A/N: EDIT: Well would you look at that. Really, I don't know why I'm surprised anymore these days.

More flames than reviews. Again. Is this what I get for updating twice in one month? T_T

This...this isn't fun anymore. Especially when I put my all into something...

As ever, we're following the Ember's Rule here. That's no joke. Really, it isn't. If folks don't like this...well, it won't be continued. Every bit of feedback helps. Reviews are the fuel which keeps me writing in these crazy times. With my tight schedule -two jobs!- I simply don't have time to write a story folks don't like. Without them, my inspiration cannot take wing and I can't write a word. So by all means, speak up!

Also, a shameless plug to Divide Music's now infamous Rengoku song "Set it On fire". Helped me write this real quick.

Still, it helped me write the second that much faster.

Now for the good 'ol Q&A:

Q: Someone's getting back into Bleeeaaaach!

A: Tentatively! There's also a reference in this particular story.

Q: I love aggressive Shinobu! Keep her like this!

A: Eh? Well, she only started in with her "chipper" facade after Kanae died. As things stand now she's a bit more blunt and aggressive...especially toward Naruto.

Q: I've figured out the pairings! You're going to pair SPOILER with SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER, and finally, SPOILER aren't you? Just don't forget SPOILER. He deserves a girl of his own, sunny boy that he is.

A: Aha! You've only figured out a third of my master plan! I ain't done yet! But sure, since you ascertained part of it, I suppose you win. I'll take a request for you...

Q: Wait, wait, so Rengoku's fire is an actual thing?

A: I already went over that. In this story, as in the anime/movie breathing styles affect the world. Its a touchy subject, but Kyojuro and others have affected the world. I mean, really, we had a bloody flaming inferno against Akaza in the movie. It burned the hell out of him and the ground alike. And if you thought that was something...

Wait till you see the style Naruto's created...

...or has he simply remembered?

His past is trickling back slowly, in pieces, but he doesn't realize it IS his past. Why would he? Reincarnation isn't an easy thing, and even his breathing style hasn't allowed him to full realize/remember who he is, let alone what he could be.

Q: Don't kill her. Please, please, PLEASE don't let her die. Its not fair how SPOILER went out, crying like that. She deserved better. So did SPOILER and SPOILER.

And while you're at it, save others!

A: I can't make any promises. You'll just have to read and see.

Q: You gonna steal Tengen's girls?

A: Hell no! Those three are hilarious! They're staying with him!

A: Okay, that private message is redacted to hell and back. But I get what you're saying.

That said, I can't reveal who lives and dies just yet. That would ruin the story...

Q: How many Forms does Demon Breathing have?

A:...I suppose I can reveal that much. Ten. Technically eleven if you count that zero-tailed abomination from the movie. Saw it the other day.

*shivers* Nasty thing...

Q: Can we have that scene with Rengoku? You know, the one with him and...?

A: Sure~! I'm always up for a good laugh.

Alright, then! I think I've kept you waiting long enough.

As ever, I own no references, themes, or memes. Not a wit, not a one!

Now then, I do hope you're ready, because this chapter has a little bit of everything...

"Kindness is all well and good, but take care it doesn't get you killed."

...jeez, Kanae. You're kinda scary when you're serious."

"My my, whatever do you mean~?"

~?

Hopes and Dreams

Naruto felt his right ear twitch.

An arm snapped out.

"Here we go...


(.0.0.0.)


"Its been so long since I tasted human flesh!"

The demon surged out of the undergrowth with a mad cackle, eyes fixed on the quartet of startled humans standing before him. Four! After all this time! How lucky he was! He'd eat them all! Flesh! So hungry. So very, very hungry! All for him, him and no one else! So great was its hunger, that it didn't even deign to consider the danger; didn't even hesitate as the tallest of the four stepped forward. A tan hand went for his blade, but slowly, far, far too slowly. Fool! He wouldn't be fast enough-

Blue eyes filled his vision.

...breathing. Fifth form." he heard the tail end of a throaty whisper as sword slid free from its scabbard. "Kokuo."

Then the blond shot past, and rather than the sweet succor of flesh he sought, the demon tasted only empty air. Not air. Steam. Hot! It burned! It boiled! His lunge turned into a faltering stumble, leaving him writhing on the ground. The scalding steam came on in a rush of heat, leaving him writhing in the mud. Pain! Everywhere! Everything was buring! Move. He had to move, before...!

Footsteps drew closer.

"Yup, its like I thought. Flame breathing really ain't for me. I mean, I can use it, but dad says I'm no good at it... he's right." his killer turned slightly, a moonlight silhouette in the night. "I can't control it very well. These days I've got my own style, though its not a very kind one." He touched a hand to the katana at his belt and drew it once more. It was a bright, vivid red. Like the sun itself. "I hope you appreciate this. You have no idea what I had to go through to wield this sword, suppress my instincts, to make this a reality...

"No, wait!" the demon struggled upright, realizing what as about to transpire. "Mercy! I won't do it again!"

"Liar." Those baleful blue eyes narrowed upon hi. "I can feel your emotions. Your rotten. Twisted."

He planted one foot forward. "Demon Breathing...

"Are you kidding me?! How is that a style?!

His blade blazed gold. "Ninth Form...

And he swept it forth.

...Kurama."

Twisted eyes bulged as giant fox skull came to light formed out of the ether as if it had always been there. Burning a bright golden-black, it dwarfed him. It saw him. It smiled at him. The blond's blade crashed down and it responded, surging forth at his command. Its very presence tore through the ground, uprooting tree in its wake. Couldn't doge. Couldn't evade. No hope.

The demon slumped to its knees.

'What is this guy?! He's not human! He's-

Massive jaws closed down on him and he knew no more.


(.0.0.0.)


"Delicious!"

Kanae paused, a morsel of food clutched in her chopsticks, just shy of her mouth.

"Delicious!"

Shinobu's right eye began to twitch violently, promising pain.

"Delicious!"

Naruto palmed his face with a sigh. "Not again...

"Delicious!"

Kyojuro continued to eat at a breakneck peace, blissfully unaware of it all as he polished off his boxed meal. Each bite was something to be savored, each morsel met with a joyous declaration of:

"DELICIOUS~!"

In the end, it was Kanae who found her voice first. "Is he always so...exuberant?"

"Pretty much." Naruto shrugged and began to tuck into his own bento. "He's usually like this. Mom makes good food. Really appreciates it, you know?"

Shinobu flung up her arms. "He's saying after every bite! Make him stop!"

He chuckled inwardly. Oh, sweet summer child. As if it were that simple. One did not simply stop Kyojuro from enjoying his dinner. Let unsaid was the fact that these might be the very last meals Ruka Rengoku ever made for her sons. With her health deteriorating, she could barely move, let alone prepare food. Neither will willing to admit that of course. And so they dug in with singular enthusiasm, savoring the feast for what it was.

Kanae tittered softly to herseltf, content to let them be.

Shinobu...had other plans.

"Enough of that! I can't hear myself think!"

Kyojuro's smile didn't falter, not once; even when she thumped him on the back of the head. He continued to enjoy his meal to his heart's content as the sun sank lower on the horizon.

He did, however, finally stop exclaiming after every bit. He'd take the miracle for what it was.

Speaking of miracles...

Against all odds, and despite all their best efforts to the contrary, the demons appeared to be actively avoiding their group. Nearly a full day had passed in relative peace since they'd stumbled upon that first one, with not even the merest of skirmishes since. At a glance it didn't seem possible; the creatures here were not only starved of flesh, but they were wild. Feral. Nearly no reason or logic left in them.

And yet their little group of four had been left unmolested.

Tonight, that might very well change, but still, it gave them a chance to prepare.

So they'd done what anyone would do. With the sunrise, they'd set up camp and tucked into their provisions. Kanae had been shooting him some very curious looks since then -likely due to his breathing style- but he had long since resolved himself to ignore her. He wasn't about to spill anymore of his secrets than he already had.

One day down. Six to go.

Almost made him smile, it did.

Survive for seven days, eh? The Chunin Exams had been more difficult-ack!

The pressure in his head spiked and he clutched at his skull with a hiss. "What's a chunin exam...?"

He shook the odd thought away and grit his teeth against the pain. Don't think about it. He didn't have time for this; needed to prepare. There was strength in numbers certainly, and while that likely played a part, Naruto couldn't quite dash his suspicions. Was something holding them back? Or someone?

"One year, Naruto."

A chill shot up his spine, leaving him shivering for an altogether different reason. Was this what woman's doing? No. It was probably just a coincidence. Had to be. There were a lot of candidates this year. They might've gotten lucky this time around. Or perhaps they were simply biding their time, gathering their numbers to strike-

"Aren't you finish to eat your meal, brother?"

Naruto flicked Kyojuro a black look over his shoulder and found him eyeing his half-eaten meal. "Are you still hungry?!"

His stomach growled. "...no?"

He exhaled in a long-suffering sigh. "The things we do for family. Here."

"Many thanks!" Kyojuro accepted it with open hands and dove into it merrily.

"I knew it." Kanae muffled a giggled behind her hand. "For all your fire, you're just a big softy."

"Oi! That's libel!" he jabbed his chopsticks at her. "Take it back!"

She caught them with her own, fending him off. "Softy~!"

"Don't let your guard down, either of you." Shinobu's voice cut through their merriment as surely as a demon's claws. "We're bound to run into more Demon sooner or later.

Naruto huffed. Was it possible for anyone to be more of a buzzkill? He didn't think so."

"Look," he clacked his chopsticks at her, drawing a grimace from the girl. "I don't like waiting anymore than you do, but demons aren't going to come out during the day. And its not like they expect us to kill every demon on the mountain-

A distant explosion rumbled somewhere in the dark woods behind them.

"Ha!" A young man's voice carried, echoing against the mighty boughs. "Now that's flashy! Come at me! We'll take you all on!"

"Well," Kanae hummed, "At least someone's having fun."

Shinobu started to her feet. "Should we help him?"

"Now, now," she tugged her sister back down. "I'm sure he can handle himself. Besides, it doesn't sound like he's alone, no?"

Naruto recalled the man with white hair he'd glimpsed need the entrance. Unbidden, he remembered his imposing physique and those wickedly large blades at his back. Somehow, he doubted that one was in any danger. It would take more than a few lower class demons hurt him. Least of all if he had backup.

"Yeah," he concurred with a nod. "he's got this."

"So, while we're waiting!" Kanae chirped, eyes aglow. "Do either of you use more than one breathing style?"

Naruto cast a despairing glance Kyojuro's way. He found no help there from his twin; his brother only shrugged as he ate. Blasted girl was fishing for gossip again. She'd been like this the moment they started up the mountain, and unveiling his breathing form hadn't help.

Nosy girl...almost reminded him of someone...

After nearly a day he felt he was beginning to get a read on the Kocho sisters. Kanae loved to talk; not simply to hear the sound of her own voice as some did; but because she genuinely seemed to enjoy making friends in this Selection. It had taken him a few hours to realize it, but once he did, it warmed his heart. By contrast, Shinobu was...blunt. Almost exceedingly so. Not angry mind you; just forthright in all she did, to the exclusion of all else.

If she didn't like something, she'd let you know. And ohhhh was she glaring at him now.

Kyojuro betrayed him with a laugh. "We both use Flame Breathing, although as you've seen, my brother has other talent-

"Shh!" Naruto elbowed him out. "Don't go givin' away my secrets! I'll lose my edge!"

"Why not?" Kanae clapped her hands once. "We're all friends here, aren't we?"

Shinobu scoffed. "Friends with the crazy boy who wants to befriend demons."

Naruto craned his neck back. "Wanna say that again, shortstack?"

Shinobu flashed him a smug smile, mimicking her sister with innocence. "My, you look angry. Did I say something to upset you?"

"Go on." Naruto wanted to throttle her, but settled for a smile as he hefted the remnants of his meal. "Say it again."

"Certainly." her lips thinned, radiating restless anger. "You're mad. Cracked. Insane. Good enough for you?"

Kyojuro's bento box smacked Shinobu in the face, spattering her with food.

Kanae crashed backward, shoulders shaking with silent mirth.

Her sister jerked upright, red-faced and sputtering.

"This means war!"


(.0.0.0.)


Sabito cracked his neck.

"Did someone scream just now?

Perhaps it was just his imagination...?"


(.0.0.0.)


"How did I get suckered into this again?"

With dalylight came more than chance to simply catch a meal. Reprieves aside, it gave the unlikely quartet a chance to rest and prepare for the night ahead. Sleeping in shifts was the only way to make certain of this; in such hostile territory one person must be awake at all times to keep watch and warn of danger. Anything less would see them wiped out.

.

..

...

"Sure, stick me with the last watch." a certain blond grumbled to himself. "Not like I'm tired or anything, noooo, don't mind me...

Naruto blew out a sigh as he watched the sun creep lower over the horizon. There was still light -for now!- but the shadows were growing ever longer. Soon night would be upon them and the hunt would begin anew. He doubted the second night would be easier than the first. The deeper they went, the more likely they were to encounter powerful demons. Maybe this time they'd actually stumbled upon something that could put up a half decent fingt. He was growing restless.

Something nagged at his senses.

A faint rustle in the brush drew his attention just shy of their campsite clearing. He paid it little heed at first; could be a squirrel or a bird for all he knew. Wouldn't do to jump at shadows. Still, he shifted himself toward it, not entirely willing to ignore the noise either.

Skrtch.

Naruto spun in place as the noise grew louder, hand flying to the hilt of his blade.

"Show yourself." he hissed out. "Demon or human!"

The rustling only intensified further.

"I'm warning you...!

Behind him!

His sixth sense shrieked a warning and he spun to face the threat.

But rather than face a terrifying demon, he found himself staring at something else altogether.

"Eh?" he looked down, lips pursing in a frown. "A kid? Who're you?"

A little girl, clad in a green grown, that's what she was. Poor thing couldn't have been more than five. Six at a stretch. Inhuman hazel eyes regarded him, framed by a thin green hair and cracked skull mask atop her head. The deepes crack ran along the left side of it, trailing down into a scar that from her forehead; offset by a crimson line that stretched across her face well below her eyes; eyes that looked terribly startled to see him. Not a soul moved. Neither dared to breathe.

His heart lurched. Human or demon? Downwind of her, he couldn't tell.

Abruptly, she touched a finger to her lips. "Hungry...

There was a faint lisp to the word, like she couldn't form it quite properly somehow.

He didn't dare budge. "Last chance. Are you a demon?"

Her head bobbed, but her gaze wasn't drawn to him, rather, the rabbit roasting over their fire. It had been a recent catch before they turned in, something to save for later. A thin line of drool ran out the corner of the girl's mouth as she eyed her prize.

Grrrmble.

Was...was her stomach growling? Did demons eat other things besides humans?

Never once taking his eye from her, Naruto reached back and grabbed the skillet. It sizzled his hand, but he didn't cry out for fear of startling her. Her eyes tracked the rabbit like a hawk, paying him no heed whatsoever. A quick flick of the wrist caused her head to snap to the side, following the sudden motion.

"If I give this to you," he rasped, "Will you leave us alone?"

Her little head bobbed anew, fervently this time.

...here.

He divested the hare from the pan and flung it her way. The slightly roasted rabbit arced end over end to land at her feet. Her eyes lit up. Then she dove on hit. Small hands tore it apart, sharp teeth biting down eagerly, hungrily, bones cracking in her mouth. She nearly swallowed it whole, such was her haste.

Naruto recoiled, startled by the ferocity.

"You got a name?"

Those large eyes considered him for a long moment. And then.

"You're nice!" she chirruped happily. "Not like those other guys! Thanks! You pass!"

Naruto stumbled half a step. A bead of sweat ran down his brow, tickled his cheek, and dripped down his chin.

'What was that last bit? Other guys? Why do I have the feeling I just dodged certain death?' The sensation left him a moment later and he shook his head. 'She looks harmless, but it felt like I was in danger for a second there...

He considered the child anew. Danger? From this little sprite? She seemed harmless. Mustn't lower his guard...

"Hey, mister!" A pudgy, bloody hand reached out for him, tiny fingers splayed. "Lets be friends!"

"Friends?" Naruto's brow shot into his hairline. "Just like that?"

"Yup!"

Blue eyes gave the dirty palm a grave look, considering as one might a snake. One shouldn't truck with demons. He was already on the verge of making a deal with one already. Did he really want to risk the attention of another, harmless though she seemed?

'Eh, screw it. If she was gonna kill me, she would have by now...

On a whim, Naruto stepped closer. She didn't budge; rather, she simply continued to stare up at him with those guileless eyes. If she was dangerous he could cut her down, but he didn't sense any ill intent. Anxiety perhaps, but most of it was fear of him. Nothing untoward. He knew he was taking a risk; a monumental one that. If this was a trick and she had allies waiting in the wings...!

He reached out and took her hand in his. Her tiny palm was dwarfed by his larger fingers. "I'm Naruto. And you are...?

"Oh!" Those large, hazel eyes flutted in a quick blink. "Nel forgot to introduce herself again! Itsygo's gonna be mad!"

"Itsygo...? Nel...?" he tilted his head, considering the child anew. "What kinda names are those?"

"Nel is Nel!" she puffed out her cheeks and stomped a foot. "Who else would she be?!"

It was impossible to be mad at her. His guard slipped, despite his best efforts to maintain it. A quick glance over his shoulder confirmed that the others were still sleeping. Good. His gaze swung back to the oddly named girl. "Don't you eat humans?"

"Itsygo says I shouldn't." She pulled a face and stuck out her tongue. "But that's okay. I don' like 'em anyway. They taste icky."

"Hmm." a thought occurred to Naruto just then. This "Itsygo" of yours, are they a demon, too? Are they nearby?"

Nel looked down, eyes gone watery. "..."

Sore subject, it seemed.

"Ah. Alright, you don't have to answer me." His hand stroked her mask. She seemed to like that; because she leaned her head into it with a pleased hum. "You seem friendly enough... he found himself reverting to his old mannerisms; this girl was younger than Senjuro, but she reminded him of his little brother all the same. "Should probably run along, though."

She chewed at her lower lip. "Well, Nel can't run away thanks to those icky flowers...but that's okay! Nel has a plan!

That hadn't been what he meant at all, but he jumped on it. "Plan? Are you trying to escape from here?"

"Yeah-huh!" Her head bobbed. "I have to find Itsygo again! So if Nel can't walk down the mountain or fly away," She leaned closer, eyes burning with childlike glee. "Nel's gonna dig her way out!"

Naruto blinked. He blinked real hard, tried to imagine it, and failed. "I...don't think that's possible, Nel."

She grinned as only a child could; in the end he didn't have the heart to dissuade her.

"Run along now." he gave her a nudge. "My comrades might not take too kindly to you when they wake up."

"M'kay." she gave him a gap-toothed grin. "You're nice guy, so Nel's gonna warn you."

He frowned. "Warn me about what?"

"There's a biiiig demon in this forest!" she raised her little hands high over her head, trying to empathize the word. "Lots of hands. Tough neck, too. Don't let him kill you, okay?"

She scurried off. Paused at the edge of the wood, lingering in the shadows. Took a deep breath, and...

"Bye, bye, big brother!" She flailed her arm at him. "Nel will see you again!"

Naruto's heart gave a lurch. He clutched at it with a wheeze. Too cute! Still, he shook his head and watched her go.

"That was a kind thing you did." a soft voice cooed at his back.

...how long have you been watching us?"

"Long enough." Kanae's chin came down over his shoulder; together, they observed the girl as she scampered away into the dark. "Poor thing. To become a Demon at such a young age; it must have truly been a horrific experience she endured."

"She's harmless."

Hmm." she straightened to stand beside him. "That may be so, but take care"

"Whaddya mean-ow!" he recoiled as she flicked his forehead. "What was that for, oi?!"

"Because," For an instant her smile slipped and he was granted a glimpse of the warrior beneath., "Kindness is a perfectly good thing in moderation, but too much of it will get you killed. Do be a bit more careful next time, won't you? That could've been a trap.

He thought of his of family, of Mom, and bit back a sigh. Trap, she said? He'd already been caught in one. "Its a little late for that...

"Nonsense." she tweaked his cheek, causing him to jump. "Its like I always tell Shinobu; its never too late to learn from your mistakes. Or to get killed by them."

The ghost of a smile touched his lips. "You're mocking me, aren't you?"

"Am I?" Just like that, Kanae's smile slammed back into place."My, my," she closed her eyes with a smile and touched clasped hands to her right cheek. "Would I ever say such a cruel thing?"

Yes, a voice whispered in the back of his head, Something tell me you absolutely would.

Naruto didn't dare say it aloud, of course. He didn't have a deathwish. No fool, he.

"You're a little scary when you get serious, Kanae...

"I haven't the foggiest idea what you mean." she strode past him, only to pause at the last instant. "One more thing." quick as can be, she leaned in. "You really are devoted to your dream, Naruto." her lips brushed the outer lobe of his ear, drawing a pleasant shiver from him. "I like that about you. Really, I do."

"Thanks-

"But you really ought to stop holding back...unless you want Kyojuro to die."

His heart skipped a beat. "How did you know I was...?"

"I'm a big sister. We know these things." She sauntered past, hips swaying. "Goodnight, Naruto. I'll wake the others."

Something shook the earth, rattling the world underfoot. A distant tremor.

Kanae ignored it. As did Naruto. Just another distant conflict.

Behind him, the shadows boiled.

His sixth sense shrieked.

"Kanae!"

She pivoted, but too slowly. Naruto charged forward in an instant, shouldering her aside. No sooner had he done so than a dozen green-grey grasping hands seized him in her place, dragging him down. His sword flashed out, severing three, but even as he did more clamped down, restraining his sword arm. It all happened so quickly. One moment he was shoving her away, the next he found himself hauled back. He dug his feet in, trying to sow himself to no avail.

The last thing he saw was her horrified face gaping back at him, transfixed by fear.

He had time enough to hiss out a warning. "Run!"

Then they hauled him into darkness.

A/N: Lack of reviews really hurts, ya know...

Hand demon next chapter~!

...and timeskips...

Aaaaand we have a Bleach cameo in the form of Little!Nel.

As ever, we're following the Ember's Rule here. That's no joke. Really, it isn't.

If folks don't like this...well, it won't be continued. And it doesn't seem all that popular compared to "Doctor of Demons"...

*Sigh*

As ever, reviews are the wind beneath my wings. Without them I cannot write.

Now, the enjoy the previews. Some are pretty far off, but still~!

Timeskip coming soon!

AND SPOILERS.

(Previews!)

Naruto drew his new blade.

Before his very eyes, it changed color.

Haganezuka leaped upright with a roar of joy.

"Red!" he cast his masked visage back and roared to the heavens. "I finally got to see it!"

Kyojuro considered his own sword with a pleased hum. "Mine is the same!"

Haganezuka made happy Haganezuka noises. "Now listen! Don't you dare break those blades, you hear me?! Or I'll kill you!"


"You won't regret this!" the demon pressed their head into the mud. "Thank you! I swear, I'll never eat humans again!"

Naruto's fist tightened around the hilt of his sword until it creaked. "If you're lying to me...

"I'm not!" she shook her head, muddying her hair further. "Honest! I swear!"

...tell me your name."


Naruto's fist scythed down, breaking their nose.

"And don't come back!"

"Decisive, aren't you?" The concubine tilted her head, watching the thugs flee. "Handsome, too." she licked her lips. "I like handsome men. Yes," a pleasant coo escaped her lips, "You're not ugly at all...

A chill shot down his spine and he found himself wishing he hadn't had so much to drink. She wasn't the woman he'd seen that night, but her presence startled him all the same. There was something off about her; he could tell it at a glance; sense it sure as the moon above. She was beautiful. There could be no denying that. And yet.

'Is she a demon? I can't tell. Her scent's too muddled. Does it matter...?'

"Why don't you come inside?" her full lips quirked into an inviting smile. "I'll give you a night you won't forget...

He stood his ground. Her eyes lit up, perceiving it as a challenge. Just like that, she stepped forward.

"Now, now," she leaned in, nibbling the outer lobe of his ear, "I don't bite...much."


One year later, "that woman" appeared before him as promised.

"We meet again, boy. Have you made your decision...?

Naruto looked up from his notes. "I have...

R&R~!