No Good Deed
A.N. Hey guys! Chapter three is here. I've gotten A LOT of good feedback from you guys, and more than a few theories on how this story will pan out, conjecture is something I LOVE to see, especially when it's on something I, personally, am a part of. I like people getting into my work and trying to see the end, no idea why. Anyway, I'll try to keep updates at once a week, on either Friday or the following Monday, just because I have Thursday and Sunday to dedicate to writing all day. Again, shout out to Dante Crailman, and 9, their constructive criticism really helped me clean up the flow of the first to chapters and made writing this just that much easier. If you guys have any advice on writing, please, put it out there. Advice is critical for every writer on fanfic, and getting it from other readers and writers means all the much more. Anyway, ON WITH THE SHOW.
"Stupid ingrate." Demon speaking
"Well fuck you too." Normal speaking
"Now now children." God(s) speaking
I'm not a child.' Thinking to self
"Can you believe this?" Speaking to someone in mind.
~~~SCENE CHANGE~~~~~
The city of Kyoto was beautiful, Naruto decided. Traditional architecture and a lively forest life in and around the city just made it feel so alive, small animals could be seen ducking in and around the trees surrounding the entirety of the city and just gave a small sense of wonder. Naruto and Shukaku had been walking through the city for sometime now, taking in the sights as any good tourist. Well, Naruto was taking in the sights, Shukaku was just exuding an aura of excitement and joy, something Naruto didn't really get, but to each their own.
Another reason they where taking the scenic route to the shrine was something Naruto would vehemently deny to his dying day.
They where lost.
You see, other than Aijo's instruction of "The Shrine at the base of Mount Hiei" they had NO idea where to go. As any Japanese city would, Kyoto and Mount Hiei in general had dozens of shrine locations. They had visited two shrine's already, and aside from some pretty art and stone work, nothing had come off it. So once again, they where on a path through Kyoto to see if they could make the best of a bad situation.
Naruto hung his head and sighed. "Why can't stuff like this ever be easy?" He asked, mostly to himself. "Because Father, Nothing easy is ever worth the effort in the end." came Shukaku's reply. If Naruto didn't know any better, he would suspect Shukaku of being sarcastic and snippy.
"Well, its getting close to noon...wanna grab some lunch?" Naruto looked to his traveling companion. They both hadn't eaten yet, and with so little cash, it would mean they where going to have to steal...again. Naruto grimaced, he wasn't against stealing per say, just doing it so much couldn't be good karma.
With a smiling nod as his answer, Naruto turned to walk down a side street, to head back to the main square and maybe a food stand. He made it approximately three steps before walking straight into another person.
Karma. It is a powerful force.
With a startled yelp, and flailing arms, both the newcomer and Naruto fell to the ground, landing firmly on their behinds. "Ow." "Ouch!" came the sounds of the two crash victims. "Father! Are you okay?" Shukaku called, honestly sounding panicked.
"I'm fine. Kaku, just an accident." Naruto said quickly, as he stood and started to brush himself off, last thing he wanted to do was send his friend into a panic attack for something this embarrassing. "Hey are you okay?" Naruto asked to the other downed individual.
"Yes...I'm fine." Came the distinctly feminine voice. Oh great, he had knocked over a girl, a young one based on her stature. Scantly a few inches shorter than Naruto's own five foot frame, with long crimson hair, and blue eyes clashing spectacularly, rounded facial features completed the girls face. She was wearing along navy blue dress, a white buttoned up shirt tucked in, over he shoulders sat a crimson knee length jacket with dull golden accents. There where two other girls behind her, the oldest looking of the trio moving to help the red head to her feet.
Naruto rubbed the back of his head, as he offered his own hand in assistance, absentmindedness would be the death of him. The girl took the offered hand and Naruto hauled her to her feet with a soft tug. "Heheh...sorry about that. I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going. Me and my friend where about to go get some lunch...would you like to come with us? You and your friends? As an apology." Naruto spoke quickly. He had already knocked the poor girl down, might as well try to make it up to her.
"No thank you. Me and my friends where actually on our way to the local shrine to meet my older brother. I thank you for the offer however." The young girl was articulate, Naruto noticed. As she spoke he took the time to observe her companions.
The first was a girl a year or so older than Naruto himself if he guessed. Long raven hair sat atop her head, with violet eyes, piercing into our young hero, judgment clear in her eyes as she observed the poor boy. She looked to be wearing a traditional miko outfit. Long red hakama style pants, and a white haori adorned her figure. She stood level with Naruto, and had a red ribbon holding her dark locks of hair in a high pony tail.
The other girl was much shorter than the first two, standing at a dismal three foot seven inches. She had short white hair, cut in to a pixie style, a bang falling to each side of the young girls face, framing her delicate features and accenting her yellow eyes. Wrapped in civilian beige shorts and a white t-shirt. Naruto came up short looking at her blank expression. Something...was different about this girl. He leaned forward a little, eyes taking everything about her, and spoke before his brain caught up with his words. "Hmmm...cat."
Two words. It took two words to set all three girls on edge. The ravenette moved to take some kind of fighting stance, while the red head stepped in front of the youngest girl. Breaking Naruto's line of sight and making him take a step back, he narrowed his eyes at the older girl's offensive stance. He felt Shukaku move closer to his side, a dark aura rolling of the boy in waves. 'He must be getting ready to fight.' Naruto thought.
Tension slowly built between both parties before a soft reply was heard from the white haired girl. "Fox."
The older girls looked at their young friend, confusion written across their face. Naruto cast his eyes around, the street they where on seemed empty...and this girl seemed to know anyway, so maybe they could avoid a fight?
What was life with out a few chances?
Naruto dropped the illusion hiding his features, shocking the Ravenette and Red-head, as nine fluffy tails stood behind him, waving lazily, and rounded ears stood atop his head. His whisker's becoming prominent on his face. He cast the three girls a grin, hoping to appear disarming.
The three girls where spell bound. It was a nine-tails! But...how? Why?! What was he doing out of the shrine! The youngest girl stepped forward, a long white tail appearing behind her, with two cat ears taking place on top of her head. Naruto almost, ALMOST, squealed.
Guys can think stuff is adorable too.
Naruto relaxed when the girls animal features came out, so she was a yokai too. He felt Shukaku relax behind him as well. Good, no fight. "Well hello there Kitten-chan." Naruto greeted, his grin widening.
"Kitsune-sama.." The young girl bowed. Ah...shit.
"Uh...call me Naruto..." They young boy rubbed his head, quite embarrassed at the formal greeting, even more when the two girls behind her bowed as well. He hated formalities.
Trying to end the awkward meeting as soon as possible, Naruto bowed back, before asking for their names.
"I'm terribly sorry for our rudeness My Lord." Spoke the Red head, finally finding her voice. "My name is Rias Gremory, these are my friends, and members of my peerage. The girl beside me is Akeno Himejima, my queen. The girl before you is Koneko Toujou, my rook." The girl, Rias, finished formally.
"Ah don't worry about it...this is my friend and traveling companion Shukaku." Naruto spoke awkwardly. Shukaku stepped beside him and waved, grinning madly. "Hello! Shukaku is Shukaku, He is very pleased to meet friends of Father." Naruto face palmed at his friends words. The trio before them gaining blank looks. Father...?
"Ah...um...yes, well then." Rias stumbled over her words. Probably better if she didn't ask. Naruto looked at the white haired girl in front of him, her face was blank, but it looked like she wanted something. He couldn't quite put his finger on it...Ah well. He patted her head with a smile, one forming on the girls face as well, albeit much smaller, barely there really.
Behind her, the two girls where again stock still. Huh, guess the little cat girl didn't smile much. He felt kinda bad about that, being serious all the time was bad for you.
"So, you said you where on you're way to meet someone at a shrine nearby?" Naruto asked his eye glancing back at the red head, Rias. He really needed to start using her name.
"Uh...yes, My Lord. My older brother is meeting with Lady Yasaka-sama there." Rias spoke, she figured the nine-tails would know about this anyway.
"Well that's perfect! Shukaku and Myself need to meet with Yasaka as well!" Naruto claimed excitedly. Lunch far from his mind. Finally! Someone that knew where to go!
"Would...Would you like to accompany us My Lord?" Rias asked, hoping he said yes. This would be a good opportunity to make friends in other factions and increase her own standing in the future. Plus the young Lord looked pleased as punch to meet Koneko. Not to mention Koneko SMILING. She'd known the girl for over two years now and had seen her smile maybe twice.
"Sure! Sounds good to me, Shukaku? Any objections?" Naruto asked his Raccoon friend. Shukaku just shook his head, grinning widely at his Father asking his opinion. Something was really wrong with that poor boy, Naruto decided.
"Well please then, follow us." Rias spoke as her and Akeno started walking down the road once more, Koneko following shortly after, casting a glance back at Naruto.
Naruto looked at his friend for a moment, "Well that solves one problem." he said as he started after them, Shukaku quickly falling in behind him. 'Thank god for good Karma!' Naruto thought to himself.
~~~~SCENE BREAK~~~~
'Karma...Fuck you.' Naruto thought as a mass of blades pointed at himself and Shukaku.
Everything had been going swimmingly, he had followed the girls for about twenty minutes, conversing with the girls and having a laugh. He thought his luck was really looking up. That is, until the little troop had arrived at the Shrine.
Upon entering the main court yard, all manner of soldiers in old samurai armor had descended onto their position, separating the two parties and surrounding the boys. It had taken a lot of convincing to stop Shukaku from out right assaulting the incoming men. Now, they stood with well over fifty pikes pointed in their general direction, with archers on the wall behind them. If the situation wasn't so tense, Naruto may have taken a moment to appreciate the lay out and look of the shrine.
"Easy, Easy! We aren't here to fight!" Naruto called quickly, trying his damnedest to appease their apparent captors. Aijo's voice ringing in his head clearly. He really should have expected this, now that he thought of it.
"Stand down, All of you!" A female voice called sharply, and immediately the order was followed, as the soldiers in the yard and atop the wall allowed the tension to leave their forms. Damn, talk about good timing.
The wall of men in front of Naruto and Shukaku parted, allowing two people to walk forward.
The first was a tall woman, her features making her seem young and regal, Long flowing blond hair spilled from her head. Her voluptuous figure was also adorned in miko attire, the familiar red and white highlighting her hair and eyes, which he noticed where a startling blond color as well. Weird. Her eyes where scanning Naruto, looking for something...
The man beside her was a bit more concerning in Naruto's opinion. He had long crimson hair, much like Rias. 'Maybe this is Rias' brother?' Naruto thought as he continued eying the man. His blue-green eyes, cold and calculating. His shoulders where adorned by a set of combat pauldron, a deep gray with gold accents. This man exuded power. He was dangerous.
Naruto took an unconscious step back, and grab Shukaku by the forearm. They may have to turn and run.
"Who are you, boy." While phrased as a question, Naruto had no doubt it was an order from the man. The glare in his eyes spoke as much.
"I'm...my name is Naruto." Naruto spoke hesitantly, his grip slowly tightening on Shukaku's arm. This was getting bad quick. "I came to seek an audience with the head of this shrine, Lady Yasaka-sama." He finished. He was caught for now anyway, might as well make his request known.
"And what do you seek of her?" The woman spoke. Her gaze was much kinder, though still just as calculating. "Answers." Came Naruto's reply, short and straight to the point.
Though that's when everything went kind of pair shaped. Not exactly in a bad way though.
"LITTLE YAS YAS!" Shukaku squealed, throwing his arms up and causing all those to tense, and Naruto to pale. Oh God. They where dead.
The blond woman before them both paled, and blushed at the same time. Some how. The man beside her, while tense, did raise and eyebrow at the name.
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" The woman spoke shrilly eyes closing and her hand's balling into fists. She hadn't been called that in years! Who dare use that name besides...Yasaka blanched.
"Now now Yas Yas. I'm allowed to call you whatever I like remember? That was our deal." Shukaku spoke with a laugh in his voice, for the first time, not sounding mad as a loon. Everyone looked between the two individuals, even Naruto. Though in the back of his mind he was waiting for the execution order.
"...Uncle Shukaku?" Yasaka asked, truly hesitant. She hadn't seen her uncle in close to a hundred years. Though that name would always be a mark on her memory. God she hated that name.
The cloaked boy dropped his hood, the raccoon ears standing tall on his head, but it was the eyes that sold it. Yup. That was Shukaku. Fuck.
Yasaka's companion dropped all tension, it seemed the leader of yokai knew this boy. "Lady Yasaka...whats going on?" The man spoke, voicing Naruto's own periling thoughts. The question broke Yasaka out of her stupor.
"Uhh...Lord Lucifer...May I...introduce you to...my Uncle and former teacher...Lord Shukaku of The Sands." The embarrassment was clear on Yasaka's face. Why was he here now? Things where going so well!
The now divined Lord Lucifer blanched, then paled. He had almost assaulted one of the council of nine! This was bad. Very bad. Very, Very, Very, bad. This could cause a war between the devil and yokai factions! He quickly dropped to his knees before the two boys before him. Fuck fuck fuck! Save face now!
"Please forgive me My Lord! I had no idea one such as yourself would be here today." the red head spoke quickly. Naruto looked on blankly. What the fuck was happening. It was getting really weird now.
"Uhh...Shukaku...what the fuck is going on?" Naruto questioned, the others in the court yard all turned to the blond boy in shock, oh he was gonna die. You don't just demand- "Oh nothing Father! I was just excited to see Little Yas Yas again and got carried away." Shukaku spoke happily. Naruto sweat dropped. Okay, that answered one question but raised SO many more.
A cough drew everyone's attention. It was Lady Yasaka, a blush bright on her face. "Before this devolves into an even bigger mess, perhaps we can retire to the meeting room and straighten this all out. Lord Sirzechs, please invite your sister and her peerage, as they may be able to shine some light on the situation. They did arrive with my Uncle after all." She asked the man to her right. Hopefully they could sort this over tea. It would do her nerves good.
"Guards, please escort my Uncle and young Naruto, was it?," Here Yasaka looked to the boy for affirmation, which she received in the form of a nod. "To the meeting room, and have the maids bring us some tea and snacks. I feel we may be in for a long talk." With that Yasaka beckoned SirZechs to follow her.
"Rias-chan," The man called, causing the young trio to appear through the crowd of soldiers, "Lady Yasaka and I will be meeting you in the room she is having prepared in a moment please follow Lord Shukaku and the guards. And Behave!" Rias could tell something big was going on, so she just bowed and hurried after the two boys from earlier. She hoped she didn't mess things up bringing the two boys with her...
~~~~SCENE BREAK~~~~
Naruto looked around the room in a small wonder. He didn't realize people could actually live in a shrine. As they had walked through the halls they had seen many wonderful works of art and old weapons and suits of armor. Paintings as tall as the ceiling where on proud display, showing pitched battles and moments of history. Now in this meeting room, one painting in particular caught his eye, if for no other reason than the fact that Shukaku was staring at it so intently.
Walking up beside his companion, he took in the art work. It depicted a regal woman, in battle attire, leading a group of eight others, different symbols adorning their aromor but nothing else placing them apart. The woman's hands where glowing green, her face set in a beautiful scowl. She had long orange hair and brilliant blue eyes. Across from her and the eight warriors was a mass of darkness, eating away at the other soldiers on the field and the earth. "She's beautiful..." Naruto mumbled.
"Yes...Sister always was Father's favorite." The voice broke Naruto out of his trance. He shook his head and looked over at Shukaku. He came up short on the question in his mouth. Shukaku looked...sad? Sorrowful? He couldn't put his finger on it, but the look on his face was both happy and hollow. Shukaku slowly ran his fingers along the bottom of the painting, a sigh escaping his lips.
A loud bang behind them caused all of the children in the room to jump. It seemed Sirzechs and Lady Yasaka had arrived. Naruto quickly scrambled to a set, best not to look like he might damage a priceless work of art. The two members of high society took seats at the end of the table. Lady Yasaka at the head, Sirzechs directly to her left. It was then Naruto say a third figure, another woman. She was dressed in a European maid outfit. With silver hair and and matching eyes. She was stunning, Naruto decided.
"Uncle, would you care to join us?" Naruto looked back to where Shukaku stood, his eyes still glued to the painting, he didn't move for a moment and Naruto thought for a moment he hadn't heard her, before the reply, "Not now Yasaka-chan, I haven't been able to enjoy my sister's company for sometime...You go ahead and start for now." was heard from across the room.
"Very well then." Yasaka relented. She quickly turned to Naruto. "As you may have deduced by now, I am Yasaka, leader of this shrine and more importantly," Here the illusion around the woman wavered, spilling nine long golden tails and two pointed golden ears forth, "I am the leader of the Yokai Faction. You told me in the courtyard that your name is Naruto and you have come seeking answers, is that correct?"
Naruto nodded, quickly showing his own animal nature, as nine-tails and animal ears appeared on him, causing Yasaka and Sirzechs to gasp. Naruto groaned internally, this was gonna suck, he could already tell.
"Now where did you get those?" Yasaka asked, her eyes narrowing. If he where any other animal she'd be less shocked. Or even if he only had less tails. The only other Nine-tailed fox she knew off was her own daughter. She knew her daughter was safe, as that is what she checked on before coming to the room.
"I'm...not sure, it's why I'm here. I grew up in an orphanage in Kuoh. The Matron there sent me here after it was attacked by men in black suits and some children where taken." Naruto spoke softly, his eyes lowering remembering the friends he couldn't save.
"Do you speak of Matron Aijo and the Kuoh Trinity Orphanage?" Sirzechs spoke up. He had heard of the incident from some associates and was amazed that this young boy wasn't one of the victims. More so that he didn't know who this boy was. The Gremory family had started that orphanage and seeing as how close he was to the family, this kind of guest would have been a highly discussed topic.
Naruto nodded, it shamed him to know that even this stranger was aware of his connection to the event, even if he didn't know the extent of it. "How long have you been at that Orphanage Naruto-san?" Sirzechs continued, he needed all the information he could get to save the missing children but a being of such power as a nine-tails, going under his radar, was inexcusable on his part.
"My whole life. I turned ten just last week on the tenth Sir." Naruto replied. He was all in now, might as well play his hand. "Old Lady Aijo told me she kept me hidden from everyone because I was a Nine-tailed fox, which connected me to the royal family of the Yokai Faction in some way. She sent me here to try and help me find answers when I got back to the orphanage after the attack. Do...Do you know what happened to her?" Naruto was scared to ask. He didn't want to lose the one family he may have had, even if it wasn't by blood.
"She's fine young man. Some smoke inhalation and a few minor burns, but nothing that woman can't handle." Sirzechs tried to ease the boys fears. Though she would have a lot to answer for now that he knew the truth about his lack of knowledge, yes she did it for the boys protection, but still lying to her superior is a big problem.
"Thank you sir! I was so worried when I left and she wouldn't let me stay and I just...thought..." Naruto cut himself off, even thinking the words hurt.
"Well that does answer a few things," Yasaka began "Aijo-san is a crafty woman, and always plays things very close to the vest, it is part of the reason I sent her to work for you Lord Lucifer. I thought she would be trust worthy with information you held in confidence." she finished, with a grin that spoke of all manner of smugness. Sirzechs laughed a little, tricky old fox was Yasaka to a T.
"Though that still leaves WHO you are as another problem. I am an only child, and as far as I know my father didn't have any other siblings, and I only have one child. A curse of our line I'm afraid." Yasaka carried on. This was puzzling, a rouge Nine-Tails? It didn't make any sense with the information she had. A voice cut off her line of thought.
"That's because Father is Father." Shukaku spoke up, as he approached the table. "He came first, not after." That confused the group more. What did the boy mean?
"Kaku...you've called me that a few times now, what do you mean?" Naruto questioned, drawing all eyes to the two of them.
"Shukaku came from Father. Father brought all of us here, and now he has returned from his trip." Shukaku spoke as if it all made any kind of sense.
"Uncle...How can this boy be your father? You are older than me by a number of thousands, this boy is barely ten. It doesn't make sense." Yasaka rubbed her temples. Her uncle was always hard to understand.
"Little Yas Yas, do you remember the stories your grandmother use to tell you?" Shukaku spoke, eyes firmly on Yasaka.
"Well yes, but she was as old as you, I always thought they where just that. Stories." Yasaka replied, the new information making her eyes shine in bewilderment.
"I'm sorry, but what stories?" Sirzechs interrupted this was making even LESS sense as the conversation dragged on.
"Back when I was my daughter's age, before the war of the three factions, my grandmother would tell me fantastic stories of great warriors and battles. She always spoke of her partner as a being of incredible skill and will. Never giving up and always trying to do what was right, damn the consequences, it always helped put me to sleep." Yasaka spoke, her eyes gaining a critical look as she gazed at Naruto, making the boy uncomfortable.
"And Shukaku-sama thinks young Naruto is that partner?" Sirzechs connected the dots, drawing a blank look from the children there. How did that make sense.
"Well now that I look at him, besides the extra features, he does fit the description she gave me, and he does remind me of my father as well, in looks if nothing else." Yasaka spoke up, drawing more confused looks. What?
"Okay, maybe I should start all the way in the beginning." Yasaka said as she poured a glass of tea. "Get comfortable this may take a bit." Everyone grabbed a glass of tea and some cookies of the tray on the table. "Please don't interrupt, this is a lot of information." with that Yasaka started.
"Okay, so the mythology of Yokai goes as follows. Ages ago, there where a band of warriors that traveled the world. They where mercenaries that looked to help people caught in war torn areas, trying to protect those that couldn't protect them selves." Yasaka spoke, going into full story time mode. "The Nine warriors where know as The Lonesome Madman Shukaku, a master sword and shield user and master of seal making. Matabi of the Twin Planes, a beautiful Necromancer. Isobu of the Turtle Shield and Lance, a warrior poet. Son Goku, Guardian of the Four Corners, A powerful mage that could bend the five elements to his will. Kukuo, The Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, a master of mobile warfare and tactics. Saiken of The Poison Slime, A witch doctor with the ability to create the deadliest poisons and cure the wickedest of aliments. Chomei, The Mistress of Luck, an extremely beautiful information specialist. Gyuki, The Machine of War, A master soldier, skilled in every form of combat and creator of the Eight Palms most Yokai are taught in our Army. And finally Kurama, the Lady of Nine Virtues, a medic, soothsayer and more importantly leader of this troop of soldiers. It was said that these nine people could face the armies of hell without trouble." Yasaka stopped to take a drink of tea.
"After a day of hunting, the nine warriors where traveling along a winding road, up a mountain path, on what is known as Mount Hiei today, along the path they meet an old man blocking the route. The warriors stopped, weary of the old man before them. Calling out to them the old man asked "Why do you not approach?" Their reply was that caution is the better part of valor. This caused the old man to nod and laugh. He told them the path they where traveling lead to his treasure, and that he could let them go no further.
Seven of the nine looked curious as to what the treasure was, Kurama and Gyuki where debating on either turning back and finding a new path, or forcing the old man to move, take his treasure and moving on. Kurama was for leaving the man be, but Gyuki wanted to see what the old man would risk his life against the strongest warriors in the world for.
The old man, hearing Gyuki, laughed aloud. He challenge the band of warriors, saying if they could defeat him, he would gladly allow them his treasure. Even the Virtuous Kurama could not let such an insult slide, one man defeating the nine of them? Impossible."
Yasaka looked at her audience, seeing the girls with stars in their eyes at the story, Naruto completely enthralled, Sirzechs contemplative and Shukaku...asleep. Of course. Shaking her head she continued.
"The battle was pitched, fierce, and entirely one-sided. The old man lay each warrior low, defeating them fully and without pause. The nine warriors where stunned, but humbled in their defeat. Even the prideful Gyuki could not refute the facts. Asking forgiveness for their hubris the warriors sat as Kurama set forth healing them. The old man laughed once more before he started to apologies on his own.
"It seems I got a bit carried away." said the old man, sounding much more full of life after the battle. "I have deceived you all," The old man continued as his visage faded into a younger man before the Nine's eyes. "I am not some simple old man, I am Rakkide, God of Senjutsu." The now young man spoke, his hair aglow as the sun and eyes that matched the clear skies." Yasaka paused to take a breathe, stories always take so long she lamented.
"Seeing this the warriors bowed low to the ground, begging forgiveness for attacking a God such as he. Rakkide was a kind god however and waved off their pleas. "Rise warriors, you have proven yourselves to me in combat, there is no need to bow." Spoke the God. "I have watched you nine for sometime now, this was my final test to you." The God continued.
Kurama stepped forth, as leader of the troop, "Test My Lord?" Her friends and herself where lost onto the reason why. "Yes, I have seen the work you have done in defending those without the ability too, and I have guided you to many challenges. This was my last one. I had no doubt you would prove me right." The God's grin could compete with the sun's brightness.
"I wish to make you nine my champions upon earth, to defend the people and this world from dark forces." The God told them. Shock became clear on each warriors face. This kind of gift was unprecedented, and each warrior quickly agreed." Yasaka took another sip of tea.
"The God embedded part of his power in each warrior, combining them with an animal that closest fit their personality to allow them to become closer to nature and a number of tails to divine their combat prowess.
For Shukaku, A raccoon and the power of control over the Winds and Sands of the earth and one tail.
Matabi was gifted with the power to control fire, and the likeness of a cat with two tails.
Isobu was given control of water and a turtles shell and three tails.
Son Goku was given control of earth and lava to shape the battlefield and combined with an ape bringing four tails.
Kukuo learned the power or lightning magic and speed enhancement. He was given the likeness of a horse, five tails as his marker.
Saiken was given the ability to produce powerful acids and cure most damages to ones body. He was combined with a slug and gifted with six tails.
Chomei was gifted with flight and the ability to use powerful illusions, she was made anew with a beetle and given seven tails.
Gyuki was give the power of making beasts of ink, to do his biding on the battle field. He was matched with a mighty bull, eigth tails standing along his back with pride.
Lady Kurama came last, the God reserving his most powerful ability for the kind woman. He called it the creation of all things. The ability to breathe life into anything her mind can conjure, for her, old a fox seemed fitting, given her crafty nature.
The God looked over his selected champions, a smile strong on his features, before looking out over the horizon of the valley below Mount Hiei. "This would be a beautiful place to die, would it not my Champions? Settle here. Make a home, invite the weak and sick, the old and young, the strong and all other manner of beings. Make this a place of peace, and teach them to fight for one another and themselves, but never to force others into their ways. Protect yourselves and others and you will always have my blessing. As a last gift, I grant you enhanced vitality. Live long happy lives. I wait to great you in the pure lands." With that last word, the God vanished.
Looking over the valley, the new Yokai decided to do as their god asked, and gave birth to the city of Kyoto." Yasaka finished. She looked at those around her, as she whipped a tear from her eye, she loved that story, it brought back a lot of happy memories.
Sirzechs was impressed, he had heard this myth before, but never so beautifully told. Rias and Koneko where in awe at the story, with Akeno having a pleasant little smile. Naruto was amazed, and possibly thinking of praying to this new God he had learned of. He sounded like a God he could get behind. Shukaku, Yasaka saw, was still asleep. Really uncle?
"Well that is very enlightening Yasaka-sama, I have never heard this tale so beautifully done." Sirzechs spoke. He must applaud the woman's story telling abilities, maybe he should relay it to his own son?
"Thank you Lord Lucifer, my Grandmother told it to me as a little girl. Though that really is just a story. The truth of our being is much more...complicated." Yasaka spoke hesitantly, this was a make or break moment for the peace between Devil and Yokai kind. The look on Sirzechs faced was one of pure confusion.
"You mean...you know the truth about how Yokai kind came about? I thought it would have been lost through the generations..." Sirzechs spoke evenly, this was major news. Now that he thought about it some names did correlate a little to well to be coincidence,
"Usually you'd be right Sirzechs-sama, most other yokai live for only a hundred years or so. The royal Fox yokai are a bit different however. From the first Nine-tails to myself, only three generations have passed. Four if you include my daughter." This brought everyone up short. That was unheard of in a royal line. By definition their rule was still new! Only three generations?! How was that even possible?
"You see, the truth of the matter is-" "That's enough Yasaka." Came a deep voice. Standing in the door way was a tall man, easily over six feet, he had deep gray hair, glasses adorned his stoic features, over pure white eyes, under the right of which sat what looked like a tattoo of two bull horns in black. This was Gyuki, Head of the Council of Nine. The Eight-Tailed Bull of Battle.
"Lord...Lord Gyuki..." Yasaka spoke softly, honestly scared, her uncle Gyuki was a harsh man...if he deemed the others a threat for what they had been about to learn, they where doomed!
Before any tension could begin to build however a crash was heard as a chair hit the floor. All eyes turned to the chair beside Naruto, who blinked owlishly at the downed frame. Naruto's eyes glanced back at the door, before going blank. The others followed his eyes, and a moment after, his example.
There was Shukaku...hanging off Gyuki's neck.
"Brother! IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN! Did you miss me? Huh? Did ya? Huh? I missed you! Look Father's back! See I Told you! I knew he would be back but NOOOOOO you and the others didn't wanna listen! SO HAH!" Gyuki had a vain pulsing on his skull. Shukaku just hadn't been right after their last battle together, though no one really had.
After a few deep breathes, and prying Shukaku from his neck, Gyuki spoke once more. "Who are these people Yasaka?" His old eyes took them each in one by one before they paused on the young blond boy with whiskers and nine tails.
"This is Lord Sirzechs Lucifer, King of Hell and leader of the Devil Faction, to his right are Rias Gremory, his little sister, and two members of her peerage, Akeno Himejima, and Koneko Toujou. Queen and Rook respectively." Yasaka informed quickly, at least Uncle Gyuki seemed in a better mood now that he knew Shukaku was here.
"And who is the boy?" Gyuki's eyes hadn't left Naruto's form since they found him, it was making Naruto look around for an exit. The resemblance was uncanny. No wonder the Loon Shukaku thought he was THAT man.
"This is Naruto. He came with Uncle Shukaku, looking for answers about his existence. He is from the Trinity Orphanage in Kuoh, run by Aijo-san." Yasaka spoke, maybe Uncle Gyuki could shed some light as well, he was as old as Kyoto after all.
"Hmmm...Boy, come here." Gyuki called, the cane in his hand tapping the ground once. The boy hesitated at first, before moving from his set and standing in front of the Council of Nine member.
Nervous was a word that filled the boy's stance, ready was there as well. Gyuki took a few steps around him, taking in his entire form. This just increased the lad's nervousness and readiness. Ah, so he would fight if need be.
"Tell me boy, what is important to you?" Gyuki spoke as he crouched to eye level with the young Kitsune. He may look like THAT man, but lets see if he had the same resolve.
"M-my friends My Lord...them and Old Lady Aijo...Shukaku is pretty important to me too.." Naruto spoke with a weaver in his voice.
"And if I where to order them all killed?" Gyuki spoke harshly, no nonsense in his tone, his eyes glancing over the boy's shoulder and pinning the two leaders in place, halting any protests. When he looked back in the boy's eyes, he was surprised.
The nervous boy from before was gone, all that was left was steel. Steel and determination. The defiance in the boys eyes where a nice touch as well. "Then you had better dispatch me first, you old bastard." Naruto said through gritted teeth. A boy of few, but strong, words.
It was silent for a moment, Sirzechs and Yasaka where expecting the boy to be dead the moment they opened their eyes, something they had closed in resignation as soon as Gyuki spoke his question and looked at them. They expected the girls to scream as a body slumped to the floor, blood pooling around it.
They DIDN'T expect laughter.
Gyuki blanched after the boy spoke. Yeah, same resolve. The laughter from Shukaku didn't help either. "He told you Nisan! hahahah You shouldn't mess with father's friends hahahahah!" Shukaku said as he rolled on the floor, laughter leaving him like blood leaves a wound.
A swift smack was Shukaku's reply. "Oh shut up you crazy Raccoon. He isn't our Father!" Gyuki shouted at the crumbled yokai. He loved doing that. With a sigh, he turned back to the boy, the child was curious now, but still wary. "Calm down boy, I'm not going to hurt you or your friends." Gyuki spoke with a wave of the hand. "What about Old Lady Aijo?" Naruto said still ready and willing to fight if need be.
"Yes, yes her too. I was testing you Brat." Gyuki said, rolling his eyes. Young upstarts these days. "I wanted to see if you had the same resolve as the one you remind me of. Fair enough to say, you do. Which may answer a few questions me and the other Council of Nine members have wondered for years." Gyuki approached the table with a stiff limp, his cane clacking along the way. "Come sit down you two, its time for some truths." His deep voice called after he sat at the far end of the table.
"Yasaka-chan, I believe you where about to tell them the truth of the creation of yokai." Gyuki spoke calmly his tone far kinder than when he had entered, pouring himself a drink from the flask in his kimono. He was gonna need to be really drunk for this conversation, and nothing beats good vodka imported from Russia.
As the two boys, well boy and one seeming immortal, sat down, Yasaka spoke again. "Ah...if you're sure Lord Ni-Ban..." "Bah, don't call me that made up last name if we're gonna be telling the truth." Gyuki grumbled, swigging another drink from his flask.
"Right...Uncle." Yasaka smiled slightly, he may drink a lot, but she did love her uncle. "Right, as I was saying, The royal family has only had three generations. Yokai actually came about from a great battle, but not in the way you think. See a few thousand years ago, a man holding Nine tailed beast in his spirit was fighting a great Goddess, they where cast from their original world and in to the Dimensional Gap. As the final blow was struck and the god defeated, the man fell into this world mortally wounded." Yasaka paused, she could see the gears turning in Sirzechs head, as confusion mounted on Naruto's. The girls where once more in awe of what they where being told.
"With the last of his strength, the man use a few of his powers in combination and set the Spirits of the Nine beasts free, creating the first Yokai. The nine warriors from the myth and current Council of Nine. The only one not being around anymore would be Kurama-sama, my grandmother. She perished during the war between Heaven, fallen angels, and devils, helping the Biblical God seal the Trihexa, a beast of cataclysm that sought to end the world during the conflict. My Grandmother died from her wounds." Yasaka spoke solemnly at the end, casting her eyes to the painting Naruto had looked at earlier.
Gyuki hung his head and sipped at his vodka while shadows covered Shukaku's eyes. They hated being reminded of this part of their lives. It would always be a dark spot on their souls. Naruto looked at the two and grasped Shukaku's shoulder in a sign of solidarity, he wouldn't let his friend suffer alone.
"That's...incredible." Sirzechs spoke lowly. "...but how does that explain such a short royal line?" he continued, he could read the mood but this...this information was game changing! He needed the truth! This could lead the Yokai and Devil factions to a peace never seen before!
A deep sigh was heard from Gyuki as all eyes turned to him. "When the man that held us lay dying, he had to work fast. He didn't just breathe life into new bodies for us, he legitimately remade us. We where no longer tailed beasts. We where in affect part human. We ever received portions of his powers, along with ones we had before. He wasn't perfect though. He was just a man, dying and in a rush. As you can see from Shukaku and myself, we weren't all made the same. Shukaku was made a young boy, me an old man. Kurama, well HE was turned into a woman and given our creator's abilities on a much larger scale. She also gained his heart, the way he felt emotions. In the 20 seconds of being reborn, Kurama fell in love with the man that had held her prisoner for 17 years. It took Matabi-chan and Goku-kun days to convince her to bury the body. She didn't stop crying the whole time." He took a heavy swig of vodka.
"After she finally calmed down, weeks later, we set out on making the area around his grave our home, soon enough people started showing up, some to kill the foul new beasts" Gyuki spit that term out like it where acid, "and some to just settle down." He got quite after that.
"It was Onee-chan that convinced us to allow these people in. Help them build a village and place to live. She had changed since fathers death, hurt, but looking on the brighter side of things when ever possible," Shukaku spoke up, "She said, our Father would help the people that needed it. That we should do it since he couldn't anymore. When we heard of the war taking place in the supernatural world, she was the first to jump to the aid of those that needed it. Deserters, drifters, those broken and without a way home, she took them all in and tried to help them. With Fathers Creation Of All Things, she could heal even the most gravest of wounds. As she become more adapt at using it, she unlocked strong and stronger uses for it. Eventually..." Shukaku trailed off, tears shining in his eyes at recounting the wonderful person Kurama had become, dragging them kicking and screaming along with her. Emotions really sucked.
"She learned to create life." The voice shocked everyone. Naruto had pieced it together. The shock clear on his own face. "Got it in one kid." Gyuki relented. Nodding his head toward the blond. "When she found out what she could do, she was shocked as well. It no small thing, holding the key to life in one's hands." Gyuki carried on. "See that ties into everything. The rest of us had already learned we could become parents naturally, have taken a number of partners to bed over the passing decades leading to many of the other yokai now running around, Kurama was the only one to remain untouched. She couldn't bring herself to love another man, or allow one close enough to lead to procreation. So she made a child with Creation Of All Things. It was a vain and selfish thing she did, but we didn't stop her. She had earned this gift, it was hers to use as she saw fit." Gyuki took another swig of his flask, leaning back into his chair.
"The boy Onee-chan made was like our Father in every way but power, though he was far from weak. Strong willed, kind, compassionate, and fierce in battle. We all adored him. He was of Us, you see. A pure Yokai, like his mother before him. We found out that Fathers Creation Of All Things would pass down like that, if the children where made in the same way. Little Kunou-chan is the first nine-tailed fox yokai born of two actual parents." Shukaku picked up. Looking at Yasaka with a hint of compassion, he knew this was a sore subject for her.
"My father took over as leader of the Yokai faction after grandmother died, and a few hundred I took the mantel from him, as he died in battle against a group of rouge fallen angel and exorcists. I have the ability to use Creation Of All Things, but no where near the scale of my grandmother and father, I fear I never will now that Little Kunou is here." Yasaka spoke her hands tight at the mention of her daughters circumstances of birth. How she hated Kunou's father.
"But...Where do I fall into all this?" Naruto chimed in, confused as all hell. All this information was so much. TO much. For someone so young. The trio of girls he met earlier where just as confused. It was Sirzechs that broke the barrier for them to understand.
"You shouldn't exist Naruto-san." The way Sirzechs said it was so cold. So final. Far more cruel than he meant it to be. "You are an anomaly. Something that shouldn't be but here you are. There are no other Nine-tailed foxes. No one for you to claim as parents. For all intents and purposes...you just appeared." He finished, eyes boring into the boy, watching as the lad's world slowly came undone around him.
"But that...who would...that can't..." Naruto couldn't form any sentences. He looked at those around him that might know and was shocked to find they couldn't meet his eyes. It was the truth. Naruto was an unknown to all of them. Gyuki and Yasaka held sorrowful grimaces, they knew this couldn't be easy on the boy, and Sirzechs just looked on, emotionless.
A loud clatter was heard as the chair Naruto had been occupied fell to the floor, the boy running out the large doors that lead to the room. No one moved to follow him, the younger girls all stunned at the revelation, and the adults all stuck in their own thoughts.
"You didn't need to be so cold about it, Brat." Gyuki spoke to Sirzechs, he had wanted to ease the boy into it, especially if what he thought was true. "He is just a kid."
Sirzechs hung his head in shame, he knew he had been far more harsh then he meant to, but this was huge. A nine-tails with no ties could shift the balance of power in their world forever. "I'm sorry My Lord's and Lady...I...I spoke to soon." He hung his head, this was usually when Grayfia would smack him, but she had left before Gyuki even showed up to make some supper for the children.
Yasaka sighed. Today was a really rough day for everyone. This had been a closely guarded secret from EVERYONE. Only the current leader of Yokai, their child, and the Council of Nine, where privy to this information.
"My Lord." A soft voice spoke up, drawing eyes to the young white-haired cat yokai. "If I may be excused to find Naruto...I can't say I know what he's going through...but I do know what it means to be lost." Her voice was blank of emotion, but the elders in the room could see the un-shed tears in her eyes, it made Sirzechs wonder, as he nodded his assent. The young girl ran out of the room at a sprint.
"Why did you let her go?" Yasaka spoke, confused, how could one so young even hope to help?
"That was Koneko Toujou, my dear sisters rook. You may now her as Shirone, younger sister to the infamous criminal Kuroka and last surviving member of the Nekoshou Massacre. That is what brought me here in the first place. I had hoped we could talk over the punishments to be handed down to the devils involved in the incident, but now, I can see that is far from the most important matter." Sirzechs leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face with both hands. Today had been a long day. When he moved his hands, a glass filled with clear liquid sat before him. Turning he saw one before Shukaku and Yasaka as well. Gyuki was filling a glass of his own.
"It has been a rather long day, I say we settle this here. Kill the devils, construct a law protecting other yokai in territories under your rule, then we sign a peace treaty." Gyuki's voice filled the room, all eyes on him "After young Koneko-chan gets back with Naruto-san, we will decide on how to handle his situation. For now, we could ALL use a drink." With that said Gyuki raised his glass in toast, before knocking it back.
"Here, here." where his only replies.
~~~~SCENE BREAK~~~~(A.N. You guys have no idea how bad I wanted to cliff this right here)
Naruto ran hard. He ran as fast and far as he could, he wanted to get away. NEEDED to get away. He didn't think, didn't stop until his legs screamed and his lungs grew weak.
He screamed as he fell to the ground, tears of frustration and confusion falling down his face. He threw a fist into the unforgiving earth. Then again, and once more. It didn't make sense dammit! People don't just appear! What was going on!
The words from the king of hell kept playing through his head. 'Shouldn't exist.' Was that what he was? A mistake?
Curling his knees to his chest Naruto cried, hot bitter tears. That's it. He was a mistake. An Anomaly. Something inherently wrong. Sobs racked his small form, as he sat under the evening light, a tree at his back.
He had made it out to the far garden of the shrine before he broke down.
He never heard the small figure approaching him. "Hey Mister! Mister Hey!" A small voice called to him, dragging his face from his legs. It was a girl. A little girl of about six. She had nine fluffy tails and two golden ears on her head, her eyes the same gold as Yasaka, though her face was much rounder. Her gold hair was tied in a short pony tail, and like the older fox before her, she wore a small miko outfit. Did everyone have one of those?
"Are you okay Mister? Momma says when people cry it's cause their hurt, and being hurt is bad. Are you hurt? I'm not good at healing, but Momma is, Maybe she can heal you? I think shes in meeting right now, but she usually doesn't get TOO mad when I go in. And if it's to help someone she won't be mad at all!" The girl rambled on, well, she was excitable, Naruto had to give her that.
"Is your name Kunou?" Naruto asked as he whipped his cheeks and eyes. Wouldn't do to see a boy cry in front of a little girl.
The girl's eyes sparkled. "WOOOW! How did you do that? Are you magic? Can you read minds!? Can you teach me!?" The little girl bounced up and down, the sleeves to he haori waving about as she happily asked question after question. Naruto chuckled, this is why he helped with the other kids at the orphanage, always so chipper and amazed.
Think about his time at the Orphanage immediately soured his mood. Something the little girl noticed with ease. "Mister are you okay?" She asked as she stepped closer and reached for one of his hands.
Naruto took a quick step back, fear racing through him. Why was he afraid?
The girl looked him over once more before her eyes widened in shock. 'Ears! Tails!' Kunou thought in wonder. He had ears and tails like her and Momma! He only looked a little older than her, so in her mind there was only one possible conclusion.
"NIISAN!" It took all of three seconds for Naruto to realize what happened, as he looked at the sky. Wasn't he just standing?
You see, Kunou had been raised her whole life as an only child, with never much time to play with other children, and all she had ever wanted was a brother or sister to spend time with. Seeing someone she had never met before, that looked so much like her mother, well an animal can tell when one of it's own is near by.
Naruto looked down at the girl hugging his chest in pure confusion. She was so small, how did she knock him off his feet? He awkwardly patted the chatting girl on the head as she rambled about brothers and games and Momma telling fibs.
That's when Naruto caught on to what she was saying. She thought he was her lost brother, finally coming home. On one hand Naruto was kinda touched, that this little girl would care for such a complete stranger warmed his heart, on the other, he was also worried, that could be dangerous for the little girl as well.
Naruto sat up from the dirt, "Kunou-chan, why are you out here all alone? It's almost dark out." He asked, shouldn't the next head of yokai have a keeper or body guard? Something?
"I snicked away from Old Man Yottsunome. I like being in the garden as the sunsets cause the flowers are super pretty!" Kunou replied cheekily, take that Old Man! Making her do stupid chores all day!
"That's not safe Kunou. What if someone took you or hurt you? Wouldn't Momma be upset?" Naruto felt weird calling Yasaka that, but it would help make a point to the little girl.
"Yeah I guess..." The young girl looked down, "But Big Brother is here now! So he'll fight all the meanies and protect me." The little girl nodded, grinning brightly at the older blond. Well it wasn't a lie, Naruto would protect her, but not because he was her perceived brother. Who would protect a little kid? "Nii-chan...why where you crying earlier?" Kunou spoke softly.
Naruto sighed, this was the hard part. "I got some upsetting news...I just needed to clear my head a bit but there is something you need to know." He braced himself, this would suck. "Kunou-chan, I'm not your brother. I'm not anyone's brother. I may have ears and tails like you, but...I shouldn't actually be here." He spoke lowly, trying to ease the girl into the truth. "As far as everyone else is concerned, I'm a mistake." he looked away from the young charge. The words stung him even more now, coming from his own mouth.
Silence engulfed the garden.
"That's dumb." Was the reply. Making Naruto snap his head back to the girl with wide eyes. "Momma says that anyone with ears and tails are family. That everyone is important and here for a reason. There are no mistakes." Kunou spoke, nodding her head sagely, for all the wisdom a six year old could have.
Naruto looked at the girl, really looked at her. He couldn't see any judgment. No uncertainty. As far as this girl cared, he was family. He was her Big Brother. The grin that spread across his face was as bright as the sun, soon matched by Kunou as she saw what her words had done. Naruto quickly hugged the girl while laughing, causing her to laugh along side him.
Koneko arrived in the garden a few minutes later, she saw a young blond girl chasing our hero around the grass, shouting about catching him and making him it, 'That must be Lady Kunou, Yasaka's daughter.' Koneko had to smile, it was a very touching scene.
"Naruto-san." She called out causing the Blond Boy a moment of distraction, which little Kunou capitalized on.
One mess of limbs, a duo of OW!, and a single cloud of dust later, Koneko sweat dropped. She...hadn't meant to do that.
"uh Hey Koneko-chan...whats up?" Came Naruto's strained voice. His ribs hurts. A lot.
"Lord Lucifer sent me to find you and make sure you're okay..." Koneko spoke in a monotone, even as she grinned as the two blonds untangled themselves and stood up, brushing the dirt and grass from their clothes.
"Ah...uh thanks for...worrying." Naruto was unsure. Not many people worried about him, so this was still kinda outside his realm of familiarity. He walked toward Koneko, or planned to, but a tug on his hand halted his advance. He cast his eyes behind him to see Kunou grasping his sleeve, her eyes gazing at Koneko uncertainly.
"Naruto turned around and knelt before the little girl. "Hey, it's okay Kunou-chan, this is a...friend of mine. Her name is Koneko-chan, she's going to accompany us back to your mom, okay?" Naruto spoke with a soft smile, his free hand ruffling Kunou's hair lightly. "...can...can I hold your hand?" Kunou replied softly, looking down as her feet played in the dirt.
Naruto's smile widened. "Of course you can...Imoto-chan."
Koneko watched as the little girl's eyes widened, a massive smile and small blush on her face at the familial title. It was kinda cute, seeing the way the girl chattered animatedly to the older blond. He was really good with kids, Koneko decided.
"Okay Koneko-chan, I'm ready to go. Lead the way." Naruto said as he approached the girl with snow colored hair. His grin was only slightly hollow, he was still dreading hearing any more from the adults gathered in that meeting room.
~~~~SCENE CHANGE~~~~
Naruto, Koneko and Kunou arrived out side the meeting room in just a few minutes. Naruto hadn't run very far off.
Naruto stood before the closed meeting room doors, trepidation thick in his stance as he prepared to knock. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. The small squeeze of his hand from Kunou helped, but still this was no easy thing to face. Deciding to just get it over with like one removes a band-aid, Naruto knocked on the door and opened it slowly.
All heads turned at the sounds, and all eyes took in the three now in the door way. "Welcome back Naruto-san, Koneko-chan...Who is this with you?" Sirzechs spoke, trying to sound kind, the last thing he need was to make the boy upset again.
"Hello! I'm Kunou! This is my Big Brother!" The little girl shout, all eyes immediately focused in on Naruto, most in confusion, two in amusement.
"Kunou dear, I told you, you don't have a brother..." Yasaka spoke, hopeful to nip this in the bud before it became to much of a hassle, this boy might not even be able to stay here for goodness sake.
"But he has ears like Momma, and tails like Momma, so that means he is a yokai, so that means hes family." The little girl spoke with finality, nodding her head, before her eyes landed on Gyuki. "Grandpa!" Kunou was immediately at the old Bull's side. Trying to climb into his lap, she hadn't seen Grandpa in ages!
"Haha, she told you there Yasaka-chan." Gyuki chuckled as he helped the young kitsune into his lap. Kunou always was an affectionate one. "Kunou, there is someone here I would like you to meet." Gyuki said he pointed to Shukaku, "This is my brother Shukaku, he is your Great-Grandmothers little brother as well." Stars where a weak candle compared to the little girl's eyes. SHE HAD MORE FAMILY!
Shukaku had gone missing some time after Yasaka's father passing on, so he had never had the chance to meet Kunou. He moved from his seat to stand beside Gyuki's chair, kneeling and getting eye level with the girl. "Hello, Shukaku is Shukaku, I am very happy to meet my family." His tone was soft, along with the smile on his face. Well, that is until the little girl hit him like a train in a tackle, her arms around his neck hugging the life out of him.
"Grandpa! If he is as old is you why does he look the same age as Nii-chan?" Kunou shouted over her arms as she hugged her new family.
"It's magic Kunou-chan." Came the reply. No need to confuse the poor girl more. "Anyway, on to more pressing matters, Naruto." Gyuki waved a hand, beckoning the boy forth. "What is it you want to do from here. You have no ties, and own allegiance to no faction. Any would be happy to accept you."
Yasaka wanted to speak up, really she did, but her Uncle would tan her hid if she interrupted. Kunou seemed really taken with this boy, she didn't want to just send him off. She knew the pecking order though, even she had to answer to the Council of Nine.
"Well Gyuki-sama...I'm...I'm not sure. I still don't know anything about where I come from, and it's not like I can stay here..." Naruto spoke quietly. He liked Kyoto, and Kunou, But even he could see what trouble would come from having a random Nine-tail appear.
"And why not?" Yasaka spoke quickly, a plan forming in her mind. "What if you could stay here?" She shot Gyuki a pleading look, begging him to let her make her point. The old Bull huffed, but did nothing else.
"Well, I'd love to stay. I can learn more about yokai here than anywhere else right? It would give me a space to train, I could hang out with Kunou and I could still see Shukaku." Naruto said "But how could I? Couldn't this lead to trouble for you Yasaka-sama?" he finished, scratching his head.
"Indeed it could. All manner of rumors could surround Yasaka-chan, which may lead to infighting in our faction, maybe even revolution as other yokai see her position as ruler weak. They may try to convince Naruto to take rule and treat him like a puppet king." Gyuki spoke. He knew what Yasaka wanted to do, but was she willing to actually say it.
"He can take a place on the Council of Nine." The words brought silence to the chamber. Gyuki grunted in affirmation, knowing the whole time.
"But...Yasaka-sama, isn't that place reserved for a member of the royal family?" Sirzechs interjected. He didn't want to make waves, but this was unprecedented. An unknown given such a high seat of power?
Yasaka looked at Sirzechs, she knew he meant well, but this was the only way for things to go the way she wanted. She'd never hear the end of it if Kunou's new "Nii-chan" was forced to leave. "That is true, but as far as we know, Naruto may very well be a pure yokai, the seat was left open after my Grandmother passed, my father believing it to much power for one person to hold. The Council of Nine was to temper the leader of Yokai, not be swayed by them. If Naruto took the seat after being trained, Kunou could still become Ruler with little a fuss made."
"And who would train him?" Gyuki spoke, his eyes demanding she show her resolve. Where was the strong girl he watched grow up. Make him believe in this boy.
"I will if need be. I'll have the best tutors train him. I'll make him my assistant to watch the daily going-on's of our people if need be, I will make him the best damned Council men and Warrior ever." There was a fire in Yasaka's eyes as she spoke.
The Council of Nine where the nine strongest Yokai, being both a fighting force when things got fucked up beyond belief, and a place the leader and lower councils of yokai could come to to settle a matter of internal politics. They where the top of the top in all things internally handled. Though there use was limited at the worst of times, simply because there wasn't a real need, they helped train and teach the leader of Yokai for a reason.
Naruto was stock still. "Yasaka-sama! I can't accept such an honor! I'm...I'm no one, and I come from nothing! This...This is way to much. I'm only ten!" He looked ready to bolt after his triad.
Let it be known ten year-olds do NOT handle mass amounts of pressure well.
"But you won't be forever." Gyuki intoned. He was sold. This boy was bound to be part of great things. It reminded him of the stories Kurama once told as well. A boy that came from nothing to being a lynch-pin of peace. Oh he would definitely help this boy. "Myself and the rest of the council shall help mold you. By the time you take up your place on the council, you will be more than ready." The grin on Gyuki's face was shared by Shukaku, Kunou, and Yasaka.
Sirzechs and his sister's group watched on stunned. They where watching history in the making! This would send ripples through the underworld! "I for one thing it's a marvelous idea." Sirzechs spoke, drawing eyes to his form. "This will mean no one has the right to Question Kunou when she rises to power, Naruto receives his purpose in life, and the yokai faction have two powerful members to settle matters in the future." Oh yes this was a great idea! With TWO Nine-tailed foxes, NO ONE would threaten the yokai, which meant he could better deal with the unrest in his own fation at the yokai turned into devils! It was perfect.
"Well Naruto, what do you say?" Yasaka asked the boy calmly. She would convince him if need be, but it's polite to ask.
Naruto looked around the room, seeing the approving faces of everyone in there. What tore it was the hope in Kunou's. How could he turn away from his Imoto-chan? With a sigh, he slumped his shoulders. "...Fine. I'll do it. But you have to promise me something." Naruto said quickly. If he was gonna be coerced, he may as well as get something out of it.
"Name it." Spoke the Kitsune Ruler.
"I want you Lord Lucifer to help find my friends from Trinity, they have been missing for a week now, and it didn't sit right with me leaving, and Grandma Aijo CAN'T be punished for not telling anyone about me." Naruto knew where his priorities where. Family and friends first, everything else after.
"Done." Spoke Sirzechs quickly. He could make all of that happened, no reason to tell the boy he had planned to any way, he like Aijo, she always gave Rias a hard time when they stopped by. "I may call on you in the future for a favor Young Lord. Things are happening in my faction I am not a fan of." Sirzechs spoke as he rose from his chair, his sister and peerage following, meeting Koneko by the door.
"Yeah yeah." Came the boy's reply.
Like he said everything else later.
A.N. Jesus Fucking Christ. 11,798 words. That's the most I've ever written. All in about 7 hours two, so not bad. Now then, some of you will notice I started using certain Japanese add-ons and words. This is gonna continue, nothing major, usually just the formalities and familiarities on names, so don't lose your shit. I rounded up a couple questions here in this chapter and I'll kick off with canon in the next chapter or two, so be ready. At this time there is no set pairing for relationships, mostly cause DXD makes a cluster fuck of it with a harem. So I'll put a poll up later to see what you guys want. I'm pretty sure I tied up most the plot holes I constructed in this chapter, and will make and seal up more moving forward, so let me know if I miss any. I don't have a beta reader, so I'm accepting volunteers. Shout out to the guys on the comment board, love the positivity, along with the 153 followers and 93 favorites. Barely a week in and you guys are killing me with love. Its awesome! See ya next time!