Author Message: Got another chapter done and this time a long one at that. Hope to hear what your thoughts are for this chapter, not sure when I'll be able to update again due to the fact next month I'll be searching for a new job so not sure what will happen with my hours.
WORDS STYLE:
[Tv/Intercom]
SHOUTING
TwIsTeD
(((((Past conversations)))))
(So'unga speaking)
Chapter 4: The Beginning of a Journey
"This…is weird." Muttered the red-eyed blonde who was looking Bach at the closed portal before all around himself, the rainbow lights all around them as they floated in the air with Naruto's hand making way into his jacket to touch the envelope his mother handed to him, for him to read.
"Man, it feels like I'm flying!" Moroha said with a big smile, appearing to float around the annoyed Setsuna before she looked back at Towa and Naruto, seeing the blonde moving his gaze fast from something and this caused Moroha to display a devilish smile as she moved her gaze to where it had just been for a split second.
"Moroha, are you sure it was wise making a deal with Roothead?"
"Yeah, it'll be fine." She displays a big grin. "If it comes down to it, I have no problem killing him." Despite saying that, Naruto didn't feel too confident.
"Should we be talking about this when there is a potential chance it's overhearing us and could leave us hereby closing the other end?" This caused both girls to go wide-eyed as Moroha abruptly shuts her mouth before realizing something.
"Wait, Setsuna did you just call me by my name?" That question caused her mouth to open yet no words came out of it as she too realized it. A silent sigh was let out of her mouth.
"Is that a problem?"
"Nope, not at all. I kind of like it." It was after saying this, Towa moved ahead in front of Naruto to join the others.
"Yes there is a problem, you lied to him and you should be ashamed!"
"It wasn't a lie, it was a means to an end—" At that moment they were blinded by a bright light before their eyes with Naruto squinting yet felt a pulse in his chest, wondering if it was his heart that stopped beating or something else.
(We've arrived.)
Was Sō'unga's words that were the last thing he heard as they entered the light and once again appeared in the physical realm, more so surrounded by roots on all sides, as if they were inside a hollow tree. It took a minute for them to collect what they lost and start moving as a group.
"Are we in the feudal era?"
"I think we're underground?"
"Something is off, it could be that."
"Stay alert."
As the girls had a back and forth, Naruto just stayed silent while he felt odd, like a sort of cap had been loosened. The blonde looks at his left hand, wondering what he felt as he made a fist.
"Up ahead." That snapped him out of it as they arrived in a clearing, more precisely a glowing orb of light within a wooden cage. It was then that something formed from it, taking the shape of a woman, more precisely a shrine maiden, and the moment the blonde laid his eyes on her his eyes had widened.
"Beautiful…" Was his silent thought, mesmerized by her beauty.
"I've been expecting you, Half-Demon Princess's—" She stops, her gaze fixating on Naruto and tilts her head in confusion, not knowing who he is yet her gaze narrows upon seeing So'unga at his side, meanwhile the three girls prepared themselves.
"What do you mean?" Demands a suspicious Setsuna. "Are you referring to us?"
"This isn't Roothead?" Her question was directed towards Moroha who shook her head.
"Don't think so, I don't sense any Demon energy." With this, Naruto spoke up.
"Mind telling us who you are?" Unlike the others, he didn't look to be gearing for a fight but stood in the same spot, calmly.
"I am the Tree of Ages." With that introduction, they lowered their weapons with Moroha questioning her appearance.
"This is only a borrowed appearance, the form you see before you were created from the spirit of the arrowhead when the arrow of Sealing was imbedded into my trunk. I believe the name of the Priestess was, Kikyo." Upon hearing that name, Naruto grabbed his chest as he felt the pulse again, the name of the Priestess giving him nostalgia.
"Kikyo?"
"Are you the one who summoned us to this place?"
Both Setsuna and Moroha said yet the spirit merely paid attention to the important information rather than filling them on who Kikyo was.
"Yes I am, I have a request for the daughters of Sesshōmaru, now listen." This didn't go unnoticed by Naruto who realized he was left out.
"Hey, wait for a second!" Moroha points at the apparition. "Sooty to break it to ya' but I'm not Sesshōmaru's daughter!" Yet her complaints were met with a reply.
"Save your complaints until I am done speaking, Moroha." This got her to shut up and become dumbfounded at her name is known to the Tree.
"Wait, how did the tree know my name?"
"Maybe the other trees told her?" Naruto's reply seemed to cause her to go wide-eyed and become freaked out which the Tree of Ages appeared to sigh despite it being physically unable to.
"Alright then, tell us your request." Towa finally spoke again, calmer now like Setsuna yet both still untrustworthy.
"There is a Demon I would like you to slay." That simple mission got a smile from Moroha.
"You got it! Roothead, right?" Yet her words met denial along with her tone becoming more serious.
"Roothead is of no consequence, the one I want slain is the Beast King, Kirinmaru." The name didn't register to the four which the spirit proceeded to explain.
"He's attempting to twist time, not realizing his actions will cause a calamity to befall this world. Kirinmaru is a King who alongside the Great Dog Demon, had a long reign over the Demon Beasts. Kirinmaru ruled in the East, meanwhile, the one who held power in the West was your grandfather, the Great Dog Demon." Her words surprised them just as Sō'unga shook, gaining Naruto's attention.
"Ah, this is what happens when love gets involved. Tōga met his untimely end for his stupidity." Despite not knowing the man, the three girls showed slight annoyance at the sword.
"The great dog whatsit." Moroha picks her ear. "Heard that name but don't care."
"In strength, the two Warriors ruled their lands while keeping watch over the other to maintain the balance of power. However, your father Sesshōmaru renounced his birthright to the Great Dog Demon title." As she explained, Naruto's eyes widened a little, and turns his head towards a direction, sensing something for a second but saw nothing among the many rocks.
"What was that, it felt like…" Naruto stood as he wondered exactly what he felt, not able to comprehend the feeling of dread as something wanted to kill him but stops.
"With that, Kirinmaru plots to plunge this world into devastation. The power to travel across time would be a necessary ability to stop him." An understanding was what they came to on the plan.
"So that's where we come in?" Towa's question earned agreement.
"Correct, like ones with deep ties to the Great Dog Demon, you 'three' are the world's best hope to slaying Kirinmaru. So half-demon Princesses, will you accept?" Immediately Moroha smiles and agreed, wanting money and fame for his death.
"What about you, daughters of Sesshōmaru?" Her question was met with a brick wall as Setsuna's gaze hardens.
"I refuse." The immediate surprise was met by everyone.
"You will not take the task?"
"I will not," She stomps her weapon on the ground. "I deny your request." This seemed to intrigue the tree who proceeded to ask why she would do such a thing.
"First off, I do not know this Sesshōmaru who you claim is my father. If all this is due to his failure, I see no reason for us to atone for it. If Kirinmaru must die then Sesshōmaru should be the one who deals with him. Tree of Ages, you are hiding something about this whole situation you speak of." This seemed to cause it to smile.
"I was right to place confidence in you." Her words surprised the four of them.
"Sesshōmaru cannot defeat Kirinmaru, that is because he is dealing with another threat far more dangerous than the Beast King himself." This confused them on what was more dangerous than the one she's been hyping up.
"What's more dangerous than Kirinmaru that Sesshōmaru had to deal with?" Naruto's question was met with the spirit's gaze.
"Not much is known about this individual, but he made an appearance five years after the Shikon Jewel was erased, and with it came the rise of what is known as Cursed Spirits, different than Demons." This caused Naruto's eyes to widen as he looks at Moroha, realizing that time she mentioned it, he thought she was referring to Demon's.
"All we know is the name he goes by, Kenjaku." After saying that, her gaze meets Naruto's. "And you can guess what the punishment is for disobeying the Tree of Ages." This caused Naruto's eyes to widen.
"You're not gonna let us return to our time, aren't you?!" This question had shocked the other three, more so Towa which they all saw the spirit smile.
"Indeed, I am the one who can freely control Roothead. I can keep him asleep for however long I want which in turn eliminates your only chance of going back and forth like one has done before. So I ask again, will you slay him or not?" This seemed to anger the three before Naruto spoke up.
"Fine." His answer surprised the three. "We'll do it but if you go back on your word I'll shop you down and turn you into firewood." His threat seems to cause the Spirit's eyes to widen at the cruel threat, meanwhile, Moroha laughs.
"I better get some reward!" She turns her back to the tree. "Let's get going already." Yet, even so, Towa was reluctant to listen to the tree with Setsuna being more yet the two had to listen if their only way back was held, hostage.
"That is good to hear, fate is a continuous cycle, we'll meet again." In that instant, the three had become blinded by the light the spirit had released, confusing them all but as it did so, the Spirit's gaze was on Naruto, seeing deep in his soul was deep malice, one she hasn't felt in over a decade before the four found themselves dragged into a light, being thrown outside the Tree as they land on their feet with Moroha being crushed under her large bag. The three going wide-eyed as they stare at her.
"You alive?" Naruto asked the pinned girl who looks up, annoyed, unlike Setsuna who smiles at retrieving her violin case.
"This is the Feudal Era," Towa was just looking around. "huh." With that said, Setsuna's name was suddenly called which gained their attention while Naruto lifted the bag off of Moroha so she could stand, giving him thanks as they were approached by three, a young man, an older one, and an elderly lady.
"Your back!"
"I'm glad your safe."
These words were met with a response from the girl who faces them.
"I am and I finally managed to return." Her words for a smile from the man yet the elder just looks at the Tree confusingly.
"What happened to Roothead?" Her question was met with the smiling Moroha.
"Oh, he was put to sleep by the Tree of Ages, can't go killing him." This seemed to shock her.
"Wait, what?! Is that true?" As she asked that, Towa looks back at the tree, thinking of her family she would need to return to.
"Why am I carrying this?" Asked the red-eyed blonde to the shorter gal who smiles. "Because you can lift it no problem." She said, both walking side-by-side towards a house that has the elderly lady standing outside, the one known as Kaede which they stop in front of her with the bag being placed before her.
"Hey Granny, watch my stuff, k?" She seemed more interested in what was actually inside it but in the end, paid it no mind and agreed.
"Where are you going?" Her question was met with her cheerful smile.
"I'm off to sell my Bounties to the Corpse Dealer, see ya' I'll be back!" With that said, she begins to run off from the two which the elder smiles.
"Goodness gracious, she's just like Kagome." The name got his attention. "Always on the move." After saying that, Naruto looks in the direction Towa and Setsuna had gone towards.
"How far is the Demon Slayer camp?"
"A couple of miles in that—" Kaede stops to see the blonde crouch.
"I'll see you later." That was all he said before he takes off running, surprising himself at his speed and Kaede as well not relaxing he was testing his stamina and speed. It was at this moment she had noticed something was on the ground, approaching it she picked it up to see it was an envelope.
"He must've dropped this." She holds onto the envelope while looking in the direction he disappeared from.
Currently located at a small house in a clearing were Demon Slayers, a clan that specializes in killing Demons. They were overlooking what was in there, placing it outside while their leader, Kohaku was overlooking books.
"So were you able to find anything?" Towa's question came upon seeing him stop on a certain page.
"You said it was the Dream Butterfly?" He closes the book. "It doesn't show up in any books?" Setsuna placed a hand on her chin.
"Moroha said it was a Cursed Spirit." This caused his eyes to widen before they close with a sigh.
"Unfortunately that saves us time, we know little about these 'Cursed Spirits' even after they've been with us for years, their numbers are slowly increasing but not enough to make it an issue, except for a single one but so far we grade them." This seemed to confuse Towa yet didn't notice Setsuna's expression turn a little dark.
"Grade?"
"Grade is what we are now using to power scale the level of Cursed Spirits. Their easier to differentiate from demons because they can only be seen by those with Demonic energy. They haven't been much of an issue with KI sensing and Setsuna to see them." It was then that the group heard footsteps and looked to see Naruto running towards them, slowly coming to a stop.
"Weren't you with Moroha?" Setsuna asked, finding it to be a surprise he's arrived.
"Yeah, I decided to come over here and see how fast I could run and how long." Naruto shows a smile. "Seems my stamina increased as well." As they heard that, Kohaku's eyes widen.
"Wait," He stood up with a surprised look. "you ran all the way here? It's about two miles away from Kaede." This caused Naruto to look up in wonder while the man looks at Towa and Setsuna for answers yet one laughs awkwardly while the other avoids his gaze altogether.
"Tho I am a little sweaty." This comment caused Setsuna to jolt as her mind goes back to the other world yet pushes those thoughts away.
"Anyways, Chief." She makes eye contact with the man. "Are there any slaying jobs that need to be done?" That surprised Towa while the man answers.
"Yeah there is now that you mention it, I was going to ask Hisui but if your offering." Immediately Towa cut in with a look of annoyance.
"What about the Butterfly?" Her answer came fast with Setsuna looking at her with annoyance.
"You know I have my path to walk, if you want to hunt for bugs then do it with Naruto." This caused his eyes to widen with Towa looking annoyed at her sister.
"You weren't kidding." Muttered the blonde who was kneeling to the boneless bags of skin of three men next to Hisui and Kohaku. "Looks like all their bones were taken, leaving behind this." Kohaku bends down, taking an arm in his hand while a few villagers watched from their houses or next to them.
"Your right, their bones were taken from them." His words got input from Setsuna who believed it was an apparition while the villagers discussed the body count.
"It must that demon, I heard it takes the form of a beautiful young boy." With that being said, Kohaku stood up with a smile returning to his face while being asked for help.
"Yes, we'll handle it." It was after saying that, Hisui cuts in.
"Uncle, why won't you let me take care of it?" That question gained the attention of the man.
"Never told you this but it involves your Hiraikotsu. Your mother went up against a bone-eating demon that ended up almost devouring her weapon." This surprised him while Setsuna was already asking her questions.
"You said this demon was appearing by the river at night?" Her question gained a nod from the elder.
"Fine, I'll slay it!" Setsuna declares with once again clear determination which causes Towa to smile.
"Let's do our best, Setsuna!" This caused the younger sister to become annoyed, unlike Kohaku who smiles.
"So you'd be willing to help complete this mission?" Immediately she smiles brightly, fist-bumping into her chest. "Oh yeah, of course, I will be. What about you, Naruto." Her question earned a nod much to the man's joy.
"I didn't expect you to get along so quickly. It's hard to believe your Lord Sesshōmaru's daughters." Unlike how Towa felt, Setsuna wasn't having any of that.
"We're strangers." Her words instantly got an offended Towa on her back.
"Why are you being so cold," Kohaku starts to sweat." I'm only trying to help you!" Her nagging got the better of the younger sister who turns towards the older sibling.
"Shut up and leave me alone." Naruto just stood in silence, not knowing what to say as Kohaku cut in between the bickering sisters.
"Settle down, if you run into any trouble just let us know right away. Which is why I'll be sending Kilala with you." It was after seeing that, a two-tailed miniature animal jumps atop the now smiling Setsuna's shoulder.
"You guys sure you'll be ok?" Hisui's question gained a response from the half-demon princess that was patting the beast.
"Kilala will be with me."
"And her older sister will protect her, too!"
Setsuna showed an annoyed expression, giving Naruto a look that told him to get a hold of his friend before she lets the cat demon down.
"Ready, Kilala?" With a burst off makes it became a large beast that shocks Naruto and Towa who watched Setsuna get on, her gaze turning to them.
"Get on or I'm leaving you." Immediately Towa got on behind Setsuna followed by Naruto yet before he could do so, Kilala's eyes widen as it sniffs the air once more as its teeth bare towards Naruto, growling much to the shock of everyone.
"Kilala, what's—" Setsuna was cut off as her companion suddenly launched itself towards the wide-eyed Naruto.
(Block or dodge!)
Young's voice was heard as Naruto duck and rolled to the side, missing the beast that landed on all fours as it turns its body towards the young man, visibly appearing to be infuriated.
"Setsuna, why's she attacking Naruto?!" Her demand couldn't get a reply as Setsuna tried snapping her out of it yet she didn't listen as the Nekomata charges for Naruto, only to be stopped by Kohaku getting in front of her, visibly confusing the beast.
"Easy girl, easy." He lifted his arms, trying to calm her down which she does just that, still looking confused before at the wide-eyed Naruto. With this, they shook her head, appearing to look apologetic towards him. "I'm not sure what has you so riled up but he is not a threat." Kohaku looked back at Naruto for answers yet he looks away, figuring it was the fact he was a corpse. The man just looks at Setsuna and Towa for answers, the youngest sighs while the other looks away.
"I see." Kohaku lets out a sigh. "I expect you to fill me in later about this Setsuna." This gained a nod from Setsuna before he turns his attention back to Kilala.
"Will there be any other problems?" His question gained a shake as the Nekomata approaches Naruto who took a step back as it circled him, sniffing him a few times before it nudged into him which he slowly pats her head.
"Ok, your good to get on." With a nod from Kohaku, Naruto did just that as he got on behind Towa's his arms wrapping around her waist yet still unsure.
"Ok—" Immediately before Towa could say another word, they took off straight up with Towa losing her hold but realized she was not falling off, taking into account Naruto's arms had pulled her closer into himself, which in turn resulted in him looking anywhere else which Towa also started to feel awkward. Setsuna meanwhile saw the whole thing and just looks ahead with a sigh at finding this to be annoying to deal with. While this was happening, Kohaku watched from the ground with his eyes narrowing as they were locked on Naruto.
"Kilala has never once acted like that to someone she's just met, unless…" Kohaku began to feel dreads. "The person smells like someone she recognizes and despises." With his thoughts, his eyes merely narrow.
A yawn could be heard in the dead of night at a bridge. Sitting on one end of it were Naruto, Towa, and Setsuna waiting quietly for the arrival of the Demon while one of them was tired with the moon high up in the air.
"You sound bored." Asked the younger sister which stops Towa from yawning again.
"No way!" She immediately said with the wave of her arms. "Not at all, just sleepy!" This seemed to annoy Setsuna while Naruto sat and listened.
"Oh, I guess what I meant to say, uh." Setsuna starts to get more annoyed. "I'm sorry." Immediately she got a response from Setsuna who tells her to stop with the apologies as it was annoying, putting her down even more with Naruto just remaining silent.
"Anyway, I think it's the darkest night I've ever seen, there are so many—" She was silenced by Setsuna's hand while Naruto grabs So'unga's handle. The three leaning to get a look at a wagon of bones being pulled a skeleton beast led by a white-cloaked individual who stops upon meeting a pack of hungry wolves that had run by the group towards the individual and brutally he uses his fan to rip the bones out of them.
"Ok, that's messed up." This was the first thing Naruto said as he went into action by getting out of his hiding spot, followed by Setsuna and Towa. Their appearance has surprised the individual who watched Setsuna make her move.
"Scourge of Swallows!" With a single swing of her blade, she sends the demonic energy birds at the guy who vanished after his cloak was hit while the wagon collapses along with the skeleton beast.
"What the hell?" Muttered the blonde who didn't understand what happened at that moment while Setsuna moved forward to pick up the cloak.
"So did you get him?"
"No, looks like he escaped."
The two girls' eyes were occupied with one thing while Naruto looked around.
"Oh good, I mean it would be terrible if we killed such a cute kid, you know—" She stops to see both looking at her like she was crazy.
"Towa, his wagon was filled with skeletons of people."
"Not to mention he just killed a pack of wolves without even the slightest hesitation."
Their words caused her eyes to widen before she looks down at her feet, rubbing the back of her head at realizing how stupid she sounds.
"Oh yeah, so—" She stops upon noticing something and the two follow her gaze to see redbones on the bridge, making a path.
"His nest must be at the end of this, we should hurry before he has time to prepare," Setsuna said as the three quickly moved with her leading the way, running fast towards their destination.
"The timing…" Thought the blonde, a little in disbelief that Moroha was also at the place they headed to as they all stood outside a palace.
"What the hell is that?" Moroha demands front the flashlight pointing at her, not understanding the technology until it points away, allowing her to see the surprised Naruto, Towa, and annoyed Setsuna. This sight merely excites her as she approaches them.
"Oh hey guys, I didn't expect to find you here!" Her eyes narrow. "You better not be trying to take my bounty again." Yet the three gave not a single shit for that.
"Guessing we have the same target?" Moroha looks away in annoyance.
"No way I'm sharing the bounty." She looked like the type to not share before they heard something from Moroha and upon her shoulder was a jumping insect.
"Ah-hem!" He starts moving a lot, looking at the girl at the same time Naruto had felt his sword shake. "Lady Moroha, as one of the four perils, Tokotsu's head is worth far more than a bag of gold, he's worth at least a good ingot!" This got an eyebrow raise from Naruto who heard that and in turn the Flea gaining a 'shhh' from Moroha.
"The real problem is the other Four Perils, it's a certainty they won't be silent for long!" That line had caused his eyes to narrow with Setsuna also being suspicious before they all start walking around the inside.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Myōga and I've had the honor of serving the Great Dog Demon and his family for three generations." This surprised Naruto yet he understood now, looking at the weapon due to the last time it shook was when the Tree of Ages talked about the Great Dog Demon.
"And I must say, Lady Moroha's blood is the closest to the Great Dog Demon's by far!" Naruto placed a hand on the weapon hilt for it was acting up again, appearing to hate the mention of the Demon. "Why it's even more delicious than Master Inuyasha's!" At this point, Moroha has had enough of it.
"Could you pipe down already, I need you to tell me about the Four Perils." This got the three to stop when they heard that, turning to look at Myōga.
"The Four Perils was Demon's that crossover over from the mainland during the Spring-autumn period. Konton, Tōtetsu, Kyūki, and Tōkotsu. These four beasts made up the Roaster. The one who ruled over them was Kirinmaru, a beast king similar in power to the Great Dog Demon." This got Towa and Naruto's eyes to widen while Setsuna's narrow at finding this not to be good.
"Yes, that's right. Why do you ask, have you heard of them before?" The girls looked serious at the Flea.
"We were told that Kirinmaru is attempting to distort time and swallow this world in a degenerate age." That seemed to confuse the small demon.
"That's ridiculous, Kirinmaru is a valiant Beast King who would never do such a thing." This confused the three even more on why they were given such a task and what the tree was hiding while Moroha contemplated the twist of Tōkotsu working under Kirinmaru.
"Now what?" Moroha smiles at the three, annoying Setsuna who understood what she meant.
"Are you insinuating we help you?!" Her words met the big grin of Moroha.
"Don't forget, we gotta do this. Plus, I'll help you find that Dream Butterfly of yours than Naruto's lil prob." This causes Setsuna to frown at her words, turning away yet not saying no.
"You must be super strong Moroha, taking out one of the Four Perils." Towa's words were met with a sheepish laugh from the girl.
"Thing is, I didn't slay Tōkotsu, eheheh." This seemed to confuse the three that weren't laughing.
"Mind elaborating?" The blonde's words caused her to look away before putting on a more uncomfortable expression.
"I originally stumbled upon the scene where I found him, he was already headless. Not to mention it looked liked he was caught in a storm." This time, Setsuna's gaze narrows.
"Why would you say that?" Her question caused her to place a hand on her chin.
"All around him were burnt trees, looked like lightning strikes were happening everywhere, including his body burnt to a crisp. Oddly enough, the red pearl was left so I took it along with the body, tho that got his subordinates that we're searching for him to see me and speculate I killed him. Knew nothing about him till I took the body to the corpse dealer Jyūbei who filled me in. Eheheh was pretty lucky." They just stare at her for the luck she had yet Setsuna appeared to be very unsettled.
"All of it was dumb luck?"
"One way to put it."
Yet this didn't stop the unsettling look on Setsuna's face that Towa could see, worrying for her sister.
"If you didn't kill Tōkotsu then something must have and didn't seem interested in the pearl." This news didn't exactly worry them enough before Setsuna started to continue down the hallway.
"We slay the Four Perils then Kirinmaru will appear." As she finished, the others followed after her down the hall to a closed door.
"So what'll it be? Kirinmaru's underling worth quite a lot." She turns her attention to them. "Cmon, I say we split the bounty four ways, sound good? We're pretty much buddies at this point. So let's keep on helping each other out!" Without another word she begins to open the sliding doors to find a teenager in front of them, kneeling on a mat. He bows slowly before them which puts the four in guard.
"Hello ladies and sir, I humbly bid you welcome. My father, Tōkotsu will be delighted to see you." This gained a warning from Moroha but they correct her for she is the mistaken target of Tōkotsu's wrath.
"Why don't we explain to them that the whole situation is—" She was cut off by Naruto looking at her.
"Towa, they've been killing bandits and villagers alike, we just watched his son add wolfs to his large wagon of bones." This caused Towa to become surprised with Moroha nodding and Setsuna looking at Towa in annoyance. Unlike her, Naruto has already tasted Death for her safety.
"And he straight up called it." She turns her back to Towa again. "We can't just walk away and besides if a Bounty Hunter returns her bounty then she's not a Bounty Hunter anymore!" Moroha proceeds to enter, followed by Naruto, Setsuna, then finally Towa who thought about what she said while the son looks up at the girl.
"If you want to avenge your dad," Moroha draws her blade. "Than I'm happy to send you to him!" A chuckle was heard from the Demon before the walls came down, alerting the group as Moroha jumps back to dodge the wave of red skeletons, courtesy of a large skeletal red beast who had the bones from soldiers all around with swords in hand.
"No need for I am right here!" Tōkotsu declares loudly before the small group. "Not only did you steal my treasured Red Pearl but also for cowardly striking me with my back was turned! I will not forgive you for your transgressions!" This just annoyed the red-cloaked girl.
"Stop it will ya'! You're being harsh, you make it sound like I'm the bad guy." There was an awkward silence from everyone, bother the Demons and her friends which she just looks at her to see them avoiding eye contact besides Setsuna.
"You stole and sold his corpse."
"SHE DID WHAT?!"
Setsuna's added comment both offended Moroha and angered Tōkotsu upon finding that out which the girl just sighs before the monster opens his mouth to unleash a roar which the girl once again smiles.
"You're slipping Tōkotsuuu! You can't be a member of the Four Perils with just your skill!" She points her blade right at the Demon much to the anger of Jakotsumaru.
"Enough with the talk!" He shouts with the skeletons charging at the four as they draw their weapons.
"CRIMSON DRAGON WAVE!" Moroha was the first to attack as the sword unleashed a crimson wave of energy that blew through a couple of skeletons to hit Tōkotsu, gaining pain much to the horror of Jakotsumaru.
"I expect nothing less from my companion. CYCLONE BURST!" Setsuna proceeded to spin her weapon to unleash a cyclone of wind that sent bones of the warriors and the ones around Tōkotsu flying or being destroyed. This sight had shocked Towa who got serious and charged, striking into the skeletons soldiers with ease as they fell to pieces with one strike.
"Setsuna, Moroha, I'll fight too!" She looks back at Naruto while she spoke. "Naruto, cover my—" She stops in shock at what she was seeing, along with Moroha and Setsuna who saw it.
"Impossible," Jakotsumaru mutters at the sight of the soldiers now backing away from Naruto who was confused, his sword drawn at his side.
"What are you fools doing, ATTACK!" Yet his order fell to deaf ears as the skeletons took steps back from Naruto.
"The hell…" He stops to lift the sword and stares at it.
"I'm guessing this is your doing?"
(These piles of worthless remains known not to strike at me or my vessel.)
"If they won't do anything then I'll do it myself!" Jakotsumaru shouted as he leaps for Naruto who grips his sword until it happened, something no one expected as the Skeletons suddenly stabbed upward into Jakotsumaru's body much to his shock as the blades dig into his body, causing him to fall with a roll.
"W-WHAT?!" Jakotsumaru stands up shakily, bleeding from his wounds as the skeletons start to ignore the girls to approach the son of Tōkotsu.
"What the…" Setsuna stops and looks at Naruto, more precisely his sword that glowed the orb handle.
"F-Father!" Jakotsumaru calls out, his father glaring at the skeletons that surrounded his son.
"HAVE YOU GONE MAD, HE IS NOT THE TARGET!" Tōkotsu roars, trying to regain dominance over them as his aura washes over them yet was blown away by a red-light, curtesy of Sō'unga much to everyone's shock.
(But he is, your but a fool.)
As the voice rang out, the skeletons charge, and despite taking out a few it didn't matter as he was overrun and brutally stabbed repeatedly, even when he hits the ground the screaming didn't end as he was stabbed nonstop with only able to stick a hand out to his father. This very scene disturbed Towa who watched the kid being executed by their soldiers and before she could do anything, Setsuna stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Why are you stopping me, can't you see this is wrong!" Yet her sister's gaze hardens.
"Have you forgotten they are our enemy who aimed to kill us with those sake exact soldiers?" Setsuna looks back seeing the enraged Tōkotsu charging.
"JAKOTSUMARU!" He roared as he sends the skeletons flying to get to his son who was just laying on the ground, unresponsive as his body disintegrated.
"Damn that's brutal," Moroha mutters before she felt movement on her shoulder and looks at the confused Myōga.
"But how, only—" Myōga froze, his eyes slowly widening in disbelief upon looking at Naruto's sword, more specifically the hand orb which brought back a memory of a weapon his master had before he sealed it away. "T-T-T—That's!" Myōga was now shaking, surprising Moroha.
"SIR, RELEASE THE SWORD AT ONCE!" He shouted urgently at Naruto, gaining his attention with Towa and Setsuna doing the same where they stood, ready to fight the grieving Tōkotsu. "You have no idea what you wield, that is Sō'unga!" His warning provided Naruto with the proof he needed on the origins of the sword.
"So it did belong to the Great Dog Demon." His words surprised all three girls with the Flea nodding.
"Only for a short time until it was sealed away. It is The Sword of Hell, The Sword of World Conquest", also known as "The Sword of Calamity! It's an evil blade, forged from that of an Evil Dragon from the Underworld once known as—" Myōga went silent upon the jewel glowing brightly.
"Silence you insignificant Flea." Its words bad stopped the small Demon. "Continuing to speak of my past will result in your death." This unnerved him as he hid behind Moroha.
"Hurry, seal it away for it is a danger to everyone!" Despite hearing that, Naruto just frowns and grips the blade. "I know it is powerful but it will eventually—"
"Enough!" Moroha shouted had caught the Flea off guard. "No can do, I'll fill you in later but for now he can't just separate from it." Her words had surprised the Flea on why he couldn't.
"Now!" She takes out a Rouge to open up. "Guys, I'll be out for a day after this." The sudden warning made no sense as the three watched her place the cosmetic on her lips while Tōkotsu finally ended his grieving to rage.
"Now," With it applied, her eyes become golden while gaining lavender markings on the outer corners, and her body emits a thick red aura. "I become Beniyasha, the destroyer of lands! Tremble before the bloodthirsty dawn, bare witness to your end of you so dare!" Her words enraged Tōkotsu who turns their attention from Naruto to her while Myōga was giving a small explanation before feeding on her blood. At this time the skeletons start to disintegrate the bones left behind from her aura.
"I'LL KILL YOU THAN THE OTHERS!" He charges for Moroha who moves fast, dodging a couple of strikes swiftly before jumping high into the air, above Tōkotsu due to the sword strikes not being enough.
"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" The name caused Naruto's eyes to widen as he watched her slash into Tōkotsu's back, gaining a roar of pain before it turns to slam into Moroha, sending her into a wall that she slides against, looking up to see it was now charging at her. Moroha immediately wipes at her arm that was bleeding.
"BLADE'S OF BLOOD!" Once more she slashed her claws in the air, sending a barrage of red energy waves at Tōkotsu who roars in pain before being engulfed by flames that had collapsed.
"Odd." Muttered the blonde who joins the side of the other two girls.
"Something wrong?" Towa asked her childhood friend who scratched the back of his head.
"Not sure, just feel…Déjà vu?" This seemed to confuse them yet Setsuna sighs, the two turning to follow her gaze on the now sleeping Moroha.
"A minute must have been her limit, Instant Noodles taking longer than that," Towa added with Setsuna not getting the reference until they heard the voice.
"CURSE YOU!" This shout caused them to look up to see it was getting back up which in turn caused Setsuna to smile, preparing to strike until Naruto jolts, sensing something and it wasn't just him, Tōkotsu did the same.
"Naruto, what—" Towa was cut off at the sudden sight of Setsuna's hair standing up and it was at that moment the girl's eyes also widen, in the realization.
(LEAVE, NOW!)
Sō'unga's warning caught them off guard as they watched Naruto sheath the sword as he runs to Moroha's side to pick her up before he bolts from the spot, past both girls yet turns to them.
"SOMETHING HIGH UP ABOVE THIS PLACE IS ABOUT TO STRIKE!" His warning gained immediate action as Setsuna moved first than Towa, leaving Tōkotsu to look up into the ceiling which he roars and goes into it, climbing inside the ceiling to get to the top. As this was happening, the three and an unconscious Moroha jump outside the building in a hurry, running from the premises yet even so the three turns to see what Naruto, Tōkotsu, and Sō'unga sensed. From the top of the building stood Tōkotsu who appeared to be charging up yet above it, they saw storm clouds high into the air, electricity coming from it and striking the yellow orb, growing in size until Tōkotsu finally let loose a beam of sorts at the light yet was useless, in an instant a single bolt of lightning strikes down, blasting through the beam and obliterating the screaming Tōkotsu who turned to dust as the palace was destroyed with it, shocking the three at the sight yet their eyes still on the sky.
"W-What is that…?!" Towa mutters as she saw a humanoid figure, body appearing to be made humanoid with electricity around it. Its head seemed to turn towards them, looking at the group which they could tell it was doing so yet simply turns around, becoming electricity that goes into the very storm clouds that start to disperse but not before a glimpse of lighting was seen striking far away.
"W-What was that…" Towa asked, not understanding what she saw until she saw it just as Naruto did, both turn to see Setsuna was shaking.
"Setsuna, is—" Towa was about to touch her sister's shoulder but froze, taking in the expression she held which was that of furry, her left hand a shaking fist with her gaze fixated on that lightning bolt.
"You know what this is, don't you?" As he asked her that, she turns her back to them.
"That 'thing' is nothing but a monster…" Her gaze turns to pain. "and I'll be the one to kill it one day." The two just stare at Setsuna who starts to walk away, not seeing the complicated emotions of anger, fear, and sadness.
xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx