A.N. Pretty much just a filler chap, so not critical to the actual story if you want to just wait for the next full update.
Naruto hadn't been expecting much upon his return home. The affairs at the Gremory Manor had been sorted beautifully, so, he had assumed everything would be a simple explanation away from being completely settled.
The blank look he was receiving from Koneko right now proved that to be false.
"As I told you Littl-"
"Two days." The Nekoshou interrupted, tone as flat as the line of her lips.
"I know, but Rias needed my help, I would have le-"
"Two. Days." The cat girl repeated. Naruto could see the slight redness around her eyes, and he knew she had been crying. He had been trying to explain where he had run off to, but the neko seemed too upset with the fact he left to care.
Naruto hadn't spent so much as a day away from the girls, even with his missions for the Devil Faction off and on throughout the years. The ability to teleport in literally a flash ensured that. Even on week long sorties, he usually situatied a temporary marker to teleport back to as he went home for the night.
Koneko was devastated by the fact that he had just up and left, and even if only slightly noticeable to the rest of the world, to him it was like a black mark on a white sheet.
Plain as day.
Naruto sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. Akeno has accepted his explanation without much protest, she was grateful for his actions, she hadn't been in the house anyway, still taking care of shrine duties, but Koneko was of a different sort.
Before she had connected with Rias, she had connected with Naruto. Rias was like a sister, someone she was glad to have in her life, that she would do anything for. Hell, she was even happy Naruto had gotten her out of some loveless marriage.
No, what upset her was the fact that he didn't say ANYTHING before leaving. Didn't come back to let her know what was going on.
Naruto was a life line for her, for all of them. And for two days, he had left her worried sick and alone. She hadn't even gone to school on the second day, simply because she couldn't figure out how she should act. Didn't want people to see her weak and emotional.
Belatedly, Koneko realized that she should be able to function without the blond at some point, but it had been so unexpected. She had hated it. Even now, she didn't know whether she should cry, scream at him, or just hug the blond for being okay.
Any options were taken from her when Naruto wrapped the young girl in his arm.
He felt like a grade A ass, but he wasn't sorry. Not in the least. He would drop everything for any one of the girls, and even if it hurt the others, he wouldn't abandon one of them when they were in pain.
From the wetting of his shirt, he thought Koneko at least understood that much.
"I'm sorry for not telling you. I was so focused on the issue...I got tunnel vision. I didn't mean to worry you." His soft voice caressed Koneko's ears and she felt tears leave her more rapidly.
He was an ass, Koneko was sure of that, but damnit if she didn't feel slightly better already.
"I promise I'll make it up to you. I swear." Naruto stared firmly as he let the girl go, keeping his hand on her shoulder.
He really should have said something. Asked Kurama to pass on a message at least.
Naruto was sure he'd be pissed too if someone he cared about just up and disappeared for almost fourty-eight hours.
"Y-you'd better." Koneko tried to sound firm, but the slight hiccup she released ruined it. Naruto just raised his hand and dropped it in Koneko's hair, ruffling it lightly.
"How about tomorrow I take you into town with me? I need to see Azazel about a replacement arm, I'll take you for some snacks okay?" The blond spoke with a grin. He was still a little bummed that he had made one of his girls cry, but he knew she would be happy to spend a day with him.
"But...school is-"
"I'll call the acedemy. I need to tell them something for my two day no show anyway, and Rias will need a pass too. It won't be a problem." Naruto cut off. He wasn't gonna give the girl an excuse. He was taking her into town, End if discussion.
Koneko let a small smile cross her face at the blond's insistence.
Naruto was an idiot, of that Koneko was sure, but damnit if she didn't love the man.
-KOQ-
"Hey Akuri. Yeah. Yeah I'm sorry about that. Family issues came up, I had to take Rias back to her parents to get it all sorted out. I understand. Yeah, I'll be in tomorrow. I need to take Koneko-chan to the doctor today." Naruto spoke into the house phone. The Headmaster of Kouh academy was very fond of him, and very easy to work with, small blessing that.
"Rias will be out as well, kind of a decompression thing. I'll make sure everyone is back on Friday. Of course. Thank you." While Akuri wasn't ignorant of the supernatural world, being a reincarnated devil himself, however Naruto knew a small form of decorum was still necessary in this moments.
Hanging up the phone, Naruto noted the time, a bright and early 6:47 am. Koneko and Rias wouldn't be up till at least 7, and Akeno was already in the shower getting ready for the day.
Maybe he should make pancakes.
Course of action decided, Naruto made his way to the kitchen. Rias would want to talk later, he was sure, and Koneko would appreciate something sweet to start the day. Now if he could only figure out why Akeno still insisted on acting the part of a shrine maiden, the last few days would all make some sort of sense.
All well, he could question her on it later.
-KOQ-
Rias awoke to a heavenly smell, it was light and like a kiss. A stretch and jaw cracking yawn was her response. It seemed Naruto was cooking again.
Naruto..
Rias' eyes snapped open and she set up suddenly. That's right! Naruto! That idiot!
Rias prepared to exit her room, stark naked, before she stopped. This was her room.
Her room. At home. In Kouh.
He had done it again, hadn't he? Saved her like usual.
Rias had to smile. How did he do it? Every time she was in trouble, any time she was upset, any time anything was happening, he was there.
'And not that unexpected if I'm honest.' Her mother's words replayed in her mind. Maybe she had a point. Naruto was like an unstoppable force. So kind and fair. Always doing anything he could to help.
He had taken Koneko's adorable wrath for her as well.
Rias gave a dreamy sigh, her hand laying over the swell of her breast. It wasn't fair damnit!
Maybe...maybe it was just time to accept it, and hope for the best.
Rias nodded to herself, decision made. For now however, she would get dressed.
Breakfast smelled great!
-KOQ-
Naruto hummed a quiet tune as he and Koneko marched along the many shops of Kouh market district. He had decided to take his Little Rone shopping for some sweets before seeing that old crow. Something to distract her while his replacement arm was being attached if nothing else.
"Let's go there Naruto-kun." The soft spoken neko pipped up. Her hand was pointed at a small cafe like store. The name was shown as Nemije Sweets.
Naruto simply altered his path, a small nod leaving him. He was fairly distracted himself, were he honest.
Koneko was acting...open.
Her voice was still quiet, and she still avoided greeting others...but he hadn't seen her smile like that outside of the house before. Even her steps were as light as a feather. Almost like a skip. It was a strange sight.
Not something he minded seeing though.
"You're in an exceptionally good mood Rone." Naruto spoke cheekily. The girl just bobbled along, happy and carefree.
"You've been very busy lately. I...all of us. We don't get to spend as much time with you as we use too." The neko spoke back, a small joy in her tone. Her hand tightened around Naruto's, a small squeeze back was her reward.
"Yeah I'm sorry about that. Hopefully things will quiet down for a while. I do miss taking you guys out." The blond replied.
It had been some weeks since their last little family outing hasn't it. Maybe he should look into a vacation or something.
A chime announced their entrance to the sweet shop. A greeting of "Good Morning!" reaching the duo. The clerk looked up from the clip board in his hand, back facing the counter and taking inventory.
"Well go on, grab what cha like." The blond spoke, chuckling lightly as Koneko ran into the store, wide eyed and bushy tailed.
He'd say it was like a kid in a candy shop, but that would be a bit on the nose for the poor Neko.
"Taking care of the little sister?" The clerk asked as Naruto approached the counter.
"Ah something like that. I made her pretty upset by disappearing for a couple days. Promised to make it up to her. It was either this or a rap concert." Both men shudder at that.
Love the girl, but she had the strangest taste in music.
"I know how that can be." The brown haired clerk replied, a slightly amused smile on his face. He turned his back and continued his previous count.
"You guys take card right? I'm not sure if I have enough cash on hand." Naruto's voice reached him.
"Oh yeah. Though I can't imagine it'll be that much." The clerk replied, a simple wave of his hand.
"All ready to go? Sure you got all you want." The clerk heard. See? Not so bad was it?
Only to drop his clip board in shock as he turned around.
It was a mountain.
A literal mountain. Taller than the blond from the counter top easily.
"Wha...wha..."
"Yeahhhh Little Rone has a pretty gnarly sweet tooth. That's usually how it goes." Naruto nodded in understanding as the clerk shakily pointed a finger at all the treats.
Honestly it amazed the blond. This girl could pack junk food away and still look so small and lithe.
Oddities abound.
-KOQ-
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Naruto asked as he sat in the grass.
Koneko was curled up next to him, a happy little grin on her face, head resting in his lap.
They were in a small public park, just in the shadow of a tree.
The walk to the park hadn't been far from the town market, but all the same Koneko was determined to get as much time in with Naruto as possible. He didn't have to see Azazel for another hour or two anyway.
"Um!" The neko replied with a nod, her head only momentarily loosing contact with Naruto's hand.
It looked a little odd, seeing an adult blond, with one arm, pet a teenage girl on the head like a house pet, but the park was mostly empty, so who could complain?
Koneko blocked out the world. She missed this. Before, when she was still young and new to the Gremory Family, Naruto would pet her head till she fell asleep. As she got older, those occurrence became less and less.
But not today!
Today was a day of head pats and cat naps Damnit!
So she relaxed, sunk into the hard muscle of Naruto's leg and let the soft breeze wrap her up, the sounds of birds and bugs and life and nature flow through her.
Naruto just chuckled and shook his head ruefully, shifting slightly to cover the newly emerged cat ears that set upon the snow colored hair of the teen.
Such a strange girl sometimes.
-KOQ-
Koneko hummed happily as she chewed on a candy bar. She and Naruto were currently in a fairly seedy hotel, but she didn't care. Today had been awesome!
Junk food! The park! Even a nap in the sun! Today was the best day!
"Ouch! Watch it asshole!" Naruto shouted, yanking his left stump back from the Governor-General.
"Well sorry! This shit is difficult! How the hell did you sever these cords anyway? Couldn't have been a knife." Azazel responded irritably. Damn scary blond's and their damn need for favors and limbs. He should be tapping some hot piece. But no. He was here, working on a dude.
Azazel froze for a moment, a shiver leaving him.
He needed brain bleach.
"Fuck! Azazel watch that damn soddening iron!" Naruto yelled once more.
The connections Azazel was working on connected directly to his nervous system, allowing light sensation through. It was like a molten pin prick every time that asshole attached a wire!
"The best day." Koneko said, once more grinning as she heard Naruto yell.
She may love him, but he deserved a little pain for her undo stress. Now she would forgive him.
"Son of a bitch!"
"Quite moving Dumbass and this will be done faster!"
Koneko hummed cheerily, another bite of chocolate devoured. "The. Best."
-KOQ-
"I'm glad you had fun at least." Naruto grumbled as he rubbed the faint line that separated flesh and metal. It still smarted a little, but nothing to major.
God he forgot how painful that could actually be.
"It's what you get for fighting Sirzechs-sama." Koneko replied cheekily. She waved a flavored lollipop at the blond with a teasing smile.
He made it too easy for her.
"Come on, you know why I did that. Don't I already feel bad enough about it without you egging it on?" Naruto spoke with a pout.
While he still wasn't pleased with how he had acted, he had already apologized, and the Maou had been all too forgiving. Not much more to be done for it.
"Maybe, but you DID leave me alone for two days. I could have been hurt ya know." The girl shot back. There was no heat in her words. No anger or dissatisfaction. She had decided to forgive him already, she was only making a joke.
Even realizing that, Naruto stopped walking, drawing Koneko up short as well.
"Naruto-kun...?" The Neko asked.
"You're right..." The blond replied softly, eyes locking to the setting sun with a sigh.
He had avoided thinking about it too much, the things that could have occurred in his absence. What could have happened to Koneko? He knew the volatile situation taking place right now...she could have been in serious danger...
"I'm sorry Koneko-chan." Naruto spoke suddenly, making the girl jump at the completely unfamiliar way of address. He stared at her intently, eyes trying to convey the true nature of his apology. He had left her alone, in a quickly becoming hostile area.
He needed her to know how much of an idiot he thought of himself right now.
Koneko had a much different reaction to his words. He NEVER called her that.
"A-ah..it's...okay?" The neko replied, honestly confused. She felt like she missed a whole conversation. Koneko nervously looked at the blond, while she wouldn't tell him, she did love it when he called her that infuriating nickname of his...
Don't stop now! Today had been so good!
"Come on. Let's get back to the house. You do hav-"
"Please stop!" A shout cut the blond off, making the pair immediately take in their surroundings.
The both locked on to a girl, a teenager at most. She wore a flowing teal blue gown, almost black, a white veil with blue accents atop her head. She had her hands around the leather strap of a brown satchel, which was being pulled at by a burly man.
Naruto didn't even think before reacting.
"Hey asshole! Leave her alone!" The blond yelled, already half way to the girl's position.
The man swore loudly before taking off down the side alley a half dozen feet from him, Naruto in hot pursuit.
Koneko approached the girl, helping her to her feet from the position she had fallen in for the sudden break in tug-o-war.
"Are you alright?" The Neko asked, a small look of concern on her usually stoic features.
She was in a good mood, sue her.
"A-ah yes. Thank you..." The abbot adorned blond replied hesitantly.
It was a moment of awkward silence before Naruto exited the alley once more, a bruised and unconscious perp being dragged behind him.
"The girl okay Little Rone?" Naruto half shouted as he casually approached the duo, as if dragging a body behind oneself was normal.
A curt nod was his reply, and Naruto sighed. That was good. This city was getting more and more dangerous it seemed. Even for regular people.
"Well, I'm Naruto. This is Koneko, or as I call her, Little Rone. And I believe this is your attacker." Naruto said as he tossed the man forward, being rewarded with a weak groan.
Poor girl, she look petrified.
Maybe tossing an unconscious man at her feet wasn't the best conversation opener.
All well, he'd met people under awkward situations.
A.N. Yo guys! Sorry for the hella late update, my son just moved back state side so I've been all wrapped up in the adventures of a 4 year old. Woe is me. (not really)
Short little filler chapter here, like I said just some bonding time with Naruto and Koneko.
Next chap will fully introduce our favorite healer, so yay.
Now, I'm sure some of you are curious, but let me explain. After Naruto's and Koneko's day trip, only a week has passed since Naruto found Issei being tortured. Issei was rescued on Friday, Rias talked to her mom on Monday after school, Naruto fought Sirzechs Monday night, dealt with the Phenex family on Wednesday, got back home Wednesday night, replacement arm on Thursday.
At least, I think that's how it ironed out. I may be off a day.
Not much in the way of plot here, but it's to be expected, filler, all it is.
On a side note! I got an interesting PM the other day, and the message got me thinking.
Would anyone like to do a Reading Of: for this, or any other story I have going on right now? I am all for it and support that idea 500%. I have like four "rules" on my profile about it all.
Let me know!
Another update in a week or two, DarkStar Out!