Alright, as yet another apology for taking forever with the last chapter, here's yet another chapter.
The last of the Survival Training chapters. I know everybody just loved these. Luckily, it is the last one.
So, forgive me?
CHAPTER FOUR: GOD'S GOT ONE HELL OF AN ALARM CLOCK END
The Underworld
Nine years ago…
"Surprise, love."
"My lord. Your presence was unexpected. Have your duties already been attended to?"
"I find myself with a lax bit of work today, my lady."
"Hmm, a rare occurrence."
"Indeed. But a welcome one."
A pair of arms wrapped around the back of a beautiful woman, pulling her close to their owner. Possessively. Protectively. The woman did not object.
"How is he?"
"Tired. Surtr has proven resilient in his teaching methods, as usual. The man knows nothing in the way of restraint though, admittedly, he proves himself commendably adept with his practices. As does our son, in holding his own."
"Hmm. And, how are you?"
"I am well, my lord. We were just about to break for lunch."
"I am to assume he skipped breakfast again?"
"Need you even ask?"
"No, I suppose I don't. He takes after me in that regard."
"Thick-headedness was not the sort of defining trait I hoped you would be willing to pass on to our child."
The silver-haired maiden sent a somewhat tempered glance to the man behind her, though there might have just been a playfulness to it, too. The man, though looking somewhat bashful from her glance, had the good graces to feel somewhat pleased in his son's tenancies to put work before self. Not necessarily a sound trait to have, but one he couldn't disregard or critique without feeling somewhat hypocritical.
His wife would deal with perceived negatives of his character in her own way, if she wished to.
Sirzechs' walk took him to the far side of the gardens. He was not often a man to appreciate pleasant views or sights (though, his mother did try to instill such virtues into him at a ripe, young age) but the sounds which echoed even from the doors was enough to warrant his straying from the intended path to a more direct and projected route.
There is something about being a High-Class Devil and watching your son proficient himself in the art of combat. It's a satisfying moment. Devil culture wasn't singularly focused to how one fights or combats another, but he would not lie and say there wasn't some marginal significance to the Underworld. It is a method to bolster status and further position, barbaric as some might call it. It was simply their way.
"He will make a true Devil when the day comes." Sirzechs said, mostly to himself, watching as Naruto took a heavy blow to the left. He guarded from most of it but the sheer volume and power behind Surtr's mass worked against him.
"He's made his position on your suggestion quite clear, my lord," Grayfia said. "He has no interest."
Sometime prior, the two Devils sat their child down and offered him their willingness to make him a full member of the Underworld, if he so desired. To make him a Devil, like themselves. To teach him to fly, to become connected with the real Devil society, to fully initiate himself with the Underworld's politics and upstanding. For Sirzechs to take the boy under his wing entirely and see just what the world beyond really held in store for him as a child of Lucifer. They painted the image and hopefulness of their desire in a vivid, colorful and engaging light. One, they presumed, any eight-year old would have jumped for the chance to be a part of.
But Naruto's answer was a simple one.
"I'm good."
He then finished his lunch and went back to training with Surtr.
"Bah, do not be so certain," Sirzechs waved off his wife's comment, smiling assuredly. "He's a child. Give him time. A few years from now, and I promise we'll have a pair of wings in him yet."
Grayfia didn't comment further or show any sort of sign whether she was for or against the idea. She was always a difficult woman to read. Caring and kind in her own ways, but stern and focused in others. Not a woman to be so negligently dealt with by any stretch. She might have wanted her son to be a Devil – she held no reserves when Sirzechs first suggested having the talk with Naruto on the matter, and even suggested a time where he'd be most open to conversing on the matter – but it was just as likely she preferred the boy she raised to remain as he was for as long as she was able.
Grayfia Lucifuge. What an intricate woman.
"When will he take his break?" He whispered into her ear.
"I was planning to cut them off shortly. Why?"
The Great Satan smiled, removing himself from his wife and stepping to the side. With a quick pull, his long cloak fell from his shoulders. He didn't bother to manage it as he continued to walk ahead, even ignoring his wife's silent commentary on keeping his dress more keenly kept.
"Surtr," he called to his old friend, who paused in his version of training to quickly turn and kneel before his longtime friend and King.
"My lord."
"Take a rest, my old friend," he commanded his friend in a kind tone, as the giant looked up to see his master starting to roll up the sleeves of his shirt, "I want to spend a little time with my son, if that is alright with you."
Surtr's lips grew into a wide grin. "You will not be disappointed, my lord." He rose to full height. Offering a quick bow, he moved over to where the household's lady waited, with the crimson coat of her lord folded in hand.
Naruto watched as his teacher stepped aside. His father moved to meet him. The beholder of the title Lucifer took up a stance, arms raised and legs spread. Casual. He didn't imagine there would be any need for overt efforts in dealing with an eight-year-old.
"Whenever you are ready, Naruto. Come."
Time Remaining: 42 minutes, 7 seconds
Saji hid behind a tree. Sweating, gasping, fatigued more than any other time he could recall. He tried to keep himself silent, but the last ten minutes proved particularly brutal when compared to the last forty-five. Red flares, swords, aggressive little girls. A teen massacre of Devils intent on ripping the others to pieces.
It would have been so epic if the target for most of this aggression wasn't him.
To describe how this insanity began would be to illustrate one of the greatest Devil betrayals in Japan history. How they were all manipulated. Played with. Knowingly, obviously worked against the other. How each of them, his Peerage and his opponents, fell for the blond's words without indecision. How it began so quickly that he imagined there would be a few, restless nights recalling the savagery by which the red King's followers fell into the act of trying to stomp him down and retrieve the bell from his hand without so much as a moment's consideration.
"Run, Saji!" His King commanded. Screamed to him, more like.
He didn't hesitate and made for the trees.
That was a while ago. Now, with time to breathe, he could hear it. From his little spot, hidden in the trees. The sounds of steel batting steel. The wisps of air and magic. The struggles and calls. They weren't so close, but close enough to make him worry. To make him concerned.
So, with just a little bit of rest, Saji furthered himself again from the fighting.
Time Remaining: 37 minutes, 14 seconds
Koneko swung the trunk of a tree at the Knight and Pawn of Sitri, missing only narrowly. Tomoe went high whilst Ruruko simple fell to the ground, panicked and nearing tears as their opponent continued to show off her resilience and sheer power she had over them. The white-haired first-year wasn't a merciful child, no question of that.
"Tomoe-chan," the pawn whined, "are we done yet?"
Her answer was for her Knight to bring her sword down onto the tree as it came in for another swing. A testament to the weapon, the wood was shaved thoroughly.
"Stand up, Ruruko!" Tomoe beckoned. "She's coming!"
Neither was sure what was more frightening. The tree being waved around like a bat, threatening to smash them with great force. Or the small teen's tiny hands which had the might to smash boulders with ease.
Needless to say, this was more of a fight of attrition and survival then conquer. And it was all the two Sitri girls could do to assist they're King and wayward Pawn.
Time Remaining: 29 minutes, 11 seconds
"I must say, Shinra-san!" Kiba yelled, matching an overhead swing of the naginata with a swing of his own. "Your skill is without question!" He made to lean back, avoiding a swing to his chest, then stepped around for a stab of his own, which only just missed his opponent's arm. "You've proven yourself an exceptional warrior! Your King must be," he brought his sword up then down, "very proud!"
"You have my thanks, Kiba-san!" Tsubaki twisted and threw her weapon forward, watching as only a few hairs of her opponent's head were unable to avoid her draw. "And I admit, as well! Gremory-san's faith in your," she leapt over the male swordsman, attempting to disorient him by her new position, "skills! Have proven to be most well-placed!"
"You flatter me! I have not met someone so gifted," he went for her slender legs, to which she avoided his aim with ease, "since my own master! He would complement you, most highly!"
"Now who is the one," she went to stun him with the pole of her weapon, only for it to be blocked by his quickly flexed arm, "who is flattering?!"
"It isn't flattery when it's true!" He tried to push her back and find an opening to move forward. She managed to prevent his progress easily. "Your skill is remarkable!"
"And I do not pass out compliments lightly! I cannot recall the last time I've had to take such levels of care with someone – let alone of my age!"
Between Tsubaki Shinra and Yuuto Kiba, there was pause. Both sizing up the other. A twitch in posture, a momentary separation of focus, even the careful arrangement of one's tool would speak of the other's intents or motives in the next bout which would surely come.
But through both of it, the two of them smiled. For how often did a warrior of their caliber meet another such as themselves? Between the weariness, the hunger, the heat and the arduous duty which beckoned both forth on the requests of their Kings, neither weapon practitioner would argue that this was the most enjoyable moment of their day.
Time Remaining: 21 minutes, 44 seconds
A pair of Bishops might have the advantage by numbers and magical potency. But against someone so proficient and renowned for her gifts in all manner of arcane, the Queen of Gremory proved to be more than a match for the Sitri girls. Blow for blow, step for step, she pressed them forward relentlessly. Joyfully, even, at times, which unnerved her opponents enough to leave an opening or two, once or twice. Both sides were exhausted and nearing the point of collapse. Great beads of sweat and gasps for air could be heard over the bits of magic tossed between one or the other.
And even with the Bishops weakening, their own lack of experience being the hindrance which allowed Akeno to make ground towards joining her King in her own, personal bout, it proved to be the unexpected arrival of the lone Sitri Rook which held and pushed her back.
Physical matters of combat were not her forte. A Queen boasts a significant level of endurance and strength marginal to those of the Rook piece. And in most cases, were she not beaten down by fatigue and all manner of exhaustion, mental and physical both, perhaps then this combative situation would have been more even.
Sadly, it wasn't to be. And Akeno would not progress.
Time Remaining: 12 minutes, 12 seconds
"Saji?"
How else might a conflict of Devil Kings appear?
Shouted words of sophistication? Thrown fists and tempered magics far empowered beyond what the common arcanic figure might posses? A scorched field of battle as far as the eye could see? A terrifying show of lights and sounds, heard for all the forest and beyond to recognize and stay safely from? Perhaps mixed in with blood and bits of hair, black and red, long and short strands. A terrifying area no sane or unforced individual would rightly pursue without just or noble cause.
This is how it sometimes is.
But this fight had seen the better part of an hour over.
Even Devils know their limits. Even Devils know when even the need to walk can be exuberant and taxing.
"Saji?!"
Sona Sitri was laying by a tree. She had some scratches, some bruises, and would be sore and weak until maybe a week or two after. But she was alive and would not know any permanent injury. Not all Kings who fight can say the same when they scuffle. And though she was of a brilliant mind which any Devil could attest to, she was not of the most physically adept prestige. That honor belonged to her opponent.
Rias Gremory did lean over a scorched tree. Her hands were shaking, her faced covered with thick moisture, and her panting was only somewhat calmer than her downed friend's. She was still bruised, harmed and would in the next hour undoubtedly enjoy a well fought rest. But until then, her eyes would remain locked forward and her face aggressive. She would find him, so she declared, and moved away further into the woods.
Sona had not the will nor the energy left to stop her. She could only watch as the crimson-haired King moved forward. Hoping, even there and unable to move, that she had given her Pawn time. Time to seek out a safe, quiet, and uninterrupted spot. Away from everyone and everything.
"WHERE ARE YOU, SAJI?!"
Time Remaining: 8 minutes
Asia twiddled her fingers as she looked over the forest's edge. Not nearly so tired or beaten as her friends, she looked very much the same as when she entered the forest first. Mayhaps a little tired and hungry, but was otherwise physically and mentally well. She could hear the sounds of conflict not so long ago, but most of the combat seemed to have settled and died. Now there was only a tense and quiet air. And sitting there, on a lone rock in the area her friend chose as their makeshift battlefield, she worried and fretted silently.
Speaking of, her friend placed a hand to her shoulder, grabbing her attention.
"Relax, Asia," her friend confidently told her. "Everyone's fine. Tired and probably sore, but good. In a couple of minutes, you'll see."
He sounded so sure, too. How, Asia couldn't say, but she forced a smile to the boy as he made to comfort her. "Hmhmm. Yes, you're right. I'm sure everything is well. Thank you." Her fingers still toyed with themselves.
Naruto noticed, of course, but refrained from comment. Instead, he went back to looking into the woods, watching everything with a quiet calm.
At the start of the great betrayal of Kings, Asia was left behind. Her King commanded it before taking off for her target. Asia did suddenly feel very alone and very timid, standing in the woods until Naruto came up beside her. She did, admittedly, fret that he might put her through a similar bit of trouble he oh-so mercilessly placed on everyone else. She was not of a combative nature, and even as a Devil, the most she could hope to accomplish was a scratch or maybe a light bruise. Not that her personality would even consider such a motion to make, but it was possible, however vaguely it could happen.
But all he did was offer her a place to wait for the others, calming her and assuring that everything would be well and fine shortly.
Asia, so trusting and gentle, didn't make an attempt for the bells or thought anything about the competition at all. She only waited and silently prayed for her friends' safety (shocking her twice or thrice).
Naruto almost felt bad for her. She was very important to how this all would end.
He glanced back to the clock by the tree.
Time Remaining: 1 minutes, 52 seconds
"Give me the bell!"
"WHHAAAAAAA-HA-HAAAA!"
Saji should have run further. Much further. Never should have doubted the willingness or temptation this small bell had for a woman such as Rias. Should not have doubted her willingness to use what vague sense and awareness she had left to notice his obvious traversal through the woods. How his steps pressed into the mud. How his fingers brushed branches and broke them like the simple, brittle things they were. How his panic made such an obvious and straight path for her to follow that she did smirk when she caught sight of it. How the freshness and haggard way it all looked suggested he was only a short way ahead.
Oh yes. He should have put more distance between them.
A red flare shot just past his ear. The left of his feet shuddered. These efforts were spaced out and not nearly so violent as the first actions taken against him, but they worked. A few even hit. Mean blows. Like hard, punishing fists.
Or maybe they were pathetically light. Hard to say. Saji was weak now. Very weak. Scared and distressed. It might have even seemed comedic to watch from afar, how he wrestled to distance himself from his senior. He wasn't quite brought to tears, but the whimpers and frightened pleas for anyone to help him were fun in a black, sadistic humor.
"WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME?!"
"Get back here, Sajiiiii!"
And how the heiress cried and cursed the Pawn was funny in its own right, too.
But, like many great chases, an unfortunate circumstance would prevent the narrow escape of the boy mere moments from salvation. It might have been a twig, a brush with a tree root, or perhaps his waning consciousness caused a misstep. Either way, Saji fell. He stumbled and tried to pull himself upright but found not the will to continue – he might have even found the spot rather comfortable and reason enough to rest even briefly, if not for the reddish glow clouding the area in its ominous shine.
All he could do was turn. Turn to the girl who held a red ball of energy in her hand. The final bit of her power remaining, and she would not miss her mark.
"Bell," she growled. "Now."
"I c-c-c-can't!" Saji yelled. "S-S-Sona-san would n-never forgive meee!"
In such a moment previous, perhaps Rias would think or be hesitant for a moment in her course of action. Maybe even allowed for her more diplomatic-side to work out a more fruitful solution for both parties, if readily available. But morality was never in much abundance for a determined Devil and even less so when she felt as she did.
She raised her hand.
"I gave you an out."
Saji's eyes widened, throwing his hands up to protect his face, futile though the defense might have been.
He had nothing to worry about, though.
"Alright," a calm, controlled voice spoke up, "I think that's enough, Rias."
Saji did not dare lower his guard immediately, lest he receive a face full of chaotic-red energy. But after a moment, without the roar or shout of magic flared, he dared to peak between his arms.
Naruto was there. And another Naruto. And a Naruto after that. And couple more along with him. One held the redhead's shoulders, another her arm, the third was down low and gripping her ankle, while the last made light effort in holding her free arm down. The fifth one stood between herself and the downed Devil boy, smiling to her with a calm, amused grin.
Rias did struggle slightly, even if she was most aware of the futility of the gesture. Even on the best of days, Naruto was a monster. And four of them holding her down wouldn't improve her odds in any ways. It was mostly pride which spurred her still, and maybe the intent to wipe the smirk from the copy of her nephew's face.
It was usually an enjoyable thing to look at for the Gremory girl. Presently, though, it's level of unbearableness far exceeded any emotions she might otherwise have had.
"Naruto," she growled, "what are you doing?"
One of the clones answered. "Winning."
"Making sure we win," corrected another with a laugh.
"Saji, you still have the bell?" Another of the clones asked, looking to the teen on the ground. The Devil nodded carefully, slowly, lifting his hand and slowly uncurling his fingers to reveal his prize. "Good. Tell the boss."
One of the clones nodded before disappearing into smoke.
Time Remaining: 12 seconds
Naruto's eyes perked.
"Hey, Asia," he smiled down to the girl, "can you hold this for me?"
His hand went to his belt, gave it a quick flick, then moved it to the curious girl. Without ceremony, he dropped a tiny, silver thing into her hand.
The poor girl didn't even seem to register what she had for the brief moment he passed it to her before something loud and boisterous started to-
"BBBRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG!"
"…Rrrrriiiiinnnnggg!"
Koneko turned her head quickly to the noise. An echo of a sound, far off to her side. Unknown and unfamiliar, but she had a clue what it was.
It was over. Finally, over.
She was laid beneath a tree, shaded from the sun as she waited patiently for this whole event to be over for some time. She was not so much injured or bruised, save for some tears or cuts into her uniform, but didn't appear to be bleeding or physically unwell. She looked positively fine, at least compared to her opponents, who seemed to have taken a nap at some point by another tree and were only jostled awake by the sudden alarm.
She allowed them their rest. She won, that was all she wanted.
And maybe some sleep. A burger, maybe. With ice-cream. And a shake, of some kind. Preferably with something chocolate to go with it.
"Hey there," a voice whispered to her side. She knew that tone. "How you doing?"
"Tired." Obvious, blunt answer. Not out of her character. "Very tired."
Her frankness made the copy laugh. "Yeah, I imagine so," he took a look to the tree in the small area, lifted up by its roots and used like a bat not too long ago. "You did excellent, Koneko. I'm proud of you."
"Hmm. Thanks," she mumbled, closing her eyes and leaning a little more into the tree. "Sleep now. Talk later."
"Sure. But maybe this isn't the best place," they were in the middle of the woods, sitting on mud and twigs. "Want me to carry you back?"
Koneko was quiet for a second. Pride said no. Past experiences said this wouldn't be the first time he'd done this. Exhaustion screamed yes. The image of being carried by him, making her look incapable and frail as he held her…it should have bothered her more. Like a baby needing to be fathered, weak and dependent. A feeling she hated with a strong passion.
"Yes," she answered, keeping her eyes shut, "just be gentle or I'll smack you."
Naruto only laughed as his arms wrapped under her, lifting her to him. She didn't mean to curl into his hold, but he was certainly more comfortable then the bark and rocks.
"I can do that. Come on, let's go see how the others are doing."
"You look like crap." The human said, looking down between the pair lying beside a rather large rock together.
Outfits cut and shredded like tinfoil. Bloodied cuts and marks from their heads to their lower legs. Some minor, one or two eye-catching, but nothing ultimately unnerving or needing immediate attention from. Their weapons were still held between their fingers, but not so strictly that maybe even the lightest brushes of a kick or tap could send them away. And the area around the boy and girl seemed to be of a similar situation to themselves; trees marked with deep, rigid cuts. Shredded branches and leaves by the plentiful. Even the rock they laid beside seemed to have not come unscathed.
Besides this, Kiba looked relatively pleased with himself.
"I feel pretty good," he replied.
"I am also faring well," Tsubaki spoke up at his side. Like him, her smile was pleasant and pleased. Her glasses were a little dented and scratched, but still wearable. Pieces of her undergarments were seeable from the session before, but if it bothered her in any manner, Shinra did not show. "How are our Kings?"
"Rias is fine," the instigator of the challenge answered easily enough, "I have someone looking into Sona-chan now. She'll be joining us soon." He knelt between them, moving his hands to their shoulders. "But for starters, how about we get you guys something to eat, hmm? Sound good?"
"Hmm, sounds wonderful."
"Thought you'd say that."
With his hands placed to their shoulders, the three of them disappeared in a quick spiral of wind and rising leaves.
"Naruto?"
"Yeah?"
"Is this a side of you we'll see more of?"
"What do you mean?"
"This. Where you manipulate. Where you bring unimaginable pain to others. Force them to fight while starved, tired, and begging for mercy. Where you pull the wings of young maidens and throw them into trees. Humiliate and force others to look onto you with absolute fear. Play them like they are your pets and make them lick your boots."
"Did I really come off like that?"
"Oh, yes…you were positively…sadistic. Oh, I won't forget how you treated us for a very, very long time. I…I get goosebumps just thinking about it."
"Akeno…I'm sorry. I won't do anything like this again."
"…Oh, Naruto-kun. You truly know how to break a young girl's heart…"
"Huh?"
"How's my favorite Sitri girl in the world doing?"
Sona opened her eyes, looking up to the boy smiling down to her.
"How do you think?"
"Not good?"
"What was your first clue?" She looked herself over, her eyes drifting over herself with barely a shift to her head. "I look like a mess."
"Yeah, you kind of do." He knelt beside her, offering a smile. Sona did not return the gesture - she was far too tired to react to much.
"Your honesty is unappreciated. But if you have anything further to say, tell me then: did Saji maintain his hold over the bell?" She asked, her eyes narrowing into a piercing stare. She asked for no funny business or deceit.
And Naruto would give her none. "He did," he answered. "Saji managed to hold onto his bell until the very end. Wouldn't even relent it to Rias when she caught him."
Sona's mind imagined a scenario where Saji, her Pawn, would have any sort of luck or ability in repelling her friend and fellow King. The image was an unlikely one, downright unbelievable in some ways. In any situation of the norm, Rias would have laid him out without need for more than a wave of her hand. This wasn't an exaggeration; Rias was arguably the most powerful Devil in their age. Gifted, without question, in the art of destruction.
"I am admittedly with doubts to the truthfulness of your claim," the Sitri admitted. "However, perhaps seeing is believing." It must have taken some effort to lift herself. Her legs twitched keep herself upright, she placed her hand to the tree and used it for balance, whilst her face tightened with increased efforts to keep forthright.
Naruto held his hand out. "Need help?" He asked.
"No," she replied, "I can stand. I am not so weak that I require your assistance."
"Maybe," Naruto was willing to relent, "but it never hurts to have someone support you along the way, here and there." He could attest to too many people wanting to press forward on their own. It usually never ended well.
Sona fixed him a look from behind her glasses. "I'll keep that in mind." She allowed, then started to walk. Slow, mechanical, and with bits of evident effort. But she walked on her own, heading towards the direction of the sakura tree.
The copy of Naruto watched her move. Stubborn girl, without question. Prideful, like her friend.
Still, there's was an admirability to her coolness. Her stubbornness something of a fond perk to the girl who so often kept her shields up and expression proper. He relented to her unwillingness for assistance and decided to just keep pace instead. Always beside her, within reach, if she needed a hand.
Rias wasn't sure how she should react when the sound rang over the forest. Surrounded and held down by her nephew's copies, the most the heiress could manage was a twist of her head towards the focal point of the noise. Instinctively, she knew what it meant. What it stood for. And how, sitting there, with bell in hand, the most likely outcome of this tiresome, lengthy, and recently treacherous escapade had become.
She lost.
The energy fell from her. Frowning, she gave the mimics a look which prompted their quick dispersal, save one. She didn't look particularly devastated – not as if this was the end of the world – but there was a disappointment which was obvious. Her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze pointed down, and her breathing was slow and measured. A silence fell between the crimson-haired princess and the nephew-clone; neither saying a word as Rias kept herself intentionally away while Naruto looked on her with a passive understanding.
"Holy shit," the silence broke, "did we actually win?"
Naruto turned to Saji. The dawning conclusion of what he just made it through was enough bring a creeping smile to his lips.
The copy decided to answer him honestly. "You managed to keep a bell until the end."
A laugh began to break out from the Pawn. A joyful sound moving past his lips; his body shaking and wriggling on the ground. "I did it," he yelled. "I did it! Oh, I did it! Sitri-san, I did it!"
Rias mood did not reflect a similar joyfulness, but she did relent a look towards the boy. "Congrats," her tone suggested a lack of real approval or acceptance to his victory. Not that Saji looked like he cared.
"You want a lift back?" The human asked, looking at Rias with an attempt at something apologetic, but the girl seemed rather miffed.
"Oh, now you decide to help me?" He had that one coming. It did kinda look like he was helping the other Peerage.
"I didn't help you," he admitted, "and I didn't help him, either."
Rias didn't believe him, if the obvious disagreement etched into her figure were any indications. "Tell him that."
"WOOOOOO-HOOOOO! FUCK ALL YA'LL!"
"…Yeah…" Naruto tried, looking at the rather excited Pawn, "that won't last long."
A curious choice of words even the weary Rias could see. "And what do you mean by that?"
"It might be best just to show you," he held out his hand again to her.
Another time, another place, this gesture might have made Rias happy. Now, amidst this strained defeat, this annoyance at the cheering boy, her bruised pride and irritation at her nephew, she almost felt ready to simply walk the way back and leave him there. To show her lack of appreciation to his meddling and secretive, second-meaning words.
But a more curious, open, and less stubborn part of her won out.
"I will be getting you back for this, Naruto-kun," she told him, annoyed look quite plainly seen as she held her hand out to him. He took it carefully. "For all of this."
"Yeah, I bet. Saji, we're heading back! Get over here!"
What could Asia say?
One moment, bell. Next moment, alarm. And after that, several identical copies of her roommate appeared amidst a quick gust of wind and leaves, depositing several of her friends onto the ground. Several looked awful, battered and bruised and some even bleeding. She was certainly the better off of the lot and thus quickly moved to whom she deemed the worst and in need of her help. Though her ability stemmed largely from her present condition, which she would even admit to feeling somewhat fatigued, she proved adamant and willful in spreading her good power onto others.
"You have my thanks, Argento-san."
"Ahhh, you are the best, Asia."
"Asia. MVP."
Apparently, soothing and assisting the aches and pains of a three-hour assault was to be valued most highly. Both Peerages looked almost eagerly for her to work her magic. And, though she would deny it, being appreciated as she was might have given Asia just a little more kick to her step and a bit wider smile to boot.
Once the Kings appeared, with Rias and Saji appearing amongst additional leaves and Sona walking stiffly with an assisting copy of her roommate beside her, Naruto stood atop to look over his peers.
"Alright," he shouted, "who had fun today?"
"YOU SADISTIC FUCK!"
"I WILL MAKE YOUR INSIDES YOUR OUTSIDES THEN YOUR INSIDES AGAIN!"
"YOU POKED ME IN THE ASS! WHY? JUST…WHY?!"
"ALL OF MY HATE!"
"Glad to hear it. Now, I don't want to waste any more time on this, so let's just get right down to business," that got a pause from the colorful shouts. "As we all saw, Sona's Pawn managed to take a bell from me. Saji, if you would."
The teen proved himself quite the showman. He stood himself up from the ground, lifting his silver prize for both Peerages to see. "Right here! Right! Here! Look what I got!" Might have been the exhaustion but his fellow members through camaraderie out the metaphorical window and cheered for their member's success. A pair of Bishops congratulated his success loudly, a fellow Pawn threw herself onto his shoulder in an excited hug, a Knight clapped loudly while the Rook beside her whistled loudly in appreciation, and the Queen offered a polite clap. Even Sona passed him a rather pleased grin and nod for his success, which only spurred his excitement.
Rias and her Peerage followed with a quiet acknowledgement of their own. Not so vivacious, but enough to suggest a remaining camaraderie between the other.
"Okay, okay, good work, Saji, good work. You earned your team some lunch."
From the side, yet another copy appeared. The black bag, full of delicious delicacies unseen, strapped around his arm. "Who's hungry?" He asked in good nature, quickly making his way around to pass meal to meal between the Sitri girls and boys. The food was still wondrously warm, kept in their tightly sealedblack boxes. And, oh, the flavor…
"Oh my."
"This…this is…oohhh…"
"I take back almost everything I've thought or said about you, Naruto. Hmm, so good!"
Some dug in without need for politeness or feeling of order. Swallowing and chewing of meats and vegetables, mixed with a sauce some were unfamiliar with but found to be delightfully sweet and mouthwatering, could be heard. Sona and her Queen seemed to be the only ones willing to follow decorum, politely nibbling and eating in respectable amounts. Though, they're pacing did seem rather below the standard for polite society.
The vision was enviable to the other Peerage.
"Congratulations again, Saji," Naruto spoke up, barely being listened to as the food garnered almost everyone's attention. He decided to speak a little louder. "Now, Asia-chan, could you please raise your bell for everyone."
The stuffing of mouths and quiet staring from both Peerages ceased.
Everyone turned to the girl in mention.
"Asia?" Rias spoke up.
The poor girl. She looked so taken by the attention given to her. Red-faced and uncomfortable, she stood up and raised her fingers a little. The slight ringing from the object in her hand came to everyone's attention before any notice of the glistening metal was found.
"Thank you, Asia-chan," Naruto only made it worse. He reached over to the girl and pat her shoulder with a long arm. "You got yourself a bell for your team. Nice work."
Asia didn't seem to wholeheartedly appreciate his evident good cheer. "Naruto-kun, what's going on?" It was the question on everyone's mind.
"Well, you managed to take a bell from me. Which means you and your team get food," his clone began to move around again. One box of food to every stunned, wondering, and confused member of the Gremory Peerage.
"B-but I didn't take a bell!" She defended herself. "You gave me one!" The bell fell from her fingers and down to the ground as if it suddenly bit her.
There was a raising of eyes at her declaration.
"Really?" Naruto asked. And oh, that smile. "I don't remember."
"You did! Just before the clock went off, y-you told me to hold onto it!"
"Hmm. Maybe I did. Still, you got a bell. So, food," The clone passed a bit of food to Asia. "Hungry?"
"Oh, yes, thank you," she always had time to be polite. "But Naruto-kun, I'm afraid I still don't understand-"
"What is the meaning of this, Naruto?"
Attention fell from the two blonds to the Peerage Kings. Both stood beside the other, their lunches sitting away as they stood beside the other. Rias glared openly with arms crossed, foot tapping into the grass, while Sona did hold a somewhat similar appearance though while her friend had a somewhat more obvious negativity towards whatever was happening, the Sitri was subtler. A long, frigid stare. No less effective than her red-haired friend.
"Yes, please do explain what is happening."
"I'm not sure what you mean," the amused smugness of him. "I'm just pointing out that both of your Peerages managed to get a bell. And that's quite the accomplish-"
"Enough," Rias interrupted. "Why did you give a bell to Asia?"
"Yes, this doesn't seem impartial treatment," Sona added in. "We had to fight for our bell, but you seemed rather casual in passing on a bell to your 'friend.' I must admit, your blatant favoritism in this is not exactly putting you in the most charming light."
Wow. When was the last time Sona talked so much in one go? And with such frosty anger? "Favoritism?" Naruto asked, feigned surprise at the accusation. "I don't know what you mean. If anything, I only helped myself by giving her the bell." He paused. "Or, when she took it, I mean."
"Oh? And how do you figure?"
Here came the best part. "Oh, come on. Didn't you ask me what happened if both of you got a bell?" He sent a pointed look to his aunt, who for a moment looked confused and uncertain. But then, her eyes did widen a bit.
"No…"
"Yep. My rules were that if any of your peerage managed to get a hold of a bell, I'd offer you lunch. And wouldn't you know it! Both of you guys got bells! So, lunch all around! And no one gets tied to a tree. But there was that little way of me winning this all. Either I keep both bells or you both manage to snag one of my silver pieces. Which, you both did."
His smile widened a little. It still looked innocent and kind, but the Devils all stared at him in horror.
"So, since you both got a bell, neither of you wins. Or loses. But in that case, I win. Those were the rules I gave you, remember? Please, no need for applause."
"Bullshit!" Oh, Saji had some words to say to that. The boy stood up, staring angrily to his once thought defeated foe. "Then what was the point of all of this?"
"To learn, mostly," he eased his fingers into his pockets. "Overall, I'd say you guys did pretty well. But there are a few tips I don't think would hurt to remind you guys of. For starters, when you know you're going to be fighting someone with the intention of killing them, it's good to start with a meal in your stomach," he looked over everyone, each Devil listening to him carefully. "Throwing up is probably going to be the least of your worries if someone is trying to kill you. Keep up your energy; it helps." Obvious things to consider are sometimes the ones least thought of.
No one argued that. Some even took quick bites of their meal, just to illustrate the point of their understanding.
"Next, let's go with teamwork. I...don't really have much to say on that. You both worked well together against me. I'm actually kind of proud of you guys for that. But, when Saji took one of my bells, you all turned against the other. Inner-fighting can get you killed. You saw what I could do - if I wanted it, I could have taken each of you while you were busy trying to fight the other. Wouldn't have been that hard, really. And, sure, this is a competition. Grand prize, two teams, win-lose situation, it happens. But when someone like me is obviously making sure you fight with each other, do yourself a favor and stick with your fellow Devil. Even if you have to sacrifice your own wants and needs for someone else. It might stink, but sometimes sacrifice needs to happen. Just keep that in mind."
That earned some more sheepish or guilty looks from others. Especially the two Kings, who orchestrated this event and the turning against each other. Temptation for the grand reward can make common sense of even the brightest and coolest of heads fail in a moment of importance.
"After that, all I have to say is that each of you works better as a team. Keeping together helps in the long run. Work off the other's strengths and defend their weaknesses. You did pretty well with that, too. But someone left their Bishop behind," Naruto walked behind his roommate, putting his hands to her shoulders, "and after that, all I needed was for her to take my bell and the rest was history. I could have won at any time. Didn't even need to do much more than raise my hand a little.
"And that's the most important thing to remember. I didn't need to keep the bells. All I needed was for neither of you to win. And by doing so, I won. Simple as that."
"We were in checkmate before we even began…" Sona seemed to have some kind of dawning conclusion nestled in the back of her mind. A twisted idea which made her look onto her friend most cautiously.
Naruto only smiled and shrugged to her comment.
"But what was the point of coming here so late?"
It was Sona's younger Pawn who asked. The human stared at her for a long moment. "Oh, that was just to make this easier for me."
"Seriously?!"
"Just take it as another lesson in being rested. Or the importance of being on time. Or that I lie – whichever you want." There might have been a few faces in the audience who looked ready to deck him a couple solid ones. "But anyway, sure, I tricked you. But you agreed to my rules, so you really have no one to blame but yourselves." The number of angry audience members grew.
"You can't be serious..." Rias growled, hand rubbing the edges of her eyes with no small amount of annoyance. "Are you honestly telling me that you wasted our time with this charade? Do you really expect us to just let you decide that no one gets to use the Familiar Master now?"
"And here I thought you gave me your word," Naruto gave off an overly dramatic sign then shrugged his arms. "Well, no big. I kind of expected this would happen. Which is why I'm giving my seal of approval for both of you," he raised his hand, index and middle finger pointing to the two newest Peerage members, "to come with me to see the master tomorrow."
A choice bit of words which caught Sona's ear. "Naruto, Zatouji will only accept one Peerage to work with every month. You know this."
"Hmm. Normally, yeah. He's a bit hard to deal with," the nonchalance of Naruto was palpable. Almost knowing, like he was aware of something particular neither Peerage was aware. "But I might just have something that could fix him to help another someone. He owes me a favor; I think I might just collect on it now."
Depending on the species, people, organization or individual, a favor can mean the world or nothing. Essentially, it could be like grass without value, or as much as a blank check with your name on it. And Devils had a particular appreciation and intense code towards a favor owed. So, say whatever about the Familiar Master; a man of compulsion, pride in his work, and when he said he could do something, he usually could. But like any Devil, when his word was given, it meant something.
One of a number of things Naruto had appreciation towards Devils for.
"I wasn't aware of this." Kiba was actually the one to speak up.
"Nor I," Rias added, still quite aggressed. The girl's pride was that of a Devil; being so easily tricked wouldn't be mended for a short while still. "I don't believe you never mentioned this before. When did this small favor-owing meeting happen with one of the most renowned and respected masters of beasts, Naruto?"
Hmm, when did it all happen?
Well, as the story went, a freak hydra started to destroy a particular forest spot for endangered jackalopes. Naruto was practically begged to help with it. Turned out, one of the heads had a particularly infected parasite in the brain which made the whole body go mad. Took awhile to figure it out, but after giving the infected head a rather clean shave by its lower neck, the beastie was positively tame after. The odd beast master even said, in his own words, that whatever expertise he could offer the boy, it was his. All said in some manner of rhyme the teen human wouldn't even try to reiterate.
This all happened about… "Six months ago? Last winter?" Roughly then. Something about a cold-blooded creature being awake at such a time. Zatouji mentioned it once or twice on its unusualness. Hydras were often found in more tropical areas, and otherwise only moved at times in strictly warmer temperatures.
The time seemed to make Rias blink. "Six months? For real?" Naruto nodded. "Huh. I…I was not aware." Rias seemed off put by the answer. Whatever the reason for, who was to say.
"Naruto," Sona spoke up again. It would seem the two Kings had become the voices for their tired and tried Peerages, "are you certain he will accept us both? I would rather not aggravate a man so privileged with misconceptions of the value on his 'favor'." Piss off a man of such respected authority in a field of valued worth? That would not do well, and Sona spoke for her Peerage and her family too.
Naruto seemed to be getting more than a few looks which asked if this was fine and possible. Asia, the poor girl, did seem still very confused on the whole escapade about today and the Familiar Master in general, but politely kept her peace to the side.
The human only smiled.
"Positive," his confidence was always striking. "I'll keep this brief: meet back here, tomorrow night, seven. Rias, Sona, you guys handle how we're getting to the forest. Tell me if there are any problems. I'll start thinking on a few places I think you'd like to look into. Prime Familiar locations. Saji, by the end of tomorrow, you'll almost forgive me for the finger-butt thing, I swear."
"Fuck you, there aren't enough familiars in the world to fix that!"
"Meh, worth a shot. See ya!"
"Hold it right there, mister!"
Rias stopped him dead in his tracks. One thing he learned in his years as a member of House Gremory was not to fight against Rias when she was trying to get your attention. Bad lesson learned once, by accident, and never again.
"Yeah?"
"Six months. Six months. Are you telling me you had this favor for six months? A deal conveniently for us that you just mention it today? Is that right?"
"Yep."
Rias went quiet for a moment. A long moment. Naruto stared to her, practically seeing the gears formulating some deep, complicated idea behind them. "I can't believe this. You. I can't – you set up this whole thing…so far…to win in such an underhanded way. To play us into fighting the other. To take us all on and completely decimate our Peerages through means I can't even begin to say for sake of my pride. And you, you knew how to settle us before we even started." Some manner of dawning, horrible revelation took hold of the Gremory King. "You had us. Had us before even the game began. You weren't even tired on the day you mentioned it, were you? You didn't forget to tell me about Sona – was that planned too? Some sort of easing us in? So that no one would suspect you of such deceitful means and your tricks…" Her bottom lip quivered. Eyes wide and staring at her nephew. A mixture of emotions; surprise, above all, mixed in with admiration to his supposed cunning and prowess. So like a Devil…
Sona listened to her friend. Her head lowering in thought. "You let us think we had you," she whispered. "To think that Saji-san could actually manage to take a bell from you. I, I remember…you supported him. Told me he would make a good member. You wanted him here," A smooth hand went through her hair. Then to her lips. They began to quiver as an odd smile crossed them. "So far into the future. Our competitions. Our members. This place where we'd fight. How we might move and attack. You saw it all. And we, we were like children…" She seemed rather flustered by the idea. "You had this handled before we even knew, didn't you?"
Every Devil stared between the Kings and Naruto. Such a declaration. Such an idea that Naruto, a human, could be so…so…
It had to be impossible. It must have been.
But both Kings appeared to be so absolute in their certainty. So sure that…well, a lingering passable idea of just maybe…was it…?
All eyes were to the teen. He stared back for a long, tense moment. A man who portrayed to them all in the last few hours as a figure of cunning, ability, strategy, artistry, and now possible brilliance. To put a light into their minds that this simple figure might have been far and beyond anything they might have suspected. Powers and abilities and the drive to defeat their weakened states was one thing, but to have it all so determined? Preordained? Inevitable?
The thought was almost chilling for some.
Naruto, for his part, listened to every word his two friends said. His face kept straight and with hardly so much as an expressive twitch.
"Sure."
He offered with a last, half-efforted shrug before turning for home.
"Why not?"
Yeah, so I decided to stop the 'f%$k' thing and just say the word. People apparently get antsy seeing it.
So, screw it. Normal F-words, it is!
Also, just uploaded two new stories! Expanding my horizons on writing! Different subjects! See if I have it in me beyond my fandom of simply Naruto!
If you are a fan of Sword Art Online, RWBY, Kingdom Hearts, League of Legends, Video Games in general and my style of writing, please be sure to check them out!
Titles: Two Brothers and Heart of an Arc.
I would love to hear feedback on them and if you'd like me to write on them some more. And, I know, they're terrible titles, but I work with what I can imagine.
Hope this chapter was fun for you! Till next time!