Between preparing for grad school, moving, and general trouble with this chapter, I am glad to finally post this chapter. I don't really feel it is up to snuff, but instead of letting it sit on my hard drive forever and never posting it, I chose to just forge ahead and post. Given my schedule, I just need to know when to curb my desire to keep editing things.
Thanks to everyone who posted reviews. They brought me back to the computer when I didn't particularly want to edit this chapter.
The Path between Humans and Demons
Chapter 4: The Coming Storm
"Fox King," Madara greeted with a theatrical bow. His tone was snide and condescending, displaying the Uchiha's arrogance as was usual.
Naruto didn't let his guard down for a minute. Every second around this maniac was an opportunity for him to strike, and every nerve was telling him to move, to run away from this monster of a man. His pride, and his desire to protect his village, kept him there. Standing in front of the gates of Konoha barring entrance to his village's worst enemy. "Madara. I would have prepared a welcome, but you can see we're sort of busy right now."
From behind came the sounds of fighting. Of those fighting for their lives and the freedom of Konoha's people. Konoha was burning in the flames of war.
"Konoha will fall, Naruto." Madara said softly, as if talking to a child. "You fight for an idea that should have died with bHashirama. You and your people don't need to die here. If you come quietly, all that will be lost is this land. They will have their place in my new world. Their life for yours. Isn't that what a good Hokage would do? Give his life to save his people?"
Naruto snarled. At his side, two large, two-tailed, foxes came into being, their fur raised as they growled at their opponent. "Every man and woman here today chose to fight to protect our will of fire, Madara. Even if you destroy the village, we will fight you at every turn, interfere in every one of your schemes, just to stop your madness. We will fight for the freedom of those precious to us, and you can't stop that."
The man began to laugh and applaud. "A wonderful speech, Hokage-dono! Yet still so very deluded." Reaching up to remove his mask, Madara slowly let his face come into view. The man was mad, the disease of his mind showing in his eyes, the mangekyo sharingan swirling at a dizzying pace. Naruto met his eyes, refusing to show fear. The seals across his own face flashing brightly as they worked to combat the sharingan's treacherous power.
"You think your shinobi, your so called friends, will make a difference. By bringing them here, you only help me."
A scream rang out from behind Naruto and though he knew he would regret it, he turned to see from whom the horrible sound issued. When he caught sight of the village gates, he felt his blood go cold.
And then he screamed. Full of rage and pain, joining the voice behind him.
Naruto shot up in his bed, tearing away the sweat covered sheets.
A dream. It was just a dream. He was no longer in Konoha. Madara was long dead, and he couldn't hurt anyone anymore.
But he could still hear the screams in his head.
Bringing his knees up, he rested his head between his legs, trying to control his shaking. He didn't even notice the sun rising until his alarm went off.
"The trick is to use layered illusions if you want to fool someone. Once they think they've beaten your illusion, you spring the second part of the trap on them. Remember, a trap is best set when the other person thinks there is a touch of danger. If they don't sense any danger, they will be ready for the worst. Too much danger, and they will work to circumvent your illusion entirely."
Naruto looked at Kurumu-chan, sizing her up for a moment. Frowning, he tried to forgive the fact that she was hardly paying attention to him. "Come on, Kurumu-chan. What would you do if fighting an opponent faster than you?
The succubus groaned, looking up from her homework. "Naruto! When you asked me to explain the abilities of a succubus, I didn't want to sit here hearing about how to best use them in a fight! I can't even use illusions yet! Now, I have to do my homework before Nekonome-sensei gets here, and you're bothering Tsukune. Right Tsukune?" She smiled brightly at the boy, looking to him to try and get her some peace to do her work.
Instead, Tsukune shook his head. "Actually, I find this kind of interesting." The boy scratched his head, looking sheepish at Kurumu-chan, who was looking betrayed. "I mean, we get to learn what you're capable of. And with all the trouble we've been getting into lately, its nice to know what we can do to try and keep everyone safe."
Kurumu-chan sighed, "Boys..." Turning back to her homework, she moved her desk to face away from Naruto, showing she wasn't interested anymore.
Naruto was about at the end of his patience with Kurumu. He was trying to help and she was worried about some stupid homework assignment. "Silly me, I thought you might want to learn how to not rely on Moka-chan all the time. I guess I was wrong."
Kurumu spun around, narrowing her eyes furiously. "Excuse me," she hissed. "I can get along just fine without her in a fight. And at least she helps us. You just stand there acting like you're so much better than the rest of us. I bet you would let your friends get hurt just so you can step in and play the hero!"
CRACK!
Standing up, he let the piece of his desk that he had torn off drop to the floor, ignoring the shocked look in Kurumu's eyes. Maybe she realized she had gone too far, or she was worried about his reaction. Either way, he wasn't in the mood to talk to her right now. Making his way out of the classroom, he didn't even acknowledge Nekonome-sensei as he passed her coming into the room.
Naruto reached into his pocket, his training taking over as he hid the motion from the person behind him. Pulling out a kunai, he waited for the right moment before casually flicking the kunai over his shoulder. Judging by the sound of the kunai hitting dirt, and the sharp intake of breath, he had hit his mark and come close to the intruders feet.
"Hehehe. You need to work on your aim, Naruto-kun. Though, if I were you I wouldn't try that again. Attacking teachers is a serious crime here."
The ninja looked over his shoulder, not really worried about what Ishigami-sensei had to say. She was one teacher he had a hard time getting along with. There was just something about her that didn't seem right. She had a smell of blood and snakes around her all the time. Kind of like Anko, but without the good kind of crazy that made Anko fun to be around.
In a way, Ishigami made him think of what a love child between Orochimaru and Deidara would turn out like. She really did sport that 'lock away your children' style of creepiness, and was way too obsessed with her art.
He had been subtly keeping Tsukune and the rest from being alone with the art teacher. Something told him that it would be a bad idea to leave Ishigami alone with Kurumu or Moka-chan. Not that people like Kurumu could appreciate the gesture.
"Don't worry, I wasn't aiming for you. I know not to stick my kunai in crazy people."
The woman's eyes narrowed, and Naruto smirked when he felt her killing intent spike. Maybe it wasn't the brightest of ideas to pick on a monster, but he was in a bad mood, and feeling petty. Finally, she managed to get out a laugh, trying to act like she didn't care about his taunts. "Such a witty child. Just be glad that the headmaster wants to see you, boy. Otherwise there would be a detention waiting for you. Maybe next time I can teach you to appreciate my art."
"Right," Naruto said, already deciding that if that ever happened he would just not show up. No way he would let himself be alone in a room with this woman.
Getting up, he walked until the teacher was out of sight, and shunshined his way towards the headmasters office.
Naruto slid into the shadows of the headmaster's office.
He knew from sending the letter about Nagare, that the headmaster was not as skilled a sensor as he first believed. When he had been discovered in the cave, he had been worried that he would be under watch by a keen eye. For all Naruto knew, the robed man was excellent when sensing youki. But so far it seemed that chakra was harder for monsters to detect, and he had managed to get away with more than he had first anticipated.
Most likely, human energy was probably a foreign concept to monsters, so much so that they never thought to look for it. Killing intent would probably show up just fine, but he wasn't about to experiment.
"Hello Uzumaki-san," the man said, not looking up from his work. "Please take a seat."
The ninja blinked. Looking around, he saw small symbols glowing in the corners of the room, and Naruto figured the old man had taken precautions against anyone sneaking in on him again. Shrugging, he accepted the change and sat down on a high wooden backed chair in front of the desk. While there was a more comfortable looking chair nearby, he had chosen this one so he could move quickly in case of anything. He didn't trust the so called Exorcist, and he wasn't going to be caught flat footed if something did come up.
Jiraiya would have been proud of him, finally thinking these sorts of things through. In the last ninja war, it had become important for him to watch out for betrayal at every turn.
The headmaster finally looked up from his work, his face hidden in shadow as he examined Naruto. "I'm glad you could join me on such short notice."
"I didn't exactly have a choice in the matter, did I?"
The man leaned forward, steepling his fingers as he smiled. "No, I suppose not."
After a long emotionally draining day, Naruto wasn't feeling up to the back and forth banter. "What do you want now, Exorcist?"
The robed man chuckled, and Naruto frowned. The man had a cold humorless laugh, reminding him of Danzo when he thought he had finally cornered an opponent. Just hearing it made Naruto distrust the headmaster even more, but he held the feeling in check. After dreaming of Konoha, he was drawing far too many connections to his old life, and he had to try and recenter himself.
"You've done your research, I see. A very good thing for a boy in your situation. In a new school, unsure of what to do, you took the most logical course and familiarized yourself with the place and its people. My teachers have seen you visiting all parts of campus, and I must say that only makes me believe more in your skills."
"All I've done is try and get used to the school," Naruto countered. "Now would you please get to the point? Or can I go?"
The Exorcist didn't seem bothered by his impatience. "I have need of your skills, Uzumaki-san. Normally I would first try the carrot approach, but seeing as you seem to appreciate straight forward methods, you will be doing an errand for me. Doing so will mean the safety of your friends. And seeing as how you are so close to them already, I think it is safe to say you will agree to my terms."
Growling, Naruto shot to his feet, hands slamming down on the desk hard enough to crack the lacquered wood. He didn't care though, right now he was ready to tear that smug smile from his face. "You care to repeat that? I'd love to see who they get to replace you as headmaster."
The Exorcist smiled, and suddenly the room filled with the spiritual pressure of his youki. If Naruto had to guess, he would say it was every bit as strong as a sannin or even a kage back in his day. Still, he refused to back down to someone threatening his friends. "I chose you for your commitment to your friends," the headmaster began, "and so I will forgive the outburst. But I ask that you sit down so I can explain myself fully."
Naruto crossed his arms, remaining standing. "Go on," he said.
"Your friends are in no danger from me. However, for reasons that I will not share with you at this time, they are of interest to certain other groups in the monster world. It is my understanding that a high ranking member of this group will be visiting Japan soon. More specifically, they will be close enough to one of our portals into the real world that I cannot explain it as a coincidence. Are you understanding what I want you to do now?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes, "You want me to kill them, then. I'm sorry, but I'm not your hired assassin."
"Heaven's no," The Exorcist said, leaning back in his chair. "No, I wasn't asking that. Though I find it interesting that you would jump to that conclusion first. Not many would."
Naruto struggled to hide his grimace. The man before him had clearly played him. He had let his anger make him blind to the bigger game being played between them. He was an unknown factor, and any man in the headmaster's position would be searching for clues to what Naruto was capable of. And after going to such great lengths to hide his skills and powers from men like this, he couldn't afford screw ups like what just happened.
"Exorcist," Naruto began, "you run a school where I have seen my friends fight for their lives. On numerous occasions. This place seems to be filled with thugs and low lives. You shouldn't be surprised that I don't think you place a very high value on life." The once Hokage was proud with how he countered, deciding to go with the truth to cover his mistake. "So what the hell is it you want me to do?"
Making a humming sound in the back of his throat, the old man seemed to accept the topic change for now. "You have shown yourself apt when it comes to hiding. Not many can make it into this office without me noticing. I want you to go spy on this person, and report back to me with whatever they are planning. This way, you can also hear if they have anything planned for your friends. Now, isn't that a nice deal?"
Naruto sat there, trying to figure out what this man was playing at. On one level, he knew the headmaster was asking him to do this so he could understand Naruto's abilities better. The more important question, though, was what was going on outside the school. The headmaster seemed aware of something major happening, something just over the horizon.
And part of being a ninja was trying to ferret out the truth from any situation. If you couldn't figure out what was going on around you, you didn't stand a good chance to survive and learn what was going on when it was all over.
That left him with little choice but to help for now. And by going along with the headmaster's plan, he had the chance to get some valuable intel. The Exorcist knew he was feeding Naruto useful information, but right now that was the nature of their game. Each side had to give something up to learn more about the other.
"Fine," Naruto said. "Just give me whatever damn specifics you have, and I'll see what I can do."
Unrelated Omake!
(Adapted from a friend's NGE idea.)
Shinji eyed Sachiel, examining him for weaknesses. After a short moment, he turned back to the little scientists, scurrying about as they tried to figure out how to defeat this monster. Numbers were thrown about, and tense discussions of potential defenses were commonplace.
"I can kill it. Without the Eva," he said, keeping his words simple and clear so they could brook no misunderstanding.
They just stared at him in shock.
At times like this, Shinji wondered what idiot had put a bunch of scientists in charge of defending the world against hostile aliens.
"I can kill it," he said again. "Just give me climbing gear, three N2 mines, and some duct tape." He turned to smile coldly at the alien. "I intend to hit that bastard's big red button with the hammer of god."
There you have it! A lot of things going on here. Naruto's presence is slowly causing the original Rosario Universe to spiral away from canon. For good or for ill, changes are on the horizon.
And yes, I am going to keep you from knowing the full truth of the final battle for some time. Don't worry, I fully intend to reveal all in due time. For those of you who like epic fights, that will be one of them.
A note for future chapters. I realize that in the original universe, water is the bane of vampires. Now, while Naruto uses primarily wind and lightning in this story, as a Hokage, he certainly has the ability to use basic Water jutsu. I cannot think of a way that this ability would not overpower any vampire. I intend to have him fight smart, and as such, he would not ignore this advantage in battle. So I am limiting him, and saying water does not weaken vampires. Crossing open water is still taboo, as it is in some classic vampire stories, but regular water is just that.
Limiting his chakra had a point in the story. Removing the weakness to water is me just making an out for myself. Once you start mixing and matching Anime universes, it happens that you occasionally need to modify details.
I'm not sure when I will have time to start the next chapter. I start graduate school next week, and my time will be essentially cut down to nothing. I don't intend to drop the story, but I may not have as much time to toy with ideas and chapters.
And this is on top of the novel I am writing which takes far more time and editing than this.
Anyways, reviews are appreciated. They are the most sure fire way to get an author fired up to write something.
I am still looking for a beta to look over my work.
Peace!
~Ryl