Path to Perdition (NarutoxHigh-school-DXD)
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. All the characters' designs, called names and places mentioned belong to their respective owners.
Information: Karasu and Sasha are names I created so I could easily identify those that the novel hasn't given names to. And yes, they are the same characters in Youkai no Bikou. This is so I don't have to keep track of who is who. Their personality is even the same, which make things easier.
=[Prologue]=
"Karasu, I don't believe that is wise," The fox lady expressed her concern. Her reddish slit eyes narrowed at the long nosed old man who walked along side of her. It had only been an hour – actually half an hour – since they sought out help from those that inhabited the Underworld, pledging their full cooperation if they could somehow locate their missing ruler.
Karasu frowned deeply. He did not doubt the ability of the Governor General and Maou in locating and possibly rescuing Yasaka-hime, but that wasn't what troubling him. It was when they were able to bring her back. Time was of an essence.
"I agreed," he admitted wholly. "It is not wise, but Sasha, you must know that under the circumstance, we have no other option. Even after all these years, we're still unable to find a solution if it exists, and if we are to delay any further, the consequences will be dire."
"Even so, it is still not our decision to make," Sasha responded as she stopped moving. She stood before the doors that led to one of the most important and most cherished person within the imperial palace.
Karasu paused for a moment. His eyes examined the ornamented and patterned door. "I know it is not our decision. Such thing never is, but I'm willing to accept the responsibility if it mean that Kunou-hime could see her father at least once."
"And then what? Would you subject a child to that?" Sasha responded accusingly. She then sighed and turned to the old Tengu. She knew the old man ever since she was a child, which was centuries ago. He was old then, serving the bloodline of the Kyuubi faithfully, one leader after another. "I know you mean well as you always do, but unlike Yasaka-hime, who has come to term with it long ago, Kunou-hime is but a child. She would not be able to handle it."
"That may be so, but Kunou-hime must learn of her father eventually," Karasu said. "And besides, what would you say to her when she found out that you could have let her see her father, but decided she was not old enough?"
Sasha glared at the old Tengu while her youki – demonic energy – spiked. She then exhaled and walked away from the door. "I remembered how truly happy Yasaka-hime was. I wish we could somehow return back to those times, especially that day."
"As do I," Karasu acknowledged as he continued accompanying the fox lady. He understood what Sasha was referring to. "The day was both the happiest and saddest day of her life. Even they knew their time together was limited, they still chose each other."
"A moment of happiness is still better than a lifetime of bitter regret," Sasha said and smiled thinly. She turned about and returned to the door. Talking a deep breath, she continued. "I think you are right in the matter, Karasu. Kunou-hime would have to confront it one day, and it is better for her to do it now than when it is too late."
"I think that is your fear talking," Karasu mused.
"That has a hand in it," Sasha admitted. She had been taking of Kunou ever since the girl was born, and loved the girl as much as any mother would. She would never allow any form of harm come to Kunou, but unfortunately, like all children, Kunou would have to grow up. "And besides, is it not our obligation to inform him that his wife has been kidnapped."
"Our?" Karasu questioned as he furrowed a brow.
"By which I mean you, Karasu-sama," Sasha said with a slight smirk. As Karasu sighed, she turned her attention back to the door and knocked on it. "Kunou-hime, may I come in?"
– Path to Perdition –
"What is this place?" Kunou asked as she was led by Sasha deeper and deeper beneath the temple. She had never been this deep underground before. The air became stiller, colder, and fouler with each step she took, and the cobblestone walls became more that of a catacomb, which frightened her.
"Do not be afraid, Kunou-hime," Sasha said as she noted her hand was gripped tighter. She smiled thinly while continuing to follow the orbs of flame hovering in front of them. The swirling spheres illuminated the wet winding passage. "There is nothing down here that would harm you."
"I know, Sasha-nee," Kunou said as she strengthened her hand. "Why are we here?"
"We are here because you must meet someone," Sasha answered.
Kunou looked around and shivered slightly. "Who would choose to live down here?"
"Your father is one," Sasha replied.
"Father would never," Kunou retorted haughtily. She did not know what her father looked like, but she knew his name as her mother had told her time and time again. His name sounded incredibly powerful, and he would never live in a place that smelled so awful. She then blinked several times and widened her eyes at what she had been told. "Father!?"
"Yes, Kunou-hime, your father sleeps here," Sasha revealed. "I wish Yasaka-hime was here to tell you, but currently, she could not."
"Father…!" Kunou called out. She then pulled ahead, dragging Sasha along as the flaming spear rocketed forwards, lighting the path ahead. "Hurry, hurry, Kunou wants to meet father!"
"Please watch your step, Kunou-hime," Sasha warned, but her warning seemed not be heard.
They eventually reached a double heavy iron doors. Sasha pushed the door open with little effort while Kunou rushed through and entered a chamber of sort. It was nicely furnished and decorated, unlike the cold and emptied corridor that led into the room. There was a massive altar at the opposite end of the door. There was someone else here, but she quickly recognized that person.
"Kunou-hime," Karasu greeted and gave a courteous bow.
"Karasu-ji," Kunou returned the greeting. Once she was done, she looked around the room for any other person. When no one else was found, she saddened. "I thought father is here, Sasha-nee."
"He is, Kunou-hime," Karasu assured in Sasha's stead. He then approached the altar. Sasha gave a nod and gestured the young princess forwards while Karasu chanted something inaudible.
Standing the altar, Kunou read the imprinted metallic plate before quivering. She took a couple of steps closer as her eyes began to leaden with liquids. Was this the resting place of her father?
"Otou-sama…" Before she could touch the altar, a hand placed firmly upon her shoulder, dissuaded her otherwise. She would have cocked her head around, but her golden eyes locked onto the strange black fogs, seeping out the altar in great amount.
Kunou immediately tried to back away, but the black mist enveloped her along with Sasha and Karasu before filling up the entire room to the brim. Within the mist, she looked around, trying to make out anything, but all she saw as endless darkness. "Sasha-nee? Karasu-ji?"
"We are here," Sasha confirmed and pulled the golden-haired girl closer to her.
"Naruto-sama," Karasu called out, but darkness remained unresponsive. He waited half a minute before trying again, but no response came. He tried again and again and shorter and shorter interval, but each time he did so, he was met with absolute silence. "Are we too late?"
Sasha hoped it wasn't too late. "Naruto-sama, please wake up," she requested in a pleading tone.
"Sa…sha…?" the fog hissed lowly after a moment.
"Yes, Naruto-sama," Sasha confirmed.
The black fog began to swirl, collapsing onto itself. "Sasha… ah yes… I remembered…. I guess… that voice from before is the… old fart… he's not dead yet?"
Karasu pursed his lips and shook his head lightly. "Sadly, I am very much alive, Naruto-sama."
"So it seems, for now," the black fog responded in a firmer voice. It gathered itself from every corner of the room, swirling into a sphere before the sphere began to take shape. It quickly became a silhouette of a tall man with spiky hair. The shadowy entity raised its hand, examining it before using the hand to brush his hair back casually. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Almost twelve years," Sasha answered.
"Twelve years…" the shadowy being mumbled. "Have it…" it coughed "…been that long?"
"Sadly, yes," Karasu responded. His eyes lowered to the ground. "I regretted to say that we could not find any solution to your condition, Naruto-sama."
"I see," Naruto said. He shook his head rather dismissively. "I doubt anyone can," he said before turned about and look around the room as if he was searching for something – someone. His eyes then focused on the small blond-haired girl, hiding behind Sasha. "Say, when did you have a kid? She's adorable."
Kunou blushed slightly at the compliment. "F…ather…?"
"Okay…" Naruto mumbled. He then pointed a finger at Sasha. "So… when… did we do it? I would have remembered doing such thing. Maybe you didn't leave any good impression."
"Please don't joke around, Naruto-sama," Sasha said. She then gestured the blond-haired girl out of her hiding spot. "This is Kunou-hime, your daughter."
"-hime, huh," Naruto mumbled and narrowed his eyes at the blond-haired girl, who stared directly at him with bewilderment. After a moment, he pointed his fingers at his face. "Is there something on my face, Kunou-hime?"
Kunou shook her head rapidly. "There's nothing on your face, Otou-sama."
"Well, I should correct that then," Naruto responded.
"Naruto-sama, you shouldn't," Karasu said.
"It is fine," Naruto said as he leaned closer to the blond-haired girl, who retreated back a step. He smiled as facial features began to form. First the pair of deep oceanic blue eyes was visible. His shadowy spike hair turned blond while several whiskered marks manifested onto on each side of his cheek. "So how do I look now?"
Kunou stared at the face of her father. She then leaped forwards and wrapped her hand around his neck tightly. "Otou-sama!"
"Yes, yes, it is nice to meet you too, Kunou-hime," Naruto responded as he warped his hand around the girl and lifted her up into the air. "I'm sorry that I weren't around more often, but I…"
His sentence was interrupted as he coughed heavily. He placed Kunou back onto her own two feet while covering his mouth. His shadowy body rippled as his face reverted back into pitch blackness.
"Naruto-sama," Karasu and Sasha called out with great concern. They knew the deadly affliction that Naruto had, and as far as they knew, there was no cure.
Kunou did not know what was happening. "Otou-sama…?"
"I am fine, really. I'm feeling much better after that long sleep," Naruto said as he waved his hand at the two concerned Youkai. He then used the same hand and patted his daughter on the head gently and lovingly. "Since my wife is not here in person, I assumed she somehow got herself kidnapped or that she finally moved on to a better place."
"Yasaka-hime isn't d…" Karasu began while Sasha remained quiet.
"Mother has been taken," Kunou interrupted. "I tried to find mother… but…" She rubbed her eyes in a fashion that only accented her cuteness.
"It's alright, Kunou-hime. I'm sure you've tried your best," Naruto said. He took almost a second to pin point Yasaka's location. It took longer than he'd expected, but now knowing where she was, it was quite understandable. "Your mother is fine. She is just trapped in another dimension, and likely unconscious."
Karasu and Sasha exchanged glances. They also exchanged thoughts within the gaze before returned their undivided attention back to the shadowy entity. He was not always in such physical state, but his body had deteriorated so much that he was unable to keep it solid.
"So," Naruto continued. "Kunou-hime, shall we go and wake up your mother?"
Kunou lifted her head up. Her ears twitched while her tails fluxed. "Really? We can?"
"Yep," Naruto said as tails emerged from his shadowy body and wrapped around the small girl. He lifted her up into the air as she held tightly onto them. "We're going out for a bit. Watch the house, you two."
"Please bring Yasaka-hime back soon, Naruto-sama," Karasu said. "The amount of paper works is piling up, and I'm running out of places to hide them."
"Burn them then, that's what they good for," Naruto snorted. He then gave a wave and vanished along with his daughter.
"Is it wise to let them go like that?" Sasha asked.
"Honestly, I am more concerned about the wellbeing of the kidnappers," Karasu gave his opinion. He then crouched down on the floor and examined a small flake, made entirely of shadow, which was left behind for one reason or another. He picked it up and sighed when it broke apart between his fingers seconds later.
Sasha frowned. "How long does Naruto-sama has?"
"Not long, a day, maybe a week," Karasu answered.
– End of Prologue –
