A/N: EDIT: Flames will be flames I suppose...T_T
Went back and polished up a few things, added some more content, etc.
I'm back! Ain't no cold keeping me down!
I had planned to update another story first, but after the last episode of Demon Slayer...this was screaming to be written. Wasn't happy that they delayed the Upper Moon meeting but daaaaamn was I impressed by Doma's VA.
As ever, the Embers Rule Persists; if folks truly don't enjoy this tale, then...I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something folks don't like, and working two jobs on a near back-to-back basis leaves my energy at an all time low. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard!
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns.
Q: More Mukago! Please, I'm begging you here! she's an adorable little scaredy-cat!
A: Like Daki and Gyutaro, she's gonna be a staple in this story. After all, Zenitsu has to meet her a few chapters from now...
Now I'm picturing them both screaming and running from something scary. Ha!
Q: Um, this may sound rude, but can we see Muzan's POV here? Boi's gotta be pissed after losing two lower moons in the span of one night.
A: Don't worry, you're not being rude at all. Granted, I WAS going to save this for the next chapter, but hey, I'm a reasonable fellow. Here you go, since you asked so nicely~!
Q: Will we see major timeskips soon?
A: Yes. Won't say when. It'll ruin the surprise. But for now, we're hitting one...right now.
Can't stay in the past forever~!
Q: Does Naruto see Daki and Gyutaro as his kids?
A: Not quite. Just family. He's all but said they're free to change their roles as they wish.
Reeeaaallly shouldn't have said that to Daki. We all know how she gets when she has her eye on something...
Thankfully, she's got plenty of time to grow up.
Q: Might sound strange, but have you given Naruto a theme in this yet?
A: Someone suggested one, and I ran with it. "God of Fire" by Black Throne. Found that one on Itunes; really has a nice Demon Slayer vibe to it. I've also found a few new tracks for Set Your Heart Ablaze. Namely, "Set it on Fire" by Divide Music and "Cremate your Life" by HalaCG. Oh, and "Fairy Jar" also by HalaCG once again. Apparently that's a Nezuko song.
*shrug*
There, that's my shameless plug done~! Onto the other questions!
Q: Naruto and Tamayo! Now!
A: Hold your horses! While I'm at it, I'd best clarify something, before heads roll. Yushiro's only been around for 35 years at the time of Demon Slayer.
Considering that we're currently 100 years before the events of Demon Slayer -but not for long!- its safe to say she hasn't taken/turned him at this time. Hell, Yushiro hasn't even been BORN yet.
Tamayo's been around awhile, however, so that works!
She's mellow by the time Tanjiro meets her, but apparently she had quite the vicious streak in her younger days. Who knew! Not me!
Q: How in the HELL have Naruto and Muzan not stumbled into each other?!
A: Blind bloody luck. Naruto tends to turn humans. Not demons. Even when he does, his blood severs the connection Muzan has with them. Unfortunately, said demon would be too frightened to risk mentioning Muzan's name regardless. After all, just saying it kills you. Muzan doesn't want word of him getting out. Likewise, Muzan is far to prideful to even consider the possibility of another Demon King running around Japan.
Have you seen the arrogance on that man?!
Alright, I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a one!
Spoilers for Demon Slayer, obviously. And minor verbatim for the Mount Natagumo arc.
And with that said, I do hope you enjoy the feast of words I've prepared for you...
"My, my. Such darling children. And you, demon doctor who fathers demons but kills yet more; a man who destroys the wicked. A demon who walks in the sun.
What a curious contradiction you are. I've wanted to meet you for some time now.
Please, won't you come in for tea?"
~Doctor meets Doctor.
Physician Heal Thyself
Muzan loathed change.
Be it changing circumstances, changes of the flesh, changing emotions, or simply changing times; the King of Demons despised it all. Change brought on weakness and inferiority. He preferred the unchanging. The eternal. A perfect and unaltered state, that which bred neither sickness nor weakness. Such was the peak to which he aspired.
Today's report heralded the ripples of change.
"..."
Needless to say, he was displeased.
"Another race of demons?" he all but spat the words back at the lowly demon cowering before him. Veins pulsed in his face, throbbing in time with his twisted heart. "A family? Absurd. Is this your excuse?" his hand swept forth, tearing at the air and drawing a panicked whimper from his minion. "I am the King of Demons. No other."
"I'm telling the truth, master!" the twisted creature before him prostrated itself yet further, head scraping the floor of the infinity castle in a desperate attempt to appease him. "I swear!"
His thoughts certainly suggested as much. There was no attempt at deception here. He must be mistaken, then.
...what was this one's name again? He couldn't be bothered to recall it. Some lowly mutt he'd turned long ago, no doubt. Hairo-something or other. Irrelevant in the greater scheme of things. And what nonsense was this? A family of demons? He'd not given his permission for such a gathering. Not since Rui's death...and Mukago's disappearance.
"Two of them approached me," Hairo mumbled frantically into the floor, mistaking his silence for acceptance. "A woman with pale hair, and a man with horns! They offered me a place with them." Muzan absolutely seethed and the poor soul whimpered at his feet. "I refused, of course! I...I am loyal to you!"
Out of fear, nothing more. "And yet your thoughts says otherwise. You considered it."
"Master, no!" Sweat poured down Hairo's brow. "I would never-
"Silence. You lie. For that you deserve to die."
A wrist flicked out and the demon before him ceased to be. It was, by all means, a swift end.
Muzan considered the ruined pile of flesh before him with all the disgust it deserved...and walked away. The castle would dislodge the fool's remains. Such weakness, such fear, How weak. He had enough on his plate without these ludicrous claims. He would not dread those who were lesser than him. He refused. Excuses made by the weak were just that. Excuses!
Still, there could be no denying Mukago had failed. Rui as well.
Said failures incensed and baffled him like nothing else; if only because he didn't understand what had transpired on Mount Natagumo. Rui had clearly perished there. Someone -likely a Hashira- must have slain him. He'd felt the moment of his death. And yet the circumstances surrounding Mukago's "demise" were not the same.
It hadn't felt like death at all...almost as if here connection to him was severed; like a blade had been taken to their connection.
Had she managed to escape from him as Tamayo had?
The thought rankled.
Perhaps it was time for new blood in the Lower Moons. Strong blood. Blood without cowardice and weakness. For a wild moment, Muzan considered abolishing the fools altogether; of simply wiping out the remaining lower ranks in their entirety. In the end, he thought better of it. The Twelve Demon Moons were useful pawns. There was no need to cull their numbers at the moment. Not with the Slayers making a resurgence.
'Just like that man.' a small, fretful voice whispered in the back of his head. He'd heard whispers of late. Rumors.
His right arm trembled. He noticed at once and clamped down on it with a snarl. Was this fear?
Nonsense! He had only ever feared that man. That monster. Yoriichi was dead. Gone.
...wasn't he?
Shaking such thoughts aside, he returned to his research.
He would become a perfect being. No matter the cost. Even if it took decades. He could afford to wait a century, to muster his forces and prepare for any surprise. One hundred years. Time meant nothing to one such as him, but his patience had its limits. It aggravated him beyond words to push his plans back, but perhaps it was a necessary sacrifice.
He would bide his time; time in which to create yet more demons.
After all, time was on his side. Not theirs. It had ever and always been his ally.
He would wait for the perfect moment to strike. And then...he would annihilate the Demon Slayers.
(.0.0.0.)
Mukago woke with a shriek.
"Nooo! I don't wanna die! Merccccyyyy!"
Heart pounding and eyes wide, she jolted back to wakefulness, flailing against a foe that wasn't there. No attack came. No blade in the gut, no sword to the head, nothing at all. Even the sound of her scream had faded to little more than a distant noise.
"Eh?" she touched her face, her horns -was it just her or did those feel a little different?- and everything else, just to make sure she hadn't lost any important. "I'm alive?
Yay! Her heart did a happy little flip. I survived another day!
But why was she in bed? The last thing she remembered was that terrifying blond fellow -demon!- looming over her. Seeing his smile, a smile with far too many teeth. She recalled the surge of terror that followed, a thin reedy yelp escaping her lips as that clawed hand reached out for her...
.
..
...and then, nothing. Nothing at all. How strange.
Quivering a little, Mukago sank back into her cot and pulled the covers up over her chin.
"Must've been a bad dream...
Now that her panic had abated, exhaustion crept back in through the cracks. So too did awareness. Why was it so bloody bright in here? She blinked and squinted against it, trying to see, to no avail. The light spilling through a nearby window was just so bright and warm. Almost like sunlight. Enough to lull her back to sleep.
"Ohhhh, its just morning." she rolled over, content to let sleep claim her. "Nothing to worry about...
A moment passed. Then another. Realization dawned. Morning?
Her stomach sank down to her toes. Sunlight?!
"Gyah! I'll burn!"
She lurched upright, frantically trying to shield herself, to no avail.
.
..
...there was no pain.
Her grey skin did not smolder, her flesh didn't burn, and she most certainly did not burst into flames.
"Eh? What? How?" she patted herself down, mind twisting in confusion. "What's going on?"
Demons burned in sunlight. Everyone knew that. Even master Muzan wasn't immune. So why was she all of a sudden?!
She squeaked out in confusion and raised her hands, watching faint motes of light play across her arms. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and not from fear. It felt so warm. She'd almost forgotten the like. But she mustn't cry. She had no idea where she was, and if she made a noise, she might giver herself away andohblastshewascryinganyway...
"You know," A low voice yawned beside her. "Somehow, that never gets old."
For all her luck, Mukago's soul remained skittish as ever. She rolled over in her cot and realized there as another bed beside hers.
Half-lidded red eyes met hers in the waxing light, framed by tawny blond hair and whiskered cheeks.
"Yo," Naruto waved at her. "Sleep well?"
Her very soul shivered. It was the blond bastard from before! Hyeeeek! Not a dream! Not a dream at all! Her brain took one look at him and noped right the hell out. Senseless gibberish fled from her lips as her eyes rolled back in her head. The world narrowed to a single pinpoint of existence and she went limp with a gasp. HA! No one could hurt her in her dreams!
"Hey!" a distant voice drew her back from the black. "None of that! No fainting again!"
She must have; because between one blink and another, Mukago found her tormentor sitting cross-legged before her. A hand took her by the shoulder and another came down around her back. She tensed in preparation of a killing blow. He was going to kill her! Just like he'd killed Rui! She had to run! Escape! Use her blood demon art, or...!
It never came. In place of the deathblow she so feared, the blond politely guided her into a loose sitting position and let her go.
"So." the blond planted his chin in one hand and tilted his head to regard her. "I imagine you're confused."
Very much so, yes! But she daren't say it. This guy was way, way, way scarier than Muzan!
...and why couldn't she feel his presence in her anymore?
Perhaps sensing her disquiet, the blond snapped his fingers. Someone who looked exactly like him strode through the door, bearing a tray in hand, with a kettle and cups set atop it. The doppelganger set it down before them, bowed once, and stepped back out.
"Tea?"
Mukago hissed.
He laughed. "Its not poisoned."
"I'm good!" She still shook her head. "No tear for me."
"Skittish little thing." her fear only served to amuse him. "I'm really not your enemy...
Silent stretched between them, stiff and awkward.
"Alright." the blond sighted into it, shoulders slumping in annoyance. "Answers, then. I'm Naruto." a tan hand rose, and she glimpsed the claws on his nails. "Nice to meet ya. Any chance you'd be willing to tell me your name?"
Her tongue felt stiff, but she managed to squeak it out and shake his hand. "Mukago...
"Great!" His arm pumped her once and fell back into his lap. "Call it pity, but I gave you a few drops of my blood while you were out. You did say you'd join my side...
Mukago made fearful Mukago noises and jerked her hand back as her heart leaped into her throat. "Eh?!"
"Right, right, she'd said that, hadn't she? She'd not expected him to take her panic literally.
"My blood." A spark of something flashed through his eyes. "Its in you, now. You haven't noticed?
"Noticed what?"
Too late, she realized there was a small, handheld mirror on the tray. Naruto plucked it out hand held it outward.
In that instant, she glimpsed her reflection in the glass.
A stranger gasped back at her.
Startled silver eyes remained, set within scarlet sclera. That much hadn't changed-not much at least. They were sharper, slitted, each bearing a vertical cat-shaped slit; it was then that she noticed her right eye no longer bore Muzan's mark. The traditional crimson marks carved into her cheeks had thinned, bearing three whisker marks to each cheek. She looked a little older at that, taller by at least a head, her face a bit leaner, ashen hair spilling down her shoulders to cover a bosom she was sure hadn't been this full before. Her arms folded across it, doing what the straining fabric couldn't.
Who was this gorgeous creature?!
Even her horns hadn't escaped the change unscathed; those once sharp spires stabbing from her skull had evolved into something altogether more slender. She reached up and ran her fingers over them, marveling at the smooth spires. No longer jutting straight out of her forehead, they sloped up gently, curving through her hair, curving upward around her bangs.
"Is that me?"
"Sure is! My blood's a powerful thing." Naruto patted her back. "Guess it gave you an upgrade."
That was putting it mildly! She looked like some ancient oni out of the old fables! Straight out of Muzan's time at that! And now that Naruto mentioned it, she could feel something stirring in her. With her panic settled -for now!- she finally became aware of it. Power. It pulsed through her veins, pounding in time with her heart. Still, her nerves remained. Why was he being so nice to her? Demons weren't supposed to be nice...!
"You're not like Master Muzan at all...
"Muzan?" red eyes fluttered in a belated blink. "Whose that?"
Horror dawned. She'd screwed up! Mukago clapped both hands over her mouth. "N-No one! Nothing at all!"
Naruto frowned. "If you say so...
She wasn't saying so! Nope! Not saying it! Not telling! She didn't dare! was a miracle she could say his name aloud, but she didn't dare speak any more for fear of triggering the curse. Even if it was gone, her fear simply wouldn't allow her to speak that man's name.
A clawed hand pinched her cheek, but gently, as on older brother might unto their sister. "You're not thinking of turning traitor, are you?"
"No!" she hiccuped, words slurring as he tweaked her face. "I'm sowwwwy! I'll be goooood!"
"So long as you understand. The blond man smiled suddenly, changing his tunes. "Want some sweets? Susamaru's making dumplings...
Mukago's head whipped back around with an audible crack. Dumplings? Sweets? For her?!
Muzan? Who the hell was Muzan? Long live lord Naruto! Banzai!
(.0.0.0.)
Time means little to demons.
It ever flows by. Like leaves in the wind.
Months pass, almost before you know it. Followed by years...
(.0.0.0.)
"Try to kill me."
With a gust of wind those words whipped across the open plain, winding away into the night. He planted both hands in his sleeves and awaited their response. It was a simple statement all things considered; blunt and to the point. There could no room for hesitation, no mistaking what he'd said; no room for interpretation.
And yet.
"Oi!" Naruto clapped his hands together. "What's wrong? You're pale."
"How can you say that with a straight face?!" Daki -Ume!- still flinched, looking like he'd slapped her across the face. "We can't do that!" her arms flailed, absolute horror writ across her pale visage. "We owe you way too much to do something like that! We could never k...kill you...!" White hair flashed in the moonlight as she shook her head fiercely, clearly revolted by the thought. "No! I won't do it!" she stomped a foot down, rattling the ground. "You can't make me!"
"No way in hell." Gyutaro proved less vocal in his protests, but maintained the same sentiment regardless. "That's no way to repay a debt."
Daki looked to her brother with a triumphant smirk. "See! He agrees!"
"Hmm...you're right." his head bobbed. "I can't force you."
Daki eyed him warily. "You can't...?"
"Damn straight!"
"Not at all." Naruto dimpled as he reached down, patting Dai's head with one hand. She purred like a pleased kitten and leaned into his palm. "I just wanted to see how far the two of you have come after all the last three decades, but if you don't wanna show me...
He trailed off, baiting the proverbial hook.
Gyutaro absolutely hissed. "You callin' us weak?"
Naruto waved his free hand, feigning a laugh. "No, no, not at all...
Beneath his occupied hand, Daki went still as stone. Her eyes snapped up to meet his. Narrowed. He could see pride burning in them, ire warring against devotion to the man who'd saved her life. She had to know he was prodding her, but he really did want to see the fruits of their training.
After all, they weren't kids anymore. Demons aged slowly, but there could be no denying that they'd grown.
"We're not weak." Daki bridled, looking fit to spit. The appeal to her ego worked wonders. "We've gotten a lot tougher! We'll join the Nine, soon!"
Unlikely, but it was possible. The rankings had been known to shift every few decades or so. Even little Mukago had clawed her way up to Fourth, just below Susamaru. If rising higher truly was their ambition, he wouldn't deny it; if anything, he felt that deserved praise.
"Good girl." He bumped his forehead against hers. "Then you won't mind showing me your skills...?"
Daki made distressed Daki noises. "No fair...you can't say it like that..!
"You sure about this...?" Gyutaro slowly reached for his sickles as he stepped back, handsome face contorting into a scowl. "We won't hold back, old man."
It was precisely what was aiming for. He'd devoted the last thirty years to training them after all. He had to make certain they were ready for what was coming. The only way to test that was under pressure; only then would they truly reveal all that they'd learned.
"Oho?" a blond brow rose. "Someone's sure of themselves. Tell you what." he touched a finger to his cheek. "If you both manage to land a decent hit on me, I'll give you both a reward."
Daki perked up, knees wriggling from side to side. "What kind of reward?"
"Dunno." He shrugged. "Whatever you like, I guess."
Her eyes flashed. "...then marry me!"
"Still four decades too young for that, missy!"
She sulked. "Boo...
"Alright, then!" He clapped his hands. "Begin!"
Daki and Gyutaro needed no further prodding than that; his palms hadn't yet parted when the siblings shared a look and leaped away. One tore left, the other right, each vanishing into the tall grass. They hid themselves well; better than any human possibly could, a far cry from what they had once been so long ago. He closed his eyes and stretched out his senses, only to find that he couldn't detect them so easily; it required a physical act of concentration on his part and even then, they kept moving, not once letting him draw a bead on them.
A savage grin tore across the blond's face. So damn proud. They'd come a long way.
Tainted flesh sickles whistled up at his head. Once he would've easily intercepted them with a single finger. Now he found he actually had to use his entire hand to hold it back. The wound stung and for a moment, he felt his vision blur, balance teetering precariously.
"Poison, huh?" he hummed. "Useful, but this won't slow me down for long."
His pupil grinned. "I ain't done! Blood Demon Art: Flying Blood Sickles!"
Naruto bridled. He'd unlocked his Blood Art?!
A barrage of arcing blood blades raced in on his flank, no doubt meant to make him to disengage or be cut to ribbons. Blue eyes flashed gold and they spattered harmlessly off his back. A hand swept in, caught Gyutaro by the throat, and held him up for a moment. Had this been a real battle, he would've crushed his throat with Rend and ended his life. Instead he flung him away, sending him skipping across the ground.
Wait. Where was Daki?
He found her not two yards away, eyes closed, arms raised over her head, fingers reaching for the night sky, brow furrowing in concentration. Her hands whirled in strange rhythmic movements, as though she were sweeping some unseen strings before her-
"Don't forget about me!"
He quirked a brow under the moonlight and waited patiently as he fended off Gyutaro; wondering what she was on about. He knew better than to say anything. Daki -Ume!- was fragile like that. Her pride was flimsy at the best of times, and to try and disparage her now might well hurt her.
Abruptly, the obi she wore at her waist unfurled.
No, perhaps that wasn't quite right. It didn't so much unfurl as it did spring to life, nine layers of hardened cloth lashing out to cut at him. Nine, eh? She'd taken after him again. They burst from her body, from the ground, and even the air itself, a storm of hardened belts slashing with wild abandon. Evidently she'd unlocked her Blood Demon Art as well. Clever kids, hiding that from him. Still even as this range it would, easy enough to dodge-
Gyutaro dropped his sickles and latched onto his wrists, costing him precious time. "No, you don't!"
Clever boy.
Naruto lashed out in a vicious headbutt, stunning the younger demon. Gyutaro slumped with a wordless gurgle, but didn't let go. And that brief moment of inattention caught him. Even as he kicked the boy aside and tried to leap away, he knew he wouldn't be able to block them all. Deflecting availed him naught. There were simply too many. The siblings had sprung their trap well.
A grievous wound opened in his shoulder, spattering blood across his robes.
It regenerated not a moment later, but the stain remained.
He'd underestimated them.
.
..
...so why did he feel so damn proud?
"How was that?!" Daki preened as he landed. "We got you good, didn't we?!"
Her expression said it all. Screamed it, really. Praise me! Such a fragile little thing she was. But that was alright. She was Family. She could be whatever she wanted to be.
"I think that's enough for today." Naruto smiled softly and patted her head. "Good girl. You did good. Real good."
"Hee~!"
Daki giggled even as Gyutaro grunted. "Tch. Spoiled."
"Hey, I wasn't done." Naruto turned to face him in turn. "Lets see this blood art of yours again! I wanna get a better look at it."
His praise worked like a charm; just like that, the boy's pale face turned a deep red. "Shitty old man...
"Language!"
Laughing, he took a moment to consider just how far they'd come. Technically speaking it made sense that their skills worked so well together, he'd turned them at the same time after all. They were one demon. So long as one kept their head -literally!- at all times, they wouldn't die by conventional means. Gyutaro's poison made them deadlier still, perfectly suited to hit and run tactics. These two would be strong. Give them a few more decades and they might well rise into the ranks of the Nine. Sage knew they'd need all the help they could get.
"Are you really leaving again?"
The sudden inquiry drew him back to reality.
Urk. You could weaponize that kind of cuteness. Musn't look!
She was sulking. Naruto knew it at a glance; and not just because his fledgling wouldn't look him in the eye. Her posture screamed defiance as she crossed both arms before her chest. Gah. Don't look at that, either! She might have grown up, but she was still just a fledgling in his eyes...
"Can't help it, kiddo." he patted her head, humming a little as she leaned into his palm. "There's a lead I need to track down...
"Then I wanna come with you!" she reached around and latched onto his wrist. "You'd said you would give us a reward! Let that be mine!"
"Ha?!" Gyutaro growled. "That's not what I want! Training! That's the reward I'm after!"
She scoffed. "Then you stay here, stupid!"
"What was that?!"
"Oi!" Naruto thrust himself between them before they could come to blows. "Look, where I'm going, its not really safe. It would be better if the two of you stayed. There's always next time-
"No! I'm not leaving you!" Daki puffed out her cheeks. By the sage, she could be so childish sometimes. "I'm never going to leave you, okay? We're always going to be together!" When he didn't answer, she mistook that for anger. "Please don't hate me." she clung onto him, tears pricking her eyes. "Don't scold me! Don't leave me all by myself!"
Naruto cast a desperate glance for Gyutaro, only to find him wilting as well. Traitor!
He deflated with a sigh.
...the two of you will do exactly as I say."
"Yes!" Daki clung onto his sleeve. Anything!"
(.0.0.0)
Asakusa really was a lovely place.
Far from the heart of Tokyo, the city sat near a large bay. Perhaps that explained why it thrived so; for the city proved just even more lively at night than it was during the day. Large buildings and bright lights lit up the night, illuminate the city for miles around. People thronged the streets, crowding through a dense marketplace loaded with countless signs and merchants hawking their wares. Carriages guided citizens through the roads, forcing others to make way or risk being run down. There was even some primitive trolley system running throughout the city.
It really was a lovely place, but it baffled Naruto to no end.
People pressed in on every size like so many gnats buzzing about, forcing them to keep walking. If they didn't, they'd be mowed down.
Well, he wouldn't, but still.
"So big!" Daki cooed from her perch on his back. "This isn't anything like our hometown!"
He stole a glance back at her. "Aren't you little too big for piggyback rides?"
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Stingy! You said you'd carry me!"
"I was jokin', ya know."
"There's no arguing with her when she's like this." Gyutaro rolled his eyes as he slunk at his side. "Might as well give up again. So, is it here?"
They weren't here to sight-see. He'd come to investigate a tip from one of his sources.
Naruto sniffed once, inhaling deeply as he tasted the air.
His nose crinkled as he found it.
...yeah."
How was there a demon here? While the scent of so many people was mild to him after all these years, many did not share his...resilience. Crowds of this size would've driven a newborn demon mad. Even an moderately aged one would've had difficulty controlling themselves.
Which suggested an older demon had claimed this place. A very ancients demon indeed. Hundreds of years old.
Kurama winced for him. "That's not a good thing, is it?"
"No," Naruto swallowed. "No, it is not."
Demons grew ever stronger the more they devoured; and the longer they lived, the craftier they became. It wouldn't be a stretch to say they had near limitless potential. If this one had been around as long as he thought, if they were able to restrain themselves in such a crowded city, they might prove...problematic.
The kids weren't ready for a foe like this.
"Daki, off." he rolled his shoulder and she complied without complaint.
Didn't stop her from snatching up his hand, though.
...really?"
"Not sorry." her fingers laced with his.
...fine. Just stay close to me, the both of you."
The sibling complied wordlessly. Under normal circumstances he would've praised them. Not now. Because smelled her.
Not Daki, but the demon herself.
In hindsight, he wasn't even sure how he knew it was a woman but the scent spoke to him all the same. He saw it in his mind's eye; like a ribbon of red steam wafting into the distance. Like any good tracker he followed it. From there it was a simple matter to let it lead him; to follow its path to the source. Down winding roads it led him; through narrow alleyways, twisting paths and forgotten buildings.
Still his feet carried him forward without fail. He wasn't sure how long. Minutes? Hours? It felt like the latter. Daki clung to his hand without complaint, leaving Gyutaro to roll his eyes and trek after them. They walked in companionable
At last, he found the source; or more aptly, he came face to face with a wall.
His ears twitched as he heard the wind whistle through it. More than that, the scent continued well past here, suggesting there was more at work. He rapped a fist against it, then frowned when it rang hollow. A false door or somesuch? He knocked again. Doing so would surely alert whoever was on the other side, but he couldn't bring himself to destroy such an intricate work.
Abruptly, it creaked open.
"Well, would you look at that." Kurama rumbled. "Seems we've been invited in."
Naruto strode through without hesitation and was well rewarded for his faith. There was a large house not far from them. The scent coiled around it, but his told him it was closer, very close indeed...?
Something moved in his peripherals.
"Behind you!"
Daki yelped even as Gyutaro hollered a warning. Naruto whirled and shoved them both aside. A streak of metal slammed into his face, fast, but not fast enough. He caught between two fingers with a solid thunk, wincing only a little as momentum bit into his skin.
...the hell is that? A scalpel?"
Realization dawned.
"That was close." he cast the surgical implement down, producing a faint clatter. "Ambushes are for weaklings, you know. Why don't you come on out and we can talk this through like adults?"
Someone stepped out from the shadows.
He found himself face to face with a beautiful woman. Her round face framed by long dark hair, parted in the center, braided back into a loose braid held by a floral hairpin. Keen eyes met his, the color of hazy lavender fading to dark purple near the edges. Her notably red lips stood in star contrast to her pale complexion. She wore a dark purple kimono hewn just above the knees for ease of moment, yet decorated with wavy branches and red flowers, secured by a cream-colored obi round her waist. Interestingly enough, her feet were completely bare, a sure sign of her haste.
She tilted her head just so to regard him. "Why have you come here?"
Naruto blinked, somewhat taken aback. For a moment, just a moment, she reminded him of someone very dear. Someone long dead. The resemblance was almost uncanny. He blinked and the specter of his past vanished like so much morning mist. Anger stirred in its wake. She smelled like a demon, but...different. There was a faint, medicinal scent about her. Not unpleasant, but...sweet? Regardless, she looked just as startled to see him as he was her.
"You know how it is," He could've answered truthfully, but that sneak attack just now had left him more than a little cagey. "A little bird told me."
"Are you one of his, then?" she raised a clawed hand, nails ready to dig into her wrist. "If you are, I won't go quietly."
Daki surged upright, obi flaring. "You witch! I'll kill you!"
Naruto held her back. "His...?"
Her lips pursed into a scowl. "Muzan, you fool. Are you one of his?!"
"Muzan?" A blink. "...I have no idea who that is."
.
..
..
"Oh, my." a pale hand rose to cup her cheek. She tilted her head again, the other way this time. "Forgive me for this, but I must be certain."
Confusion morphed into concern. "Certain of wha-HEY!"
His palm snapped up, catching her fist in hand. A shockwave blasted out as hehe caught her fist in an open palm.
"Fascinating." She raised her head, violet eyes gleaming into his own. Her facade slipped and he glimpsed the demonic slits within. "I don't sense any bloodlust from you. None at all."
He gave her a hard shove. "That's because I don't have any! I'm a doctor, damnit!"
Apparently it was the right thing to say; because it had her skipping back.
Then she started to giggle.
It was a surprisingly rough sound for one so refined; he hardly expected her to look at him and laugh.
Naruto frowned. "What's so funny?
"Of course I'm laughing, you oaf." her head snapped down, eyes blazing. "I've just found the middle of something terribly entertaining." another fit of laughter shook her from head to toe, leaving a lone tear to run down her cheek. "At times like this, people laugh, get angry, and cry." she wiped the tear away with a bitter smile. "Isn't that what being human means? Its been so long since I let my hair down like this...
The ghost of an uncertain smile touched his lips. "Depends on your definition of the word. We're hardly human."
"And yet we are in our hearts." Her eyes lit up at his words as much as the rejoinder she gave. "It really is you, then. A demon doctor who fathers demons and yet kills more." She smiled softly and touched a hand to her cheek. "What a curious contradiction you are." another fit of laughter had her doubling over. "Forgive me, I'm just so very happy...
Gyutaro cackled. "She's cracked...heh. Beautiful, too! I like her!"
Daki rolled her eyes. "Stupid older brother!
On that, they were in agreement. Naruto turned back to face the strange demon. "You know, even I can laugh and get angry. Stop beating about the bush. Who are you?"
"My name is Tamayo, good sir." She bowed then, low and deep at the waist. "I've longed to meet you for some time now." Just as quickly she straightened, swept an arm toward the humble abode behind her, and stepped aside. "I suspect you have a great many questions. Won't you come in for tea?"
Naruto stole a glance over his shoulder, not quite willing to make such a monumental decision on his lonesome.
Daki shook her head fiercely even as Gyutaro offered an indifferent shrug. It was enough.
A faint smile creased whiskered cheeks. "...we'd love some."
A/N: Doctor meets Doctor~!
And methinks Naruto's about to learn of Muzan...
To be clear, we're rapidly approaching the main timeline, and hitting another timeskip next chapter.
As ever, the Embers Rule Persists; if folks don't like this tale, then... I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something folks don't like, and working two jobs on a near back-to-back basis leaves my energy at an all time low. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard!
Reviews are the fuel that sustain me and my team in these darkened times.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review, Would You Kindly?
Hope ya enjoy your previews~!
Far out as some may be.,,
(Preview)
"Another one?!"
Naruto blinked thrice.
Nozomi didn't look much pleased with him. Neither did Sora. Nor Jiyu. Susamaru least of all.
...why're ya looking at me like that?!
"Aaargh!" Susamaru screamed at the ceiling. "You're impossible! Do I have to spell it out for you?!"
She dove on him and crushed her lips to his.
Someone cried out behind her. It sounded like the Spider Girls. "No fair!"
"Yeah!" Daki bulled in on the side and clutched on his arm. "Mine!"
"Says who?!"
"Oi." Naruto sighed as he found himself tugged too and fro. "I'm not something you can claim!"
"Can and have! Mine!"
Mukago knew better than to jump into that dog pile.
"Y-Yeah, I'll just come back when he's alone...less chance of dying...
"See this bottle?" Naruto sat down and held the jug of sake out, liquid sloshing within. "Think of this drink as your blood. Spill it at your own peril."
One of them smashed it, spattering his chest. He blew out a sharp, angry breath. It was always the young ones. They never learned.
"That was perfectly good sake you just wasted...
As one unit, the other Slayers drew their blades. As one, four of them died, falling to bloody pieces at his feet. The fifth survived through sheer bloody luck; being near the back they tripped and fell. Their blade trembled in their hands, eyes wide as they gazed upon their ruined comrades. They hadn't seen him move. Of course not. They were only human, after all.
Naruto turned slowly, red eyes blazing in the gloom. "Think it through."
His words must've shaken the would-be slayer; because they stumbled back. Their sword fell from their hands. It clattered harshly onto the road. He could see the anger in their eyes, the hate, but also the fear; the cruel realization that they too, would die just as needlessly. And they would if they picked up that sword. He disliked killing, but he would for his family.
Remarkably, they listened.
"Good." Finally, someone with some sense!" It heartened him to see such. He liked the ones who actually stopped to think. "I can see you're the smart one." he stood, bit his thumb to make it bleed, and strode forward, letting a bead of red run down his hand. "I've got a proposition for you. But first, what's your name...?"
Bright eyes met his.
Mukago squeaked and scarpered. "Nope! Not fighting that!"
"Coward!" the Hashira shouted at her rapidly retreating back. "Stand and fight!"
Nope, nope, all the nope! "I don't think so! She who runs away lives to fight another day!"
Daki smiled. It was not a nice smile. "That's adorable. I think I'll keep you."
"Oi. Get up. Its over."
There was a brief silence.
And then. "You saved me! My hero!"
"Eh?!" Gyutaro flailed, yelping a little as the young woman slammed into his chest and latched on like a limpet. "What the hell?!" he tried to pry her off, to no avail. She flung tight. "Get offa me! Oi, Akaza! Help!"
"No can do." The higher rank clapped his shoulder and walked by with a merry smile. "You rescued her, she's your responsibility now."
"Ha?! Don't give me that!" Pushing her head down, he cast a baleful look his way. "What am I supposed to do with her?!"
"Turn her, marry her, make her your pet. I don't care. Just be sure and tell the boss beforehand."
The girl blinked up at him. "You're a demon? But you're so handsome! And nice!"
Heat rose into his cheeks.
Just like that, Gyutaro was lost.
Akaza laughed and made a whipped noise.
"I want to watch you live a bit more." Hands dug into her hair, yanking painfully. "That's right. Live. Cling to life. Know what it means to have a heart. And then, come stand before me again.
"Reporting, sir!" the young woman pressed her head into the floor at his feet, uncaring of her dirty uniform. "I have news of the Corps movements and a raid in one weeks time!"
"A week, huh?" Naruto thumbed his chin. Huh. Seemed they were getting uppity after what he'd done. "How many Hashira?"
"Three! Water, Thunder, and Fire!"
"That...many?" A low, tired sigh pervaded the air behind him. "Interesting. Let them come."
Red eyes rolled. "You're worse than Akaza, you know!"
...I am not." They remained in the shadows, but he caught the glimpse of a smile therein. "Akaza would slay them all in the name of a good fight. If they are weak and refuse to see reason, they will die. If they are strong of spirit and heart, they will join us, blood or no."
"You know, that makes sense."
Honestly, there was no arguing with this one!
"In any case, you did well." Naruto ignored his erstwhile ally and knelt to pat his subordinate's head. "Thank you, Mhairi. I'm sure it was hard, all those years...
"I was happy to be of service to you!" She raised her head, eyes shining, cheeks flushing at his praise. "I spent so many months pretending to be one of them! Will you make me a demon now? Like you promised?"
Naruto shared a look with his lieutenant. They shrugged, still not leaving the shadows.
Fine, force the onus of choice on him "...hold out your hands."
She raised trembling palms. Naruto bit his hand.
Blood spilled into her trembling fingers as she cupped them.
"Drink it all without hesitating. Anything less will probably kill you."
EDIT: There's a prize for the first three people to figure out where Mhairi hails from. Need a hint? She's from a video game. Good luck~!
R&R~!