A/N: Another story finished~!

That makes...lets see, three in a week. Eh, it progress.

Head seems to be better for the time being after the nasty fall I head. Doctor gave me some medicine and told me take it easy for now.

Got caught up with

With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.

And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.

Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.

So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.

As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than I.

I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.

Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.

In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!

"And so it ends...

...and begins again.

The father passes the torch, to...

~?

A New Generation (Finale)

They hit without warning.

Naruto had no time to brace himself, no time to tense in the doorway, barely a second turn and flare his chakra before they were upon him. A weight slammed down on his shoulders, and hands clamped down on his eyes, blinding him even as strong legs locked around his neck from behind and held tight. Unprepared for the sudden assault, he stumbled for a moment, flailed then walked right into the door. Pain blazed through his nose and stars flashed before his blocked vision, but even then he couldn't help but smile.

"Ow...

Having a physical again was a funny thing, but there were certain...benefits to no longer being a Servant.

One such benefit was currently clinging to him like a spider monkey, giggling happily.

"Guess who, guess who!"

"Hmm. he smiled and tilted his head, headless of pale palms still blinding him. "Who could it be...? Is it a ghost?"

"Nope."

"A servant?"

"Nope!"

"An angel?"

"Nope."

He grin grew. "Well, in that case it must be...

He reached up and grabbed her.

...my daughter!"

In an instant he hand her hanging upside down before him. Nimble fingers tickled his attacker's ribs, drawing a delighted squeal from her.

"Papa! Stop! That tickles!"

With surprising dexterity she managed to reach up and grab his arm, levering herself upright.

"Did you miss me? Did you?! Aquamarine eyes beamed back at him, framed by a pearly white grin, whiskered cheeks and red hair streaked with black at the tips. "Did you?" Said hair swayed but a little as she smacked her forehead against his. "C'mon, say you missed me!"

...nope." he smacked his lips, producing an audible pop. "Forgot all about you, Himawari."

She pursed her ow in a pout. "You're a terrible liar, papa."

Kurama scoffed in his head. "He certainly is."

Looking back, one might have thought any daughter of him and Rin would be blond or have her mothers' midnight black hair, but no, her latent Uzumaki heritage shone through. She was their dear daughter through and through, all of seven years old. Mom would've been over the moon to see her. And if things worked out the way he and Rin planned, she would be. So would Dad. Minato and Kushina both might have a chance to see their granddaughter.

Assuming everything went to plan, of course.

He planned a quick kiss on her forehead. "Where's your mother, Ruby?"

A little shrug. "Working upstairs with Illya. They said they were gonna try to summon before you got back."

He frowned a tad. "Define summoning-"

Something shook the house.

"AHA!" An triumphant shout echoed from upstairs! "I did it!"

Kurama inhaled deeply. "I know that scent. Seems she pulled it off after all."

Naruto didn't quite comprehend his words at first. He did a moment later; because he recognized that energy signature.

Oh.

Ohh.

Ohhh.

Now he understood. They'd wanted to surprise him.

Someone yelped. It wasn't him, but the voice was quite familiar. "I know that chakra! Where is he?! Where's my baby boy?!"

Another, calmer voice interjected, low and masculine. "Now, just calm down and be reasonable about this-

"Not a chance, Minato! Where is he?!"

Another familiar pulse joined it a heartbeat later and he felt his eyes begin to sting. Water, now.

"Papa?" Himawari pawed at his face, quite concerned. "Why are you crying?"

Naruto chortled softly, "I'm fine, sweetie...just happy."

Even now, he didn't fail to notice the Command Spells etched across the back of his daughters right hand, three concentric spirals curling on one another. Of course they were there. He had a similar one on his left hand. Rin likely had one of her own as well, though she'd not him see it yet. Illya most certainly did. She'd been over bragging about it just the other day.

For his Tohsaka and Einzbern had succeeded in their work. It had taken them years, the better part of a decade and no small amount of luck, even with his help, but they'd done it. A new Holy Grail, simple and clean, pure and untainted. One last war, then they'd use the wish to fix everything, to grant their heart's desire. They couldn't control where all the Command Spells went- there had to be seven Servants after all- but they could certainly tip things in their favor. His story was done. Now it fell to his little one.

Best get upstairs before his folks tore the house down trying to find him.

"Alright, then." he jostled Himawari in his arms and started for the stairwell. "Shall we go see you Grandparents?

A blink. "Mama summoned them?"

"Illya, too."

His daughter beamed. "Really~?!"

To his credit, they actually made it halfway up the stairs..

Then the door at the stop of the stairs absolutely flung itself open.

Kushina Uzumaki barreled through at speed, eyes wide and searching.

She saw him a heartbeat later, and Himawari in her arms. Credit where it was due, she made the connection quickly. Their resemblance was uncanny, and it was impossible to miss the way he was holding her. Violet eyes widened. Bulged now, as comprehension dawned. Her jaw popped open and stayed open as she balked. Tears gathered in her eyes. Ran down her cheeks.

"Hey, mom." Naruto raised an arm and let his own fall free. "Long time no see."

She looked like she wanted to rush him, but uncertainty held her back.

He couldn't help but snark at it. "You've met my wife, haven't you?"

That rattled her even more. "A wife...?"

"Yeah-huh." his head bobbed. "Rin. She just summoned you. She's a bit sassy-

"Hey!" the Tohsaka in question blared over the bannister.

-but I'm sure you'll love her." he finished merrily.

Her gaze sought out Himawari. He suspected she knew, but she had to say it. "And...and who is this small child...?"

"Meet your granddaughter." he nudged Himawari with an elbow, prodding her into action. "Say hello, sweetie...

Himawari waved warily, made shy by her sudden arrival, but curious nevertheless. "Hello...

Kurhina tried to speak. All that emerged was gibberish. "I...you...grandbabies...?"

"Yes, grandbabies." He chuckled. "Just the one for now, but-

The shout that followed shook the house.

"I MUST TELL EVERYONE!

A/N: HISHE reference at the end. Feels good to finish another story.

Mortality has a way of making you stop and think on things like that. Not that I intend to kick the bucket anytime soon, but that scare with hitting my head really made me stop and think. I'm old and I'm not getting any younger.

Still, its been a blast.

Despite her changed appearance, we all know what the name of Naruto's daughter is a reference to. Kushina would be proud.

Reviews are love. Reviews are life. Reviews keep me alive.

And sane, despite the trolls trying to break me.

So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly?

R&R~!