A New Life To Live

Shiori's eyes widened as the realization of what exactly was coming out of Naruto's backside kicked it. "Naruto you have a tail growing out of your bottom!" Naruto winced at his mother's voice. It was louder than it usually was. He would typically never say this but the only thing that really came to close to it was...screeching. Maybe that was just her fear, after all, he wouldn't be afraid of their adopted son donning a fox tail.

'Thanks a lot Kurama,' Naruto muttered, thinking of his old friend, before he nodded. "Mom, this can be explained," Naruto mentioned. Shiori frowned, looking at the door. "I suppose that should be closed before you explain then huh?" Naruto glanced at Kurama who nodded, closing the door and leaning against it.

"You went ahead and did it didn't you," Naruto asked accusingly, but Kurama only shrugged. "Yes. That Yuseke kid tried to stop me. I'm didn't work out exactly as I had predicted, but this isn't a bad compromise."

Naruto snorted. "Of course you dumbass."

"Language Naruto," Shiori scolded, making Naruto look at the floor in shame. "Anyways," Shiori questioned. "Explain please."

And so Naruto explained. He told her everything, from where he was truly born, to who is parents were, to his battles with Sasuke, and tales with Jiraiya, to his eventual being sent here, only surviving because of Kurama.

"Kurama as in the fox that was in your gut, not..." Shiori stared at Shuichi. "...not you..." Kurama looked at the ground in shame. He had explained his story to help fill in some of the gaps in Naruto's own story, especially to explain how come he seemed so accustomed to this. Needless to say Shiori's reaction was...mixed at best. It was difficult to take, learning that both of your sons came from different worlds, especially considering one of them inhabited the body of who would have truly been your son. But despite it being difficult, Shiori could understand. In some weird way she supposed her son had fused with Kurama, and become who she saw before her. That was a much more comforting thought, even though she couldn't prove it. After all, no demon would have such a kind streak in them would they?

"So, one of my sons is a legendary demon thief, and the other is a legendary shinobi, turned hanyo, am I getting that right?"

Kurama and Naruto looked at each other, before they simultaneously nodded, turning to look back at their mother. Shiori sighed, rubbing her forehead. "If it wasn't for the tail Naruto has I wouldn't believe it and I'd immediately take the two of you to a mental hospital. But, here I am, believing everything that you just told me." Shiori then stared at Kurama and Naruto, a flood of emotions rolling over her face before she settled on disappointment.

"Yet I thought I had done better raising you too boys! I mean I know you both have your pasts, but to steal? Have I taught you nothing? Especially from some otherworldly government, that was just foolhardy."

"Told you," Naruto said, smirking. Kurama rolled his eyes. "Did you have a better way to heal her?"

Naruto waved his tail. "Are you blind?"

Kurama snorted. "Whatever, you didn't even know if you could do that until just now."

Naruto snorted. "Worked like a charm though didn't it? Luck of the devil I tell ya!"

Shiori laughed at her sons antics, drawing their attention back on her. Kurama then frowned, noticing the color change in their mothers eyes. "Well that's a problem," Kurama muttered, walking over to their mother, who blinked at the sudden attention. "Your eyes," Kurama mentioned. Naruto frowned, standing to look at his mothers eyes, only for them to widen.

"I messed up on the transfer of energy didn't I?"

Kurama pinched his nose. "You gave her demon energy Naruto what did you think was going to happen! She's a hanyo now too!"

Naruto blinked in surprise before he smiled apologetically. "Sorry."

Shiori stared at her son, before her eyes widened in disbelief. "What!" Kurama groaned, staring into his mothers eyes. They were no longer brownish-blue, leaning more to being a mixture of blue and crimson. Kurama looked at Naruto, who let his tail whip back in forth in irritation at his actions. "Look what you did Naruto," Kurama stated, annoyance in his tone. Naruto blushed. "It was an accident?"

Kurama rolled his eyes, looking at Shiori. "Mom, this will take quite a bit of getting used to, but you're a hanyo now. Naruto's attempted healing with his demonic energy seems to have converted you."

Naruto blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry about that mom. It was an accident." Shiori groaned. "Oh great, how am I going to be a normal person again?"

"To be fair," Naruto commented. "You weren't exactly normal, with demons as children ya know?"

Shiori groaned at her youngest words, looking at the far more mature child that she had. "Nothing bad happens right? I won't grow a tail like Naruto?" Kurama frowned at his mothers words, a puzzled look on his face. "Honestly, I'm not too sure. You won't get any bad traits from being a demon really. You'll be stronger, faster, have better senses, all that good stuff. But I don't know if you'll grow any other appendages. If Naruto's energy influenced you enough..well it's plausible."

Shiori merely sighed. "Naruto, thanks for healing me and all, but I think you went a bit too far."

Naruto laughed. "Yeah probably."

Laughter filled the room as the family was happy to just be reunited, without a looming threat over their heads once more. Their eyes widened however as the door suddenly opened, Kurama quickly moving next to Naruto to hide his tail. However, when Yusuke was the only person the entered, Kurama relaxed, moving and closing the door once more.

"You should knock before you enter you know," Kurama stated, only for Yusuke to shrug. "Yeah, well maybe you shouldn't try using ridiculously powerful objects at a high cost either huh?"

Kurama frowned, but was silent. Naruto smirked. Yusuke then turned to the blonde, his eyebrow raised. "What's up with the tail?" Naruto smirked, whipping it around slightly, trying to get used to the feel of it. "It's a mark in my power growing I think. I'm achieving the strength that I used to have."

Yusuke blinked, not knowledgeable on Naruto's past, but left it at that. He turned to see Shiori staring at him. "You must be their mother. I'm happy you're doing better." Shiori nodded, a pleased look in her eye. "Thank you. I'm happy my sons have such a nice boy as their friend."

Yusuke smirked. "Of course!"

The two brothers rolled their eyes at that. "Whatever," Naruto muttered underneath his breath, getting a chuckle from his brother.

Hiei smirked as he clutched the blade, looking over the hospital. "A failure of overconfidence and human emotion. Truly a failure like so many others. Simpletons, the both of them." Hiei smirked, looking down at Naruto's tail. "Although, I will admit he has proven to be much more of a threat than I imagined. Kurama can't activate his demonic form yet, so I believe that he would be rather easy to defeat, but Naruto...he may be a threat. I'll have to update my plan. I certainly won't make the same mistakes as those other fools."

Hiei smirked, looking down at Yusuke. "He will be interesting to play with as well..."

The next day a young girl walked down the street, a frown on her face as she carried along her schoolbag, looking at the ground dejectedly. "I hate boys," she muttered under her breath, her statement not bothering the boy who stood in front of her. Hiei smirked as the girl drew closer, to deep in her thoughts to pay any attention to what was going on around her. She walked right by him. Hiei smirked, what a fool.

"You needn't worry Keiko."

The girl spun, confused as to who called her, but it was too late, Hiei already drawing the blade. "He likes you well enough!"

Keiko fell to the ground. Hiei smirked, sheathing the sword. "Enough to act as bait at least," Hiei stated, a smirk on his face.

Yusuke ran down the street, Botan right behind him as he sprinted, glaring at the woman. "I think my compass went stupid, no matter how far I run it says one mile!"

"Hiei is sending you running, using his energy to create a moving signal."

"That's cute," Yusuke said, rolling his eyes. Botan glared at the boy who clearly didn't understand the severity of the situation. "No it's not! That means he's leading you to his hideout. He's told me terrible things through telepathy. He's kidnapped Keiko and he won't give her back unless he gets the other artifacts."

Yusuke glared at Botan. "And you didn't think this would be critical information to tell me beforehand!" Botan rolled her eyes, whipping out the artifacts that Kurama and Goki had stolen. "I'm not a fool you know."

"Coulda fooled me," Yusuke said, only to get a slap. The boy grunted, continuing to run before he finally came across a warehouse. He glanced at Botan, who looked at him. "I'm going to go find Naruto and Kurama, you be careful alright!"

Yusuke nodded, turning to the warehouse. "Not that I'll need them," he muttered. Yusuke took the artifacts, opening the doors of the warehouse with a glare. "Get out here Hiei! I'm gonna kick your ass!"

Yusuke stared, a frown on his face before he heard footsteps. The young boy whirled, glaring at the source of the noise, only to find a horde of people walking towards him with empty yet enraged eyes. "Who the hell are they," Yusuke muttered, dropping into a stance. He knew how this could end and was already prepared. "Hello."

Yusuke's eyes narrowed, spotting Hiei behind the horde, a blade in his hand and...was that another eye on his forehead? "Well done in finding me you nitwit. Do you like our guests? I rounded them up this morning. They won't be the best of use against you, but they're good scenery right?"

Yusuke clenched his fists, glaring at the short demon who stood in front of him. "I guess you won't fall for the power of the Jagan Eye, the Spirit World picked a good candidate in you. Still, that's why she's here, insurance is always necessary."

Yusuke's eyes widened as Keiko was dragged forwards by two mind-controlled people, the girl unconscious. "Bastard," Yusuke muttered, only for Hiei to laugh. "Let her go!"

"I will, if you've brought me the artifacts."

Hiei nodded as Yusuke raised the two other artifacts, the smirk on his face deepening into a full-on grin. "You may have her."

The people shoved Keiko forwards, Yusuke rushing forwards to catch her, a glare on his face as he looked at Hiei. Hiei smirked. "With these weapons in my possession, the ones on top will soon beg for my mercy..."

"You should really stop bragging," Yusuke growled. "Now that Keiko is safe, I'm gonna rip out your teeth. If I'm feeling nice I might shove em back down your throat!" Hiei laughed, placing his hands in his pockets. "Try, I'll give you a head start."

Yusuke growled, launching himself forwards. "You know that cocky laugh is really starting to piss me off!" Hiei smirked before he disappeared in a flash of speed, appearing on a crate above Yusuke, laughing. Yusuke's eyes widened. 'No way! He's so fast!'

"I'm still here you know," Hiei said, drawing the boys attention. Yusuke clenched his fist, his eyes narrowed on Hiei's small frame. The demon was clearly more powerful than he let on. "Was that a real hit? I was under the impression it was a joke. But you don't look amused."

Yusuke frowned, taking several steps back to guard Keiko's body, his eyes never leaving Hiei's form. The demon smirked. 'Well he's not a complete idiot at least. But he clearly doesn't understand the powers at work here.'

"As for Keiko, did you really think I'd give up my hostage so easily," Hiei called, making Yusuke's eyes widen. He whirled, expecting to see Keiko no longer there...but she was. But she didn't look good. "Look are her closely Yusuke. She's still mine."

Yusuke frowned. The girl was shivering, like her body was trying to fight off some disease. It didn't make sense. She should be fine. She hadn't been harmed...at least he thought so. She looked fine. Keiko's bangs fell to the side, revealing her forehead, causing Yusuke's eyes to widen. She...was she growing a third eye on her forehead like Hiei had!

Hiei laughed. "You may have her body but her future is mine! See I've struck her with the Shadow Sword. When the Jagan Eye on her forehead opens completely," Hiei paused to laugh, glaring down at Yusuke with triumph in his eyes. "Well, she'll become a demon! Not a very smart one I'm afraid, but a good slave."

Yusuke's eyes could only widen as the eye continued to open, helpless to do anything. "Crap this is bad! This is really bad! Keiko! Keiko stay with me!" But Yusuke's eyes fell on deaf ears, the Jagan Eye on her forehead continuing to open. Yusuke growled, whirling on Hiei. There had to be a way to stop this, and he knew how to do it. Hiei smirked. "So you've realized, the only way to save her is to beat me. You'd better work fast though."

Hiei smirked. "I'll throw you a bone. The game will be more exciting that way," he called, raising the Shadow Sword. "The hilt of the blade is hollow, containing the antidote to stop the swords effect. I think you can figure out the rest."

Hiei laughed, a hand coming to his head to keep himself under control, the demon forgetting about Yusuke in his arrogance. Yusuke growled, leaping forwards and smashing his fist into Hiei's face, the demon's eyes widening as it was sent flying by the blow. Hiei growled, flipping in midair to land on another crate. 'He's faster than I thought.'

"What the hell was that," Hiei growled, his eyes narrowed. "You weren't that fast before."

Yusuke smirked, although he still glared at Hiei with hate in his eyes. "This isn't a game jackass! Keiko is my friend!"

Hiei's eyes widened at the revelation. "I see...so with your friend in danger you get stronger. You're a team player...disgusting. I hate people like you."

Yusuke growled, tensing his body, causing Hiei to smirk. "Try all you want. That one surprise attack was all you were going to get. I won't be dropping my guard any longer. You've run out of chances."

"Are you done yapping yet?" Yusuke called. "I came here to kick your ass and that's what I'm gonna do!"

Hiei grunted, before he disappeared, copies of him appearing around Yusuke, making the boys eyes widen. They were...afterimages. The demon was moving to fast for his eyes to keep track of. It wasn't just his body that seemed to be in multiple places though, as his voice seemed to be coming from every direction. "Can you keep up? Human eyes are so slow! Come now, where am I?"

Yusuke grunted, his eyes working in overdrive in an attempt to keep track of the demon, but he could never get a solid lock on his actual position. Hiei smirked before he launched himself forwards, Yusuke's eyes looking everywhere but behind him. "Do I confuse you! Do I!"

Hiei laughed as he brought the blade down only for his eyes to widen as Yusuke whirled, dodging the strike and smashing his fist into Hiei's cheek, the demon stumbling backwards. Yusuke didn't hesitate however, launching another punch that cracked into Hiei's skull, the demon being sent careening towards the hard floor, dropping the Shadow Sword next to the other artifacts as he landed.

Hiei groaned as he stood, glaring at Yusuke, energy flickering lightly off of his form. "You're dead!"

"See Hiei that's what I'm talking about! Yap, yap, yap like you're some crappy pro-wrestler! And then what happens hm? You get to eat up all you words! It's pretty dumb."

Hiei winced under Yusuke's admonishing, but prepared himself nonetheless. He was a demon, he couldn't be talked down to by some human trash like this! The child would regret these words.

"Consider this a compliment, I've never transformed for a human," Hiei cried, throwing off his cloak, revealing a bare torso. Yusuke blinked. Hiei only grinned as green energy flickered around him, his body slowly turning green, and...eyes starting to grow all over his body. The Jagan Eye on Hiei's forehead glowed, the sclera of Hiei's main Jagan Eye turning blood red. Yusuke frowned, but that frown could only turn into a look of horror as Yusuke heard screaming.

The boy whirled, to see Keiko violently thrashing about, the Jagan Eye on her forehead opening further. "Somethings wrong," Yusuke whispered, only for Hiei to laugh. "Don't be worried Detective, it's just me! Now that I'm in my full demon form Keiko will join me soon enough! She's feeding off my energy!"

Hiei laughed. "Don't worry though. I'll take you out of this world long before you ever have to see her!" With that the demon moved, disappearing in a burst of speed faster than he had before. Yusuke was completely unprepared for such a speed increase, Hiei's fist smashing into his cheek, sending the Spirit Detective flying into the steel frame of the building. Hiei laughed, red energy crackling around his hand before he let it fly, the energy binding Yusuke's body, lifting him off of his feet and into the air.

"Well this is new! But maybe you could get me free ones! They'd match a lot better," Yusuke called, struggling against the energy. Hiei laughed, shaking his head.

"Joker to the end aren't you? I can make it get tighter before you die if you wish!"

Yusuke cried out in pain, floating higher into the sky as the energy squeezed, hearing his bones creak against the force of Hiei's power. Hiei grinned, waving his arm, the boy suddenly shooting towards the ground, smashing head first into the hard steel floor. Yusuke groaned, his vision swimming from the blow, Hiei laughing all the while.

"I have a great idea," Hiei called. "How about I give you a choice?" Hiei smirked, drawing the Shadow Sword over to him with his telekinetic abilities, grinning as he walked forwards towards Yusuke. "I can end your life now, or if you prefer I'll make you into a demon! What's that? You want me to choose?"

Hiei laughed, rushing forwards just as the door to the warehouse opened, three figures rushing inside. "What the!" Yusuke called.

Kurama stood in front of the Detective, the Shadow Sword embedded in his gut, blood leaking from his body. "Kurama," Yusuke muttered.

"Idiot! Who is the one with regenerative powers? Not you." Yusuke turned, his eyes widening as he saw Naruto standing there, Botan beside him, his fox tail whipping back on forth violently. "Botan, Keiko's in danger! Hiei's turning her into a demon!"

Botan's eyes widened before she saw Keiko, the girl screaming as the Jagan Eye was nearly completely open. The spirit rushing forwards, lightning flickering off her hand as she placed it on Keiko's forehead, wincing as blood shot from cuts opening up on her hand, but she grit her teeth through the pain, the Jagan Eye slowly closing. Naruto nodded, before he glared at Hiei, red energy flickering off of his body.

"You really have gone insane," Hiei muttered, his eyes wide as he looked at Kurama, who merely grasped the Shadow Sword tightly. Kurama grinned as blood cascaded over his hand before he swiped it forwards, the blood splattering over Hiei's eye causing him to wince, clenching his eye as he stumbled backwards.

"You know Hiei, I shouldn't really be using my demon energy, I still don't have as much control over it as I do my chakra...but I don't really want control right now," Naruto muttered, tensing his legs. The former shinobi shot himself forwards, spinning like a drill before he smashed a punch into Hiei's stomach, the demon grunting as blood spat from his mouth before he was sent flying into the steel frame of the warehouse, much like Yusuke was beforehand.

Yusuke's eyes widened before he stood, noticing the lack of energy surrounding his body. "The eye's on Hiei's body are merely for amplification. Without the Jagan on his forehead exposed his powers become useless," Kurama stated, wincing before he dropped to the ground. Yusuke's eyes narrowed. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Only a minor whole in my stomach."

"You didn't have to do that."

Kurama smirked as he looked at Yusuke. "I'm alive only because of you. Allow me to pay you back somehow. Handle Hiei with Naruto, I'll go help your friend Botan." Yusuke nodded, turning to face Hiei, both him and Naruto glaring at the demon.

"Kurama how could you? You traitor! You really have gone soft!"

"Take your problems up with me," Yusuke called, red energy flickering off of his form. Naruto watched the boy with a wary eye. That was a strange color for spirit energy to take. It typically took on the form of blue energy, but Yusuke's was red. That would have to be explored at a later date. Hiei growled. 'The more dangerous the fight becomes for others the more his spirit energy grows. I'll have to take him out quickly...but with Naruto's growth in strength it won't be easy.'

"Naruto, let me handle this," Yusuke stated, walking forwards. "This is my fight. He hurt Keiko, it's my responsibility."

Naruto blinked, clenching his fists at Yusuke's request. He desperately wanted to beat the crap out of Hiei, it was his plan all along after all, but he had not expected this. Yusuke wanted to fight Hiei by himself? Did he really think he could win? Naruto shook his head. It wasn't important. Yusuke could fight him, and if he was going to lose he would just intervene.

"Fine, but don't lose, because then I'm going in."

Yusuke nodded, walking forwards. Hiei grinned at the agreement. 'That makes things easier for me!' Hiei roared as he leapt forwards, smashing his fist into Yusuke's cheek, the human boy taking a step backwards before he growled, launching a punch that Hiei dodged with his superior speed. Hiei appeared behind Yusuke, launching a side kick that lanced into Yusuke's side, sending him stumbling forwards before he spun, throwing a haymaker that Hiei easily dodged before landing another blow. This game continued to a while, Yusuke completely unable to land any blow on Hiei while the demon continued to pick him apart, Naruto watching with clenched fists. If this kept up for too long...he was going to have to interfere.

Yusuke seemed to realize this too, throwing a punch that Hiei avoided, only to dodge the demons counter, catching Hiei off guard. Yusuke followed up with a barrage, Hiei forced to block the assault with his forearms, grunting at every blow Yusuke landed. Hiei growled as another blow impacted off of his forearm, grabbing Yusuke's arm before he could pull it back and slamming a knee into the boys chin, sending him flying into the wall, the boy crumpling to the ground.

"See? It doesn't matter how strong you are if you can't hit me!"

Naruto growled, watching Hiei's actions as he approached the teen. It was time for him to interfere. Naruto opened his palm, demonic energy swirling around it as he focused. This was harder than doing it with chakra, much harder, but it needed to be done. He couldn't use his chakra like this anymore, so learning how to control his demon energy was a must do. He just hoped he could pull it off in time.

Yusuke growled as Hiei approached. "Damn it," he muttered before his eyes widened as he saw the object behind Hiei's back, flickering in the light cast by the warehouse lightbulbs. Yusuke stood, gritting his teeth through the pain before he stumbled away from Hiei, causing the demon to laugh. "How sad! After all this, you actually think you can run away from me!"

'Just a little more,' Yusuke thought.

Naruto grit his teeth, the red energy slowly but surely forming the spiraling sphere. A slow grinding sound shot through the area, getting Hiei's attention. "Oh? Were you planning on hitting me with that Naruto?"

Naruto grit his teeth, glaring at Hiei as his attack completed. Yusuke whirled as Hiei lost interest, making a fake gun with his hands as blue spirit energy began to gather on his pointer fingers tip. "Here goes, please don't miss," Yusuke grunted.

Hiei laughed, rushing Naruto who dashed towards Hiei. "Rasengan!" Hiei smirked, weaving around the attack and smashing his knee into Naruto's gut, causing the former shinobi to be sent flying into a crate behind him, but the demon was unaware as to what Yusuke was planning as blue light enveloped the area.

"Spirit Gun!"

Hiei whirled at the last minute, shock written on his face before the blast smashed into his body, his cries of pain echoing throughout the building. "What happened," the demon cried only for Yusuke to smirk, dropping to his knees in exhaustion before he pointed the pretend gun at the demon as he crashed to the ground.

"Bang."

Hiei could only growl before his transformation ended and he fell unconscious. Yusuke grinned, grabbing the Shadow Sword and rushing over to Kurama and Botan, the trio of them managing to extract the antidote and feed it to Keiko. As Naruto walked over to the group he smiled. The Jagan Eye on Keiko's head closed before it completely disappeared. She was safe.

Yusuke grinned, turning to Kurama. "Thanks for all the help Kurama. How do you feel?"

"Good I guess," Kurama responded, his hand still on his wounded gut. Naruto rolled his eyes, smacking his brother. "You should feel like an idiot. I'm the one with regenerative abilities. What don't you get about that?"

Kurama laughed, getting Yusuke to smirk. The blonde hanyo then turned to Yusuke, a smirk on his face. "Good work Yusuke. You did my job for me. I'll leave the artifacts in your possession now. I'm sure you can handle them."

Yusuke nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "Thanks for all the help from you too Naruto." Naruto grinned.

"Nice strategy timing your attack with mine. Seems like we have a strategist on our hands after all."

Yusuke blinked. "What does strategist mean?"

Kurama smirked. "It's someone who uses their brain. Clearly you aren't one."

Yusuke growled, "What the hell does that mean fox boy?"

Kurama laughed. "Naruto look, it's someone who knows less than you."

"Hey!" the two other boys called.

Sorry the chapter is so short, but there's not really that much to cover in this chapter. Don't worry, as they get more skilled fights will get longer, and chapters will also as the plot thickens, but right now there isn't too much to cover. Chapters will probably start getting fairly long about midway through the next arc or after the next arc. That will also be when the plot hopefully starts to get a little more interesting and diverge from canon. Anyways, remember to review! The Blonde Fanalis is the next story up for updating.