Rating: M

Pairing(s): Naruto/Nezuko; Tanjiro/Kanao; Sasuke/Sakura; Shikamaru/Temari; Zenitsu/Ino; Inosuke/Aoi; Neji/Tenten; Giyu/Shinobu; Kakashi/Anko.

Genre: Romance; Horror & Gore; Drama & Some Angst; Shonen Jump Action; Humoresque.

Notes:

Hello everyone! Zancrowe here!

And here's another Chapter of my little crossover. Thank you guys so much for all the support, and a very special thanks to my dear reader Ultimate Black Ace for giving me such in-depth Reviews, which honestly help me a lot in my brainstorming phase when it comes to updating this story. And likewise, a huge thanks to you all for the reviews, because as I've said, they are the reason I can motivate myself to write more and more. Love you guys!

Habiendo dicho esto, a mi lector AILONKLAT, te tengo que pedir que por favor dejes de estar pidiendo que yo actualice esta historia en los Reviews de mis otras historias. No pienso dejar de escribir aquellas por que simplemente no sean de tu agrado. ¡Gracias!

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto; or, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.


Nezuko heard the soft knocking as if it were so far away she could make out but a whisper against the wood. She had long dozed off, against her very own wishes, against her worries, into a deep sleep that her body routinely demanded of her. She wasn't fond of this. She hated this dependency. Especially now, that her dearest brother, her friends Zenitsu and Inosuke, the sweet girl that she was sure had a thing for her brother and the other rude guy who despite that was a member of their squad and of course she'd protect, all needed to be saved.

She knew she could count on Naruto, she wasn't saying the opposite. Furthermore, if Naruto also trusted this Sakura girl she had just met as much as he did, well, then Nezuko had little doubt that she could probably trust her too. But she didn't want to leave the burden to just them. She didn't want to be there, sleeping away her injuries and fatigue while her brother and the others were still out there, lost and hurt or worse.

But sleep overcame her still. And she knew resisting was pointless, as her body craved two things. Sleep, and if not given that, blood. Blood and guts and skin and organs and everything her teeth could rip off a person and swallow into herself, and by any Gods imaginable, she refused that. She had already broken her vow, tasted the blood of this boy that had done nothing but helped them out as much as he could and then some.

Another knock, and it awoke her properly.

She was still groggy, still half asleep, but upon seeing her box opened, she slowly slid out, wondering if maybe, they were venturing forth to go and rescue her newfound family.

As she slid out of her box, her body slowly re-growing into the size a girl her age should be, she slowly glanced around the room she found herself in. No, not a room. More like an office, with chairs and a very big, fancy desk in the middle. The windows were closed, for her convenience she assumed, and upon catching sight of people she did not know she instinctively reached to her mouth, covering her small fangs with her hand, since she knew she lacked her bamboo piece or even the makeshift scroll Naruto had given her to replace it.

For the briefest moments she even felt a little amount of fear, surprising herself that she could feel that way and have it not be directed at the wellbeing of her brother or the others, but fear for her own being. Was she even worthy of self-preservation? Granted, were Tanjiro to hear her even utter such a thing he'd probably… well, he wouldn't hit her, he never did. But he'd likely stop patting her in the head for like a month, and that would break her twice as much than any smack on her bottom ever would.

But then, she heard him talk, and if there was a heart still beating in her, it dropped down from her throat and back to her chest upon hearing him right next to her.

"Hey, sorry to wake ya so suddenly," Naruto spoke up from right next to her, and she noted just how sleepy she was that she had not noticed him at all until he spoke up. "But, hey, these are the people I wanted you to meet. Granny Tsunade here can help us save Tanjiro and the others. Ain't that right Granny?"

Nezuko turned, her bright, pink eyes shifting from the blonde boy next to her to the elder woman by the desk, one of the two unfamiliar faces before her. The woman who sat before her, stern, calculative eyes examining her thoroughly, was a very beautiful and elegant blonde woman, with a piercing set of eyes and hands that looked both delicate and rough at the same time. Next to her, standing with a few files pressed to her person, was another woman, younger-looking, with short black hair, a worried expression on her face. Nezuko assumed Naruto meant the former.

"So she's the Demon Demon Slayer then?" Tsunade asked, after a brief examination of Nezuko that tensed the girl up a bit. "And here I thought I had heard of everything, but according to the… rather limited information Jiraiya has provided, the story does check out. The Corps back in Japan have accepted her into their ranks, rather informally and all that, but it does seem that for whatever reason, she has never once attacked a human and has been seen actively protecting civilians from other demons."

At this Nezuko tensed a bit more. Never once attacked? That wasn't entirely accurate. She attacked Naruto, drew blood even. And even before then, she had attacked Tanjiro, her own flesh and blood, something which could have escalated further had Giyu Tomioka not intervened and allowed her the chance to regain some control of her senses.

"Yep!" Naruto replied, all smiles like always. Nezuko couldn't help but turn to him again, her eyes showing a bit of her confusion. What were they doing here again? She… forgot. "And she's quite a fighter too! And like I told you, we took on some pretty heavy hitters down on that… staircase into hell or wherever it was we were in."

"Milady, are you sure it's safe to have her here, unrestrained?" Shizune asked, inching closer to the Fifth Hokage, who merely frowned at the words. She knew Shizune meant to offense by it, them being in the main office which was currently doubling as a research station for all the half-eaten bodies the kept finding and that somehow would still show some motor functions, since they were desperately trying to avoid a plague of some sort to break out if they were not utterly careful… or have less savory Shinobi learn of their current research. Unfortunately, by the glare Naruto gave, he clearly took offense to it.

"I told ya, she's harmless!" he barked back, which quickly caused Shizune to frown. Nezuko just looked on, her hand once more onto her mouth. Whatever it was they were hiding here, she could smell it, and it was both repulsive and alluring in equal measure. They were right to worry.

"Lady Shizune doesn't mean it like that," came another voice, a little softer than before, so it took Nezuko a moment to realize it belonged to the pink haired Kunoichi she had met earlier. Sakura took a few steps forwards, standing right next to Naruto, upon which Nezuko finally saw her. She really was sleepy. She didn't notice her either. "We have some very… delicate things in here," Sakura explained, her eyes briefly on Nezuko before she turned to Tsunade. "…But, Milady, I do agree with Naruto. Nezuko has been nothing but calm and adorably confused by this all. I see no reason to treat her harshly if even the Demon Slayer Corps, who should know a lot more about her condition than we do, treat her as one of their own."

"Yeah, what Sakura said!" Naruto added, arms crossed, pout fully erected. Tsunade just stared. Since when had these brats gotten so cheeky?

"…That is a good point," Tsunade just said, as Shizune just frowned but said nothing. It didn't help her case that as soon as she turned her attention to the "evil demon" in question, Shizune did not see a blood-thirsty beast, but rather, one of the most adorable young girls ever staring at her with such droopy eyes that it made the older woman just want to hug the hell out of her. "So," Tsunade continued, and by her tone, Nezuko immediately noticed how she was directing herself at her now. Her presence was… commanding, to say the least. "I still want to hear it from you. I'm Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage of the very Leaf Village you currently find yourself in. Care to try and explain your side of the story?"

Oh Gods, she was supposed to talk…

"Hey, Granny, come on, Nezuko is-" Naruto quickly jumped into her defense, his tone just as loud as usual. For whatever reason, this woman's massive amounts of intimidation were utterly ineffective against the blonde, and Nezuko was equally impressed and dumbfounded by it. But… she really didn't want to be an even bigger burden to him. So she took hold of his sleeve, making him pause mid-rant. "…Nezuko?"

"…I can… try," Nezuko voiced, doing her best to enunciate as properly as she could. Both Naruto and Sakura seemed to turn to her, both of them giving her looks of concern and, at the same time, encouragement. So who was she to fail them now? "…My name is… Nezuko K-Kamado," she introduced, and she felt like it had been years since she had spoken her full name outside of dreams. "D-Daughter of… of…"

Daughter of who?

She seemed to linger on her words for a moment, before her soft pink eyes widened in what looked like sheer fright. Naruto's brow furrowed for a moment, sensing her hesitation, confused as to why. Sakura looked on, equally confused, but her prediction regarding Nezuko's predicament was a bit closer to reality than Naruto's, who said: "Hey, Nezuko, you can trust Granny. No need to keep your folks a secret from-"

Nezuko then smashed her own fist into her own head, right into her forehead, strong enough to draw blood, causing the other four in that office to jolt in surprise, Naruto quickly reaching out to her, as did Sakura, while Tsunade and Shizune just stared, the former's eyes narrowed while the latter looked utterly shocked.

"Is she okay?" Shizune asked, turning to Tsunade.

"Nezuko, the heck?!" Naruto blurted out, hand on her shoulder. "Don't hit yourself like that! Sakura, can you-?"

"T-Tanjuro Kamado… and Kie Kamado," she forced herself to say, her eyes puffed, as tears mixed with blood, dripping slowly onto the floor. "Younger sister of Tanjiro-o Kamado, elder sister of Takeo Kamado, Hanako Kamado, Shigeru Kamado and-and R-Rokuta Kamado…" the crying girl took great pains to mention them all, her eyes slowly shifting into an outright glare into the nothingness that was the floor before she lifted her vision and addressed the Hokage properly, her body quivering but her stance firm. "…That monster… s-stole them from… us… But… I-I refuse to… forget them… I am… human… Thank you… for kindness… for helping us… Apologies for… condition…"

"Oh the poor dear," Shizune couldn't help but say, as she saw Sakura quickly rush, igniting her hands, and pressing her palm onto the bleeding girl's forehead. Nezuko turned, somewhat confused, as Sakura offered her a warm smile.

"Just giving you a little hand," Sakura assured. "Healing Jutsu. Not sure it works well enough on you, but might as well try, okay?"

Nezuko said nothing, but she nodded. Again, Naruto trusted this girl, so she would too. And no sooner had she done so, than she begun to feel not just her wound seal right up, which was going to happen regardless of the assist, given her condition, but even more than that, her utter exhaustion from the events prior began to slowly but surely dissipate.

"Hey, cool, you can heal like Granny can?" an amazed Naruto asked, his eyes on Sakura's ignited palm. The pink haired girl tried her best to play it off as nothing, but her proud smile and light blush gave her away, or at least, Nezuko caught it.

"Hardly," Sakura replied. "I'm still way too many years too early to be able to match her, but," she added, "I'm decent enough. That said, she's healing herself a lot faster than normal, it's not really me doing that… but her body's still accepting my Chakra. Are you feeling any different Nezuko?"

"Yes!" Nezuko quickly answered, with a little more enthusiasm than she had planned. Blushing a bit, she tried again. "Yes, I feel… less tired. Stronger, as if… I have slept enough…"

"Slept?" Sakura asked, her head to the side.

"Yeah, that's another thing the Corps informed us about," Tsunade stated matter-of-factly, her eyes still on the young girl. "Nezuko here, as opposed to getting stronger by feasting on humans, she sleeps, sometimes for long periods of time. A much slower and less productive way to rebuild her strength, but an effective one to keep her, as she says, human."

Upon hearing that last word, Nezuko's eyes lit up, and she flashed Tsunade the cutest little smile the Hokage had ever seen, causing the elder woman to have to avert her eyes otherwise she'd ruin her reputation.

"That said, it looks like our healing techniques also work on her," Tsunade added, her eyes now on Sakura's technique. "Seems the theory that these so-called Demon Arts are some form of Chakra control hold some basis in reality. A very corrupted form, like a sickness that attacks every single cell in the body, down to the very Chakra itself, but if there's a link, then a cure is at least somewhat feasible."

"You can… cure me?" Nezuko asked, her bright eyes widened, and for once, her tone sounded outright hopeful.

"…I would want to," Tsunade answered earnestly. "It's still much too soon, but I don't give up that easily. While Jiraiya did not elaborate much, it seems I would not be the only one actively working on such a cure, correct?"

"…Lady Tamayo," Nezuko noted, nodding.

"I would guess she's the one you and your brother met then?" Tsunade asked, and Nezuko nodded quickly. "Very well, we'll see what we can do. For now, our priority is to keep you healthy and safe, all the while we try and figure out what to do with… this."

Before Nezuko could ponder her words, she felt a jolt hit her very spine, the moment Lady Tsunade pulled out a… book from her shelf, one which she instantly recognized. The skin wrapped around it like a cover. The blood that dripped from its very pages. The soft, almost non-existent pulses it periodically did as if it had a heart of its own. And the very sense of dread she felt as soon as she saw it that left her utterly unable to even breathe.

"The N-Necronomicon…"

"So you do know its name," Tsunade noted, and it wasn't a question. Rather an observation. The Hokage placed her index finger on the book, her eyes scanning it briefly, as everything in Nezuko screamed to get herself and everyone there away from it… yet… part of her screamed something else. Something worse.

Get away. It's mine. Do not touch what is mine.

Nezuko quickly shook her head. No, whatever had spoken, it wasn't her. That had not been her voice within her head. But what…?

"Stop touching that thing," Naruto spoke up, disgust clearly evident in his tone and mannerism. The young Shinobi looked moments away from drawing a kunai and taking a fighting stance. "That book is nothing but trouble. That demon with the marked eyes, well, two of them at least, was very grabby when it came to it. Almost tore my head off for it," he said, before he pointed at Nezuko. "Bastard tore her head off. Luckily she's so damn tough."

"So you reported," Tsunade noted, as her eyes narrowed a bit. "And you are certain his eyes read "Upper Moon One"?"

"Well, can't say the guy was very polite. He didn't exactly introduce himself to us," Naruto countered with snark, and Tsunade felt a vein pop. Could this brat not realize just how lucky he was to still be standing there, and not torn to pieces bleeding out somewhere? Or worse, being digested alive by some demon?

"It's still unreal," Tsunade just said, taking hold of the Necronomicon and placing it away, and despite herself, Nezuko's eyes followed the book's path completely. If Tsunade noticed, she didn't voice it. "I've fought demons before," the Hokage admitted, as Nezuko, Naruto and Sakura all looked on, surprised. "Two to be exact. Mother and son, or so they called themselves. Lower Moons, the both of them… We barely survived. But we did learn a valuable lesson, something I'm sure little Nezuko here has heard quite a bit. Only sunlight or getting decapitated by a sunbathed Nichirin blade can kill a demon, everything else is a hindrance at best."

"Tell me about it," Naruto muttered, arms once more crossed, pissed off at the reminder. Even the all-powerful Rasengan, while painful to a lesser demon, proved incapable of finishing the job.

"You've never told me that," Sakura noted, her eyes on her mentor.

"Frankly, you never told me either," Shizune added, her eyes also on Tsunade. The older woman just frowned.

"It wasn't our proudest moment," Tsunade explained. "Jiraiya… Orochimaru and I were still too inexperienced. We got in way over our heads, and would have likely gotten killed had things played out differently."

"I still can't wrap my head around the fact that Orochimaru used to be your teammate," Naruto blurted out, eyes closed, his features more foxlike than usual. Sakura gave the boy a playful shove, trying for him to be a bit more discreet about it.

"Hey, I get it," she said, because of course she did. "But he was her friend, before he did… all that. It's not like we can talk, considering what… you know. And how much he hurt you."

"Oh, Sasuke's nothing like that bastard!" Naruto shot back, his eyes on Sakura, but rather than a glare, he was just pouting. It made her smile, if even just a little. Nezuko was looking on, confused on who they were talking about now, until she saw the color outright fade from Naruto's face. "…Oh, crap, right, I forgot to report that…"

"Huh?" Tsunade, Shizune and Sakura all asked in unison, their eyes on the blonde, as Nezuko looked on, still lost.

"…I saw Sasuke today," he just flatly admitted, and the room got awfully silent. Too silent. Naruto just stood there, hand raised like a little kid, his tone utterly apologetic in nature, since even he knew that such a detail might have been a pretty important factor in making sure Tanjiro and the others were alright.

Tsunade just sighed, already accepting of the fact that when it came to that Uchiha, Naruto was not really expected to act in the most rational manner.

Shizune tried her best to not blame the kid, since he was just that, a kid, and the Uchiha's betrayal had been rather recent, so the wound was still fresh.

Sakura, on the other hand, said nothing. She just stared, before she cast her gaze downwards. She didn't need to ask anything at all, as just seeing Naruto's reluctant expression was enough for her to know under what circumstances he must have "met up" with their former teammate.

And Nezuko was still utterly lost, having no idea who this "Sasuke" was supposed to be, but wondering if she was going to get to meet him soon.

-0-

"Milady, I can tell you already made up your mind about this, so I won't object on the matter," Shizune told the Fifth Hokage as they stood by the medical bay, the latter having just finished a routine check-up of the knuckleheaded ninja who had complained all-throughout. "But I cannot overstress how careful we must be with all of this. That… book is not something I am too comfortable at being even near it."

"I will make sure it is sealed off properly and hidden away until the Demon Slayer Corps send someone to retrieve it," Tsunade replied, before her eyes shifted towards her aide directly, her voice lowering even more. "But, remember, not a word of this gets out to anyone. Not the Elders, not ANBU, and especially not anyone at ROOT. And by that, you know very damn well who I'm referring to."

"Not a word," Shizune repeated. "You can count on that."

As the two came to a silent agreement, the two younger girls of the prior meetings, Kunoichi Sakura Haruno and Demoness-turned-Slayer of her own kind Nezuko Kamado sat by one of the many hospital beds found throughout in this little, makeshift medical area they had developed. The two girls were busy catching up on current events, or rather the former filling in the latter on all that was discussed while Nezuko had been sleeping inside her box.

"-and that's about when we received one of your carrier crows who told us that Team Ten had found the group of Demon Slayers somewhat near the Village Hidden in the Sand's borders," Sakura explained to an increasingly relieved Nezuko. Her utter joy at hearing that her brother and their friends had been found and were still alive was enough to liven her up a bit, as she had been utterly terrified at the prospect of losing any of them. "They are in a… well, rough condition, but they'll be alright," Sakura reassured. "A good friend of mine is there, and she's just as good as I am at healing people. Plus, Suna has its fair share of other healers, so you'll be able to see your brother and the others back on their feet in no time!"

At this, Nezuko could only offer the girl the widest of smiles. Sakura, in turn, could only stammer. Why was this girl so damn cute?!

Naruto himself then walked out from behind the curtains he had been treated, still pouting at being treated like a child despite his "rank", but looking a whole lot more put together than before. The healing had done wonders it would seem.

"Well, look at you," Sakura said, with a sly smile and a sense of tease. "Seems Master Jiraiya has been putting you through the ringer. Finally lost most of that baby fat of yours. About time."

"Oh, hardy har," the shirtless Naruto mockingly laughed along. He walked right next to the girls and took hold of his shirt and jacket. "You'd be shocked by the amount of physical training Pervy Sage put me through!" he boasted. "I bet ya I can even punch just as hard as Bushy Brows can!"

"Is that right?" Sakura played along, even if she did think, that considering how ruthless Lady Tsunade's training of her had been, he probably was not lying. Still, it wasn't his statement that shocked her most. As she turned, planning to add Nezuko in on the teasing, she was surprised to catch sight of the young girl being utterly incapable of keeping her eyes in check.

Nezuko seemed to be struggling as to where to look, her face flushed, as she averted her eyes from the boy's slender yet toned frame, but at the same time glancing in his direction every now and then. Nezuko, then, sensing eyes on her all the sudden, turned and came face-to-face with a very smug looking Sakura. She was rightfully frightened.

"See something you like?" Sakura softly asked the other girl, who turned crimson. Surprisingly, she didn't really deny anything; she just looked at her, face still flushed, as she seemed to pout. "Oh, so insanely adorable," Sakura just couldn't help herself from saying, as she gave the young girl a tight hug. "I'll keep my mouth shut, don't you worry."

"Hmm…" was all Nezuko seemed to reply.

"So what's next?" Naruto asked, already dressed, as he approached the two girls sharing an embrace for reasons unknown to him. Girl stuff, probably. "Did Granny give us the okay to head to Suna?"

"You heard her," Sakura countered, eyes on the blonde-haired Shinobi. "Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji managed to save your team, and they are being tended to properly. No reason to send you out there, even less before you fully recover."

"But you guys already fixed me up!" he whined.

"Chakra healing is one thing," Sakura shot back. "But it's only part of it. Your body also needs rest and nutrition. Proper nutrition I mean, not just ramen," she was quick to add, as the boy seemed to outright glare at her for the statement. "Plus, taking a bath once in your life wouldn't kill you."

"Hey!" he whined again, but paused. "Now that I think about it, I probably still have sand right up into my underwear, so hitting the baths wouldn't be the worse idea."

"I don't need the description!" Sakura was quick to point out, before she signaled to Nezuko. "Besides, you are in the presence of ladies, so behave properly."

"Huh?" the oblivious boy asked. "What are you talking about? She is probably just as drenched in sand as I am!"

"But it's nothing a girl should-" Sakura began, but as she turned to Nezuko, she could see the other girl nod her head.

"…Sand everywhere," she said softly.

"See?" a proud Naruto said.

"Ah…" Sakura merely voiced, beginning to realize that this cute girl was a lot more like her friend than she had initially assumed. "Speaking of, well, Nezuko here, what did Lady Tsunade say about her? Where will she be staying, here or…?"

"With me, I guess," Naruto replied, as if it were the most obvious answer. Sakura felt her face flush.

"With you? Naruto, I get your intentions, but she's… well, you know what she is," Sakura countered, trying to find the words to make the situation a little less awkward.

"Hey! That's a condition she has, and she has never hurt anybody," Naruto quickly shot back, defensively. He even took a few steps to reach Nezuko, his hand on her shoulder, protectively.

"That's not what I mean you dumb-dumb," Sakura replied, arms crossed against her chest, frown visible. She would never insult the poor girl like that. "I mean that, well…" she added, pausing a bit because it was embarrassing to say it out loud. "Well, she's a girl, and you're a boy. So, what? You'll be living together?"

"Yeah, I guess," came the dimwitted response. "At least until I can get her back to Tanjiro, that's what I'm thinking. Why?"

"Oh come on, you can't be that…" she paused. Of course he could. He was Naruto after all. "N-Never mind. We can ask Lady Tsunade; maybe she can accommodate Nezuko in-"

However, she was stopped, but Nezuko herself taking hold of her hand gently. Sakura turned, looking into those big, bright eyes, and she could tell the girl's mind was made up. "I will… stay with Naruto."

"See," Naruto added, eyes once more closed, as foxlike as ever.

Sakura just sighed. They really were too alike. "Fine, as long as you're okay with it Nezuko," she added. "But, if you ever feel you need anything, you can come to me, okay?"

Nezuko nodded her head fiercely. She was happy Naruto had all these kind and amazing friends. In addition, if she could stay with him, the one person she actively trusted, until she could be reunited with her brother, then all the more reason to be happy. It was strange, that such small good news, a little ray of sunshine on an otherwise bleak and disastrous endeavor they had just crawled out of, made her actually forget most of her worries and about that damn book that seemed to outright call for her every so often…

…even if the book had not once forgotten about her.

-0-

Nezuko then followed along, as Naruto and Sakura excited the main offices and headed out. She was polite enough to offer up a wave and a little bow to the two ladies who had helped her, which seemed to catch them off-guard, but they still smiled and waved back. The black haired one even patted her on the head, which she always liked. It also made her miss her mother dearly, so she shook her head and went her way, in an attempt to keep that lurking sadness at bay. She did, however, stop midway, causing Naruto and Sakura to turn to her.

"You okay there Nezuko?" Naruto asked.

"Box," she said, signaling to her wooden home he carried on his back. While not as graceful with it as Tanjiro was, then again, she doubted anyone would ever be able to measure up to her standards when it came to being compared with her older brother, Naruto had still taken up the role of caretaker rather easily. She felt… safe if he was the one holding onto her, a feeling she shared with almost no one else save Tanjiro or Zenitsu.

"Does she need to go in there again?" Sakura asked, her eyes on the wooden box that she could tell was made from some peculiar materials.

"Usually, I guess so," Naruto replied, before he turned to Nezuko, grin fully in place. "But you can relax here! You slept quite a bit already, all the way through our meeting with Granny and all that, not that I can blame you for it! Heh, heh, hey!" Naruto blurted out, as Sakura gently jabbed him by the side with her index finger. "Stop it that tickles!"

"You'll get more than just light jab to the side if Lady Tsunade catches you saying that," she told him, eyes narrowed. "Besides, Nezuko has an excuse, you don't."

"I was tired too!" he defended, before he turned towards Nezuko again. "That aside, you don't look worn out at all, not after Sakura here gave you that healing touch of hers, right?"

"…Hmm?" Nezuko seemed to ponder this, her mouth shut tight, realizing that he was right. After that little sleep, and whatever it was that healing Jutsu Sakura had done, she felt… fine. As if she had slept all that she needed. In fact, she felt like she could just go on and fight once more. It was strange. Everything she had ever heard, from her Master to the Pillars, was that a demon needed human flesh to recover and grow stronger, and with her avoiding that completely, the best she could do was make up for it by sleeping a lot. But now, this healing technique had not only rejuvenated her fully, but it seemed to have gotten her feeling even stronger than before. Stronger than ever. Was that the thing they called Chakra, she wondered? "…No. I feel… Fine. Need no sleep…" she added, as she flexed her arms, showing her strength and muscles, somewhat. "I can… manage, I think."

"See, so you don't need to be in the box all the time," Naruto replied, smiling. He had a very nice smile, Nezuko had slowly realized. Such a realization made her feel weird inside. "I mean, you can get in if ya want, but since we're stuck here until Granny gives us the word, and we know your brother and the others are in good hands, I was thinking I could show you around Konoha. Let you see the sights and all that!"

"…But," she muttered, concerned, but then she turned her gaze outward, beyond the three of them, and it was here she noticed it. "Night time…"

"Yep, sun went down," Naruto replied with a grin. "So you can enjoy the nightlife for a bit. What do you say?"

"It is very pretty around here this time around," Sakura added. "I'm sure you'll enjoy the sights quite a bit. Although I'd recommend the first stop be the baths, lord knows you two need one badly."

At this both Nezuko and Naruto turned to Sakura, eyes wide with confusion, before they both lifted their arms and smelled themselves, before they both gave out a look of disgust at the scent. Then, still in unison, they turned back to her, and nodded. Sakura just stared, wondering how on Earth was such a cute, charming and clever girl so similar to this knucklehead of a friend she had. Oh well, she could think of much worse people to be like than one Naruto Uzumaki.

"I take that as a yes to the baths then," Sakura noted.

"Yeah, I think you're right," Naruto noted, before adding, "You wanna join us? I mean, join her?"

"Hmm…?" Nezuko muttered with her head tilted. She was not very well versed in these types of baths, as her experience in her small village was limited to simply bathing in the river with her siblings. She was aware that brothers and sisters sharing a bath was not unusual, but did friends have similar habits with each other too?

"I think I will," Sakura replied, stretching her arms a bit, allowing her back to crack for a moment of released tension. It had been too much, too sudden. "Besides, Nezuko here might need someone to scrub her back, so I can help there."

"I'm sure she can outright just bend her elbows backwards and reach herself, ya know?" Naruto said jokingly, and Sakura felt herself shiver.

"Don't talk about her like that!"

"I can…" the ever-innocent Nezuko replied, nodding.

"And don't you feel the need to prove his every point sweetie; you can draw the line somewhere, okay?"

With that agreed, the trio took off, and it was quite the sight to see. Nezuko began walking slowly, as the scenery before her began to unravel around her and she began to soak in her surroundings. The Village Hidden in the Leaves was massive indeed, she'd come to know, and just as breathtaking. Nezuko looked on, with each step coming into view of something new, something unique. She saw other people, civilians all around, talking, walking and living their lives. And no longer where they just replicas of her family, but rather new people. People she had never seen before. Some wore the symbol, the same one on Naruto's headband. Others didn't, civilians she assumed, all of them looking happy and content. And she slowly came to realize, how much she had missed this. To be able to walk amongst the people, to just be Nezuko, and not have to hide away like a caged animal.

She was still wary of herself. She needed to keep herself in check. But… it all seemed to melt away the moment she saw one particular family walk about. A young couple she assumed, with the lady carrying the tiniest baby in her caring arms. A little boy, from the looks of him, and so similar to Rokuta it almost made her tear up. What she wouldn't give to be able to hold him once more. Hold any of them…

Then the little tyke, clearly not old enough to walk, probably not even crawl, turned to her, his wide eyes finding hers in the crowd of people that walked about. And he just smiled. And she couldn't help but smile back, but then she remembered. She knew what she was.

Once more, out of nothing but fright and self-consciousness, her hand went up to her mouth again to cover her fangs, ashamed of the display, only she didn't quite make it. She paused, turning to the side, as Naruto held her hand down, gently. Since when could this strong boy hold her so softly?

"Stop that," Naruto whispered to her. She was also surprised he could turn the volume of his voice down too, rare as it was. But, more than that, she just stared. "You're not the only one here with fangs, so relax, nobody is going to be afraid of you. If anything, they're probably more scared of me."

"…Why would they?" she voiced, her little fingers coiling up in his hand. She liked the gentle touch.

"Eh well, remember what I told you?" he muttered, as his eyes shifted to a nearby Sakura, hoping she didn't hear him. Nezuko noticed. "I'm not exactly normal, per say, so lotta people don't really like me much… But, that'll change soon, I'll prove them all wrong!"

"…When you become… Hokage," Nezuko stated, and Naruto just froze in place.

She had not phrased that as a question. No what-if's or anything. Just a guarantee. Just a confirmation. And who was he to let her down? This girl, who had struggled so much and lost so much. If she believed in him, then damn it, he better step his game up.

"Yeah, when I become the next Hokage!" he announced with pride. She then allowed herself to smile, fangs and all.

"Once… you are Hokage… You will still visit me-us?" she asked, face a bit flushed, eyes to the side. Naruto just blinked, confused.

"Visit?" he asked. "What do you mean? You mean you guys back in Japan?" he elaborated further, and she could only nod, eyes refusing to meet his. "Oh, of course! I'm not letting you guys off the hook that easily! In fact, I'm not letting you out of my sights until we cure you, no matter how long it takes! Be-"

His trademark phrase got cut short the moment he felt a tackle smack him into the ground, knocking the ever-alert ninja right onto the dirt, from the most unexpected source. Nezuko just stood there, eyes blank, since she sensed no malice in the "attack", nor did the individual seem at all threatening. In fact, he looked utterly adorable.

"Got ya Boss!" Konohamaru declared with excitement, as he sat up, right on top of his "defeated" foe's abdomen. "I heard rumors you had been spotted in the Village, guess they were right. See how strong I've gotten? I even got the drop on you for real this time!"

"…Konohamaru," Naruto just said, causing the boy to pause and reply with a "yeah, boss?" before Naruto just felt a vein pop. "Get your butt off me!"

One friendly shove latter, Naruto stood right back up, with Konohamaru ready to show him the newest, strongest Jutsu the boy had just learned, or so he excitedly said, but before he could even try, a new opponent took over and completely overwhelmed the boy. "H-Hey," an embarrassed Konohamaru squeaked, just as Nezuko had taken him into her arms, hugging the little boy so tenderly his complaints died down almost instantly. "H-Hey… who are you…?"

"Nezuko…" she introduced herself, still snuggling the blushing boy.

"Would ya look at that squirt," Naruto added, his grin evident. "Someone actually found you charming. Shocker, I know."

"I'm a grown man already," the "grown man" currently being cooed like a baby and showing no resistance against it defended, which neither Naruto nor Sakura bought. "Not my fault girls can't get enough of me!"

"Is that what this is?" Sakura said with a knowing look.

"Sure buddy, whatever you say," Naruto just played along. "But what are you even doing? What do you mean rumors about me?"

"He means you aren't exactly the most discreet of individuals," another unfamiliar, to Nezuko, and almost to Naruto, voice spoke up, as the trio of kids turned from each other towards an approaching group, consisting of Konohamaru's teammates Moegi Kazamatsuri and Udon Ise, alongside their sensei Ebisu, who had been the one talking. The man with the dark sunglasses, even in the dead of night, seemed to turn his glare towards Naruto. "By now it's safe to assume all of Konoha is aware of your unplanned, spontaneous reappearance."

"Pretty sure it goes without saying that something spontaneous is unplanned," Sakura mocked, which cause Ebisu to turn his frown to her. Still, he said nothing, since he was well aware she was currently the Hokage's trainee, and as such, he'd rather not get into any petty squabbles.

"So what have you guys been up to?" Naruto asked, his eyes back on Konohamaru, who was still nested securely in Nezuko's loving embrace.

"We just got back from training," Konohamaru replied, as he turned to face Nezuko. "We're getting really strong Miss," he told her with a smile. "Soon enough, Lady Hokage says she'll be sending our team out for proper missions, just like yours did Boss!"

"That's great," Naruto applauded, as he turned to the other two kids. "I'm guessing you guys have also gotten pretty strong huh?"

"Yeah!" the ever-cheerful Moegi quickly declared, pumping up her arms. "Ebisu-sensei has put us through the ringer. We're going to be the next big Team in Konoha, just you watch!"

"I wouldn't take it that far," Udon countered, as his eyes shifted towards the new girl currently playing with Konohamaru. "But who's that? Is she your new teammate?"

"Is she your girlfriend?!" Moegi quickly added, and both Naruto and Sakura flinched at the sudden accusation from the grinning little girl.

"W-Why is that always the reactions you brats give?!" Naruto quickly blurted out, as the kids all laughed. Nezuko just stared, as she held onto Konohamaru with one arm, before she approached Moegi, and began to softly pet the girl on her head.

"I'm Moegi!" the child said.

"…Nezuko," she introduced. Then she patted the other boy's head, before she set Konohamaru down next to the two, still all smiles. "…Nice to meet… you all."

"She's very nice," Udon said, eyes on the others.

"Very pretty too," Moegi added, grinning.

"How very bold of you Boss," Konohamaru teased, eyeing Nezuko first before he shifted his eyes towards Sakura. "…to be two-timing both girls right to their-hey!" Konohamaru added, before Naruto smacked him upside the head, clearly peeved. He was about to reprimand the kid, when he felt a rather strong grip on his wrist, and he was surprised it wasn't Ebisu being an annoying, overbearing man-child for once. Rather…

"Don't hit…" Nezuko told him, firmly. Closest to a glare he had gotten from the girl. Naruto couldn't help but gulp for a moment, before he just nodded. It really didn't help that Konohamaru caught on incredibly quickly and began to make a mockery of him, which peeved Naruto even more, but Nezuko's stance was crystal clear. Kid could do whatever, and Naruto was forbidden of even lifting a finger. Protective of humans; that she was. Too much, but he relented. Sakura, for her part, just smiled, knowing she could get so much mileage out of that little fact for future reference.

-0-

After Naruto and Sakura had shown her all-around the village, with Ebisu having to almost tear the kids away from her so they could report back to the Hokage properly and stop being cuddled by Nezuko; the young demoness was in awe at all the sights. The Village had so many places to see, so many different people, and as Naruto tried to explain, which then meant Sakura had to properly explain, many different houses of important families and clans. Nezuko took it all in, the information and the sights and the people. It felt so unreal, that for once she could actually see the people as opposed to just copies of her family multiplied by many. It made her happy, but it also concerned her. Had she grown stronger than the illusion, or was it…?

"And here are the baths!" Naruto announced, as he signaled to the building they had just arrived at. Nezuko looked on, reading the large signs before her, and feeling both the warmth and the humidity that came from it. Oh, how much she missed a nice bath. "And they look pretty empty to boot! Which is a plus!" Naruto told the girls. "It means I'll have the guys' area all to myself!"

"Don't make a mess in there," Sakura told him, as the trio walked in, passing by the receptionist as Sakura stopped briefly to inform her of the usage. The young Miss seemed a bit hesitant, of which Sakura assumed was of Nezuko's presence, since she was a new face, but Naruto knew it was because of him. Still, she said nothing and let them in, which is how the trio ended up at the main division for each bath.

"They are… separate?" Nezuko asked, turning towards the other two, her head tilted.

"Huh?" Naruto asked, wondering what she meant.

Sakura, however, understood, if her blush was any indication. "…Y-Yes they are," she informed, trying her best to play it off. "Of course boys and girls bathe in different spots, you know, cause of… well…"

"Well there are mixed baths in some places," Naruto added, turning to Sakura, "Pervy Sage loves those."

"Oh, I'm sure he does," Sakura shot back, eyes narrowed, "I'm sure you do to. What with all the "research" you can do."

"Eh, it's not as fun as it sounds," the boy replied, hands to the back of his head, as Nezuko observed the two, bouncing in place, eager to get in, whether separate or all together, she didn't much care. "You see, most of the time is just old folks or little kids in those, nobody I can use for Sexy Jutsu material."

"Do you still use that stupid move?"

"It's not stupid!" Naruto barked, offended. "It's my strongest, well, second strongest. The Harem Jutsu remains unbeaten. In fact, I'm sure not even aliens would be able to resist its power."

"There is no such thing," Sakura said, and turned to the bouncing Nezuko. "Looks like someone is getting impatient. Wanna head in?"

"…Yes," Nezuko answered with a little nod.

Naruto, despite wanting to continue his arguments in favor of his Jutsu's prowess, decided to relent and just turned towards the male's side of the baths, before he heard a familiar voice call out to them, which caused him to pause and flip right back around, a huge grin on his face.

"Seems like those rumors are true after all," Kiba Inuzuka spoke up, as he and his teammates, his faithful companion Akamaru, the ever silent Shino Aburame, and the Hyuuga heiress herself, one Hinata Hyuuga, who looked on the verge of having a panic attack for some reason, walked right up to the trio. "Weren't you supposed to be away training for like three years or something?"

"Kiba!" Naruto quickly greeted, stepping forwards to the members of Team 8, "Boy is it great to see you guys! And, hey, Akamaru even looks a little bit bigger now," Naruto said, as he turned to the pup.

"Arf!" Akamaru affirmed.

"Is he now?" Kiba asked, eyeing his furry brother for a moment. "I hadn't noticed."

"He's like a good six inches taller," Naruto voiced and Kiba just looked at him again. He wasn't seeing it.

"I take it this sudden return was a last minute change," Shino noted, as Naruto turned to him and nodded.

"So last minute I was practically teleported back," Naruto said, and the members of Team 8 found it so strange that the boy did not seem to be lying in the slightest. Did he mean summoned, or… "But I'm glad to see you Shino, I mean, we really could have used your assist back then, boy did we," Naruto added, and Shino frowned. He knew that. He hated that. But he knew Naruto did not mean it in any ill manner, so he'd let it slide. "And yours too Hinata! I'm-Why is she so pale?"

Kiba and Shino turned to their last member, and just as they did, the young girl just… fell.

"Hinata! The hell?" Kiba voiced, as he struggled to grab hold of her.

"…So much for getting better at this," Shino noted, all the while Naruto, Sakura and Nezuko just stared, confused.

Sakura, for her part, quickly walked up and bent down next to the heiress, as she placed her palm on her head, igniting it, and with it, bringing her back to the world of the conscious. "…Hey, welcome back," Sakura greeted, as Hinata just blinked. She could have sworn…

"Oh, you okay Hinata?" Naruto quickly asked, inches from her face. The poor girl turned a massive shade of crimson, so much so that Sakura felt her palm actually get warmer, and was moments before fainting again before Shino gently pulled Naruto back.

"Give her some breathing room," he told Naruto, trying to keep Hinata's ill-kept secret safe, to which Naruto only nodded.

"…I-I'm fine," Hinata squeaked, as Sakura helped her get back on her feet. The young heiress had to bite her lower lip and force herself to look at Naruto, or rather, at his hair, to try and engage in some sort of conversation with the boy. "Thank you Sakura," she said, "A-And… hello, Naruto. I'm glad you made it back… safely."

"Oh, yeah, of course!" the boy in question just smiled and gave her a thumbs up. Sakura had to hold Hinata's back to avoid the girl from falling over again.

"Arf!" they all heard Akamaru say, and as they turned, the pup was currently in Nezuko's arms, as the young demoness snuggled the puppy with so much love that they all felt a bit jealous at the display.

"…Such a …cutie," Nezuko stated, before she turned to Kiba. "…Same smell. Is he… yours?"

"Oh, Akamaru's my brother, and partner," Kiba stated with pride. "And, sorry, we kinda didn't introduce ourselves. I'm Kiba, the one with the sunglasses is Shino, and the one who fainted is Hinata."

"H-Hey!" Hinata protested, blushing and pouting, before she turned to Nezuko. As she did, she felt a strange sensation right in her Byakugan, as if her eyes were twitching. That was… strange. The Byakugan never did that. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Hinata said, ignoring the strangeness, offering Nezuko a polite little bow.

"…I'm Nezuko," Nezuko introduced herself, answering in kind, bow and all, all while keeping Akamaru held on tightly. The puppy was not complaining.

"Is she your new teammate?" Kiba asked, turning to Sakura, who shook her head.

"Oh no," she replied, her eyes on the girl. "Team 7 is… not yet officially together. Naruto's here for only a visit, and Nezuko is a friend of his from a very important mission he's involved in."

"Is that so?" Shino noted, but Sakura couldn't quite read his expressions thanks to how covered the boy's face was. He had his eyes, she presumed, on Nezuko, who merely looked at him and smiled.

"She's cute," Kiba voiced, which caused Hinata to blush again and Sakura to frown. "What?" he defended, "What can I say? I like a girl with fangs."

"Really?" both Sakura and Hinata voiced in unison, both with their eyes narrowed, as Shino looked on and Naruto was utterly lost at what it was they were talking about.

The party of three then became the party of six plus Akamaru, as the three boys went into their bath, while the three girl and Akamaru went to the other, which caused Kiba to feel slapped when Akamaru outright refused to leave Nezuko's arms. The girl told him it was fine, and just like that, they all got it.

Sakura found herself taking care of Nezuko, who at times seemed older and wiser than her actual age would suggest, and at other times seemed like a little kid. So much so, that when it came time to undress, Nezuko merely raised her hands and motioned to Sakura to undress her. Sakura was just confused, but she helped her regardless. Nezuko had "given" Akamaru to Hinata briefly, for her to hold, which she did, still confused, as Akamaru merely wagged his tail at the heiress.

"Okay, there we go, undressed," Sakura told the demoness, as she placed her… rather unique clothing into one of the baskets. "Let's hurry up and get you in the water now," she added, as she took hold of Nezuko's undergarments, and with it, allowing a bunch of sand to fall off it. "You really were swallowed up by the sand, huh?"

"…Sand everywhere?" Nezuko just repeated, and Sakura just laughed. But, as she did, slowly, her laugh died out, because once all three girls were undressed, it was here Sakura began to notice something.

'Am I…' Sakura felt her inner voice say, breaking apart. '…the least developed of us three?'

Nezuko and Hinata did not notice the pinkette's inner turmoil, as they both merely got into the baths, with Akamaru not far behind. Sakura slowly picked up what was left of her pride and joined in soon enough, just in time as Nezuko began to splash a bit around and play with Akamaru as he dog-paddled about. Sakura would have reminded her not to play in the public baths, but her infectious laugh was too much, so she said nothing.

"W-Where are you from Nezuko?" Hinata asked, deep into the water, with only her head above. How she had needed a warm bath after this latest mission. Nezuko paused, mid-splash, turning to the girl.

"…From small village," Nezuko replied, turning to this new girl. She had very pretty eyes. "…In Japan."

"Japan?" Hinata asked, her eyes widening. "That's quite far. Pass the Land of Fire itself, isn't it?" she asked, turning from Nezuko to Sakura.

"Yeah, it's a whole other world over there it seems," Sakura noted, as she turned to Nezuko. "Come here for sec, let's see if we can get all of that hair of yours under control."

As Sakura said this, Nezuko slowly swam towards her, before she positioned herself before Sakura, who began to massage her hair, which while very pretty, had been horribly treated. "Jeez, girl, we have to get you better care. I mean, I'm not one to talk, because caring for my hair as opposed to my training almost got me killed, but a little should be okay. Do you normally just leave your hair untied?"

"…Not before," Nezuko replied, and Sakura understood what she meant. "…I cannot tie it… as I used to… as… mom would," she explained, and then raised her hand, soaked in water, as she touched the small decoration in the front part of her hair, the only part with some control. "…Please leave this… It is all… my brother can do… I do not… want it removed… he tries so hard…"

"Oh, sweetie, don't worry, I'll leave your hair nice and clean, and I won't touch that at all," Sakura replied, caressing the girl's head, which she liked, a lot. "You really love your brother, don't you?"

"Yes!" Nezuko excitedly said, and she didn't even need to catch herself like before. She was proud of her brother and she would scream it to the world if she could. "…He is… the best brother… Always kind… and brave… so very strong…"

"It's an older brother I take it?" Hinata asked, currently washing Akamaru, as the pup wiggled at the ticklish sensation. Nezuko turned to her, and fiercely nodded. "Makes sense…" Hinata noted. "Even if we've had our differences in the past… Your description makes me think of Neji. Older brothers are certainly wonderful."

"You have… older brother?" Nezuko asked, her wide eyes now fully on Hinata. The young Hyuuga nodded.

"Yes, although in regular terms he'd be closer to a cousin, but to me he's my brother," Hinata explained. "He's also very strong, and very smart, a genius at that. One who should be next-in-line for my clan instead of me."

"Don't sell yourself short Hinata," Sakura voiced, and Akamaru's "Arf!" made it clear he agreed. "I mean, I know Neji's amazing and all, but you'll get there. You're pretty great yourself."

"…Very pretty," Nezuko added, signaling to Hinata, who quickly blushed.

"Oh, no, me? I'm not-"

"Very. Pretty," Nezuko repeated, slowly, now suddenly right in front of Hinata, who squealed when she saw Nezuko appear before her so intently. Sakura just laughed, wondering if moral support was also part of, how Naruto had described it, Nezuko's inherent desire to protect humans.

On the opposite side of the wall, both Naruto and Kiba launched themselves at the empty baths, both screaming like madmen, creating a resounding wave that drenched Shino completely without the boy even setting foot in the water.

"Ah! That feels great!" Naruto exclaimed.

"I know, right?!" Kiba added, equally as happy.

Shino just glared. "Can you both behave?" he told the two, who gave him questioning looks. Kiba quickly asked him what the problem was, since the place was empty, with Naruto quickly agreeing with that notion. At this Shino merely lifted his hand, and pointed to a nearby corner. "Correction," he told the two, "Almost empty. There's someone else bathing."

"Huh?" both Naruto and Kiba turned, their eyes on the fourth person there, surprised that, yes, there was in fact someone else there; a young boy their age it would seem. Said boy quickly stood up, walking right over to them, and sensing something not quite right, both Naruto and Kiba stood up, their stances shifting to a more defensive style. Shino simply eyed the fourth boy.

'There's no way this is a demon right?' Naruto thought, his eyes wide, staring at the individual. Sure, his skin was pale, a sign of very little sunlight, but would a demon lay in wait here? So deep into the Village, without anyone noticing? 'This is bad… If he's a demon, forget sunlight or a sword, I'm going to have to fight him in the buff!'

Then the suspected demon turned, his eyes on Naruto for a moment, as the boy tensed up, before said individual's eyes… lowered.

"Ah," the young boy said, "It seems that contrary to popular rumors, you do in fact possess a penis."

"Eh?" Naruto could help but blurt out, before he felt his face flush and quickly sank back down into the water like a young woman exposed. "Hey! The hell man?! What kind of conversation starter is that?!"

"First Hinata, now this guy," Kiba noted, as he turned to Naruto, "Seems like quite a few people have it out for you."

"Oh shut up!" Naruto barked, outright ignoring the "Hinata" part, which would come into play much, much later. Instead, all he heard was about this guy before them.

"Feels like some boundaries should be set, friend," Shino told the boy, who turned to the boy with the sunglasses, still all smiles. He at least bothered to look at Shino's face.

"I meant no offense," he offered. "Naruto Uzumaki is a rather famous Genin, so I had heard many tales of him. One such rumor referred to his genitalia, but it appears to be false," he said, still smiling, as he turned back to the still irate blonde. "Good for you!"

"Oh screw you; you pervert!" Naruto roared, "What kind of guy just starts a conversation by commenting on some else's penis!"

Kiba was just confused, still distrusting this guy.

Shino looked on, never once letting his sights off the fourth bather.

On the other side of the baths, having heard the entire conversation thanks to all the screaming, there were three very embarrassed girls, all blushing brightly.

'Damn it Naruto, keep it down!' a blushing Sakura thought to herself.

'They're talking about Naruto's… Naruto's…' a blushing Hinata thought, before she fainted again, which caused Sakura to have to save her from drowning.

Only Nezuko, blushing just as intently, kept her thoughts to a minimum. She knew not much of the male anatomy outside of what she had seen from her siblings, and she felt herself much too young to start learning just quite yet.

"You want to settle this the old fashion way, is that it?!" Naruto roared, his fist hitting his palm, in a show of force, even if he still had himself from the waist-down covered by the water. The pale boy before them had no such cover, and was in fact showing himself off rather proudly. That irked Naruto even more.

"No need," he simply stated, raising his hand. "I'm just glad I got to meet you. Truth be told, I had expected this meeting would not come until at least two to three more years," he added, still smiling. "But we are nevertheless comrades-at-arms. You may call me… Sai."

-0-

As the days passed, the prolonged stay in the Village Hidden in the Sand proved to be a new experience to the trio that made up Team 10. They had already reported their findings to their Hokage, and also to a bird that belonged to the Demon Slayer Corps, which was a summon and at the same time it wasn't, which had been weird, although not as weird as the buff mice that hitched a ride with the crow, ahead of the little group sent to assist the Shinobi in their research and in tending to the injured. The mice had been sent by a Shinobi, or something to that extent, they were told, and were very handy what it came to helping out. And it was true, even if they loved to flex at every opportunity.

Ino just felt she had been transported to a parallel world, but at least, after all that chaos and rush, they had managed to get all five Demon Slayers here safely, and with their allies expected to arrive today, she was sure they would all make a speedy recovery.

Which meant it was time to check up on all of them, just to be sure. First, Ino walked into one of the medical rooms assigned to the five, who had been fortunate enough to each get their own room, given the lack of shinobi in the Land of Sands as a whole. Just like the Leaf Village, they too had had massive losses during the war, and as such, needed to compensate by taking every mission available and sending almost everybody they could. Even worse, unlike the Leaf, they had yet to assign a new Hokage, with the Village Elders taking over the role for the time being.

Politics, Ino noted, weren't here thing, so she would focus instead on her patients. First up…

"And what are you doing up?" Ino stated, hands on her hips, eyes narrowed.

Kanao turned to her, her bright eyes on Ino's, as she had been caught mid-swing, trying to regain her connection with her blade. Kanao looked on, blinking for a moment, before Ino just pointed towards the side.

"Bed, now," she ordered, and Kanao outright jumped back onto her bed, which caused Ino to smile at the sight. "Good girl, but you don't have to follow my instructions so fiercely," she told Kanao, as she walked over to her, her hand on the Slayer's forehead. "How are you feeling Kanao?"

"Better," Kanao voiced, her eyes on this peculiar blonde girl that she now felt nothing but admiration for. She knew what had happened, they had explained it to her, but she was grateful all the same. "Thank you, for checking up on me, several times a day."

"Considering how eager you are to get back into training, I damn well better," Ino joked, and Kanao just smiled. Ino just wondered how someone could be older than her, yet look so damn precious all the same. "Still, even if your injuries are the least serious, I need you to not overdo it, okay?"

"Yes."

"Good girl," Ino replied, smiling before she left Kanao's room and headed to the next room, but she was stopped, as Kanao spoke up.

"How are they?" the almost always silent girl asked. Ino paused, her hand to the door's frame, clicking on it with her fingernails for a moment.

"…They're getting better," she lied, and at that moment Kanao frowned.

"Ino…" she spoke, softly.

"…Fine," Ino sighed. "They're holding on. I don't think they're in outright danger, but we've done all that Chakra healing can manage. You guys have different techniques, different medicines, better suited for demonic injuries," Ino said, and Kanao just narrowed her eyes. If only her older sister were here, she could save them all in a heartbeat. "But… good news is, we received word today!" Ino cheerfully added, and Kanao raised her gaze, eyes wide again. Could it be…? "Alongside all that equipment we got, carried by those… freaky as all hell vermin," Ino explained, shivering at the thought. She did not like mice. "…We also got word that a team sent out by your Corps are due to arrive here today, and with them, is someone I was told was your… sister?"

"Older? Or?" Kanao asked, standing back up. Ino would have told her to sit back down, but she knew positive news never did harm, not in this profession.

"Same age, I was told," she replied, and she could outright see the sparkle in Kanao's eyes.

"…Aoi!" she said gleefully, and like magic, it looked like all her worries dissipated, as she slowly sat back down. "…Please, once she does arrive, let me know," Kanao told Ino, who nodded in response. "…I really need to see her."

Leaving the room, a soft smile in her face, Ino went towards the next room. In it was the boy who had alerted them all, who had he not cried out, they would all have been dead. Tanjiro Kamado had not awakened since, and while his condition was stable, he wasn't recovering either. Ino just looked on, at the boy who had described Naruto so earnestly, and she could help but frown at herself. A better medical ninja would have done more.

"You beating yourself up again?" she heard Shikamaru speak up behind her, and it almost startled her.

"Stop reading my mind!" she told him, pouting. "That's my thing. Besides, why are you here…?" then she paused, noticing he wasn't alone. "Well, you two…?"

"We just finished setting up the equipment those critters brought before their group arrived," the local Sand Kunoichi, eldest of the Sand Siblings, Temari replied, a smile on her face. "I mean, someone had to do it, since you outright refused to even go near them."

"They are freaks of nature!" Ino screamed, before she quickly covered her mouth. Not the place to be screaming.

"I dunno, I find them cute," Temari noted, and Ino just shivered. "Still, your chubby friend and Kankuro went to meet up with the squad the Demon Slayer Corps sent out, right? Any word yet?" Temari asked, her eyes on Shikamaru.

"No, Chouji hasn't sent any messages," Shikamaru replied, "Which means, either they got together with them without any problems, or something's up."

"You don't think they'll be attacked?" Ino asked, her eyes on Shikamaru. The boy just shrugged. At this point, it was hard to tell.

"They said they had a fighter on their squad too," Temari voiced. "So I don't think they'll be in any dire need of aide this close to our Village."

"I hope," Shikamaru replied, still worried about, well, everything. "That said, how's your husband?"

"Can you not?" Ino shot back, blushing. "They guy was dying. He didn't mean it, and neither did I. Who knows who it was he even saw. Maybe a childhood sweetheart or something. But he's like Tanjiro here, not getting worse, but not getting better either…"

"…I see…" Shikamaru noted, sighing. "What a drag. We're going to be here a while then."

"You want to leave that badly?" Temari teased with a smirk, and Shikamaru just shook his head. He told her that that wasn't what he meant, and she just mocked him some more, which made Ino feel like a third wheel despite how both denied her questioning when she first asked, but yet, here they were, together as if joined by the hip. The nerve of some people.

Ignoring their flirting or whatever it was, Ino proceeded towards Zenitsu's room, and just as she said, there he was, still knocked out, just like Tanjiro. His injuries had been less, but the amount of Chakra that had been drained from him had almost killed him. Had she not resuscitated him when she did, they'd would have lost one of them.

Stepping out, she went into the other room, where there Team Leader, Kaigaku, rested. Based on injuries alone, outside of Kanao, he looked the one in the best shape, but that fever of his had proven so severe that they couldn't even let the sun touch him. He had cooled off by now, but he had not woken up either. And with him, Ino didn't even know what was happening. It made no sense. So, just to check up on him, Ino walked in…

…and was greeted by the sight of Kaigaku standing right up, his eyes on his arm, not a shred of clothing on him.

Ino's face flushed intensely, since she knew they had been undressed to take care of their injuries, but during emergencies you don't usually check people out. But just standing there, his toned body, sharp features and the way his body seemed to glimmer ever-so slightly from his darkened eyes to the tip of his…

She shook her head violently. "Ah, hey, sorry," she quickly apologized, turning around in a flash. How utterly unprofessional of her. "Kaigaku, sir, I… I'm glad you're awake, but I cannot overstress how you should not be up and about just yet, plus I should really stress that you have some robes to put on… there," she added, pointing to the side shelves, without turning around.

The young man just turned to the young girl, his eyes on her, on her figure, her body, and on how much her own clothing clung onto her body. He couldn't help but outright salivate…

"…You saved me," he voiced, and his voice sounded hoarse.

"Yeah-Yes," Ino replied, wondering why he wasn't covering himself up already. Had he no shame? Granted, there wasn't much to be ashamed off, but… No! None of that, Ino screamed to herself. "Not just me. My team and then the people of this Village saved you. Saved your group even."

"…My team's… alive?" Kaigaku asked, moving each of his fingers, slowly.

"Yes, they are."

"…Even Zenitsu?"

"Yes, he is," Ino said, with a little smile. "He's from your same group I heard."

Kaigaku said nothing.

Sensing that she had overstayed her welcome, Ino quickly added, "Well, please get yourself dressed Kaigaku, so that we can check you out-up! And make sure you are good and ready to resume your duties."

"…You can check as much as you like right now," he offered, and she felt faint. What was it with these Thunder Slayers and their ways to pick up women? Zenitsu she'd excuse because he had not meant it (or so she assumed), but Kaigaku was laying it rather thick.

"I-I'd rather give you some privacy first," Ino declined, stepping out, "Just get dressed and I'll-"

Then she heard something break, then a roar, and scattered screams. Her eyes went wide. It was coming from right next to her, right here in this area.

"Stay here!" she ordered, as she ran towards the source of the noise. Kaigaku just stared at her retreading form, before his attention went back to his new arm, and just how much better it all felt…

Ino, however, was beginning to panic.

"Please don't tell me one of those things got inside. Please! Please! Please!" she begged, as she went into the last room, where the boy with the delicate features had been placed, but to her shock, he was anything but delicate at the moment.

"Get away!" Inosuke roared, as one of the nurses laid on the floor, her eyes wide. Ino quickly approached her, and noticed that she wasn't injured, but… he was. Why was he? Then he roared, his eyes not on her, or on anyone at that. "Where am I?!" he roared, and this feral boy was on the ground, down on all four, like a beast about to strike. At least, unlike Kaigaku, he had had the courtesy to put a robe on. Well, not on per say, but he did have it wrapped over his waist, which was close enough. "Where's my team?!"

"Inosuke, please relax," Ino told him, which caused him to turn towards her. And it was here she noticed he was looking in her direction, not at her. He couldn't see. Damn it, this was bad, she noted. His injuries were severe, a concussion with a lot of swelling. If he kept moving about, he could injure himself even further. But it was clear he was just confused and frightened, and very dangerous to both himself and others. "Listen, my name's Ino Yamanaka, I am a Kunoichi that helped you and your team. We are friends."

"I don't know you," he growled, and shifted his stance. He was going to attack. Ino gulped, panicking on how to take hold of him without hurting him, or getting herself torn to shreds. Before she could plan anything out, from the corner of her eyes, she saw as Shikamaru and Temari had arrived, likely thanks to the noise, and without a word, Shikamaru got into position.

"Your team is here," Ino tried. "Kanao, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Kaigaku; they're all safe-"

"I can't feel them!" Inosuke roared, and Ino felt the surge of Chakra coming from the boy. This wasn't good. "I can't see! Don't get close to me!"

'Shadow Possession Jutsu,' Shikamaru called out inwardly, as his shadow extended itself, aiming towards Inosuke's own shadow, the best way to hold him in place as Ino tried to calm him down, but…

…he never reached the boar's shadow. Mere inches from it, Inosuke instinctively jumped, dodging the shadow and planting his feet on the wall, his hand breaking through and holding himself there, his eyes glaring at Shikamaru even if he couldn't see him.

"Whoa," Temari noted, impressed. Even she had trouble avoiding that damn technique.

'He dodged it?' Shikamaru noted grimly. 'Did he actually sense my incoming Chakra? How? How sensitive to attacks is he?

"You…" Inosuke's growl grew softer, but also deadlier. His aim was now squarely on Shikamaru. Shikamaru sighed.

"Wait, Inosuke, please calm down, we are not the enemy!" Ino cried out, as she turned to Shikamaru and Temari. "Temari, please get Kanao, maybe she can calm him down!" she instructed, and the Sand Kunoichi quickly nodded as she vanished. "Shikamaru…" Ino then voiced, utterly terrified. "You cannot attack him…"

"…I know," Shikamaru noted with a very pained expression. "He's too injured, but I don't think he's going to offer me the same courtesy…"

Inosuke then roared, and launched himself at Shikamaru, as the boy decided that he would at least be able to connect his Jutsu once Inosuke smashed his fist into his face. The things he did for people…

But as the Leaf Shinobi braced himself for the smacking of the century, the hit never came. Inosuke paused, mere inches from Shikamaru, as he turned to the side, towards the doors, his skin picking up a familiar presence, rushing over to him. And indeed, she managed to run inside, but it wasn't who Ino had been expecting. Inosuke turned, motioning to the side, before his hands were held, and that someone softly pressed her own forehead to his, skin on skin, so he could feel her.

"Inosuke, please… calm down," Aoi told the boy, and Ino just stared, having no idea who this girl even was, but based on her clothing, she assumed she was with the party Chouji and Kankuro had been sent to get. "Do you recognize who I am?" Aoi asked, and the boar just frowned. Shikamaru was moments from capturing his shadow, but Ino signaled him not to.

Inosuke just stared, before he spoke. "…Aoi."

"Ah… yeah," Aoi replied, honestly surprised he said her name right. "Listen, I know you've been through a lot, and that you feel that you are in danger," she told him, and despite it, she could feel how tensed up he was. "But, listen," she commanded, and he turned back to her, his blank eyes on hers. "You are safe. Everyone is safe. You suffered a head injury, that's why you can't see. That's why you're so confused, but… I know you don't trust any of the voices here… but do you trust me?"

As Aoi spoke, Temari and Kanao arrived, with the latter pausing at the scene, her eyes wide. Her sister looked so amazing right now. The boar just closed his eyes.

"Yeah…" he muttered.

"Will you let them help you?" Aoi asked, her forehead still on Inosuke's, and with his eyes still closed, he just replied.

"Yeah."

"…Good," she said, smiling, her hands quivering slightly. "I'll be here, at every point. I won't leave your side. I promise."

He said nothing, but just nodded. At this the group slowly calmed back down, with the little team the Demon Slayer Corps had sent slowly entering the medical area, alongside a very drenched in sweat Chouji and a non-worse for wear Kankuro; both Ino and Shikamaru could rightfully conclude, that yes, they were going to be here a very long while…

-0-

"You heard the news, right?" one of the two Gate Keepers of Konoha, Kotetsu Hagane asked the other, as the Shinobi that sported bandages over his face for no discernable reason turned to his friend. Said friend, the other keeper, Izumo Kamizuki, just shrugged.

"What news?" Izumo asked, throwing another senbon at a tree, making an almost perfect leaf symbol with them. He frowned. Anko was going to make him pay for drinks if he didn't get it better than her next time they competed.

"About Naruto, come on," Kotetsu replied.

"Oh, that he's back?" Izumo asked. "Well, yeah. Everyone knows that. Kid's been back for a few days now."

"Not just that," Kotetsu commented. "Word has it that he's living with a girl now."

"Bullshit."

"It's true!" Kotetsu affirmed. "They say it's like a very secret relationship, kinda like she's a very important individual, like a princess of some distant land or something. And they only go out in the dead of night."

"Oh man, really?" Izumo asked, turning to his friend. "I'd expect something like that from Master Jiraiya or maybe even Kakashi, but Naruto's still a kid. No way is he having secret affairs with no princesses."

"Wanna bet?" Kotetsu offered, and Izumo frowned. That was his one weakness. "It's nighttime now. Why don't you go pass by his house and see if you catch glimpse of the princess herself. I mean, don't peek into his home or anything, not telling you to be a pervert."

"I'm not doing shit," Izumo shot back. "Besides, Lady Hokage would never allow that, and I don't care how much Master Jiraiya taught the boy, he's not getting anything over-"

They both suddenly froze, feeling a sense of dread wash over them. Kotetsu and Izumo both turned towards the forest that surrounded their Village, both with their hands on the pouches, kunai at the ready. They couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but something had felt so… off just now. They both narrowed their eyes, looking deep into the darkness.

But there was nothing there.

"…You think it could be-"

Kotetsu couldn't finish. Something leapt out at him from the highest tree, falling onto him with a huge crash, breaking through the wooden structure they watched over, and flinging both itself and the Chunin hurling towards the ground. Izumo quickly dashed afterwards, kunai in hand, landing near the two just in time to witness something both familiar and… not.

"What the hell?!" Kotetsu shouted, as he had managed to stab his attacker with his kunai, pinning it though one of its hands, while holding the other with his free hand. But, what even was this thing. It had no eyes. Its mouth looked stretched out. Its skin was unlike any human he had ever seen, cracking up like if it were made of stone.

"Hold it down!" Izumo told him, as he began to make a series of seals. They couldn't risk it.

"Yeah, he ain't getting-"

Then the beast's hands opened up, revealing several rows of teeth, and with a disgusting crunch, bit down and ripped off Kotetsu's to arms right at the elbows. Kotetsu let out a pained scream, blood erupting from his stumps like geysers. As his friend fell to his knees, an enraged Izumo attacked, the Water Release: Starch Syrup Capturing Field quickly covering the entire area, immobilizing anything caught within its range. But, the creature was no longer even there…

Izumo's visible eye widened, before he forced himself to move, gain some distance, use a bigger attack, but the creature lunged from sights unseen.

And it reached him in a split second. Izumo tried to dodge, but the demon's finger took hold of his eye, jamming itself into his eye socket, and with a tight pull, ripping the whole thing off, the long optic nerve visible for a moment before the thing's hand seemed to chew on the eyeball and swallow it into the arm. Izumo fell down to the floor, clutching his injury, attempting to do a substitution to escape, to gain a fraction of distance, but the beast held him. Its hands took hold of his neck, and despite his struggle, his screams, it bit down and pulled, until Izumo's entire head and spine got pulled out of the rest of him.

Then the demon opened its main mouth, far larger than humanly possible, and devoured the delicacy.

Kotetsu, crawling all over the floor, with stumps from arms, and bleeding profoundly, tried to get himself free from his teammates Jutsu and reach the destroyed structure. He wasn't going to make it. That much he knew. But he had a job to do. He needed to warn the others. He needed to give out a signal, with his feet if it came to that.

"Where…?"

Kotetsu's eyes went wide, as soon as he heard that demonic voice speak up, and saw that the creature with no eyes and too many mouths was crouching down right before him. He had not even seen it move. He had not felt it move. It had been devouring Izumo's remains one moment, then the next, right next to him.

"…are you going?" it asked.

"Screw y-!" Kotetsu tried, but the creature simply stuck his hand into his abdomen, and as the Shinobi screamed in agony, it began to eat his insides, slowly, savoring each organ. Slowly, Kotetsu's screamed were drowned out by his own blood gushing out of his mouth, nose, eyes and ears. The death was itself was also slow, despite how much Kotetsu begged for it to end quickly. This demon purposely denied him such grace. It ate him slowly, drying his body into a mere husk, and once it was done, it simply stood back up, its hands chewing at the bone marrow until it cracked and it swallowed it.

Not enough. He needed more.

Feast. His master had told him. His new, better Master. And feast he would.

And with those bodies devoured, Yoroi began to slowly walk into the Village hidden in the Leaves, leaving a small bloody trail behind each and every step…


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Something Wicked This Way Comes…