Author Message: Got another chapter done and another long one at that, soon enough I will be looking for a new job, anyways I hope you enjoy the newest chapter.
WORDS STYLE:
[Tv/Intercom]
SHOUTING
TwIsTeD
(((((Past conversations)))))
(So'unga speaking)
Chapter 5: The First Mission
Moroha just hummed as she carried the skull of a demon she slew, being followed by the others with Naruto glancing back periodically to see Setsuna having a lost look in her eyes as she stared in another direction, stuck in her thoughts since the sight of that demon in the sky. despite asking, she wouldn't tell them what happened.
"Yo, Mr. Jyūbei!" She half-demon Princess called as she brought the bone head into the shack of the Corpse Dealer. "Whatcha think?" A few pats on the skull after placing it on a table had only gained a stare with Naruto, Setsuna, and Towa watching this scene.
"Ten Mon." This price simply horrified the girl who felt ripped off.
"This is a whole head!" She slaps the skull. "Yet a measly Ten?!" A nod was given and an annoyed look was gained from her words.
"I'm telling you it's not even worth that much." Moroha grits her teeth at the price she was given.
"Um." Towa began to speak, gaining Jyūbei's attention. "Do you know anything about the Dream Butterfly by chance?" This seemed to snap Setsuna out of it as she annoyingly stares at her older sister while the man shakes his head.
"If I don't know about it then must be one of those Cursed Spirits, have no clue about them. Any reason why?" He noticed Setsuna look away, not caring for this at all.
"My sister here had her dreams stolen by the butterfly. I want to get them back for her." Despite the kindness she showed, Setsuna didn't like it.
"I don't care."
"Hmmm, I'll keep an eye out if I hear anything about it." His words gained a grateful bow from Towa who thanked him while Moroha faces him.
"Anyways, Jyūbei. Any bounties that will pay even better?" A raised eyebrow was gained yet he just shrugs and takes out a large book which he opens, revealing stacks of pages of 'Wanted'.
"We just got this one today, since your half-demon Princess's I find you the perfect fit for it." Moroha smiles excitedly at his words.
"What is it?!"
"There's been a lot of the travelers going missing in the northern mountains. Maybe you guys can find out why." The girl just nods, liking the idea a lot while Setsuna just looks out the window with Naruto staring at her.
"She seems better but still." Naruto just recalls her change in demeanor upon what they saw a few days ago.
"I ride my Biiiiike, to go somewhere!" Sang Moroha annoyingly, standing inside the basket of the bike and annoyed Towa rode while behind her sat Setsuna trying to enjoy the peace yet failing because of the singing. Closely following behind them was Naruto who kept his pace of the bike.
"Hey, Moroha!" The oldest of the three girls began, gaining the one in front's attention which she removed the AirPod.
"What?"
"Get off and run like Naruto, I can't see with you in front of me!" She told the girl who instead smiles and pushes her butt in the girl's face.
"What reason do you need to see when I'm already the lookout so thank me!" This just angered the girl. "Besides I'm doing you a favor!" Her words just gained a sigh from Setsuna who felt like the only competent one…which was true yet felt more so not wanting to deal with this.
"Moroha, your gonna cause a crash if you keep blocking her view!" Called the blonde before he instantly regrets getting involved upon see her flash him a devilish grin.
"Really Whiskers, and here I thought you didn't mind seeing my butt? After all, while we were floating in that portal I saw you staring at Setsuna's." Her words caused Naruto's eyes to widen in horror while both Twins become shocked, looking back at Naruto with one being more angered than shocked.
"N-Naruto, is this true?!"
"I'll be sure to relay this with your mother when we return."
Horror formed on his face as he shook his head, watching as Setsuna looked away, very annoyed while Towa sighs at her childhood friend being a perv on her sister of all things.
"IT WASN'T LIKE THAT!" He shouts, trying to defend himself. "We were all heading in the same direction and I was behind you guys, the moment I—I looked away immediately!" Yet this got a snort from Moroha.
"Why are you trying to defend yourself, it's not like I can blame you or anything." She began, Setsuna's gaze narrowing on what she's trying to say, and looks back at the girl still smiling. "It's not your fault she wears such tight clothing, gives you a pretty good look." And this time, Setsuna blushed in embarrassment before glaring at Moroha with Towa just being shocked.
"M-Moroha, don't say things like that!"
"What? It's not my fault her pants make her butt—" she stops upon Naginata being held at her throat, Setsuna glaring daggers at her now sweating comrade.
"If you continue rambling, I'll make you regret it." Yet she just smiles with sweat until she saw the look in her eyes widen.
"Watch out!" Setsuna called as she hops off fast with both girls looking ahead to see a child in their way, screaming they evade and slam into a tree that sent them flying with a broken bike.
"How is that possible?" Muttered the blonde who watched with sweat before he sighs at them crashing nearby "Well, let's get—" Naruto stops to see Setsuna staring at him untrustworthy like while moving the white fur she wears to cover her butt.
"OH COME ON!"
"If you even try to touch, I will cut off your hand."
Naruto just showed an annoyed look as they stood around the girl who was gobbling them a box of pocky, looking as if she hasn't eaten in a couple of days.
"Damn, and I thought I eat a lot." Muttered Moroha who hands the girl another bag which she abruptly takes out of hunger.
"Can you blame her, she said her parents completely ignored her to take care of cats." Towa raises a finger. "It's what they call neglect in our time." Moroha lost shrugs with not much care.
"Well in this era you steal." Moroha looks down at the girl. "Hear anything about people going missing near a Temple?"
"Huh?"
"Nobody comes down from the mountain pass and whoever goes up there doesn't come back. That's why we're here, to look into it." She tilts her head upon hearing that.
"I don't know about that but my village is at the foot of the mountain pass." With this information brought to them, Towa thought of checking out the village first and they did just that, bringing along the broken bike that needed repairs which were left against a tree as they approached the village they had been walking towards for some time and it was there that they found an army of cats in it.
"Wtf?!" Muttered the blonde at seeing how many cats there were with Towa looking at her friend in shock, clasping the young girl's ears.
"Naruto, language!" Towa told him yet the girl looks up at the girl in confusion.
"What does 'What the Fuck' mean?" This just horrified Towa who glares at the blonde now whistling and looking away to avoid appearing to be guilty.
"See what you did!"
"Calm down Towa, it's not like she knows what it means." Moroha began, coming to Naruto's rescue yet even so the girl didn't appear to budge.
"Even so he shouldn't say that around kids." This just annoyed Setsuna who found her sister to need to get involved in things she would deem small yet their attention turns back to the village, more especially the villagers who were holding and taking care of the cats, completely ignoring the children and even the mother of the disgusted they were watching straight up gets ignored.
"Ok, that's f-messed up." Naruto said, immediately changing the last word upon seeing Towa's gaze on him before back on the village again.
"Yup."
"Just as I expected."
"Hissss!" They all look down at the cat that was showing Naruto its teeth, appearing to glare at the blonde and the girls that stood next to him.
"Wonder what its problem is?" Towa became silent at the sight of Moroha kicking the cat like a football, shocking her.
"HOW COULD YOU KICK A CAT?!" Demanded the girl yet felt tapping from another, turning to look at Naruto.
"Why are you—" She stops to see him pointing at something and turns her head to see that all the cats were hissing at them, looking demonic.
"Something wrong with your nose, Towa?"
"Can't you smell it? This village reeks of demons."
Both Setsuna and Moroha ready their blades, surprising Towa with Naruto placing a hand on his sword's hilt.
"Demon smell?" As Towa muttered to herself, they saw all the angry cats glaring at them with Naruto scratching his head.
"So what, we have to murder a bunch of demonic cats?" As he asked that, it seemed to have set them off as they charged immediately with Towa taking out her broken sword with energy forming on it as they jumped high above them all.
"Sō'unga, need something large!" As Naruto thought that, the sword immediately glows bright which catches the other three off guard as they watched him swing, not realizing he has no idea what he was even swinging until something 'large' slams into the cats that sent them flying with the light dying down to reveal…
"Whoa." Moroha muttered while Setsuna and Towa were busy attacking as they swung their blades that also sent their foes attacking yet Moroha just stared at Naruto's transformed Sō'unga who was now a large club yet on one side had a face which was a ushi-oni with four long horns on its head. The blonde was staring at it in shock yet it didn't feel much on the heavy side before his eyes widen and look down to find multiple cats having jumped on his leg, biting into him and annoying him in the process.
"Best pay attention!" Moroha shouts with a smile before her eyes widen and turn to see a wave of cats that overshadowed her.
"Uhhh-CRIMSON—!" She was cut off as she found herself overcome with the cats that were biting and scratching her.
"Moroha—" Towa was cut off as more cats were jumping at her yet her main attention was on her friend until she watched Naruto move, with one hand he stuck it in the ocean of cats to pull out as Moroha who was covered in scratches and cuts before those same cats found themselves flying by the face of Sō'unga transformed state.
"These cats are pissing me off! CRIMSON—" She was stopped by the blonde grabbing her wrist.
"We're still at a village, we could hit civilians that are hiding in their houses!" He warned before they saw the cats immediately retreating, surprising them at seeing this scene.
"They're running away?" Moroha asked before they noticed Naruto flinch as Sō'unga transforms back, causing him to fall to a knee, exhausted.
"Naruto, are you ok?" Towa makes her way to Naruto to help him up while he lifts his sword.
(Idiot.)
This gained the annoying glare of Towa who directed it at the sword in Naruto's hand
"What's your problem?" She questioned the legendary sword that answers in great annoyance.
(Foolish child, the problem is that he relies on me transforming myself which will drain him.)
She glared at the sword for its rudeness yet Naruto shakes his head, surprising her by that before Setsuna spoke up.
"I don't like agreeing with it but the sword is right," Setsuna gives Naruto a serious look. "You rely on its transformation which ends up draining you. You need to train with a sword more so you won't need to rely on its transformations." Before they could continue what they were talking about, they heard a child calling for her mother and look to see the villagers snapping out of it while the child was next to her mother who finally woke up, hugging her daughter much to Towa's relief yet Naruto noticed immediately that a few adults were looking around in worry, starting to shout names.
"Omari, where are you?!" One mother began to shout as she starts looking around before at them.
"Have you seen my son?" As she asked that, a few other parents joined her side to face them which they were surprised but shook their heads.
"We haven't seen any other children but we'll keep an eye out for them," Towa assured the mothers and father that had gathered around them yet that still didn't help as they were looking around.
"Let's split up, we'll cover more ground!" Immediately the parents of the missing kids had begun to move out much to their surprise in search of their kids, Towa just frowns.
"Now I get it, must've been the Demon Cats doing." She displays a bothered expression. "I didn't notice before, the smell of Demons." As she said it, Setsuna started to smile as if finding that to be funny.
"You need to develop your senses." Setsuna began a clear smile on her face which Naruto notices.
"(Sniff) (sniff) I've never smelled anything like this before…" She gave her sister an apologetic smile.
"Of course not since that Tokyo place didn't have any demons. You've never had to pick up on their sent till now. But if you don't get used to it soon, don't plan on living much longer." Her words gained a smile from Towa who understood with Setsuna looking up ahead.
"I think the Demonic Cats ran towards the Mountain pass." Her words caused the three to look where she was looking, towards the mountain pass.
"Ooooh, maybe those missing travelers were eaten by the cats, huh." Moroha smiles confidently. "Easy win so let's go hunt some evil kitties!" With that declaration, they start to move until Setsuna was stopped by the little girl calling for them which she approaches.
"Yes?"
"Um, well…thank you for everything you did!" She said with a bright smile, surprising Setsuna yet that surprise relaxes and shows a gentle and sincere smile as she bends a little.
"Your welcome," She proceeds to stand up straight. "Let us know if something like this happens again." A nod was given to the younger twin which she turns to realize Naruto was watching with a smile, causing her cheeks to redden in embarrassment as she walks past him.
"Ignore that."
"Which part? You acting kind or smiling?" His words gained an annoyed glare but look away.
"You know, you should smile more often." Setsuna's eyes widen a little and glances at the blonde. "It suits you more than remaining with that blank expression." Setsuna suddenly starts moving faster, walking ahead of Naruto.
"Did I say some—" He stops talking when his gaze for a split second move down below her waist due to a thought of what Moroha had said came to the surface which made him instinctively check to see if they were. That moment of not thinking led to his downfall due to the moment he looked up he saw both Moroha and Towa had stopped and been currently 'staring' at him. Towa began to glare while Moroha nods in agreement with her smile.
"See what I said, the pants she wears does make her b—" Moroha was silenced by Towa abruptly clasping her mouth, confusing her until they saw an ice-cold aura coming off of Setsuna who turns her gaze on Naruto.
"You once again placed your perverted gaze on me, you fiend!" Her weapon found its way at his throat which all he could do was smile awkwardly.
"S-Setsuna, it's—" He stops to see Towa sigh and turn away in disappointment.
"Is this why you always wanted to see me in a skirt, just to perv?" And just like that, Naruto fell to his knees as he felt like he was stabbed in the heart from his image being torn to pieces. Setsuna just stared at him, sweat dropping as her anger started subsiding as she found this to be punishment enough and turned away from the blonde, leaving him to catch up to them once he snaps out of his grief from Towa labeling him a pervert.
It was at this time, a certain Monk sneezed.
"Why do I have the urge to pray for some poor kid?"
It was sunset by the time the four had arrived at the temple, the four gathered outside with one blonde being depressed for how he's been treated so far as a pervert.
"Jyūbei wasn't kidding, this is an old temple." Towa spoke at seeing splinters all over the flooring and cracks in the support pillars.
"Whole place looks suspicious," Moroha muttered with Setsuna looking around in suspicion.
"Yet no demon energy at all." Setsuna muttered with them looking at her. "They must be hiding somewhere and concealing their demonic aura."
"Do you have some business at this temple?" The muffled voice came from inside, drawing their attention to the wooden door that slid open to reveal a monk but at that moment, Naruto's eyes widen along with Towa's but for two different reasons.
"That's Julian!" Towa's words of shock confused the hell out of Setsuna and Moroha who stare at her with them looking at Naruto to see he was annoyed, forced to recall the karaoke nights with Towa who had no talent in singing. He loved her but it was the only time he just wished he wasn't near her.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, you can call me Juan." The monk of the temple introduces himself to the three yet Towa just turns to them in shock.
"I don't believe it, he looks exactly like me and Mei's favorite idol!" As she spoke, they understood less with Setsuna tilting her head.
"Idol."
"There she goes talking about weird Tokyo stuff again."
The two just shake their head, not getting what she means much to the offense of Towa who looks at Naruto pleasingly only to get the blonde whistling with his eyes on a bird, causing a tic to form on her head as payback for calling him a 'pervert.'
She immediately begins to throw a small tantrum, almost growling as she stomps in place with her arms swinging at her sides.
"NO!" She smiles weakly, pointing at the poor confused Monk. "I'm telling you he looks just like him but with a full head of hair." The last part caused the monk's eye to twitch.
"Could he be Julian's ancestor?!" It was hearing this, Naruto silently and halfheartedly considered offing the guy to avoid another karaoke night at Towa's house.
"Geez, we get it so chill out." Spoke the now annoyed Moroha. "Your weirding the hell out of us." She had started to sweatdrop with Setsuna already ahead and Naruto trying to ignore the starstruck Towa.
They all sat in the main room within the temple, sitting with dim candles having been lit.
"I see." Juan begins. "So there are Demonic cats in the mountain, I'm surprised to have not heard of this till now." Yet the four didn't stop to ask more.
"Have you seen anything strange lately?"
"Such as?"
"A lot of people have gone missing lately, all of them were traveling through the mountain pass."
Between the exchanges, Juan places a hand on his chin in thought.
"I've offered many travelers a night in this temple but nothing out of the ordinary has happened." This caused Moroha to become suspicious that the blonde had picked up on whole Naruto glances at Sō'unga.
"It is getting late but the four of you are welcomed to stay until morning if you would like." He puts on a concerned look. "It might be wise, the mountain pass can be quite dangerous after dark." It was after hearing this that Moroha had just smiled.
"Sure, we'll take you up on that offer."
"Under the condition, we get separate rooms." It was when Setsuna said this, that Naruto looks to see she was eyeing him dangerously, causing him to sweatdrop while Moroha snickers to herself and looks at Juan while wrapping an arm around Naruto's neck, much to his annoyance.
"I'll room with Whiskers." She offers, gaining a sigh from the blonde who wondered if she just wanted to mess with him some more or was being nice yet Juan just looks between the two before realization came to him.
"I see then I'll begin setting up the rooms. You may wait here." With a smile, he stands up and walks out of the main room which leaves them to their thoughts.
Naruto and Moroha stood side-by-side, one not wanting to process what he was seeing while the other regretting ever offering to room with Naruto because before them lay a single bed. Quickly a blushing Moroha turns to Juan, not even waiting for him to speak.
"Due to the fact we have a limited point of beds, you two can share this one." Juan offered with a caring smile. "As lovers, I prepared the biggest one." That seemed to have caused the two to have their eyes widen as they slowly look at him in shock, surprising him.
"Is there a problem?"
"We're not lovers…." That single reply was all that was needed from the Monk who's eyes just widen in awkward silence.
"Oh…" He began, trying to break the silence. "We only had three spares…" The silence just increases before he steps away.
"I'll go see how the others are doing." And with that, he left with the door sliding shut behind him. There was more silence as the two didn't know what to say yet Naruto just sighs.
"Geez, why does this crap ha—" He stops when he saw Moroha still acting very nervous.
"Moroha, what's the—"
"I don't want to have a kid!"
"…what?"
At this point, Naruto was just staring at the blushing Moroha who turns to Naruto and points at him.
"I've just been teasing you, ok!" Her face got redder. "The only reason why I offered was that you won't be alone but that doesn't mean I want to have a kid with you!"
"…what?"
This caused the girl to become nervous as she looks away.
"Y-You knows, don't you? When a guy and girl sleep in bed together, nine months later a baby is born." It was after she said that, her gaze came back on Naruto to not be greeted with embarrassment like herself, but something else entirely.
"You're an idiot."
"W-Why—" She was cut off by the blonde bopping her on the head with his fist.
"O-OW!" She rubs her head. "Why are you hitting me, don't you understand—" She was silenced by the teen grabbing her face by the cheeks and spreading it, gaining an 'ow' while he spoke.
"Whoever told you that shit is an idiot, sleeping in bed is not what makes a baby."
"R-Really?!"
As this exchange happened, Moroha realized how she's been acting and looks away now embarrassed.
"Well, uh…let's just forget this ever happened." As she said that, Naruto just stared at her before moving himself to lean against the wall, surprising her by this.
"You can take the bed, I'll stay up." In response to this, she shows a big smile before showing a silently annoyed look.
"So, can you smell it, or you just like Towa?" This question had surprised him yet he sniffs the air and frowns.
"Some kind of odor, it doesn't smell good and kinda like smoke?" This got her to smile as she nods tho frown again. "Tho that Monk, sadly he smells 100% human so this isn't gonna be over fast." Her words caused Naruto to place a hand on his chin in thought before the girl stands up and stretches.
"Whelp, no time to waste!" Moroha proceeds to get in her bed, under her blankets. "Time to pretend I'm sleeping and draw them out!" She holds her sword close to her chest, smiling brightly once again yet while this was happening, Naruto just stared at her in wonder.
"So why do you want money, how did you become in debt to the Dealer?" That question had gotten her attention but lays on her stomach while facing him.
"It's a bothersome story. My teacher had me go into a demon cave to fight a bunch of demons myself without relying on my Rouge and in turn surviving means I get 'Kurikaramaru'." She pats the blade. "By the time I got out of there my teacher had left me to bet me and lose me to the Demon Gambling House." At this point, Naruto had a 'wtf' expression on his face.
"She wanted money to continue playing her gambling games. But Jyūbei offered to pay off her debt and pay her in exchange for the sword along with me working under him until I can pay off the debt." Naruto just stared at her and sighs.
"Your teacher is an asshole, reminds me of my Grandpa who used me for gambling due to me being lucky…"
"Tell me about—did you say gambling and lucky?" She had stars in her eyes which made the Blonde glare at her, gaining a suspicious innocent whistling before watching him blow out the candles, one by one until the room was engulfed by darkness until only the moon gave them light. With this, the girl pretended to sleep while Naruto just closed his eyes. In the matter of an hour, it had all began as the two felt it and above them came an army of angry cats.
"Moroha." As he said it, eyes opening the girls just smiles and does the same upon them jumping down towards her.
"I KNEW YOU STUPID DEMON CATS WOULD FALL FOR THIS!" With that shout, she throws the blankets at them and delivers a barrage of slashes at the cats, sending them hurtling back from the powerful strikes that were delivered.
"Naruto, above you!" Her shout caused him to turn to see them all jump at him yet he swings Sō'unga, hitting a number of them while a few latch onto him and bite before they were thrown off by the blonde in a hurry just as the two heard footsteps and turn at the arrival of Towa, Setsuna, and the Monk.
"You two, huh," Towa said, seeing the room filled with demonic cats that were slain with Naruto looking at his sword due to not finding it very comfortable in swinging a sword while Moroha just stared at the Monk.
"How did you not even notice these Demon cats?" Her question just confused him while Setsuna adds to the conversation of why this temple of all things.
"It may be my training has failed in detecting them? However, the truth is there is a very old legend that surrounds this temple." As he began to explain the legend, Naruto just stared at the Monk as he felt something was off with Sō'unga remaining silent until they felt it, the temple shook.
"What's happening?"
"Could it be something outside?"
Immediately they reacted as Naruto and Moroha had jumped out the opened window, followed by Setsuna yet the moment they did so the three instantly witness the window closing much to their surprise.
"Towa, what's—" His attention was drawn like the other two girls, towards the large Demonic looking cat that roars at them.
"Let's hit it together!" Moroha shouts as she and Setsuna already made a move, leaping at it while Naruto just stood there in surprise as he didn't hand shy long-range attacks, watching both girls unleash their attacks without hesitation at the monster, both digging into it much to Moroha happiness.
"And that's the—" She was silenced at the cat turn apart body was reattaching itself and filling the missing flesh with aura yet it was at this point the red-cloaked girl smelled something.
"Wait, this cat doesn't smell like the others?!" This got Naruto's attention as his eyes turn to her.
"What are you talking about?" He shuts up as he and Moroha jump back from a swipe just as Setsuna throws a demon slayer bomb at the cat's face, lighting it in on fire yet instead of repairing flesh they saw something else. The mere sight caused his eyes to widen in complete shock and that was a large number of human skulls could be seen from his head, few falling in the ground and rolling away with other pieces of bone.
"Human bones?"
"Most likely those bones belong to the victims it's devoured."
The two girls only stared at it seriously yet as they talked about the one in control, Naruto just tunes it out as he stared at the skulls, more specifically the children's skulls than to the parents searching for their kids. Slowly he starts to grit his teeth as veins began to form on his forehead. It was at this point both girls froze and turned, seeing Naruto's hair had started to grow out more.
"Whi…skiers?" Moroha muttered as she saw his teeth becoming canines and his nails growing with his whiskers turning darker.
"HOW COULD YOU, THEY WERE CHILDREN!" His scream met the roar of the cat that leaps for Naruto who pulled back Sō'unga and immediately transforms into the large club that he swung at full force, the might of it slamming into the cats face and sending it crashing into the side of the temple, gaining a roar as it started picking itself up with the wounds healing, annoying both girls while Sō'unga returns to normal.
(Stop playing around, end this weakling.)
Naruto jolts and looks down at the weapon, at Sō'unga who's jewels began to glow brightly which alerted the girls.
"Naruto, don't listen to the weapon. We can—" She stops to see he was lifting the sword and the look in his eyes held not a single speck of mercy.
"RAWWWOR!" It charges at the blonde much to the shock of Setsuna and Moroha who leaped towards the Cat that was charging at their friend.
"DODGE!"
"WHISKERS!"
Yet he didn't hear them as he spoke a single word.
"Sō'unga…" That name caused the Demonic cat monster to come to a halt as its body started shaking, surprising the two Half-Demon Princesses at what was happening before they saw it, blood leaking from the blade of the sword onto the earth. Causing a sudden change as the plant life immediately began to die as it spreads, the moment it came into contact with the cat monster it began to roar and spasm.
"The innocent…will be avenged, Believe It!" Naruto points his blade at the Monster. "Here my command and exact vengeance upon this monster!" It was with this command that the monster began to shake as it stumbled back from wounds ripping open all over its body. Both girls could only stare at the horrible sight of skeletons bursting out all over its body and tearing at their skin. The three just watch it fall over as the bones inside it broke free from the inside and tore at the skin and muscle, ripping it apart. In the end, Naruto turns his attention back to the Temple with his gaze narrowing as he runs to the door.
"TOWA!" The moment his hand makes contact with the door, it was repelled by an energy-like shield much to their surprise.
"MOVE IT, WHISKERS!" His attention was drawn to the girl pulling back her arrow in her bow, firing a single glowing sacred arrow that connected with the barrier, and immediately dispersed it, allowing Naruto to open slide it open where he found Towa in front of the demonic monk.
"N-Nar—" Towa's eyes widen as she took in his changed appearance with his gaze still serious, stuck on the monk while the other two girls arrive.
"Who are you?" That single question got a laugh from the demon.
"For the last one hundred years, I had been sealed beneath the floor of this Temple until recently by this pathetic excuse for a monk held a service for me. The monk has been a useful disguise so I allowed him to live. But I may change my mind, so what will you do—" He was silenced by Setsuna immediately leaping into action and slashing his chest which he narrowly dodges, revealing a feline foot on his chest.
"Is that a cat's paw?"
"So that's your main body."
Their gazes harden as they spot the source of the demon, the paw attached to its chest much to the Demon's anger.
"There's a smell coming from your chest that wasn't there when you were disguised as a Human." Her words only got a smile from the possessed monk as the paw began to recede into the body. Transforming his arms in to more of a feline, horrifying Towa while Setsuna, Moroha, and Naruto just prepare themselves.
"Ahahahah, go ahead and split me in two along with the monk if you dare!" His shout was followed by the swipe of his hand, sending red demonic energy slashes at them which they evaded with Naruto swiping Moroha's feet so they she would fall and not be hit before getting up immediately.
"C'MON, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, KILL SOMEBODY?!" Her angry rant began, missing the point that the demon was trying to kill her which Setsuna prepares herself along with Naruto.
"If that's how you feel then I won't hold back." Immediately Towa got in front of her sister with her arms extended.
"You can't, Setsuna please!" Her words just annoyed her sister. "Apparition or not, that's still—" She was cut off by her name being shouted, turning to look at Naruto.
"Juan or not, he's being used by a Demon that's killed, innocent children!" He points his blade at the possessed monk. "I will not allow this to continue." As he spoke, the jewel of Sō'unga started to glow, shocking her but recalling how he acted.
"Unless you know of a way to kill the Demon Cat and not the monk then go ahead." She appeared unsure of herself before hearing footsteps and looks to see Naruto preparing himself with Moroha walking past her.
"Geez Towa," The girl frowns at her. "If you can't figure something out then stay out of the way!" She prepares herself next to Naruto and Setsuna, the three prepared to kill the Monk which shocks her until another voice was heard from Moroha's shoulder.
"Master Inuyasha was able to spare opponents!" Spoke none other than Myōga who had arrived and was jumping on her shoulder.
"The hell you mean?" Questions the daughter of Inuyasha, gaining the attention of the other three.
"Master Inuyasha weapon, the 'Tessaiga' could absorb his foes Demonic Aura." Sō'unga shakes a little at hearing the sword's name. "It would leave everything else alone but that." This just annoyed the girl who knew they didn't have it before they once again jumped out of the way with Naruto landing as he a Setsuna prepare themselves, crouching much to Towa's horror.
"Try if you dare, I'll kill you before you even try it!" The possessed monk shouts at the group, preparing itself as it couches and leaps at them yet his claws met the blades of Naruto and Setsuna with Moroha dashing for the center as she thrusts her sword forward, narrowing missing the Possessed who's cheek was cut as it jumps back to Fire out more energy slashes at the group who blocked them yet were sent skidding back with Towa still in front of her.
"Guys, we ca—" She was grabbed by her jacket and lifted, her gaze meeting Naruto's red eyes.
"TOWA, PEOPLE DIED, CHILDREN WERE KILLED, FAMILIES SEPARATED, THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THAT!" His shout had caused her to jolt with the demon leaping for them, only to be met with Setsuna and Moroha, blocking its strikes while Naruto held the wide-eyed girl who just stared at him.
"Not everyone can be saved," He drops Towa who lands on her feet, not speaking but her gaze meeting the ground. "The best thing we can do for him is to kill him to prevent—SLAP!" At this point, both Setsuna and Moroha were caught off guard by the white-haired girl having slapped Naruto across the face but none were as shocked as Naruto who just stood there, processing what she did but he just touches his cheek.
"Not everyone can be saved…the best thing…really…that's your excuse?" Her words caused him to grit his teeth but froze when she saw her eyes, determination. "I will not allow you to become a murderer, so just trust me instead of doubting me!" Her words caused his eyes to widen as he recalled when he almost killed the thugs. It was with this realization, he started to calm down as the murdered children were what had set him off.
"It's not revenge…when did I become ok with taking another person's life, someone who's being used?" Naruto looks down at Sō'unga, his features returning to normal besides his eyes which narrow on the blade.
"Sō'unga!"
(…)
No response was given from the blade yet Setsuna was already very much annoyed at what was happening between the two of them.
"Towa, if he doesn't die then we will!" Setsuna gained her sister's attention. "How long are you going to drag that era with you? Your life is at stake here and now! Sever those ideals along with the—" She was cut off by her sister.
"I can't do that!" This took her and Moroha by surprise which the possessed took his chance and swung up, causing their blades to move towards the ceiling much to their surprise as Setsuna turns to look as the possessed swung his claws for her eyes, only for a fist to slam into his face that sent him through the air and into the wall, surprising both girls who look at Naruto, cracking his knuckles.
"Naruto, why aren't—" She saw Sō'unga stabbed sheathed and on the floorboard much to her surprise.
"Setsuna, you've had a taste of what it's like there. How peaceful it was with everyone there!" Her words began to make her determination falter as she glances back to see much to her shock Naruto not relying on any weapon yet was standing his ground and knocking the demon around, leaving Moroha to stand there dumbfounded why he was using his fists yet it started to excite her at the kind of fight going on.
"Listen, after I return your dreams and saving Naruto, I'm going back with him because I made a promise to Mei." After she said that, she walks past Setsuna and towards the fight between Naruto and the possessed monk who was getting the shit knocked out of it by the enhanced walking reanimated corpse.
"I'm fine risking my life…but I won't take the lives of others!" With her words, the pearl in her left eye glows bright, angering the possessed.
"PATHETIC!" He swings a hand at her, sending a wave at Towa much to Naruto's worry yet was shocked to see her dodging all of them before placing both hands on her broken sword that forms an energy blade.
"Hang on Juan, we're going to save you!" Her words had confused Moroha and Setsuna at how she was going to do that which she proceeds to release the energy that spreads out and wrapped around the monk, forcing the aura to manifest behind him before he dashes with the blade aimed towards the monk, more so towards the part she senses where the demon cat was coming from inside Juan. Upon contact, the cat screeches as its body was pierced.
"What is she—" Naruto's eyes widen as he watched her absorbing the aura from the piece of the demon, taking them by surprise as they watched the light increase, vanquishing it in the end.
"How did she…" Moroha could only say as they watched her turn to look at them with a smile.
"See," She starts to wobble. "I saved hi—" She starts to fall, only for Naruto to grab her, stopping her fall as she leans into his body which all he does is smile at the exhausted and passed out girl.
"Amazing!" Myōga began, bouncing on Moroha's shoulder. "Lady Towa somehow was able to absorb the demon power of the cat!" As he said this, Naruto looked outside to see the pile of bones, this sight caused him to show disgust with his previous actions while Sō'unga reminded silent as if irritated while what remains of the demon had fallen out of the Monk's robe and turns bony.
"Her naïveté will very well be her downfall someday—" Setsuna stops at seeing Naruto just smiling as he picks up Towa in her arms.
"She's always been like that, stubborn as hell honestly. But that's also a part of her I love. If not for her, I would have crossed that 'line' without realizing it." This seemed to surprise her but she frowns.
"You were prepared to do what needed to be done, holding regrets for you needed to do—" Setsuna stops to see he was shaking his head and looks at her.
"The day will come I will eventually have to kill someone if it means protecting Towa, I wanna be in the right mind when that day comes, not being led by my anger or anything." This just confused her, not even getting what he meant which Moroha smiles at finding this interesting.
"What I'm saying is, when the day comes I have to kill someone, I want it to be my full decision not guided by any emotions but something that needs to be done." He just smiles at the peaceful look on her face.
"After all, I don't want to become some murderer." It was as he spoke this, Myōga just looked between the smiling Naruto and sleeping Towa until his eyes slowly widen.
"Could it be…is he perhaps Lady Towa's lover?" His gaze moves between the two.
"Would Lord Sesshōmaru approve?"
As this thought was happening, Naruto turns to look at the bones all over the ground and knew he had to bury them before they left.
xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx
NEXT TIME, THE CURSED SPIRIT OF STORMS.