once more. Naruto knew that a part of the bat found such conflict necessary, he doubted he'd function without it. Bruce Wayne needed the Jokers of the world to keep him busy from realizing the futility of his quest. His quest for Justice.

He guessed that's what made a hero different than a villain, the ability to sacrifice yourself so that others could lead better lives. But, he wasn't a hero nor did he see himself as a villain. He just was. And that's precisely what made him dangerous, the ability to transition so seamlessly between acts of good and evil. It was after all, what he had been trained to do.

He remembered his mother's words, "To be a King was to be willing to do what nobody else was." And he was, but he understood another lesson that he had failed to come by, one that made him realize why Kings and the like always had council.

"You did nothing wrong, Naruto," Diana assured.

"But I did!" Naruto shouted. "I killed them." He choked, barely able to hold himself together. "You don't understand how it feels…I had to because they died because of me." This was the first time, he had ever told her about on the island besides the whole civil war point. "My uncle…He killed my mother and I lashed out with my power, I destabilized the orb and it killed everybody." His eyes appeared wild for a moment and Diana understood why he had gone to the lengths that he had. "And now…now I've lost them forever."

She said softly, "I understand." She did, she had fallen for the same obsession and it consumed her to the point that she was willing to kill a god. "Things happen, accidents occur but at the end of the day, they are still accidents. I know it wasn't your intention to destroy Uzushiogakure. You couldn't have possibly known that was going to be the outcome." Her hand outstretched across the small table and grasped his own, he looked up towards her as her graceful features drowned in sorrow. "But all you can do is move on. If you don't it will consume you."

He snorted internally, he had been consumed by it, heck he went through literal hell because of it. He smiled slightly feeling a little bit better. "Thank You." Diana nodded.

Bzz

Naruto's stupor was interrupted by a loud buzzing from his cell. He gazed at the number and the distinct coded message that he had been accustomed to getting. The message decoded to co-ordinates and a time stamp. Savage must really want to keep this a secret if he wanted to meet him in Nanda Parbat.

He stood abruptly surprising Diana, "I have to go. Make yourself at home, if you want."

She asked, "Where are you going?" He gave her a tight-lipped smile before he disappeared altogether. Some part of her wanted to follow him if only to satiate her curiosity of what made him leave in such haste but she wanted him to trust her.

Diana sat bored in the dining room, she wondered what she would do for entertainment. With the league, there were always threats to deal with almost every day but now she had nothing to do. It was…liberating but boring at the same time.

She guessed she'd return to Washington; she had some meetings to take care of anyway.

Nanda Parbat

Night had befallen the city hidden in the mountains, Nanda Parbet stood silently and gracefully as it had for a thousand year. Thanks in no small part to its history with Vandal Savage. Over the years, the immortal had founded and helped built several similar cities across the world, isolated from the world and loyal to him.

A blue streak crossed the sky and landed effortlessly in the empty streets of the city. It was cold and dead, with the few signs of life occupying the monastery. Naruto hated it, but understood it's merit none the same. Nanda Parbat was no normal city after all.

"I can sense you, Savage." Naruto announced.

Savage's gruff voice spoke as he came out of the shadows, "I wasn't hiding." Naruto looked at the burly man, flanked by a woman and a man that were unfamiliar to him. "Come…We shall speak more inside." He said.

He entered the monastery, the guards gracefully bowed as Savage walked in. "Why have you brought me here," Naruto asked. The two beside Savage expressed their discontent at how their master was addressed but Naruto didn't fear action.

"Guidance." Savage spoke. He led them into an ornamental room, it was bare like the rest of the monastery. Naruto guessed that the monks here tended not to care for material goods, besides what good would such things do you when the world outside was isolated from you.

Savage turned to his company, "You may leave." The two bowed and left Naruto in a room with the brutish immortal. Savage stood tall for a moment, "How did you know how to revive your family?"

Naruto groaned internally; he should have known that this was Savage wanted from him. He lied, "Research…And Klarion was most helpful." He didn't trust the man; Savage like Batman were two sides of the same coin.

Savage peered at the young Uzumaki for a while before he decided to be seated. "I wish you would have come to me before you attempted such a thing." He rolled up his arms and showed Naruto a mark that Naruto didn't recognize. "I once attempted a similar thing." The man's tone once turned wistful as he pondered on a time that had long since passed, "I was young, I had outlived my entire family but I sought not to resseruct them but just one soul."

"Who?" Naruto asked.

"My wife," Savage said gruffly. "I remember very faintly, I had researched, ventured across the world in search of divine instruments that could return her to me. I found them, and to my joy, I had managed to succeed in finding a witch to complete the ritual." His smile almost turned bloodthirsty, "I'm sure you've realized by now that such a ritual requires a costly penalty. Care to guess mine." His rhetorical question remained unanswered as Naruto looked with disinterest at him. "I had to erase an entire civilization just so I could get her back."

Naruto frowned, "The law of equivalence requires an equal penalty."

"A soul once returned cannot find peace, young Uzumaki." Savage lectured. "So, I sought to make her equal to me…to make her immortal like I. A thousand souls for a thousand years."

"I don't see her," Naruto said.

"Sadly, her immortality wasn't as complete as mine. She was vulnerable to injury and as you might have guessed once my enemies had learnt of my invulnerability they instead tried to take her from me." He said, anger beginning to boil through his voice. "I wouldn't give them the satisfaction." Naruto looked as if the man was insane.

"So, you killed her?" Naruto asked incredulously. Why go through all that trouble just to kill her anyway.

"I purged myself of weakness." Savage corrected. "Like I believe you can. You remind me of myself, Naruto."

Naruto growled, "I'm nothing like you."

Savage chuckled, "You'd think that wouldn't you, but our paths cross more than you would think. You will learn in time that humanity needs to be corrected, to be controlled. They are helpless without authority."

"And you will be that authority?"

Savage smirked, "The Light will." The man was trying to persuade him that they were equal partners.

"Why tell me this?" He was curious as to what the man wanted; did he just bring him here just to give him a history lesson. No. Savage always had a secret agenda below his already secretive plans.

Savage stared evenly at him, "You've already begun seeding your way into our world. Creating your own organization, regardless if it still in its infancy is no small feat." He adorned his infuriating all-knowing smirk, "Especially since you've managed to recruit Wonder Woman."

Naruto was upon him before he could even finish his sentence, Savage was slammed against the wall with a powerful thud. "Spying on me, are you now."

Savage grinned, "It pays to be paranoid. After all, I'm sure you were using that Amulet to do more than just avoid detection." Naruto let the man go, he had more to lose if he drew in Savage's ire. He knew next to nothing about the man, he doubted someone of his age wouldn't have some contingency plans or very powerful allies.

The immortal coughed, Naruto could tell that he was angry despite his calm exterior. "I brought you here to simply warn you," Savage said. "There are two things that are unacceptable to us, one, I don't like loose-ends and two, I don't particularly enjoy it when you bring attention."

Naruto's eyes burned a fiery red and the earth cracked from pressure. "Careful Savage, I might take your little warning as a threat."

Savage stood tall, "You mistake it as a threat. I am only guiding you, young one." He rummaged through his pockets and took out a scroll. "Take this as a show of good faith." Naruto grasped the old scroll, almost dropping it in shock when he saw the whirlpool seal on it.

Savage said, "Did you really think someone as old as I wouldn't know about the Uzumaki Clan."

"How do I know that this isn't a ploy."

"It's a blood seal. As far as I'm aware only an Uzumaki can open it." Naruto bit his finger and smeared some of his blood onto the seal. It glowed a deep blue before it unfurled exposing an array for a complicated seal, Naruto could barely understand how it worked but the scroll had something sealed inside it and whatever it was invaluable. The Fuinjutsu was eerily familiar to the archaic methods used by his ancestors to seal demons and the like.

Savage said, "In return, I only ask that you don't become so abrasive in your attempts. Do what you like. Create a Kingdom if you wish. But it is imperative that we remain in the shadows." He stuck out his hand and Naruto hesitated for a moment before he shook it.

Savage said, "Good. I will contact you if and when I have need of your services or your team." Naruto nodded. The man watched as Naruto simply disappeared in a plume of smoke.

A dark grin adorned his face, Luthor's attempts to convince him that the Uzumaki was better used as a lab rat or a scapegoat were shortsighted. He had plans for the boy, very big plans indeed. After all, every emperor needed an heir.

Elsewhere

"Is it done?"

"Yes, I've collected the shards as you have asked." A man spoke. "I don't know what you need from the useless trinkets anyway." But he was getting paid top dollar to collect them.

Black sludge began to filter out, the man yelped as he felt himself step on it. He drew his gun and fired at the moving sludge but to no avail, the sludge moved, sticking to his skin like a leech as it began to cover him until he was submerged under it. He could hear the voice echo in his mind, "Then you have served your purpose."

It was all coming together now.

A/N

I am thankful yet disheartened to see so many people criticize the last chapter. I agree that somewhere along the lines, the story did kind of just shift in a direction that I felt was unnecessary and somewhat untoward and so I decided to correct them to the best of my ability. I try to address his motivations in this chapter. Some of you have accused me of making this story, angsty but emotions are human and Naruto despite all of his powers is human and I try to show that.

And to those of you who have sent me PM's that are insulting and threatening, please don't. It's not nice and it accomplishes nothing. I understand if you hate my story but don't take it out on me, I do this for fun and my enjoyment as well as hopefully yours. I don't want that to be tainted with insults about my family and vague remarks that I should die.

Anyway, that's enough of a rant by me and I hope that you guys enjoyed the chapter. It's a bit slow and has virtually no action but I kind of felt that I needed to write it anyway.

Thanks for reading and leave me a review if you can. I'd appreciate it very much.