New Devil of The Gremory House

Life 19: Reemerge

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He was reeling. He swore he was losing all sensation in his legs and was about to topple over. And wouldn't that be the strangest sight with a shaky smile and eyes starting to water. His breathing came out a little strangled and laughed as his grin grew, "Is this real? T-This can't be real. It's too good to be real."

"Should I be flattered or irritated that hearing my voice makes you reconsider reality? I'm real. I've been gone but I'm here now. I promise."

"Holy shit." He repeatedly muttered while pacing around the roof. He chuckled, "How - how did this happen?"

"Don't ask me! This is the first time I'm conscious in what I'm guessing is a pretty long time! You should be telling me how I got back not the other way around!"

"Alright, sorry. Geez I forgot how loud you were." He cleaned out his ear before sitting down on the roof and closing his eyes. When he opened them again he found himself in a mostly empty space that he hadn't been able to visit in a very long time. And as he looked around in surprise he saw a gargantuan shadow fall over him.

He turned around and saw the massive nine-tailed fox sitting over him. The massive fox's face stretched with a smile, "Well well well, look at you. You actually look a little more mature. Has it really been so long that you can actually start looking and acting like a man while I've been gone?"

"..."

"Wow, real quick to prove me wrong." Kurama chuckled, "You gonna cry for me."

"Shut the hell up." Naruto chuckled while wiping his arm over his eyes. He made sure not to shed a single tear as not to give the giant jerk any leeway. He smirked up at the fox, "I'm gonna miss how peaceful it's been this last year and a half."

"That long? Seriously?" Naruto nodded as Kurama looked down at him, "Have I really been gone that long?" The blond [Pawn] nodded sadly, "Just what happened?"

Naruto's eyes lowered as he looked back in thought, "You guys protect me from that huge explosion Madara caused, but when we were caught in the blast something happened. My control over my chakra was damaged, and my connection to you and the others was cut. After that the blast died but I was just floating...in nothingness." Kurama tilted his head but Naruto continued, "A-anyway, I just found myself on the outskirts of a town. I limped there and...passed out for a long time. And when I woke up you weren't there. No one was. And this wasn't our world anymore."

"Not our world?" Kurama repeated, sounding just as disbelieving and shocked as Naruto had when he found out the maps and histories didn't correlate at all with what he remembered. The giant fox laid down to face him directly, "And how exactly did we end up in another world?"

"I'm not sure. I was floating for a bit and then I saw these things moving around in the empty space, and then I was here. For the life of me I still can't figure out what they were." Naruto groaned and rubbed his head, "After that it was just a lot of nothing for a long time. I woke up several months later and I could barely use any chakra. The blast messed up my energy and even using chakra caused pain to go through my whole body. I joined another school, got a job, bought an apartment and - oh, I forgot to tell you something crazy happened a few months back."

"What?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I just told you."

"I'll believe you."

"You really won't."

"After everything we've been through? I can trust whatever you're going to say."

"I was killed, resurrected, and now I'm a member of a Devil peerage in a world filled with Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels, Gods, Monsters, other assortment of creatures I believe, and even mermaids that look like a terrible result of a muscular dude fucking a fish."

"..."

"..."

"You're pulling my tails."

"I'm not."

"Prove it."

Naruto opened his eyes, extended his Devil wings, flapped them a few times, before retracting them and returning to his mind

"Holy fucking hell you're really a Devil." Naruto did find some amusement in the reaction and expression Kurama showed after seeing the sudden wings sprout from his body. The fox palmed his head as if trying to comprehend what he was told, "You're a - how did you become - wait you said you died?!"

"Hehehe, yes I died." Kurama usually seemed so unflappable, or at least always acted like he still had some sway or power over a situation. So to watch him react so animatedly, albeit to his death and subsequent resurrection, was entertaining to say the least. He drew a circle in his chest, "I was trying to protect this kid from getting killed by a woman posing as his girlfriend. I protected him from the first attempt. Couldn't from the second. And she pierced through me when she got him in the back."

"Huh, didn't think that would catch you. You must've really gotten rusty." Kurama chuckled, "But you look surprisingly good for a corpse."

"Yeah well I got lucky." Kurama chuckled again at the fond smile that Naruto unconsciously let stretch his features, "We were saved by a Devil girl. Rias Gremory. Turns out Devils have the power to resurrect others into their service. She did that for me and I became part of her peerage. After awhile that is. I...I was pretty reluctant about it at first."

"Hard time making friends? Doesn't sound like you. Did you forget how?" Kurama meant it as a joke, and Naruto completely understood it. He tried to chuckle in tandem with the fox, but his face could barely pull a smile. Kurama noticed this, his playful tone and smile lowering before he asked, "How was it before that happened?"

"Bad. It was bad." Naruto sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "I-I mean not like I was fighting or getting hurt or anything but just bad. You were gone, Sasuke was gone, I couldn't summon the toads or figure out how to get home, and I was just alone. I always thought about the war. What I could've done to makes things better or stop everything from going out of control. How I...I could have saved Sasuke. How I could get you and the others back. But it just seemed hopeless. And I tried to keep together but I was done. And things just got harder. So much harder."

"Did you think about-"

"Never. I'd never waste what everyone fought to protect." Naruto denied, "But I just sorta resigned myself...that this was it. And then Rias," Naruto showed a faint smile, "She opened up a path for me to get back some of the things I lost. And she - they made things better."

"Heh. Well you certainly sound fond."

"Yeah well she's gone outta her way to help me. And the others are pretty great too. Asia acts so innocent and sweet sometimes that I actually start to feel like an older brother. And Koneko is so cool I can't help but wanna get to know her. Kiba's had a hard time but he's getting back in the right path. Akeno...well she's certainly something I guess. And there's another guy called Issei - I just call him Fuck-Face, but he actually does some cool things now and then." The blond chuckled before shaking his head, "I'm getting lost. Enough about me, what about you! Do you remember anything? Anything at all?"

"We were covered from the blast but it started breaking through. I tried to warn you that it wasn't gonna hold for much longer but then it hit you fully and everything just went dark for me." Kurama said, "After that it was just weird for me. I wasn't dead or gone but I still wasn't awake or conscious. Like in a dream state you couldn't wake up from but you couldn't even remember what you were dreaming. It was dark and I couldn't reach you. I didn't know what was happening to me."

"So what changed?"

"I don't know." The giant fox gave a mighty shrug, "But yesterday was the first time I felt different. It felt like a sudden surge of energy just started to go through me again. I felt like I could maybe wake up again. What is it?"

"Hold on a sec." Naruto opened his eyes and came back out on the rooftop. With a deep breath he crossed his fingers together as a clone popped into existence besides him. He waited with baited breath for the pain to surge through him again.

But it never came.

He and his clone shared a look of disbelief. They clamored up to their feet and he held out his hand as his clone went to work. His felt a familiar energy race to his hand without the mix of nature in it. A blue glow formed in his palm.

He and his clone marveled at the Rasengan floating in his palm.

"Are you in pain?"

"Nope. Did we just make a Rasengan?"

"Yep. Do we have our chakra back?!"

"You know it!"

"YEAH!" Naruto went to high-five his clone but instead accidentally popped it with the Rasengan in his hand. He blinked in surprise before subtly wiping his hand against his school uniform, "S-so anyway, what else do you remember?"

"Well I felt something change yesterday, but I was still in a daze. I couldn't wake up and I didn't know if I could reach you. But then you did something that helped me reconnect."

"What?"

"I'm not sure. But your heartbeat increased, your blood flowed faster, energy was swirling, and you just seemed more invigorated for whatever reason. It was thanks to that I was able to finally start waking up."

Something that happened yesterday that made his heart race and got his blood flowing - ooooooooooooh. Naruto's eyes widened, "Uh-oh."

"What? Did you remember what it might be?"

"Yep." He nodded, "And you shouldn't worry about it."

"What was it? I want to know what woke me up."

"Trust me Kurama, you really don't."

"It can't be that bad."

"..."

"I-is it that bad?"

"Not really bad, but you will be mad if I told you." Kurama sounded displeased but surrendered anyway. Naruto was relieved to move away from the potentially awkward discussion before it could escalate. He continued to strike up conversation with his old companion, recounting the people he had met and the adventures he had while in this world. Kurama sounded skeptical at first, but after some convincing he started to believe his tale.

After that Naruto started testing out his chakra again. Testing the waters, nothing too grand just yet. He molded his chakra. Stepped up on a wall and stuck to it longer than he had in a very long time. Summoned a team of clones as they started doing activities in order to see how long they lasted. And then bit his thumb in an attempt to Summon.

It didn't work. Just a very small blood stain on the rooftop. Damn.

"I'm still really tired but I think something is wrong." Kurama warned, "I can't channel my chakra properly just yet."

"Just give it some time." Naruto smiled and he opened and closed his hands a few times. Only now was he realizing just how much more energy he had in his system. Was this why he was feeling so antsy in the classroom earlier? Because his chakra was returning somehow? He had to figure this out. He had to know what changed. But until then, "This is the best!"

"I was wondering what had possessed you to make a showing like that in class. Now I know it was so you can come up here to talk to yourself. Metaphorically and - oddly enough, literally."

Naruto and his clones looked over to see Akeno standing in the doorway with her arms crossed beneath her breasts. They all shared a look, some of them noting their current positions of either striking poses from boredom or lying on the rooftop to take a nap. With a collective cough they all burst into smoke leaving the original Naruto alone with the [Queen]. A small pink hue came to his face, "How long were you standing there?"

"Long enough to see three of the clones play each other in roshambo while another two whistled the theme song to Dragon Ball and the rest just started striking poses to see if they could balance on one foot. And of course I couldn't miss the part where you were talking to yourself." She held up her phone and gave a stunning smile with a little giggle, "But no worries, Naruto-San, I didn't tape too much of it. Just enough to let Buchou know about your quirks and maybe give Issei-kun and Koneko-chan a good laugh."

"Ugh, I might be a giant monster who doesn't really pick up on peoples' personalities very well, but she distinctively strikes me as," Naruto sighed as Kurama hummed, "Ah you see it too."

"Classes are about to end." Akeno smiled, "Why don't you come back in before what little is left of your sanity slips off the long, treacherous slope that is the madness settling in your mind?"

"Yep. Definitely one of those."

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"Oh, you're the Troublemaker-kun that all the people were taking about after you dashed outta the class so quickly. Well you don't look that mean~. You actually look kinda confused, which is cute!" The giddy voice greeted up at him, "You make sure to treat So-tan kindly, okay?"

Naruto stared down at the strange young girl that had greeted him in the hallway. Akeno and Tsubaki stood off to the side and watched while Sona was stood behind the shorter girl while rubbing her eyes tiredly. The blond noticed some quick similarities between the StuCo president and this odd girl. Their eyes were the same color, their faces were identical, and they had the same shine of black hair. Even he could tell that they were sisters. And while Sona was obviously more mature and taller than her sibling, this girl seemed gifted in her...outward growth.

They jiggled slightly even in her suit.

Naruto looked up towards the exasperated student council president, "Aw, Kaichou, I didn't know your little sister was coming to visit you today. That's really sweet."

Sona sounded haggard as she let out a sigh that lasted several seconds. She fixed her glasses up her face before motioning towards him, "Onee-sama, this is Naruto Uzumaki-kun. He recently became part of Rias' club. Uzumaki-kun, this is my older sister, Serafall Leviathan. She's in a similar seat of power as Sirzechs-sama."

She was? Wasn't that spot one of the highest power and authority for all Devils? So that meant that this girl was actually just like Sirzechs-

"Nice to meet you, Naru-chan. But I must warn you," She wagged her finger in his face, "You can't have So-tan! Her young, lithe body is for her Onee-chan and her Onee-chan only! Okay! Only I am allowed to love So-tan!"

Yep, just like Sirzechs. They were both idiots.

"But that doesn't mean you can't still be friends with her!" Serafall beamed with joy, "I love how many friends So-tan has! There's Ria-tan, and Akeno-chan, and Tsubaki-chan, and Saji-chan, and now Naru-chan too!" She looked up between her little sister and the whiskered blond, "Make sure to be good friends, okay!"

"Yes, Onee-sama," Sona drearily answered, "I'll make sure to be good friends with Uzumaki-kun."

"No! That's too formal for friends!" Serafall whined, "So-tan, you have to address him with a little more cheer! Naru-chan, you too!"

Naruto and Sona were left in silence after the powerful Devil's unreasonable demand. Naruto was about to intervene before he noticed Sona's shaky form. He looked and paled at the mixture of blush and green on her face as the Sitri heiress' eyes started to swirl. Sona forced out, "Please take care of me, N-Naru-chan."

...

Naruto turned back to Akeno and Tsubaki for advice but they were merely watching with amusement. He turned back around and saw Serafall staring up at him expectantly while Sona resigned herself to this torment. He gulped before forcing a smile on his face, "Yeah, you too S...So-tan."

"Yay! Friends!" Serafall cheered before making her way down the hall and waving back, "Come in, So-tan! Let's go get something to eat! I'm starving!"

...

There was an uncomfortable silence between the Uzumaki and the Sitri. Sona fixed her glasses and quickly turned around, "We'll forget this ever happened, Uzumaki-kun. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Sona quickly made herself scarce as he turned around and glared at the two unrepentant [Queens], "I don't know why I look to you two for help at all. You're useless."

"I can't help it." Akeno cooed, "I just enjoy myself too much when I see you in terrible situations like that."

"I'm not sure how I could have even helped." Tsubaki at least sounded sincere about her apology, "Leviathan-sama is rather - well, everyone has their own ways of handling her."

"Ugh, that sounds difficult." He sighed and looked back in time to see Rias slowly stalk forward. She looked almost downcast, her eyes refusing to raise from the ground as she dragged her feet. He had never seen her look so defeated before. He spoke up, "Rias what's up?"

She didn't respond. He didn't think she even heard him before she walked straight into him and rested her face in his chest. He looked down at her strangely, avoiding a strand of her hair from pushing into his mouth before he heard the crimson-haired woman groan tiredly and lean into him. Some people stopped and gawked at the scene but he just looked back at the [Queens] in hopes that they'd actually help.

"Lucifer-sama and Gremory-sama were very, very interested in getting her attention during class. She's quite tired."

"I'll spell this one out for you." Akeno smiled and motioned her hand, "Pat her head and console her."

He looked down at Rias to see she still hadn't removed herself from his chest. He sighed but relented to the task she so obviously was relegating to him. He gently laid his hand on her hair and patted her head, "There there, you survived. Good job."

Naruto felt her hum reverberate in his chest but she still didn't step back. Soon enough he felt Akeno and Tsubaki walk off to leave them alone. And there were a few dozens students looking at the scene in frustrated envy and confusion.

He had to ask how this happened as he continued to pat her head.

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"And I got this one from Motohama that said, 'Dude, ya hear about what happened on the 3rd-year's floor! Gremory-sama being embraced by that Uzumaki fella! You believe it! Is this real!'" Issei stifled his chuckle, "There are a ton of pictures too."

"Aine Kiryuu told me about this while people were talking about it in the halls." Xenovia added in her piece to the conversation, "She said this was two lovers in the heat of their passion just barely able to contain themselves even in the sight of others." The blue-haired girl nodded with some intrigue to her voice, "Quite a sight indeed."

"E-everyone came up to me and asked if Naruto-San was dating Buchou-San or if he was just doing something to get her attention." Asia said nervously and shivered from the memory of so many boys and girls trying to talk to her at once, "They still think I'm his younger sister so they ask me any question about you two. It's really hard to handle that crowd."

"My apologies, Asia-San." Yuuto gave his condolences to the shorter girl, "I didn't think things would escalate so much after what I said a few months back."

"Things certainly did escalate, didn't they?" Akeno giggled at Rias' expression, "It looks like you were indulging for just a little too long, don't you think Buchou?"

Koneko didn't comment or speak up or do anything. She simply stood there. Silent. A barely noticeable downward curve in her stoic expression but whatever. It was just stupid.

Stupid Senpai.

"We're moving past this." Rias coughed, getting all of them to focus back on the task at hand before she turned around to face the other member of the controversy, "If you want, maybe you can speak up and try to stop this from spiraling out any further?" She waited for his snarky response but watched him hide his face, "Naruto?"

"Did it really have to go on for ten minutes? We were just standing there as I patted your head! Why didn't you just step back?!"

"Do you have any idea what it was like having my brother and father sitting in the back of my class, trying to get my attention and videotaping me while I'm taking notes?! Tapes that I know are going to end up in an enormous, honestly uncomfortable collection of my life that I'm not sure how they get half the time! So I'm sorry, but I just wanted some relief before I lost my mind!"

Naruto's eyes were wide after she had finished her rant. The crimson-haired girl's chest was heaving and her face was a little red from the rush of blood. It was only after a moment to breathe did the usually collected [King] realize she had lost her cool, and looked around at all the surprised looks towards her. Her face lit up, mortified as she turned back to the heavily sealed door and coughed, "Yes, well back to business. We're here for my other [Bishop]."

"You wanna minute to catch your breath-"

"Gasper we're coming in!"

Rias released the locks covering the door and blew it open. With the doors out of the way, the rest of the ORC had a chance to see the lavish, wonderful interior of the room. For the newer members of the ORC, they hadn't expected to see such a magnificent bedroom in the middle of the drab, bleak old school building.

But they also took notice of the fact that there was no visible sign of anyone having used it at all.

"Um, Buchou?" Issei looked around in confusion as they slowly stepped into the room. The perverted brunette titled his head in confusion, "Were we looking for someone? Cause I don't think anyone lives here."

Rias sighed, "Gasper just prefers the other place is all." She walked around the bed and headed for the corner of the room where a box was stuffed in the corner. The new members thought it was odd for their [King] to sit silently in front of the box, but they were even more confused when they heard a nervous whimper emanate from the box. Rias tapped the box, "Gasper? It's been quite awhile since I last saw you. Don't you want to see everyone?"

"Nooo~!" The box cried out pitifully, earning several shocked looks from the new members as they watched the box quiver and shake, "I won't go outside! I can't! Why did you open the door?!"

"Because it was time to come see you." Rias clarified, sounding caring with all the patience of a mother dealing with her child. She just gently laid her hand on the box, "You remember those new peerage members Koneko has been telling you about? I brought them with me. And I want to introduce you to them. Would that be okay?"

"U-um," The meek voice sounded conflicted by her request, "I-I don't know. I still don't want to come out."

"I understand." She looked back at them and smiled sweetly, "You still love being in your box, don't you?" She heard a hum within the box, "Well did you know wearing boxes has actually become the hottest new fashion trend in the Underworld?"

"R-really?!"

"That's right. It's all the rage. You're basically a trend setter."

"I-I knew it was only a matter of time before the world recognized just how amazing boxes are!"

"I-I'm sorry." Naruto raised his hand, "What the fuck is going on? I'm completely lost." He looked around at the expressions on Issei, Asia, and Xenovia's faces, "And I'm not the only one wondering why Rias is talking to a box."

"In fact, people love boxes so much that they're interested in seeing the inside of yours."

The box gasped and shivered, "W-what?!"

"That's right. There is a whole group of people coming here to ask you questions and interview you."

"No!"

"Yep. And there going to be here in three, two, one-"

"IYYYYAAAAAAA!" The box burst open and a small body popped out, quickly diving into Rias' embrace and hiding himself in her chest desperately. The shorter body was shaking like a leaf, "Don't let them come in here Buchou! I-I'm scared!"

"I know. I know." Rias lovingly embraced the terrified child in return and lovingly rubbed his head, "And I'm sorry Gasper but I lied. That was just a little fib to get you out of the box."

"B-Buchou!"

Rias just smiled before standing up and turning to face her peerage. She felt the terrified [Bishop] hide behind her back and barely peek out from behind her, "Everyone, I want to introduce you to my [Bishop]. This is Gasper Vladi, a first-year alongside Koneko. And he's also half-vampire. Please watch over him carefully."

"Vampire? Wait, him?! That cute young girl hiding in your back is a boy?!" Issei gawked as Rias nodded, "But he's wearing a girl's uniform!"

"T-the suit is too stuffy." Gasper answered, mostly just speaking into Rias' back as he was still too nervous to face the new people directly. The young boy was Koneko's age and standing only a few inches higher than the petite girl. His features were very soft, with pale blond hair in a short bob cut and piercing purple eyes. He didn't stand confidently, his legs buckled together as he tried to hide as effectively as possible behind Rias. With his lack of muscular frame and the female uniform he was wearing, the young lad could easily be mistaken for a lady, "T-the skirt is a lot more airy."

"Oh that's cute. Oh those are very, very bad thoughts." Issei started massaging his temples and turning away with a grimace, "Must rid self of thoughts."

"I-Issei-San? Please just breathe."

"So this little guy is your other [Bishop]? Like Asia?" Rias nodded to his question as Naruto stepped up. He looked down and heard Gasper squeak before slipping behind Rias' back again. The whiskered boy decided not to press the distressed cross-dresser and instead looked to his [King], "So why was he being kept in here, behind a ton of seals and locks?"

"We weren't punishing him or keeping him locked up because we were scared, if that's what you're thinking." Naruto blinked before looking aside guiltily. Rias touched his arm, getting his attention back on her as she gave him an understanding smile, "For one thing, Gasper is afraid of most people and being outside, so he enjoys staying alone. But the reason he's been in here for so long is because he's too strong for me. Gasper has an incredible power, one that I couldn't help him control at the time I was recruiting him. So to make sure that power didn't do any harm and give me enough time to get stronger to handle his gifts, he stayed in here."

"A-a-and I don't mind staying a little longer! Like a lot, lot longer!" Gasper added, "Please let me stay!"

Yuuto shook his head, "Seems like Gasper-kun hasn't changed one bit."

"Now Gasper, why don't you come out of the room with me-"

"NOOOO!"

In a instant Gasper had disappeared from Rias' back. Everyone looked surprised by the sudden chance before they noticed the box shaking and muttering stuff about never going outside.

"Rias-Buchou," Xenovia stepped forward, "How did he do that?"

"It's his Sacred Gear. Gasper is half-vampire, half-human. A Dhamphir. He has extraordinary vampiric abilities, and blessed with an exceptionally powerful Sacred Gear that allows him to freeze time for anything he sees. With those abilities, his power would be exceptionally looked for by just about anyone." Rias giggled, "If only he wasn't so frightened."

"Buchou, do you mind if I try and talk with him?"

"Of course." Rias allowed Koneko the opportunity to step up and try her hand at helping her friend. Rias stepped back to stand alongside the others watching the young [Rook's] attempt.

Koneko knelt down by the box, "Gya-kun, it's me."

"K-Koneko-chan?"

"Yep. I came to visit again. I was worried." Koneko spoke quietly to the box, "Are you okay? Have you been eating well?"

"I-I'm not hungry. B-but I'm not sure if I've been eating well."

"You need to come outside. Buchou wants you to and something very, very important is coming up soon. So we need you." Gasper gave a pathetic whimper at the idea of being thrown out into the world like that, "Gya-kun, would you like my help?"

The little Devil in the box didn't respond immediately. For a full minute there was a silence between the two freshmen that permeated the whole room. Until finally they heard a slight trembling whisper echo from within the box, "Y-yes please."

"Okay."

Koneko immediately picked up the box and turned around to throw it. The older members of the ORC stepped aside to avoid the path of the flying box as it went sailing out of the room. They heard the terrified shriek coming from within before the box bounced and barreled between the walls of the hallway. The box finally came to a stop, opening up and letting Gasper flop to the ground in a heap.

They all looked back towards the [Rook] to see the little Devil giving them a thumbs-up.

"Koneko, that wasn't the way I thought you would help. And don't encourage her." Rias slapped Naruto's thumbs-up as he pulled his hand back to rub the sting. She sighed before looking at her peerage, "Everyone, as you can see Gasper still has quite a ways to go to get the confidence necessary to fight alongside us. So until the meeting of the Three Factions, I'd like all of you to help him build some confidence. Can you do that?"

"You got it Buchou!"

"We'll do our best."

"Never worked with a vampire that wasn't a job for me to try and exterminate them. This will be intriguing."

"Let me get this straight." Naruto turned to the redhead, "You want to leave that kid's social rehabilitation in the hands of us?" He pointed out to the pervert, the shy nun, the clueless warrior, the sadistic [Queen], the smiling pretty boy, the teasing stoic, and the skeptical ninja, "Seriously?"

"I trust you all to do your best...and I don't have many options."

"O-oooooooohhhhhhh~." Gasper moaned from down the hall.

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"And this is where I live now. It's much smaller than the old building you last saw but it's comfier. More quaint. I like it quite a lot. There's isn't so much empty space and I don't have to travel across what feels like a soccer field in order to grab my clothes and I don't have someone waiting on me hand and foot. Instead I get to wake up in the morning, make myself breakfast, and enjoy getting ready for school. In fact sometimes I get up just to wake up with Naruto-"

"Rias, he's not listening."

The redhead sighed and turned back around with a peeved expression on her face, "Of course he is. He might be hiding in the box but Gasper is a very good listener. Isn't that right Gasper?"

"T-that's right Buchou! S-so don't go underestimating me just yet, U-Uzumaki-senpai!"

"Yeah, that'll carry more weight when I'm not the one that has to carry you all over town."

He got a lot of weird looks on the way back home when the gorgeous redhead by his side was holding a conversation with the box he carried on his shoulder. Even more concerned glances when the box started gleefully talking back.

He swore he heard a few whispers about them being a deranged couple that kept their young daughter locked in a box. They couldn't sprint away from those places fast enough.

They were going to rehabilitate Gasper to the best of their ability. That meant starting to weed him out of his familiar, comfortable environment so he could get used to other places. Of course they couldn't make him go cold turkey so they eased him in; Rias suggesting he come stay with her at her new home and let him get to know Naruto.

Naruto raised a point against it but he was soundly outvoted and had to carry the Dhampir home.

Rias fiddled with the key to his apartment and let the door swing open. She stepped in and dropped her bag before sliding open the closet door and smiling back at the blond and the box, "I'm going to get dinner started, okay? Now I hope you two can have some nice conversation while you wait. I'll be back."

She sounded so pleased with dumping this task on him.

Naruto sighed and stepped in before kicking the door closed, dropping his bag on one side and placing the Gasper box on the table. He dropped down as well and stared at the box expectantly while the sounds of Rias humming and cooking in her room echoed into his. Things were completely silent between them.

"U-um," Gasper spoke up first with a meek tone, "C-can you please not stare so much? I-I'm getting nervous."

"I'm not staring at you. I'm staring at the box." Naruto corrected, "If you want you could come out of the box and we could talk then."

"I-I'm good."

"Then I'm gonna keep staring at the box." Gasper relented with a sad whine as Naruto sat up and crossed his arms, "Why did you choose a box anyway?"

"Oh, t-that's because boxes are small and comfortable and I don't have to be surrounded by a crowd when I'm in them." Gasper whispered, "I-it's just more peaceful."

"Okay, but why be in a box in the first place? Are you that uncomfortable around people?" As the silence carried on and it was clear Gasper wasn't going to answer. Naruto started to put the pieces together and nodded, "You stay in it because you want to avoid them, don't you?"

"N-not everyone!" Gasper was quick to clarify with a jump of his box. It settled at the young boy's voice whispered out, "I love everyone I know. Buchou took me in when I needed it most and Koneko-chan always plays and checks up on me. Akeno-senpai and Yuuto-senpai always treat me like family. And I have a few others too! Just...everyone else doesn't like when I'm around."

"Kinda sounds like you when you were younger. And Shukaku's kid while he was growing up."

Naruto tried not to focus on the comparison Kurama pointed out but it was just too obvious not to agree. Even in this world, it was becoming painfully clear that the same separation that burdened him for so much of his life was still present even in this place. He sighed before leaning on one hand and staring at the box, "Do you not like what Rias is asking us to do? For you to get more comfortable outside again?"

"I know why she's asking me to do it. It's just I'm scared. It's scary and uncomfortable for me to do this."

"I bet." Naruto nodded, "Gasper, I understand why you're afraid and if you don't like being around people so much, I can understand that too. But Rias is here with you now. And you're not scared of her, right?"

"No. No of course not."

"And you said the same thing for Kiba and Koneko and Akeno - who you know is usually someone to be scared around." Gasper giggled, "Plus there are more people that joined your side now too. Me, Asia, Xenovia, and Fu - Issei. We're a part of this now too. And if you'll give us the chance, I bet you'll see we will like having you around too."

Naruto reached out and pulled the top of the box open by the slightest inch. Gasper yelped but Naruto stopped from pulling it completely open before just holding out his hand, "We don't want to force you to do anything. But we'd be happy to help you out if you want."

...

A tiny hand slowly emerged from the top of the box and reached for Naruto's. The whiskered man chuckled and took the hand softly. Gasper let out a small whine before gulping and sitting up completely. The nervous vampire sat in his box, looking down at where he was holding hands with Naruto before shaking it, "M-my name is G-Gasper Vladi, it's nice to meet you."

"Naruto Uzumaki. Nice to meet you too." He lifted the box up and dropped it to his side and let Gasper sit beside him. He smiled down at the little vampire, "What's wrong?"

"I-I'm just surprised." Gasper admitted, "When I came to the school with Koneko-chan, I had heard rumors about someone that went to our school named Uzumaki. T-there were a bunch of scary stories revolving around you; like how you secretly had ties to the mafia overseas, or how you were violent and started fights whenever you got mad, or how you walked into this town for the first time covered in blood and injuries."

"What the hell did you do while I was gone?"

"To be fair the blood thing was real, but it was only a little and I was hurt. And I only got into fights with people that started them with me."

"Sorry!" Gasper flinched, before hanging his head, "What I mean is that there was I lot I found scary about you when I heard the stories. But then Koneko-chan came one day to visit me and told me you were going to be a part of the peerage. And then when she came again and told me you weren't nearly as scary as the stories said. You were nice, and kind, and caring, and strong, and cool."

Koneko had said all of that about him?

"And the more she said the more I realized that the scary image I had of you wasn't true at all. I had just kinda made a decision about you based off only what I had heard and what other people had acted like. Which is awful." Gasper's eyes lowered again as he sadly muttered, "I was doing the exact same thing I hated. I-"

Gasper squeaked when Naruto patted him on the back. He looked up to see Naruto's smile as the older blond chuckled, "You don't need to beat yourself up so much. We hadn't even met yet. What's important is how we act from this point on. And no worries about that either, because we're friends now. Agreed?"

Gasper looked like he was going to cry, which contradicted the hopeful smile that threatened to split his face. He forced back any tears from falling out and nodded in agreement, "Absolutely! Thank you, Naruto-senpai!"

"Well well, don't you two look thick as thieves."

"You know, I can always just open the front door." Naruto noted with a smile as Rias carefully walked back through the closet with several plates of curry in her arms. He stood up to take two, "You don't have to snake your way through there every time you know. We could even go to your room instead."

"It's no bother, plus I like your room so much." Rias said with a casual smile before sliding a plate in front of a beaming Gasper, "Here you go Gasper, I know you don't like it too spicy."

"Yay! Thank you Buchou!" Gasper happily replied before digging into his dish, still sitting in his box like he didn't mind at all. Rias laughed before scooting over to sit by Gasper's side and strike up a conversation with her [Bishop]. It had probably been awhile since she had last gotten the chance to converse with him, so she was covering a lot of topics. Any new shows he had watched. How proud she was of him for all his work over the web. She even made him blush bashfully when she said how happy she was to see them getting along so quickly.

She made it look so easy. She truly did see each of them as a loving member of her family. How he ever doubted her sincerity about that he'd kick himself for it. But she looked like such a caring person, like a mother happy to sit with her child.

"And what position do you play in that fantasy I wonder~?"

Naruto shook his head and ignored Kurama's jab as he quickly started eating his curry. He gobbled it down but made sure to keep an ear open to what Gasper and Rias said, "Yes, and Koneko-chan told me all about the things that happened over the last few weeks. How we got new members to the peerage, and how you fought the Fallen Angel, and how you had a Rating Game to..."

"Gasper?"

The young [Bishop] had come to a stop in his joyful conversation with Rias before looking up at her guiltily, "I'm sorry Buchou. That was such an important event and you needed everyone by your side. N-not like I could have helped much anyway but-"

"Stop it." Rias cut him off by enveloping him in a hug, holding his head to her chest, "I know how scared you would have been in a situation like that. And we're all safe now. So I don't want to hear anymore of this self-deprecating talk, okay? There's nothing to forgive."

They stayed connected for a moment before Gasper gave a confirming nod and separated. The vampire wiped his eye before he smiled, "I-I did see footage of your fight after it was done. Koneko-chan told me how brave you were in that fight, Senpai! And it was so cool that you went that far for your love to Buchou like - SENPAI! What's wrong?! C-can you breathe?!"

Naruto was slapping his chest and choking on his food as his face went blue. He felt a hard slap on his back and finally spat up the curry that clogged his airway. He gasped for air and felt the panic slowly leave his system.

"Naruto, are you alright?"

He looked up at Rias. The concern across her face for his wellbeing. The smile she showed once she knew he was okay. And the hearty laugh when she saw the confused look on his face.

"Gasper, can we have a moment?"

"Huh?" The vampire looked up in confusion, "B-but my curry-"

"Take it with you!" The [Pawn] handed Gasper his curry, shut him in the box, and lifted it up before throwing it through the hole into Rias' room.

He closed the door on Gasper's shocked yell before walking back around and sitting down in front of Rias. The beautiful redhead blinked in confusion, "What is it? You're acting rather peculiar."

"Rias..." He looked directly at her before steeling himself, "What's happening between us?"

Her seafoam eyes blinked in confusion, "H-huh?"

"I mean what's going on? This started with you and I talking a lot after we beat that Fallen Angel lady. Then the night before that Phenex guy showed up you came to my apartment and tried to - well, you know. Then after we finished fighting him you kissed me! Then you made me lunch, moved here, you get in my bed sometimes, and the other night we," He paused and felt his cheeks heat up as Rias' did the same with that fresh memory in their heads, "Plus we kissed so many times."

"Right." Rias pushed down her embarrassed stutter and spent a moment fixing her hair before nodding, "Well I suppose it does seem quite confusing if all those things happen without any context."

"It's just that seems like the kind of stuff a couple who are dating would do. And we're not dating. We're not, right?"

"No. No we're not." Rias agreed, lowering her eyes sadly with a small hitch in her voice, "I-I suppose it's my fault for acting like that-"

"So will you go out with me?"

It took a moment for those words to process through Rias' mind. When they did her eyes slowly started to widen before she looked up at him. Naruto's cheeks were burning red and he couldn't even look her in the eye. He was rubbing his neck and speaking to the side, "I mean if you don't want to that's fine. It's just if we're going to be around each other so much and do those things together then I want to make sure it's clear between the both of us." His cheeks were bright red but he faced Rias directly, "I can't really say I'm in love just yet, but I like you, Rias. I really, really like you. I think you're kind and strong and amazing and you can be surprisingly goofy and cute sometimes. So if you want, can we go out together?"

...

Naruto was worried he had been too sudden or had said something wrong to turn her away. But after a moment Rias started to giggle before it became a full-blown laugh. She doubled over and held her sides before wiping away a tear, "You wanted to bring up all the things we've done just so you could ask me to be your girlfriend yourself? Well, that's surprisingly traditional, and romantic too." He blushed and scowled at her teasing tone before she gave a big smile, "Yes, I would love to be your girlfriend, Naruto. And I'm glad you asked."

"I just wanted to clear it all up." He answered with a frown as she chuckled, "With all the teasing and stupid rumors flying around, I'd rather face them knowing it's official."

"Hehehe, this is so backwards." Rias couldn't stop the laugh from shaking her body, "Usually we would be asking each other out long before we did the stuff we've done already. Basically living together, making meals, not to mention what almost happened the other night."

"What almost happened the other night? Because from what I'm gleaning off context clues you two almost - wait. Other night...no. Noooooooo. No! NO! Naruto, do not tell me I was finally jolted awake by the fact you were trying to have sex with this girl!"

...

"ANSWER ME!"

Naruto ignored Kurama's screaming and instead slid up to Rias' side. The lovely redhead looked up at him as he smiled and cupped her face. He brought her in closer as their lips touched and warmth spread through their bodies. He savored the taste of cherry on her lips, and the flavor of curry as well from what they had just eaten. They separated and laughed for a moment before reengaging their kiss, Rias' arms wrapping around his neck while his hands settled around her back.

"What's wrong?" Rias asked when she noticed Naruto was distracted, "Is something the matter?"

"Sorry, nothing's wrong. This is perfect, just..." He started smacking his head, "We've got an unwanted visitor ruining the moment."

"Oh damn, I forgot about Gasper." Rias paled as she realized she was about to start a very heavy kissing session with Naruto that could've developed into something a little more heated with Gasper sitting right next door. That was mortifying.

And maybe just a little bit exciting.

"No, not Gasper." He sighed and rubbed his head, "It's Kurama. He's throwing a hissy fit because he can't handle the way he was revived. Yes! Yes it is a hissy fit! And if it's not that then you're just bitching!"

Rias looked at her new boyfriend oddly as he had an argument with himself. If she were anyone else she'd be worried that she had fallen in love and was now dating a possible schizophrenic. But she believed the story he told her about his old life, and she was especially interested by the idea that he had another life connected to him like that, "Kurama? The fox from your stories? I thought you said he was gone."

"He was, but he came back. Along with my chakra. I've been trying to think how that could have happened but I just draw a blank."

Looks like she had some big news to tell Koneko tomorrow morning, "Wait, so can he hear us right now?" Naruto nodded, "Can I say hello? Greetings Kurama, my name is Rias Gremory. While you've been gone I've been trying to take care and watch out for Naruto in your stead. I've heard a lot about you."

"W-what are you doing?"

"Kurama lives inside you, right? Then he's close to you. Which means that I should be ready to introduce myself to him properly now that we are going out." She added with a smirk and giggle that got an instant reaction out of him, "What does he say?"

"H-he's oddly flattered by your greeting. No one has ever introduced themselves to him before, and definitely not through talking to me." He raised an eyebrow, "You're a weird one, aren't you?"

"You're one to talk. But then again I guess that's makes us going out all the more perfect." She leaned in and stole a kiss before he could rebuke her. He touched his lips in surprise as she stood up and winked, "I'll go get Gasper."

She walked over to the closet and slid it open to find a dirty dish off to the side with Gasper focusing more intently on his phone. He slowly looked up at her and gulped, "I-I swear I wasn't sending a message to Koneko-chan about you two officially going out now."

"Pfft," She chuckled, "It's fine Gasper. I'm sure it would have gotten passed around eventually."

"That's good, because I actually told everyone in the club."

"GASPER!"

"I-I'm sorry Senpai! I didn't mean to hear everything you said! I just did!"

While Naruto threw threats at the quivering, terrified vampire, Rias laughed. Before she had started her senior year she had never felt interested romantically in any boys. She had just assumed it was never going to be a path she took.

Now she knew the truth. She just hadn't met the goofball that would steal her heart yet.

||||||||Devil||||||||

Vali crossed his legs and looked out over the land from the top of the building. It stretched out for so far, and there were so many lights that shined through the night.

But he knew he didn't even need to bother using one hand to count the number of people in it that could truly give him a challenging battle.

Since he was a child, all he had been looking for were fights that would push him to his absolute limits. So he could know what they are, and then break them just as quickly.

That's what he wanted when Tobio finally started to show some promise with his Sacred Gear. He just never got the chance to fulfill that wish and fight Slash Dog himself.

That was something that was bugging him about this whole peace treaty Azazel was proposing. He had made a list of people he wanted to fight in the future. Exceptional beings and fighters from all over the world that proved with their power or skill that they could truly challenge his might. He had been looking forward to facing those people one at a time.

But now it seemed Azazel's peace agenda threatened that list.

When the Factions reached an agreement, then Azazel would soon reach out to other mythologies and attempt to broker peace with them as well. And considering how charismatic and charming Azazel played himself out to be, it was only a matter of time before peace became the norm.

For a fighter like him, peace was poison. The strongest people in the worlds would become addled and soft. He was already cursed with a rival that had no fighting instinct and little potential for growth. Now everyone he had set his eyes on was going to be experiencing the same decline. It was annoying.

...

Oh well. It wasn't like it was going to be a problem for him much longer anyway. Vali smirked before his clock went off and he reached back for his cup. He pulled the lid open and started to indulge himself in the deliciousness of the ramen and broth.

"Albion. Vali. I, am here."

The silver-haired man looked back at the sudden appearance of his companion as they slowly stepped up to his side. They looked out over the skyline and let the wind send their hair billowing back if only to take it with the same stoic expression as usual.

Vali slurped up some noodles, "I'm surprised to see you out and around. Considering what's about to go down I'd have expected you to hide yourself as much as possible." With the attention they were going to get soon it was better for them to be in hiding when all the worlds started focusing on them.

Not like anyone will actually be able to hurt them but it was still a precaution.

"I, had nothing else to do. Boredom is very hard to concentrate through."

Vali scoffed, "That's a bit hypocritical, seeing as your aim for silence in the Dimensional Gap is the whole reason for this plan."

"Different in Dimensional Gap. That place is home, and silence is peaceful. Here it is wasteful."

"We can agree on that." Vali nodded and strung up some noddles in his chopsticks, "That's why I'm at least eating something I love right now. So not to feel so bored."

"Noodles. Vali seems to eat them almost every day. Do they perhaps have a hold on Dragons? Might they be the secret to defeating Great Red that I have been searching for?"

Vali wanted to argue but the being in the small girl's body had already knelt down by his side and was examining the cup ramen intently. He sighed and allowed them to inspect the meal for a moment while he waited. He had no idea how the most powerful being in existence was such an empty-headed weirdo, but he was the one who made friends with it so what did that say about him? He finally started eating again once he had free space, "So has anything new happened since I last saw you?"

"Unknown creatures have finally started to show response."

That got Vali to stop eating as he looked at the being at his side in surprise, "Are you serious? What happened?"

"Not sure. I, was told that they have finally started showing movement and responses to stimuli around them. No thought. Merely action."

The beings Ophis had brought to their attention were things unlike anything Vali had seen before. He had only caught a glimpse of them before they were taken away to be analyzed. They were massive, and powerful, but they were empty and mindless and unresponsive. The idea that they were finally making some kind of movement...

It was certainly intriguing.

Ophis reached up to the accessory around its neck and looked down at it quietly, "With those creatures, Great Red may finally be defeated. And I can have my home."

Vali wasn't sure where Ophis found that ragged old thing or why the Dragon God wore it, but he knew Ophis didn't feel like being separated from it. It was the catalyst that found those monsters and helped the Dragon God make the decision to start fighting the greatest power in existence. The metal on it might have been rusty and obviously warped by some damage but the black material did go well with the gothic tone of their dress.

Vali still wasn't sure why there was some weird kind of swirly snail in the middle of the headband but he wasn't arguing.

He smiled before slurping up some more noodles.

It was almost time for Khaos to rein.

||||||||Omake: Culture Shock - Karaoke||||||||

Naruto had been invited out with the others to try and help Gasper get used to areas outside of the school. Rias and Akeno were busy helping Sirzechs prepare for the meeting so he was the senior member watching out for the others.

He thought he could handle whatever they went out to do.

He was pretty startled as he held the microphone in front of his juniors as music played behind him, "Um, so what am I doing?"

"Sing to the lyrics as they start getting colored!" Issei called out over the cheers from the other members of the club.

"I don't know any songs!"

"That's okay." Yuuto encouraged him, "You'll do great."

Asia nodded, "You'll do great, Naruto-San!"

"Don't be deterred!" Xenovia nodded proudly.

"You can do it, Naruto-senpai!" Gasper called from his box, "We believe in you!"

Koneko just gave him a thumbs-up.

"I really don't think I should be singing up - JOJO!" Naruto gave a frightened yell as the music suddenly spiked and the words popped up on screen. They started clapping as he stared at the word, "~S-Sora! Koboreochita futatsu no hishi ga~, ~hikari to yami no minamo suikomareteyuku~!"

"Issei-kun, are you filming this?"

"Absolutely." Issei hid his snicker and recorded the whole thing with his phone as the girls cheered on their whiskered senior. He didn't sound very remarkable, but he certainly seemed less ridged and more enthusiastic as the song went on. And the others were having a ton of fun as well. They all looked eager to take the mic next. But it was definitely worth putting their grumpy blond senior on it first.

It was things like never getting the chance to hang out and do stuff like this that made Issei believe that his story about coming from a ninja world could hold merit. And with all the other crazy stuff in the world he was discovering then alternate worlds seemed just crazy enough to be real too.

But it was funnier to poke and prod the older teen, even if that usually meant pain for him and his testicles.

Oh well. He was totally keeping this as blackmail material.

||||||||Devil||||||||

Done

So the last three sections were changed from leading into the meeting because it just seemed badly paced with such a sudden jump from meeting Gasper to having taken major steps with him. This was much better. Naruto and the little vamp got to connect, Rias has an official boyfriend, and Vali met up with our favorite little oddball from the beginning of creation.

I just realized how much I love Ophis.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed.

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Thank You and Bye