A month into their relationship and things had been going well. Great, actually. The superhero thing was going to always be an issue they had to navigate carefully. Naruto was firm on his position but respected Kara's choice. Did the broken dates or hasty exits get annoying? To some degree but he'd been pulled away on LexCorp business so he couldn't be a hypocrite about it. No, the biggest obstacle with regards to Kara's superhero activities was not allowing his guilt over Pam's death to make him overreach.
He couldn't involve himself, couldn't… disappear villains that became a little too insistent on harming her. She was not someone he had to protect nor did she welcome it. Intellectually, Naruto understood her position. He may be integrated but he had no qualms about disappearing some idiot attempting to kill his girlfriend but that would compromise her. It was a discipline, not involving himself. One he had great difficulty with as no matter how many times he told himself she's nigh indestructible, powerful and experienced he couldn't forget how it felt when Harley told him Pam was dead.
No body, it having floated out to sea. Then a little voice whispers that being almost indestructible isn't the same as being indestructible. That she, like all heroes, held back and gave her enemies chances to potentially harm her. That there were powerful entities out there that could best her. Knowing where the worry came from, knowing what motivated that voice did little to quell it; and that's when he knew where she was.
For the past four days, Kara and Clark had been missing. She was just helping him on a simple assignment out in space but he hadn't sensed her prior to her leaving orbit. If they were in danger he suspected the Justice League were doing what they could but that was cold comfort. He didn't trust them. It was irrational as they'd demonstrated they were capable enough. He was, simply, better. Though, that mattered not if she were on another planet he had no way to reach.
Regardless of the internal strife, Naruto had to put it to the side and fulfil his professional duties. The EPA were doing tests on Lex's energy source while the city gave him clearance to build up a few city blocks. His new model for low income housing would break ground within the next several months. The unveiling would coincide with an Expo, a chance to show what the new LexCorp was creating. By the reveal he'd have been out of weapons manufacturing, cleaned up labor practices abroad and even ended shipping oil. He was genuinely excited for what his teams could produce and welcomed them getting some well deserved attention.
Naruto turned his office chair and looked out his window. It was nice out, incredibly so and truthfully he wasn't getting much done today. He looked at the time and smiled, he'd have time to do some Tai Chi in the park with the retirees and curious passersby. As he started to gather his things, the bright yellow sticky note taunted him. There was one appointment he had to attend, LexCorp's general counsel. Thanks to his leaks of Cadmus's activities there was a congressional inquiry underway and as Lex had been involved it fell to Naruto to answer for his criminal father's activities. He'd been subpoenaed and would have to testify within weeks.
He flopped down, annoyed. Lawyers were dumb. When Lex really wanted to get away with something he'd just throw an army of amoral suits at it and let them talk out both sides of their neck AND their asses simultaneously until their words meant nothing. And now his chief suit was going to come and tell him he had to hire an outside firm to represent him, a steal at three million for the duration. These assholes would then ask him the same questions over and over again while grunts went over documents they barely understand.
Naruto huffed. He wasn't being fair. No, he didn't like the suits but not all of them were crooks and many served a legitimate purpose. Annoyance was just easier to manage than his fear that Kara could be seriously hurt, or worse. The ring of his cellphone freed him from another cycle of fruitless worry. He looked at the id and smiled.
"Hey, Rose," he greeted.
"Tomato, how's it going? You ok?" she asked and had been asking since the death of Poison Ivy hit the news. He welcomed the contact of his surrogate sister, as if she were able to call she was ok but he didn't know how to reassure her that he had mourned appropriately but wasn't wallowing.
"Better now. Where're you calling from?"
"Some place warm and sandy with a fine selection of cute, dumb boys."
"I didn't need to know that last part."
"Don't be a prude, Tomato. Besides, if these thots didn't want to be played they'd dress better. Walking around here half naked-"
"This can't possibly be why you called me," Naruto said, bemusement leaking from his tone.
"Nope, sure wasn't. I want a new gun, well a few new guns. And an upgrade to my sword."
"Ok, if it's out of budget just let me know and I'll get the money to you."
"Don't be thick. I want you to make them."
Naruto didn't respond immediately. He sat silently and ran through the argument that would occur if he said no, concluding he'd relent in the end. With a huff he answered, "Fine. What were you thinking?" Naruto listened patiently to the list of desired upgrades. It was fortunate that none would be too difficult nor time consuming however it was clear her desire for increased firepower didn't emerge from nowhere.
"This is quite the ramp up, you going hunting?" he asked.
"Yep. A lot of heavies have been put on reserve for something."
"Any idea what?"
"Nope. Whoever sent out the call is being hush hush." The conversation soon wrapped up with Naruto assuring Rose she'd soon have her new toys. The call ended and the lawyers arrived to coach him for his subcommittee hearing. Naruto paid them just enough attention to not be rude, or waste his money, but was elated when the session was over. He departed for the day, resolved for some hard training hoping it would bring a moment of mental stillness.
Kara sat in the Javelin and stared at her fists. They were currently clean but she couldn't get the feeling of blood caked on them, the metallic smell, and the stickiness of it drying as she ruthlessly pummeled her and Clark's captor. She would have killed him… Mongul, if Shayera and John hadn't stopped her. As it was, he'd never see out of his left eye again but it wasn't enough.
His was a cruelty matched only by the worst of the universe. He enjoyed breaking his captives, keeping them half starved and constantly afraid. Uprisings were hard to organize when the people you would fight with were the very ones slated to kill you. And he laughed. So did his audience. They enjoyed the spectacle of forced mortal combat. Mongul obliged them, giving them a near endless buffet of bloodshed and death. Kara didn't know she could hate so many so deeply but she hated the inhabitants of Warworld.
Eyes.
She felt them move over her, staring briefly and diverting back to the emptiness of space. They seemed to want to will her to be alright. Was she? No, she wasn't. There was an incompleteness within her born of the knowledge that Mongul would recover and potentially start over. More misery, more death and all turned into a game.
Kara closed her eyes and leaned back. Sleep wouldn't come, she had no inclinations it would nor had she desired it. She also didn't want to talk. Well, that wasn't exactly true. Agitation hung on her frame like the heat in humid climates. It cloaked her without the least bit of separation and it wanted to blossom into anger. She wanted an argument, a fight, anything to transfer these emotions to others. But if they remained silent and she did then her resolve would hold.
It was a mercy it held. They arrived at the Watchtower and she cleaned herself off before changing clothes. The shower was nice but not ameliorating. The feelings still simmered within her and she still longed for a suitable target. When Clark walked in she wondered if she'd gotten one.
She felt the mattress buckle as he sat beside her. His features were tight, so unlike the cousin she'd come to know and love as an older brother figure. "When Bruce stopped me from killing Darkseid I was furious. Beyond furious, honestly. I told him he wasn't always right and stormed off. For weeks I resented him. After all Darkseid had done, how could Bruce not only cling to his rules but force them upon me? He said he did it to save me and I don't doubt he believed it to be true but I also think he didn't want to have to look at me differently."
Clark ran his fingers through his slightly shaggy hair, a small remove from the prim and proper appearance he normally showed the world. It was odd to see him still struggle with that point in his life. "Eventually, I knew I needed to find a way to forgive him for the sake of the team so I had to truly understand why I was so mad. Why was I so ready to kill Darkseid? I could read
off his atrocities and most would call me just but ultimately it was not because of what he'd done to the Earth but what he'd done to Clark Kent.
I've been hurt, beaten, outsmarted and every other thing. But Darkseid was the first person to make me feel like a victim. Not Superman but Clark. He took my identity away from me, stripped me of my beliefs and turned me into an attack dog. I hurt you, lost friends and the trust of the people. And not for nothing, but had the League not found a way to return me to myself I'm sure Naruto was prepared to end me.
I hated him at that moment because it papered over how weak I felt. He'd done more than defeated me. He'd made me less than what I was. I wanted to kill him to prevent him from doing that to anyone else. To protect Earth. Also, I wanted my power back. But because I tried in earnest to kill him there's a door now. Maybe it was always there and I just ignored it but now I can't and have to actively avoid it. But I can never forget that it's there.
Superman may not be a killer but pushed far enough, Clark Kent could be. I don't know if it's the same for you but if it is then I understand. I'm also glad Shayera and John stopped you. Not because Mongul didn't deserve it or it'd have changed my view of you. I'm glad because it was one more thing Mongul didn't get to take from you.
Kara welcomed the one-armed hug Clark gave her before leaving the room. She vacated the Watchtower shortly after. She had a lot to think about but was in no mood. Letting herself in, she entered the penthouse and climbed the stairs to Naruto's bedroom. As she stepped through the door he was exiting the bathroom, still wet from his shower. Even with his current state, Kara didn't care and hugged him tightly. He returned the gesture and the two sank into the bed, no words being exchanged for the rest of the night.
If she were ever prompted to guess the location of a date night with Naruto she would not have picked this place. But it was just what she needed. Her ordeal on Warworld had been weeks ago but the stain hadn't seemed to wash off. But here, in this dim club with music loud enough to get lost in, she didn't have to think. She just moved, swayed, and cut loose with the rhythm as her guide. It was freeing to be outside her head.
Seeing Naruto outside of work or his penthouse only added to the effect. He'd been smiling more recently. Whiskered cheeks turned up in good humor. Like he had been all those years ago. Before whatever changed him took place, before a critical outlook morphed into a kind of weary cynicism. She sometimes forgot he was younger than her but here, he looked so unencumbered. They were just two twenty-somethings having a night out, a few too many drinks and the blind confidence to dance the night away.
Just being, it was so intoxicating. She had started to wonder if the ease she felt away from the burdens of being Supergirl meant her time as a hero was coming to an end. She hadn't felt very heroic lately. Burdened? Obligated? Yes to both. Heroic, however, eluded her. Outside of the responsibility of using her gifts for good, being Supergirl also allowed her to use her gifts. She felt genuinely herself. But as the years wore on, as the same villains committing the same crimes for the same reasons became her routine she wondered if Kara had more to give the world.
Those thoughts were for another day. Kara clung to the fun she was having. The night had flown by way too swiftly and now the couple were in the backseat of an SUV while Miguel drove them home. She was grateful the vehicle had a partition as she didn't desire an audience of her aggressively initiating a make-out session. He wasn't passive, her vigor was matched as his hands drifted under her shirt. They knew where this was headed but as the car entered the on-ramp it'd be a challenge to see if they could finish before they arrived at Naruto's penthouse but she was game.
She thought Naruto would have been as well but he stopped suddenly and started looking to his left. He barely had time to say, "attack" before the SUV was flipped over. Everything happened at a slow enough speed for her and him to react in concert. He blew the hatch off the back while she tore through the partition and grabbed Miguel. The trio were clear before their ride could perform a complete rotation. It was fortunate as its progression was stopped by a cement pillar that totaled the auto.
Naruto said nothing, simply placing a hand on Miguel and teleporting him to safety while the other hand was busy on his phone. Likely his program to knock out any nearby surveillance. His body looked relaxed but she saw the anger in those lavender eyes. Whoever this was, could she really allow Naruto to kill them? He was a private citizen but she was a hero. Kara forced the thoughts away, she refused to fight a war on two fronts, not when she hadn't identified their assailant.
Until she did.
"Lobo?" she asked, disbelief coloring her tone. Weren't Clark and he on good terms? What the hell was he doing? From what she remembered, the man had no concern over innocent bystanders. Their current location was more or less isolated but she had to contain him as best she could if talking wasn't enough.
"You got it, Blondie, it's the main man himself," said the alien bounty hunter as he departed his levitating motorcycle, hook and chain in hand. "Your number came up, darlin', so why don't you just come with me all easy like so I don't have to get rough."
"You need to leave, Lobo. You're about to get a whole lot of something you don't want," Kara warned. Lobo launched the hook end of the chain at her. Kara paid it no mind, nor was she surprised when the chain stopped as if it were frozen. She charged at the galactic biker and delivered several punches to his stomach, finishing with an uppercut that sent him high into the sky.
The couple could track Lobo's descent by his string of obscenities; the verbal assault only stopped by him crashing into the ground. He got up and dusted himself off, seeming more annoyed than actually hurt by her opening attack. "So, you wanna play? Fine, but don't say I didn't try to make this easy on ya," Lobo shouted as he charged. Kara met his challenge. Lobo was strong but it didn't matter if someone kept affecting his senses. It was immediate that Kara realized what Naruto was doing and she punished the bounty hunter for his error in judgment.
Three strong punches to his face ended the exchange. He was bleeding from the mouth and breathing heavily but sat up all the same and shot Kara an unimpressive look. "I'll figure out this little trick before long, Blondie and then you and I are really going a couple of rounds. Contract only says you have to be alive, it made no mention of you being well."
Lobo started to convulse after his threat. Kara activated her X-ray vision but couldn't see anything wrong with him. She postulated that Naruto was having this effect but didn't think his illusions could actually harm someone.
"Hahahaha!" Lobo laughed maniacally even as his body shook uncontrollably. "You think this is the first time Lobo's had his skin melted off, bastich? Ha, I can't be killed! So, exhaust all your little tricks but one way or another she's leaving with me and Red? I'm sending you to hell, personally! Hahaha!" Lobo whistled and Kara narrowly dodged the bike. Lobo wasn't as lucky as he was impaled by his very own ride but he never stopped laughing.
Without even a grunt of discomfort, Lobo removed the bike's prods from his chest, healing instantly. "Why did he do that?" she asked Naruto, him having dropped his cloak to appear beside her.
"My illusions can be disrupted with intense pain. However, it's a plan of diminishing returns as you have to increase the threshold every time. It means he figured it out after the first time you hit him and took the abuse when he didn't necessarily have to."
"Why?"
"Test your strength or our intent. Maybe have us reveal some other abilities. He clearly has faith in his regenerative healing factor so a few punches were no big deal."
"We need to subdue him fast," Kara said.
"Uh huh, no. This might not be a fight we can hold back in. It's safer to try and kill him. If you can't do that then you need to leave so I can."
"I'm a hero, Naruto. A hero doesn't kill and we'd have a better chance together." She knew he didn't agree and a part of her couldn't blame him. Holding back, staying in control were crucial for her and it wasn't easy to flip a switch. But she wouldn't be a liability.
The couple stood across from the bounty hunter, the psychotic alien having since retrieved a large rifle from his bike. As fast as he aimed it at Naruto, Naruto had generated a bevy of lasers all headed toward Lobo. The pair ducked and dodged the opposing attacks, each predicting the other's moves. In the swirl of fast moving lights, and the men responsible for them, Kara saw her opening and charged at Lobo with a wide haymaker. He intercepted her, stopping her charge by grabbing her by the throat.
The reach advantage prevented Kara from whaling on him but she did one better.
"Ow, damn it!" Lobo yelled as Kara's heat vision superheated and disintegrated his rifle. In anger he went to choke slam her but one of Naruto's laser beams pierced him just to the right of his heart. He dropped her and hit the ground. Kara, remembering his healing factor, mounted and punched him hard enough to crack the ground beneath. All healing factors could be exhausted so she resolved to not give him time to heal from all the damage she'd do, not until he could be captured.
Her senses alerted her to the oncoming danger but Naruto intercepted before she could do more than fly back. A second Lobo, in perfect health, was hit in the torso with a reddish, spinning ball. 'Rasengan' she remembered he called it. It flew back and Naruto followed after calling out,
"It's the blood!" and while Kara wasn't known for her scientific acumen she'd been around enough weirdness to have seen bio-fission. Naruto's laser attack made Lobo not just bleed but enough it hit the ground. She couldn't make him bleed without causing herself an ever increasing problem.
"Your boy wasn't wrong, Sweet Cheeks," Lobo said as he returned to his feet. "I didn't paint him as a killer, he hides it well but if he's your hatchet man then you needed to let him off the leash. Trying to go for the knock out with me? A no go."
"Is he a hatchet man or a dog, you mixed your metaphors."
"What he is, or what he'll soon be, is a dead man, darlin'," Lobo boasted. "I know his type, the rarest of the rare. Even if I did manage to snatch you and leave him alive he'd never stop looking for us and even if he found you he'd never know a day's peace without putting me in the ground. No, those steadfast, true protector types… you have to kill them quickly or you've added an unneeded complexity to your day."
"Naruto won't lose to you. Nor will I, for that matter."
"I like the confidence! Let's see how long it'll last." Kara squared up, eyes alight with her heat vision. Lobo, arrogantly, strode slowly toward her in an attempt to intimidate her. But he stopped mid stride, eyes big and confused. Kara felt a chill in the air, no, something deeper. A true freeze. Lobo looked to be entering rigor as he was so rigid.
"Sleep for all eternity," Naruto said softly, removing his hands from Lobo's back.
"Cryostasis?" Kara asked and Naruto nodded. "Are you a clone?"
"Nope, it's the real me. And my clone just handled the other Lobo."
"Handled how?" Kara questioned.
"Don't ask questions, just accept," Naruto cautioned. She was resolutely not going to just accept his nonanswer but the duo were surrounded by the Justice League before she could press the issue further.
"If you only get here after I solve the problem, what even is the point of you?" Naruto asked Clark.
"That's why you should join up and show us how it's done," Clark jested, seeming to surprise several of the members.
"You couldn't afford me."
"Afford? I'd blackmail you. Trust me, you do not want Flash to know you've made the best pancakes I've ever had. He'd never leave you alone."
"How does Lois put up with you?" Naruto asked and Clark adopted a smug look that made both Kara and him uncomfortable.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Eww," the couple said in unison.
"If you three are done, we need to know what happened here," Bruce said and yet it felt like a command.
"Leave it to Darkwing to override the entire vibe. Fine, I'll humor you lot for today," Naruto said and jibe excluded, Kara knew he was only staying there for her benefit.
"I knew you'd show up sooner or later," Naruto said to the towering figure.
"Did you now? And what business do you have with me, boy?" Mongul questioned in humor.
"You're here for Kara, I'm the reason that's the worst mistake of your life."
"Oh? And who are you? The guardian among the weeds?" the tyrant asked as he mockingly surveyed the Kent Family Farm. Kara, Clark, Lois, and the Kents were in the main house. All had gathered for her birthday but Naruto sensed something from one of the presents. A sentient, extraterrestrial starfish that tried to glom onto his face as soon as he opened the box. He used the wind to dice the thing but took it as a sign of future trouble and now here stood Mongul. The man that's had Kara doubting herself and her choices.
Naruto never pushed her for more than she was willing to reveal but he could tell it'd been quite the ordeal on Warworld, as she called it. After her return, Mongul immediately shot to the top of his list and now the man stood in front of him, likely feeling as safe in his victory as one could. The near giant would learn.
"Before we begin, how long after Lobo failed to report back did you wait until deciding to come yourself?" Naruto asked and was hit with a wave of confusion.
"Lobo? I'd never contract that psychopathic vagabond but it seems our dear Kara is quite popular. It just makes her all the more alluring, wouldn't you say?" Naruto didn't answer, he simply put his palm to the ground, creating a fuinjutsu formula which summoned a katana. Naruto picked up the sheathed blade and transitioned into an iaido stance.
"Oh ho, a sword? And what will you do with that?" The response to Mongul's question was a nick under his bad eye. It barely bled, but blood was drawn. If Mongul had looked behind him he would have seen the blade a flame with red fuin symbols, a sign that a blood contract had been entered into. A contract only ended by Mongul's death.
This was not just a simple sword. Nor was it something created by Naruto's metal manipulation. This sword, named Yamato, was Naruto's first Sage Tool. It allowed for a mastery of time and space that eclipsed even the Hiraishin. For the Hiraishin was instant but each swing of Yamato allowed Naruto to travel just a bit faster than that. And as Mongul was now connected to the blade, any swing could cut him no matter where he was, even interdimensional travel would not save him.
Mongul knew none of this. He'd never find out as the second time Naruto drew his blade he dedicated himself to absolute carnage. When he finished cutting the larger man down to size he inhaled and unleashed a flame that ashed the remains of the former ruler. Naruto had been laxed with Pam's safety. He wouldn't make the same mistake. He returned his sword to his mindscape and entered the Kent home. All had been under a genjutsu so none knew of the unwanted guest. He'd tell Kara later, she deserved to know but for now he had a birthday present to give.
"Saving the best for last?" Lois quipped. Naruto smiled and rubbed the back of his head as he certainly hoped so. It took both Kurama and him a lot of effort to do this. Even the Old Man offered input. Naruto felt uncharacteristically bashful but knew it was now or never. Once again placing a palm to the floor he summoned another object from his mindscape. But this wasn't a weapon nor any kind of tool.
All in attendance heard the soft whine before the smoke of the summoning technique clearned. Naruto lifted up the most recent arrival and presented it to Kara. She was speechless. Everyone was.
"Um, so I remember you saying you wish you had a pet like Clark has with Krypto and this little fella doesn't need to eat nor be housebroken. He'll even learn to speak if you talk to him enough. The use of lightning should be innate but if it isn't I'd help out so, um… what do you think?" Naruto's own anxiety and insecurity had overwhelmed his empathic abilities for a brief moment but Kara was unequivocal in her response.
"Oh, my god! I love him!" she shouted as she took the cub from Naruto and started stroking his white fur. At first glance, many would mistake him for a normal wolf cub but the black markings that rested on his tummy and back. "What's his name?" she asked as she tucked its head underneath her chin.
"Well, Kurama and I thought that should be up to you." Kara sat and thought for a minute before he felt her come to a decision. She lifted up the cub to look him in the eyes.
"Baal. He was a god within the Egyptian pantheon. One of Thunder. What do you say, little guy?" The cub licked her nose and Kara laughed. Naruto smiled as Kara babbled to her new companion about all the things they were going to do like playing with Krypto and visiting Uncle Kurama. When Naruto heard her say that he felt a shift in his mindscape and knew his longtime friend was a blushing mess, the big softy. Ma and Pa Kent soon got in on the action, Lois close behind.
"So, Mongul," Clark whispered. Naruto caught his gaze and could tell the man knew something.
"Handled." Naruto answered.
"That's all I need to know." Clark said nothing else, instead focusing on the newest Kent.
Naruto muttered something about accepting Pajama nerds but smiled as all fussed over Baal.
Date nights were hard to come by. If it wasn't some villain or disaster it was LexCorp business. But after his day-long Congressional hearing, Kara was more than happy to get out and experience the DC nightlife. They were having fun. Dinner had been great, the club afterward had been the right mix of trendy without being try-hardy, classy without being stuffy. But she could tell something was off, he admitted as much.
They rushed back to his hotel room. She wanted to take him to the hospital but understood there were questions he wouldn't want to answer. However, his rapidly increasing fever and shaking body concerned her greatly. He didn't feel like he had any of the strength she knew him to possess. He swore he just needed to get some place quiet so he could enter his mindscape, so the hotel it was as he couldn't even teleport. So worried she'd allowed her situational awareness to drop. No one should have been able to surprise her, especially not someone in his room.
"P… Pam?" he asked in disbelief. Kara wondered if he thought he was having a fever dream, some part of her wished he had. She quickly scanned the woman and could see no signs she was an imposter. But it didn't stop Kara from getting in between them as the once thought dead woman rushed toward him.
"Stand down, girl," Poison Ivy commanded, ignorant of who she was talking to.
"Pam?" Naruto forced out again. His voice held such pain and Kara couldn't tell if it were due to his condition or something else.
"I'm here to warn you, Naruto. You're in terrible danger," she warned. But as she did Naruto's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he unwittingly generated a chakra pulse powerful enough to toss back both women. With no one to support him he hit the ground, motionless."