Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Naruto, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon or anything else. They rightfully belong to their respective owners.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Demon Speech"
'Demon Thoughts/Telepathy'
Radio/TV/Singing/Writing
"Headset/Flashback"
-Scene Shift-
Chapter 4: HIM, HER and the Darkness
Naruto was flying through the city's skies, dodging hover cars and maneuvering between buildings. This was all done through instinct as his mind wasn't on the skies, but on the red demon lord called Him.
Naruto couldn't explain it but the moment he saw HIM, his entire body was practically sending warning signals and anger. His rage soared as he looked at him, rising even higher as he talked to Him. He had to use all of his control to keep his body from going on autopilot and attacking Him. And his eyes… the look he gave Naruto was if he was tempting him to attack.
Maybe that's what he wanted in the first place but Naruto wouldn't give the red-skinned man the satisfaction… at least not yet, until he knew he could win. And if HIM was a demon lord like Aku, then their power had to be in the same class or worse.
Naruto's mind finally came back to his surroundings as he saw the giant stage Chi was supposed to be performing on with it having giant speakers on each side and a DJ station in the center back. Landing on the ground, Naruto retracted his wings before seeing people in the crowd in front of him staring right at him for a moment, but they went back to chanting for Chi.
Naruto walked through the crowd and saw a lot more than he would've liked to see. There were people selling Chi used products, people with pictures of Chi tattooed all over their body, and fanboys shouting marriage proposals. Hell, she even had fangirls.
'If sensei saw this, he would kill them all.' Naruto thought, sweat dropping as he saw the fanboys fighting over who would marry Chi. 'Maybe I should kill them or crush their souls by telling them I'm getting married to her.'
He wanted to do it, but that sounded like something Aku would do. Instead he set fire to all their collectable Chi items. As he heard them scream, trying to save what they could, Naruto smiled and could've sworn he heard Aku laughing from a distance.
The next thing Naruto knew he had bumped into someone and quickly apologized. "Sorry about that, I wasn't-" Naruto stopped talking when he saw who he had bump into. It was a girl about his age with long black hair and red eyes, wearing a purple school girl outfit with a white scarf.
But what caught his attention the most was her demonic features with her red skin and two small black horns on top of her head. In the middle of her forehead was what looked like a gold colored, circular gem. Her red tail had small spikes on the end and what got him the most were the lobster like claws she had for hands.
There was no doubt in his mind this was Him's daughter, Mimi.
Naruto wondered what she was like, but more specifically: was she like her father. But he couldn't tell quite yet as she was showing no emotions with her eyes were almost lifeless. They reminded him of Gaia's eyes and his own, eyes hiding so much sorrow behind them while hiding a soul filled with pain and suffering.
'What could have happened to her to make her like this?' Naruto wondered as he couldn't help but stare into her eyes trying to understand her, not noticing she was doing the exact same to him.
"Mimi!" A voice called out, having Naruto look up to see who was calling her. His eyes were as wide as dinner plates when he saw a giant black and purple spider coming towards them. Its head had black hair on it, four green eyes, many sharp teeth, and two huge tusks. "There you are, Mimi. I was worried about you." It said as it came up beside her.
Mimi looked over towards him for a moment and then turned her eyes back to Naruto. The spider turned his attention towards Naruto as well. "Oh, is this a friend of yours?" The spider then extended its clawed hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm her nanny Jeffrey, or Jeff for short. And you are...?"
'So this was the nanny Him spoke of.' Naruto thought. 'When he said nanny, I thought of a demonic woman or something along those lines. Not a giant spider.' He then shrugged to himself as he heard of people who could summon giant snakes, frogs, and slugs; so why should a giant spider surprise him.
Besides its Hell. Expect the unexpected.
Naruto reached out and shook Jeff's hand. "Nice to meet you, Jeff-san. I'm Naruto Uzumaki." He said smiling as he released his hand. "I just bumped into Mimi-chan a second ago by accident, but I knew about you two from her father." Naruto then noticed the look on Jeff's face when he mentioned Him. It wasn't a look of respect or joy, it was a look of fear. 'To have his own followers fear him to control them, he is pissing me off more and more.' Naruto thought in disgust before speaking in a reassuring tone. "It's alright, Jeff. I don't serve Him nor will I ever serve him. I'm Aku's apprentice and I assure you I'm not a bad guy, considering my sensei's reputation."
Jeff took a sigh of relief and apologized with a returning smile. "Sorry. It's just not everyone who follows Him is trustworthy. And even though he's my master, I can't say I like him." He then looked over at Mimi. Naruto did the same and they both noticed she was still staring at the whiskered boy. "If she's stared at you this long, then that means she has really taken a liking to you. I'm surprised she even wanted to come to this concert since fun and people aren't really her thing."
"What do you mean?"
"Well I sure you can imagine being the daughter of a Lord of Hell doesn't entitle much fun, nor a happy life." Jeff whispered the last part, but Naruto could hear it.
"Jeff," Naruto said in a serious tone, "what did Him do to Mimi to make her like this?"
He knew that Mimi's soulless, emotionless state had to do with her father. that he is the reason that she shut herself form the world and kept her pain and suffering in. The reason she is so alone. He only just met her, but he already felt connected to her in a way and wanted to help her. And Jeff saw that he was asking because he cared, but the giant spider cared for Mimi and he didn't know if telling someone he just met would be a good thing.
He was about to say something until lights lit up on the stage and everyone began to cheer louder, which they guessed the concert was about to start. Letting out a sigh, Naruto moved closer to Jeff and Mimi. "We'll talk later, for now let's enjoy Chi-chan's performance, ok?"
Both of them nodded as they all turned towards the stage.
Over at the DJ station, a demon jumped into the area and started playing the music. He had pink skin with visible no nose or ears. He wore headphones which reminded Naruto of Aku's horns, a torn green shirt, loose pants, sunglasses, and as he smiled you could see he had a gold tooth.
"Monsters and demons, gather around!" He said to the crowd, his voice amplified by the speakers. "Cause this DJ is about to bring it down. From Aku City, where the streets are always hot, where the moon never sets, and the party never stops!" The lights shined on the center of the stage as smoke escaped, a rising figure could be seen in it. "So give a scream and a wail for the one you've come to see! The Princess of Darkness and Underworld Idol…" And like a shining star, there she was. "CHI!"
The crowd cheered as loud as possible upon her arrival with Naruto joining alongside them. The shinobi thought she looked beautiful in her white and purple idol outfit. Naruto looked over at Mimi and practically saw stars in her eyes as she saw Chi on stage. Naruto liked that look, a look brimming with life. Maybe introducing her to Chi would help her keep it would help her keep it.
Chi brought her microphone down and smiled to the crowd. "Hello Aku City!" She shouted and the crowd cheered louder. "It's good to be performing for all of you again. I hope you all enjoy my song today." She looks further into the crowd and her eyes widen when seeing Naruto smiling at her. 'He came!' She thought as her smile widened and a blush came on her face. "I'd like to dedicate this song to a very special someone. I hope he likes it as much as all of you will."
The crowd cheered, but some of the fanboys cried at the mention of this unknown 'special guy'. Naruto's smile widened, knowing he was going to love this song.
-Insert Kibou No Kakera by Nana Kitade-
Oshiete agemashou
Warawanai de kiite ne
Kono sekai no sutekina monogatari
Doushite sora ga aoku
Ki ha midori nano ka
Taiyou ga
Anna ni mo mabushii ka wo
Kitto tabun sore ha
Muzukashii kotoba wo
Hitsuyou nante shiteinakute
Te de ha furerarenai kara
Ima kanawanai koto no nai
Yume dake wo yumemiteyuku no
Sugu ni todokisouna risou yori
Motto zutto hoshii mono ga aru no
Nakitakute nakenakute
Naku no nara namida wo fuite
Datte kawaii no ha egao ga ichiban deshou?
Dakedo zenbu to iwasete
Hora mite koko ni ha
Nai mono nado nai no yo
Bikkuri suru hodo yoku dekiteru no
Sokora naka ni
Kirameku kibou no kakera ga
Chirabatte
Ikura demo kagayaiteru
Soune sonna koto ha
Wakatteru tsumori de
Sore ha atama no naka de dakede
Nani mo furanai mama de
Ima owaranai hazu no nai
Ai dakara aiseru youni
Mou nani mo iranai sore ijou
Dakedo motto konna mono janai no
Kowai nara soko ni ite
Soko ni iru nara nakanai de
Datte kawaii no ha egao ga ichiban deshou?
Dakara waratteitai yo
Afuredasu omoi wo
Jiyuu sugiru sora he
Tokihanatareru toki ga kitara
Kimi ha waratte kureru no...?
Ima kanawanai koto no nai
Yume dake wo yumemiteyuku no
Futashikana mirai wo hashiru kara
Dakara zutto suterarezu ni iru no
Todoku nara uketomete
Todoitara muri ni mo daite
Datte kanashii no ha mou takusan nandeshou?
Dakara ima sugu waratte yo
When the song ended, everyone's cheers could be heard throughout the city.
Naruto clapped as his mouth was wide open. Chi had the most beautiful singing voice he had ever heard, and she looked so beautiful as she danced on stage. She was truly an amazing person.
For an hour straight, Chi beautifully sang song after song. Little to no problems at all with hardly a break in between each musical number. And the crowd loved every moment of it, especially Naruto and Mimi.
"Everyone." Chi called out to the crowd. "I'm pleased that you liked tonight's performance, but I have to go now. Thank you and I hope to see you soon." She took one last glance at Naruto before leaving the stage, hearing the praise and cheers of her adoring fans.
"That was really amazing." Jeff said as he looked at Naruto, who nodded in agreement. "Well since it's over, I guess we all better hurry back to Aku's castle. Right, Mi…" He stopped when he saw that Mimi was nowhere in sight. "Mimi!? Oh no, not again."
Naruto looked around in the crowd, but didn't see her. "I'm guessing this happens a lot?"
"Not really. Maybe two or three times a day, four if we're not doing anything."
"Right…" Naruto sweatdropped as he wondered how Jeff does it. "In any case, let's split up. I'm sure we can find her." Jeff nodded and they both went in different directions looking for the little demon girl. Naruto had been through half the crowd and still couldn't find a trace of her. 'Maybe she went to see Chi.' He thought as he headed towards the side of the stage.
His guess was correct as he saw Mimi heading towards the backstage entrance when some suit wearing ninjas stopped her and pointed their guns at her.
"Halt!" One of them shouted. "No one is allowed backstage. Leave, this is your only warning." Mimi didn't pay them any mind and kept walking. "Alright prepare to meet… your… doom." the ninjas broke out into a cold sweat seeing the one person they never wanted to see again. Even Mimi stopped and turned to see Naruto standing there. 'Oh merciful Aku. Why?'
"Lower your weapons, she's my friend." Naruto said as he released some killer intent and had his hand on the hilt of his sword. "I'm sure Aku told you no harm is to come to me. And since both she and I are guests of Aku, I think that entitles us to go backstage if we want. Wouldn't you?" The guards did think twice and nodded as they opened the door for them. Naruto went up beside Mimi and smiled. "Ready to meet your idol?" The stars in her eyes were all the answer he needed. They went inside and saw some of the ninja's helping with the equipment, but he didn't see Chi. Over on the left, he saw the demon that played the music and decided to ask him. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Chi. You see I'm-"
"I know who you are, Naruto Uzumaki." He said as he turned to him. "Rumors of you have spread all around the city." He then smiled as he crossed his arms. "Names DJ, by the way." He pointed towards a door in the very back. "Chi went to her limo in the back alleyway." Naruto nodded and thanked him as both he and Mimi headed towards the door. "Remember Uzumaki, you better beware." He said, causing Naruto to turn and look at him. "As Aku's student, evil is everywhere. Expect the unexpected, see the unseen. Fight to survive, no matter the means."
Naruto didn't understand the way he talked, but he understood what he meant. "Thanks for the warning. And DJ-san, just watch and see as all of the Underworld knows the beat of Naruto Uzumaki."
He then turned and left with Mimi as DJ watched them leave before muttering 'whatever' to himself, going back to gathering his equipment.
As Naruto and Mimi were walking down the alley, he noticed she was staring at him again. The whiskered Uzumaki remembered Jeff said she was interested in him. "So I guess this means we're friends, right Mimi-chan?"
She didn't say anything. He began to wonder if this had something to do with what her father did to her.
Mimi then walks over to him and cups his cheeks with her claws causing him to blush a bit. "M-Mimi-chan what are you doing?" He got his answer when she began stroking his whisker marks. 'Oh, she probably thinks of me as a cat or something.' He thought as he sweat dropped a bit, but this did give him an idea. Naruto shapeshifted into an orange and black cat and gave a soft 'meow'. Faster than his eyes could see, Mimi scooped him up and held him close to her chest, all while still not showing any emotion, but he could tell she liked this. 'Well that's one way to get into a girl's arms- OW! Too tight, too tight!' He thought as he struggled to keep his face from suffocating in her chest. Her chest wasn't big, but it could still- 'LIVE NOW, BAD THOUGHTS LATER!'
The pair soon heard some sounds coming from the end of the alley, causing Mimi to run down with Naruto in her arms. When they came to the end, Naruto's eyes widened when he saw some guy holding Chi unconscious in one arm and strangling one of her guards in his other hand.
He had flame-like green hair that came down to his neck with matching colored eyes. There was a blue skull necklace he wore along with what looked like black chest armor, a shoulder plate on his right shoulder, two dark gray gloves and a strap diagonally around his chest that had a big blue orb in the middle. His belt has a blue S on the buckle with a holster attached to it with a gun in it, black pants, and high gray boots with a blue line over the middle of it. But what struck Naruto the most was that his entire body was robotic, not looking remotely human or a demon for that matter.
"You fool!" Shouted the guard, feeling the attackers grip tightening around his neck. "Do you realize what you've done?!"
"I'm pretty sure," Said the metal man as if he didn't care. "But you will undoubtedly tell me anyways."
"Our master's anger will know *cough* no limits. His rampage shall extend to the very end of the universe and his vengeance will *cough* turn the stars in heavens black. Not to mention Chi's crazy monster boyfriend will demolish anything in his path to find her." Naruto glared at the guard for that comment. "There will be no place for your kind to hide! None shall be spared from the wrath of Aku! You've brought war upon the underworld!"
"War, huh? Well then…" The robot crushed the guards head, causing him to vanish. "I guess I'm on the right track after all!"
Naruto knew this guy was bad news and had to be dealt with now, but his thoughts were interrupted by his feline body being dropped to the ground. The Uzumaki looked up and saw Mimi walking towards Chi's attacker.
"Personal bodyguards, my ethereal ass. I would have done a better job if I do say so myself. You think Aku's minions would be a little more… eh?" The metal man finally notices Mimi stalking towards him. "Well, who do we have here?" He saw the anger in her eyes and knew what she was about to do. "Whoa there, salamander! There ain't nothin to see here." He then made a 'shoo-ing' motion with his hand. "Just run along like a good little girl and nothing will happen to ya. Go on, get! Amscray!"
Ignoring him, Mimi then charged at him with her eye's set on saving Chi, he sighed figuring this would happen. "Of all the rotten-" He stopped when he saw Mimi suddenly holding her weapons… an iron and rolling pin "…You're kidding, right?"
His answer was Mimi jumping into the air and lunging at him. He pulled out the gun from his belt and pointed it at her when she got close and fired. Electricity crackled from it and made contact with Mimi who felt the taser shocking every inch of her body. She was on the verge of passing out, until a flash of black and orange rushed in, grabbed Mimi, and sliced the taser in half.
"Hey tin man!" A voice called out. Said tin man looked up and raised an eyebrow at seeing the girl's cat glaring at him while holding her in its long rope like tail and showed its claws and fangs out. "I suggest you let Chi go before I become eco-friendly and recycle you."
"Ah~ the witty banter. How I miss that." The green eyed man said to himself as he glared at Naruto. "Do you know who you're threatening, feline? I am Skulker, the greatest hunter and mercenary in all of the Underworlds!"
"And I greatly don't give a shit who you are." Naruto said as he changed into his giant fox form. "All I need to know is that you hurt two of my friends and for that you will pay."
Skulker smiled, relishing at the chance for an actual challenge. "Well by all means, try it furball." A green glowing blade extended from his glove. "It's been a long time since I've made a new addition to my wall."
Naruto growled at him, but stopped when he felt Mimi trying to get out of his tail. He pulled her down so that they were face to face. "Mimi, I know you want to save Chi-chan. I do too." Mimi stopped struggling and listened to Naruto. "Just like you, Chi is a precious friend to me and rushing in again is only going to get her or you hurt. I don't want to see that. I have a plan, but I need your help. Please, for Chi."
Mimi understood his feelings and nodded. Naruto smiled as he put her down on his back before facing Skulker and charged right at him.
"This is your plan? How foolish!" Skulker was sure they would be easy prey. He saw Naruto open his mouth and a black ball shot at him. He cut it with his blade, but when he did a smokescreen surrounded him. "Clever." He complimented as he looked around for them. He looked up to see a large shadow descending down on him. "But not clever enough" His blade slashed at the incoming figure, only to be blocked by a black sword. Skulker's eyes widened as he saw Naruto in his human form, holding him back.
Skulker quickly examined the blonde's form for an opening where his green eyes came down to the second empty sheath. 'Where's the other one?' He thought as realization dawned on him. But it was too late as Mimi rushed through the smokescreen with Hikari in her clawed hand.
Skulker tried to move his blade away from Naruto and strike her, but the Uzumaki changed Yami into a chain, restraining his arm. That gave Mimi the chance to slash through his arm, taking extreme care not to hit Chi. As Aku's daughter began to fall, Mimi scooped her up and ran past Skulker.
"No!" He roared in anger. He turned his body enough for what remained of his shoulder to be facing them.
Naruto saw what he was doing, widening his eyes when out of Skulker's shoulder came a missile launcher. He didn't have much time, he released Skulker's arm and turned the chain into a shield.
'This is still going to hurt.' He thought as he jumped in front of the missile.
Skulker widened his eyes seeing it was too late to stop it as the missile exploded against his shield. Since it was so close, both of them were caught in the explosion. Naruto suffered some minor cuts and burns that quickly healed and was blown back to where Mimi was. Skulker -however- was sent crashing into a dumpster with a large hole in his chest, revealing the broken and detached wires and circuits. Mimi saw where Naruto had landed and saw the cuts and burns he had before they healed. The fire burning in her eyes that she had when she saw Chi in danger, burned greater than before.
Him's daughter sat Chi down next to him and walked towards Skulker, soon having Naruto seeing this and sat up. "Oi, Mimi what are you doing?" He was about to stop her, but his attention was drawn to Hikari in her grasp. It looked as if it was glowing red with the color fading in and out as a demonic aura surrounded it. Naruto saw the aura was actually coming from Mimi and was curious as a response. 'Is Hikari reacting to Mimi's demonic aura?'
Skulker was still tending to his destroyed body when he saw Mimi coming at him. "Not this again" The ghost bounty hunter brought out four missiles and fired them.
Mimi began to run at the missiles in response and Naruto was going to intervene until he saw her dodge one of the missiles causing it to hit the wall. She then sliced the two more in half and ran through the explosion. For the last one, she jumped onto it before knocking it down with her foot once jumping off. Landing right in front of Skulker, her fiery eyes glared at him as she pulled her sword back.
"Ah hell." Were Skulker's last words before Mimi slash cut his head right off.
Naruto saw what happened as he came over. Sure he didn't like the guy but he didn't want to kill him. He looked over towards Skulker's head and his eyes widened when he saw a pair of little feet struggling inside it. He reached down, grabbed one of the feet and pulled it out to reveal a green blob-like person with red eyes struggling in his hand.
To say Naruto was confused was an understatement.
The little guy finally stopped struggling and sighed. "It has been mean years since I, Skulker the greatest hunter in all of the Underworlds, have been defeated and reduced to my vulnerable state." He then looked up at Naruto, glaring at him. "And by another Halfa or Hanyo correct?" Naruto glared back, but nodded. "What's your name, boy?"
"It's Naruto Uzumaki, the Shinobi of Sorrow." Naruto stated before widening his eyes when seeing Skulker's body begin to fade in and out alongside his metallic shell.
"So, I'm being summoned back." Skulker said as he saw his body disappearing. "Hmm well, I failed my mission anyways, but..." he looked back at Naruto and smirked, "at least I gained a challenge." This caused Naruto to raise an eyebrow. "Hear me Naruto Uzumaki, Shinobi of Sorrow, one day I will break out of my prison and when I do, get ready, for you are now my prey. And until one of us draws our last breath, I will forever hunt you down."
Naruto thought he was an odd one, but if Skulker focused on him he won't go after Chi anymore. Besides, Naruto likes challenges as well. "I look forward to it." Was Naruto's response.
Skulker continued to smirk at him, until he completely disappeared from the shinobi's grasp.
Naruto turned his attention to Mimi, who's already beside him handing Hikari back to him. He smiled and took it back and the moment he did, the red glow around it disappeared leaving no trace of demonic aura on it "Hey Mimi-chan, what was the-" He was silenced by Mimi as she leaned on him and suddenly licked his cheek. "M-Mimi-chan!?" Naruto exclaimed, taking a step back with his face red from his massive blush. Mimi then pointed over towards the still unconscious Chi.
Naruto calmed down a bit and cleared his throat. "R-right, we got to help Chi. Let's find Jeff and take her back to her castle." He then turned into his fox form, but this time he had wings. "I know the way. Grab Chi-chan and I will take you."
Mimi nodded, she went and grabbed Chi and hop onto Naruto's back before he proceeded to fly them back to the stage area.
-Aku's Castle-
The moment Naruto and Mimi returned Chi home safely, Aku was beyond angry and the entire castle shook with his fury.
It took a while for the Shogun of Sorrow to calm down, saying he knew who to blame and retreated to his daughter's bedroom to see how she was doing. Mimi was already there, refusing to leave her side and Jeff stayed with her. Naruto had left them to their own devices before saying he would be back to check on them later.
Naruto was out in the courtyard practicing his Kenjutsu when he felt some of his clones dispel. The books they read were mostly about technology with there being a lot of things he could create now thanks to them. To which he couldn't wait to show off his abilities during the Chunin exam.
As he smiled to himself, thinking of the pissed off expression Sasuke would wear, Naruto stopped his actions and realized it was quiet. It wasn't from his outside surroundings, but in his mind. For some reason, Kurumi hasn't spoken once since they got to the Underworld.
'Kurumi-chan, you've been awfully quiet. Is something wrong?' He thought to her. He waited and waited, but there was no response which Naruto got really worried about. 'Kurumi-chan!?'
The Uzumaki was about to enter his mindscape until he felt a familiar youki, causing his worriedness to be quickly replaced with anger. "Can I help you, Him-san?" Naruto practically growled as he turned around to see Him standing there.
His shades were lowered and his green eyes were visible as well as his hated smirk. "It seems my daughter has taken a liking to you." Naruto couldn't tell what the emotions behind Him's words were, but all he could tell it was as twisted as when they first met. "I must say, I'm impressed. I thought I had stripped her of all her emotions for good, except hatred and pain of course." Naruto was easily getting angry at Him and the Underworld Lord was loving it as he pointed his clawed hand at him. "You, my boy, are something special to be able to make her begin feeling again. I might just have to do her corruption process all over again."
Naruto gritted his teeth and balled his fist enough that blood was being drawn. His blue eyes glared at Him before they shifted to a red slitted gaze and bared his fangs. "What corruption process?" The malice in his question was in full view, Naruto was also self-consciously drawing on Kurumi's chakra and his youki. "What did you do to Mimi-chan!?"
KilL HIm
Him looked up at the sky as he stroked his beard. "Believe it or not, Mimi used to be like you." He said, causing Naruto to raise an eyebrow. "She was young, kind, gentle, innocent…" He took a glance at Naruto and smirked. "Naïve…" Naruto's chakra was pouring out of his body in anger. Him felt it, but ignored it as he looked back at the sky. "Yes, she was a true human being and back then, she was such a disappointment."
MaIM HiM, RIp hIm aPArt
"So I took matters into my own hands and made her into my perfect daughter." A corrupt unholy smile soon graced Him's face. "How I enjoyed those moments with her. Tearing her crying figure out of her mother's arms, showing her the evils of humanity, twisting and ravaging her innocence until she was reborn in my image: the ultimate corrupt tool of evil."
emBrACe tHe DarKNESS ANd DEstrOY HIM!
Naruto felt himself slipping. He was on the verge of snapping. His youki surrounded his body, changing it. He was forgetting about everything and what Aku had asked of him. But he had one final thing to say. "And what if that tool gets broken!?"
Him's smile never left his face as he looked at Naruto. He saw that he was on the edge and all he needed was the final push. "Why you get rid of it, of course. Or more precise…" Raising his shades backup to cover his sinister eyes. "You destroy it."
YoU ARe MINe!
Naruto's youki shot out of his body surrounding him, destroying the land around them. The Demon Lord didn't budge as he watched Naruto change within the sphere of black youki. When it died down, the Uzumaki's body was covered in a strange armor that covered his entire body and covered his face, leaving his glowing reddish yellow eyes and his hair exposed. The armor clung to him like a second skin, it was dark green and had orange highlights on it, it also pulse as if it was alive, tentacles and the serpents appeared on Naruto's body.
"You will pay for what you have done as you spend eternity in Darkness!" He shouted, letting go of all restraints and charged right at Him.
-Mindscape-
Naruto opened his eyes and was confused. He felt and knew he was in his mindscape, but this wasn't the familiar sewer he had never come to know and love. For he was standing on solid dark, dead grounds. The trees were dead, the sky was red, and all around him were remains of dead bodies and weapons.
'What the hell is this place?' He thought as he felt a dark, cold chill go up his spine. Naruto decided to call on the only one who could help him figure things out. "KURUMI-CHAN!?" His voice echoed as he waited for a response, yet he grew worried when he didn't get one. "KURUMI-CHAN!? WHERE ARE YOU!?"
"Sorry to disappoint you." A female voice came from everywhere, yet nowhere. "But the fox, won't be here from now on." Naruto looked around for the source of the voice, but had a hard time doing so. "From now on the Darkness is your tenant, the Darkness is your owner…"
Naruto turned around to see standing on the hill was a woman with long black hair, light skin almost pale, and glowing yellow eyes. She wore a black tank top that hugged against her large breast, black pants, and black steel toed boots. Her entire attire also had purple and yellow markings on it.
Her gaze landed on Naruto and gave him a seductive smile. "And you -my young host- are mine forever."
-Outside World-
In front of the gates to Aku's castle, a portal opened up with a group of people coming out.
In the front was a woman with long blonde hair with a headband on it and red eyes. Her attire consisted of a black top with a red design in the middle with a red orb, a fitting black bottom, two giant red feathers on her top and black armbands, and she also has a long cape with the same red feathers.
Next to her was what looked to be a man wearing a long black robe with a hood. But what made him different from any other man was that his body was completely made out of bones. And in his boney hands, he carried a scythe.
Behind them were two children about Naruto's age. One was a girl with grey eyes and short blonde hair with bangs, wearing a green outfit with stripes. And the one beside her was a skeleton like the figure in front, but the skull was of a different shape and had brunette short hair similar to the human looking girl. Not just that, but the hairstyle was a little wild and had a black hair clip in it with a skull on it. And her attire consisted of a black hooded sweater with matching sports shoes and fingerless gloves.
In the back was a tall man wearing a black jacket, wearing nothing but bandages underneath with what seem to be his blood running down them. He also wore lighter-gray trousers and black combat boots. His eyes were completely green with a black slit pupil with his black hair extended into a very long tuft in the front. And beside him was a black eyed woman with bright, blonde hair in long pigtails, wearing a long pink dress with white gloves.
They all went into the courtyard and everyone's eyes widened -except for the angry looking woman in the front- when they saw the craters all over the courtyard. "Dat Aku really needs to fire his gardener." Spoke the robed skeleton as he walked over to one of the craters.
"Jr, Helga." The evil eyed woman called out, turning to the two adults in the back and pointed to the kids. "I want you both to keep a guard over Darcy and Minnie. I don't know what Aku is planning, but keep watch."
She didn't have to see anything from them to see their compliance as she walked over to where the bone man was. And in the crater was a stream of red youki. Placing his hand in it, his bones began to burn. He quickly pulled it and swung his fingers in the air to cool it off.
"Bonehead," the woman insulted out loud, "what is this stuff?"
Grim stood up, still holding the burnt tips of his fingers. "Something I thought I wouldn't see again, at least not for a long time." Then suddenly, a thunder like sound was heard throughout the area. Grim looked up to see if it was actually thundering and his eye sockets widened soon after. "Mandy, look!" He exclaimed as he pointed in the air. Mandy and everyone else looked up to see two figures in the air in response. One was the demon lord Him and the other appeared to be a demonic looking boy with green and orange skin, having serpents and tentacles coming out of his back. "Its dat rotten Him. But who is dat boy?" Taking a closer look at the boy, Grim's eye sockets widened once more. 'Aww man, di past always seems to comes back to bite me in my boney ass.'
Nergal Jr. looked closely at the boy's body and the serpents on his back causing his green eyes to drastically widen. 'It can't be.'
-With Him and Naruto-
As fist met claw, the world trembled around them with their powers threatening to tear the city apart. The people below ran away in fear as the city was breaking underneath their strikes, but neither combatant really cared for the citizens' safety. With Naruto's body acting on its own, its only desire was to destroy the monster before it. And for Him, this was just pure entertainment for him as he watched Naruto grow angrier, more powerful by the second.
Him's amused smirk remained on his face. "What's wrong child?" He said as he dodged Naruto's punch and grabbed his wrist between his claws. "I thought you were going to make me pay or were you all talk?"
He got his answer when Naruto suddenly vanished. Him didn't have enough time to turn around and was met by a punch to the face, sending him flying down into the city. Naruto pursued, only to stop as hover cars began flying towards him. The empowered shinobi dodged and knocked them aside with his tentacles.
Unable to dodge the next one, he summoned blades on his tentacles and sliced it in half. Naruto was then greeted by Him and paid back for that punch to the face, he punched him again in the chest and kicked him away. Naruto quickly recovered and just in time to dodge a red beam of energy from Him's claw. The changed Uzumaki ran along the side of a building avoiding the beam before using his telekinesis to fling a car at Him. The demon lord moved the beam into the path of the car and made it explode. Seeing this opening, Naruto's optics turned into a burning red and shot crimson eye beams at Him. And said man was able to stop it on his own, causing an explosion.
'That's odd. Aku said he only gave him a portion of his powers.' He thought as he adjusted his shades. 'The Darkness must be accelerating his transformation into a demon.'
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu! (Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!)" Him heard Naruto's voice called out with multiple fireballs coming through the smoke.
Him dodged and swatted them away into nearby buildings. One passed by his head, singeing a part of his collar, Him looked at it and frowned as a result.
Naruto was about to prepare another jutsu when Him appeared beside him in a puff of red smoke, delivering a kick into Naruto's side and knocking him through a building. As he exited the other side, one of Naruto's tentacles grabbed the side of the building and like a rope he used it to swing back around the building. Him had burst through the building, not seeing Naruto come around. Once the Uzumaki was on the other side of the building, he latched another tentacle onto the building. After applying wind chakra to his fist, he slingshot himself through the giant hole he made. And by the time Him turned around, Naruto was right in front of him.
"Fūton: Senpūken (Wind Release: Whirlwind Fist)" After Naruto's fist connected with Him's face, a giant whirlwind erupted from it sending Him flying as he crash into multiple buildings and through the mouth of one of Aku's food advertisements. The Uzumaki teleported to where Him had made a crater in the street, who stood up and dusted himself off.
"What's the matter?" Naruto taunted. "Is that all a demon lord has to offer or are you all talk?"
Him looked up at his opponent as he took off his broken shades. His amused smile was long gone and his glare threatened to burn Naruto alive as his youki flare. The demon lord was angry and the boy had the ghal of loving it as they flew at each other, continuing the fight.
-Mindscape-
"You're the Darkness?" Naruto asked after putting what the woman before him said together. In all his life when he thought of darkness, he thought of monsters, demons, and evil… not a sexy woman. 'Wow, if I knew the Darkness was this beautiful, I wouldn't have been scared of it as a kid.'
"Thanks for the compliment." She said smiling as she came down the hill and her smile grew as she saw Naruto's surprised look. "Don't be so shocked, I'm just as connected to you just like that fox in you. Oh and you shouldn't be scared of the darkness, just embrace it."
Naruto merely glared at her as a red aura surrounded him. "Where is Kurumi?"
A purple aura surrounded the woman as she glared back. "Don't question me, boy, or you will find a real reason to fear the Darkness." She said in an angry tone. "I only sealed her off from you. Like I said before, the Darkness is the only tenant you need, for you are mine now."
"Why so possessive?" Naruto asked, not backing down. Though he was relieved that Kurumi was alive, but knew he couldn't do anything for her until this problem was solved.
The Darkness merely shrugged. "You could say I'm cautious." She soon pointed at him. "Never before have I had a host this young and strong, for most of my hosts only gained my power at the age of twenty-one. But even so, there were many 'restrictions' keeping me from interacting with them." She then smirks and rubbed her hand across his whiskered cheek, causing him to flinch at how cold it was. "But you, Naruto-kun, are the perfect host for me and I'll be damned if I let that fox girl get stronger and the two of you push me out."
"Who said anything about pushing out?" Naruto questioned, making her raise an eyebrow as he raised his hands in defense. "I'll admit, yes the thought did cross my mind. But now that I know I can actually talk to you, we can straighten things out." He had to admit it was better this way. 'If I can talk to her and get her to get along with Kurumi -without trying to kill each other- then there would be no need to try and control the darkness since they would be on good terms. Besides, it wouldn't be so bad to have two hot women in my head.'
"So that's your plan." Naruto could only curse himself, remembering she could read his mind. "Know this, Naruto-kun, you can't control the Darkness, it controls you. As long as you obey, you're always on good terms with it." She smirked as she began walking around him. "But I'll go along with your plan." This surprised Naruto that she would agree so quickly. "It would be good for you to have more power, since the more you acquire her chakra, I get stronger as well." Naruto figured she was getting something out of it.
Before he knew it, she stopped behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders and rested her head beside his as she gave him a glare. "Just remember, Naruto-kun, she and I will never be friends. One day, I will convince you to only and always depend on the Darkness. For I am all you need as is the same for me. Got it?"
Naruto could feel her youki pouring out from the entire area. He already knew she was going to be tough to deal with, but he had no other choice. "Fine." She gave him a dark smirk upon hearing it as she got off him and walked back in front. "So what do I call you?"
She adopted a thinking pose for a moment. "I never went by anything before." It wasn't long before she gave him that dark smirk of hers. "Lilith would do nicely."
"Ok, Lilith-chan, when are you going to free Kurumi-chan?"
Lilith frowned at the subject but relented to answer. "She is already free." This caused him to raise an eyebrow. "I only cut off her mental connection to you. She also can't come here, since this place is not just in your mind, but deep within your very soul, a place even she can't reach. And personally I'm quite proud of that fact." Lilith then gave him a seductive smile as he rolled his eyes. "Before worrying about her, you should get back outside your body first. You're fighting that red lobster guy right now."
Naruto looked outside his body and his eyes widened as he saw himself fighting Him. How? He remembered getting angry at him for what he said about Mimi. After that there was nothing but… Darkness. "You're the one who's been influencing my anger towards Him?"
Lilith smiled and shook her head. "Nope. It wasn't me. It was all you." She said, pointing back at him. "Apparently, something deep inside you caused your anger towards the red man. I really don't know what it is. Maybe you've met somewhere before and he pissed you off. I know he pisses me off; too much red in fact. Put a little black on him and he'd be ok." Naruto sweatdropped at her love of everything dealing with the Dark. He then felt himself fading out of his mind. "Looks like it's time for you to go." Lilith said as she walked up to him. "See you very soon, Naruto-kun, and remember…" She then pulled him into a hug, causing him to blush as his face went into her cleavage. "Embrace the Darkness, for it's your only friend."
-Outside World-
Blue eyes snapped open finding their owner in his outside body with his Darkness armor was gone showing his original appearance. Naruto saw that he was back at Aku's castle, quickly looking up to see Him throwing two giant balls of energy at him. The Uzumaki was able to dodge them, but regretted it when he saw people in the courtyard. "Shit!" He cursed as he flew down there to intercept them.
Nergal Jr. saw the attack coming and out of his back he sprouted green demonic bat-like wings with glowing green eyes on them. As he flew up, a green spike came out of his arm, which he pulled out and a sword similar to his wings formed. He swung it at the ball of energy trying to stop it. 'Him must be really angry to put a lot of energy into this attack.' Jr. thought as he found this harder than he thought. Finally he slash through it causing it to explode, but his hesitation from it made him miss the second attack. "NO!" He shouted as he saw the shot heading for the kids. He flew as fast as he could, but the attack was going much faster.
Helga, Mandy, and Grim rushed over to reach them, but they were too late. Minnie and Darcy grabbed each other and closed their eyes, thinking it was the end as they felt the heat of the blast upon them and awaited their demise… But that was just the heat of it, not the feeling of being incinerated to ashes.
As they opened their eyes, they widened when they saw the boy who was fighting holding the blast in his hand, he turned to them smiling. "You two alright?" They slowly nodded and he gave them his foxy grin. "I'm glad." He then tossed the blast into the air, where it exploded.
Minnie had a look of 'aww' on her face, Darcy practically had stars in her eye sockets and everyone else looked at him with shock on their face. Seeing him catch a demon lord's attack with ease and just throw it like it was nothing. Mandy just glared at him, but there was something different in this particular look. Naruto turned his attention back to Him, who still was glaring at him ready to continue their fight.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" A thundering voice boomed throughout the city. Out of the ground Aku's appeared in a more giant form than his usual size with his eye literally burning in anger as his gaze fell on Him and Naruto. "I want nothing more than to burn you both for what you have done to my city…" Aku pointed to the city, everyone looked over to see buildings collapsing, people screaming and fire everywhere. Granted it wasn't the entire city, but a good portion of it was up in flames. Everyone sweatdrops at the destruction, Naruto let out a nervous chuckle as he rub the back of his head, and Him just pulled out a new pair of shades and put them on. Aku was rubbing his temples and sighed "But I need you both for what's to come." He then glared at Naruto. "But you, boy, will go far into the wastelands on the outskirts of the city and wait for me there."
Naruto figured he'd be mad, he knew that he wasn't in control of his body. But part -only part- of the destruction was his, so he nodded in agreement with Aku's demand. Taking one last glare at Him -who wasn't paying him a bit of attention now- Naruto grew a pair of wings and was about to take off.
"Pardon me." A voice said, causing Naruto to stop and turn around. It's owner was the little blonde girl he saved who came up to him and bowed her head. "Words cannot express my gratitude for what thy has done. Thee heroic action saved my sister and I, we are-"
"You were amazing!" Her sister shouted as she came in front of him, who seemed so excited as if she was about to start jumping around like a schoolgirl. "The way you swooped down and caught the blast with ease. Then you just tossed it like it was nothing. You were awesome, you-" She then stopped seeing the smile on Naruto's face, The skeletal girl rubbed the back of her head and had a little blush on her face, but it was hard to see. "I-l mean you were very cool. I'm Darcy by the way."
"And I am her younger sibling, Minnie…" The blond girl said coming up beside the skeletal girl. Darcy gave her a look before turning her attention back to Naruto, smiling like her sister. "And like I was saying, thy actions will not be forgotten, as we are forever grateful for thy deed and are eternally in your debt mister…"
"Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki," he said smiling at them. "And no debt is necessary, I just did what was right."
They seem like very good kids to him. He was making a lot of friends his age today, but something about Minnie felt different. She looked human on the outside, but he sensed something demonic on the inside, something familiar to him. Maybe she was hanyo like him, but he didn't pry.
"Nonsense." A woman's voice said. Coming over to them was Mandy, with her glare set on Naruto. He instantly got a bad feeling about her, kind of like the anger he felt with Him.
But it wasn't anger he felt… It was fear…
This fear was greater than anything he had ever felt before, telling him to get as far away from her as possible. And for some reason, it was telling him to not to be alone with her.
"I am Mandy, Queen of the Underworld." She said, making his eyes widen. "Actions such as saving my children will not go unnoticed or rewarded and I do not like being in debt. So what is it that you want?" She asked as she crossed her arms under her breast.
Naruto was tempted to let his eyes lower, yet his mind and every fiber of his body was screaming 'DON'T FUCKING DO IT! Her glare is enough to tell you that she will kill you just for looking!' Naruto listened loud and clear and just kept eye contact.
"No thanks." He said smiling as he tried to mind what he said. "Like I said, I was doing what I thought was right with no reward in mind." Mandy's glare seemed to grow more intense, letting Naruto know it was time to get out of there. "Excuse me, Mandy-sama, but I really must be going." He bowed and took a look behind her at Darcy and Minnie. "I'll see you both soon okay?" They both smiled and nodded, Naruto smiled back and took off into the air, feeling Mandy's glare on his back even as he grew further and further out of her sight.
Aku sighed as he cleared his throat getting everyone's attention. "If all the lords would please proceed to the war room. A guest room has been prepared for the children. My guards will guide you inside." They all nodded and proceeded inside, once they were all inside, Aku's eyes flared with anger again as he turned to Him, who was whistling as he floated in a comfortable position. "You know, I don't know whether you blindly walk into trouble or you stupidly cause it. I told you not to antagonize Naruto, at least until he had further control over himself and the Darkness. But did you listen!? No, you intentionally provoked him and lay waste to my city. If you weren't my friend, you wouldn't be alive right now."
"Hey, don't worry about it." Him said calmly while waving his claw in a lazy fashion, which angered Aku more. "I was just playing with the boy. Besides, your city can be easily rebuilt and I'll have my minions help." He then turned to Aku, lowering his shades and smiling. "That is some apprentice you got there. I can't wait for this meeting to be over and see your plan go through. He will be very useful to me."
"Know this, Him." Aku's voice was filled with anger and malice. The power behind it made cracks in the earth beneath him and thunder crash down around them. "If any harm comes to that boy because of you, any past relationship we had will be torched in flames along with you and your part of the Underworld." Aku then vanished with the thunderclap. Him raised his shades back up and started chuckling before vanishing in a puff of red smoke.
Naruto eventually made it out into the wastelands. He was far into it, but still able to see the city and the smoke coming from it. He figured while he waited for Aku, he would check to see if his connection to Kurumi was back up. 'Kurumi-chan, can you hear me now?' He didn't get any response again, which made him worried and grew angry thinking Lilith didn't keep her end of their bargain. 'Kurumi-chan, are you-"
'I'M GOING TO KILL THAT BITCH!' Kurumi's voice loudly rang through his head, causing him to fall on the ground. Kurumi saw this and calmed down a bit. 'Sorry about that, Naruto-kun. I'm glad to see you're alright.'
'I'm glad to see you're doing alright as well, Kurumi-chan.' He thought as he got up, smiling as he was happy she was alright. 'What happened to you?'
'That Darkness bitch completely cut me off from you.' Kurumi said, with anger back in her voice. 'I never expected her to have such power and control within you. And what pissed me off the most is that she thinks she's funny.' Naruto raised an eyebrow at this. 'Each time I tried to contact you, her voice rang out like a damn voicemail saying 'Sorry, Naruto is busy at the moment with his one true tenant. Please never try again after the beep' and her 'beep' was a fucking electric shock. I swear if it wasn't for you, I'd tear your mind a part to kill her.'
Naruto sweatdropped and chuckled nervously having never heard her curse so much. Things weren't going so smoothly as he had hoped, with both Kurumi and Lilith were at each other's throats. At this rate, neither of them will be willing to work with each other.
"Personally I thought it was pretty funny." A familiar voice said behind Naruto. He turned around and his eyes widened to see Lilith laying down on the ground looking at him. "And I never agreed to work with her. I am just tolerating her, until I can make you mine."
"H-How are you here?" Naruto asks, his jaw practically on the ground. It should be impossible for her to exist outside his mind, let alone be in the real world with a real body. But he knew he got his answer by the dark smirk on her face.
"Oh, Naruto-kun, that is the benefit of having me as a tenant." She pointed to his stomach. "Unlike bushy tails in there, I am not limited by a seal and without those past restrictions, I can travel freely from your mind to the outside. Granted I am weakened if there is light, but I am still powerful enough to sustain a body and walk around freely."
'BUSHY TAILS!?' Kurumi shouted. Her chakra poured out inside of Naruto's mindscape causing his physical transformation, but he stayed in control. 'Why don't you come in here and say that to my face, you gothic slut!' Naruto continued to sweatdrop as Kurumi was really out of character today.
"I'd be glad to." Lilith said with an amused smile on her face. "But right now, I want to say hello to a relative." Naruto didn't understand what she meant until Aku appeared, towering over them in his colossal size. His attention was instantly drawn to Lilith, who gave him a smirk as she waved. "Hey bro, like what you've done with your city. Really like the color, as red as blood and dark as well darkness. And the smell of fire burning everything to ashes is a nice touch."
"And who might you be?" Aku asks as his eyebrow twitch with annoyance, not liking the smirk she had.
"Oh I'm hurt, that you don't remember your own sister." She said in a fake, hurtful tone.
Aku merely raised an eyebrow and looked towards Naruto, who gestured to Lilith. "Her name is Lilith and she is the Darkness in human form."
"Really?" Aku asks, hardly believing this as he looks back at Lilith. He did sense the youki of the Darkness within her, so there was no reason to doubt Naruto's words. "And what do I owe the pleasure of this first greeting from my 'little sister' after being a part of me for so long?"
"Wrong." She spoke in a serious tone which made Aku widen his eyes for a second. "I was born long before you came out of that little black pond you made when we landed here. So if anyone is the younger sibling, it's definitely you." Aku glared hard at her, only one minute and he had her on his 'hate and kill' list. "And I'm here to watch Naruto's performance in your test. Never got to see a fight from outside of my host with those past restrictions. So I'm not missing this one." Aku's eyes widened once again. "Don't be surprised. Just like Naruto, I'm connected to you, so I can easily read your mind."
Naruto raised an eyebrow and looked at Aku, who looked like he was about to incinerate Lilith. "What test?" He asked, knowing this test was Aku's form of punishment for what he had done to his city.
"First of all…" Aku said in a serious and angry tone, taking one last glare at Lilith before looking at Naruto. "What were you thinking?! Didn't it ever occur to you that a fight was what Him wanted, and that is why he riled you up!?"
"It wasn't my fault and besides, he was asking for it so I gave it to him. The battle was even anyways."
"You really think that?" Aku asks, causing Naruto to look confused. "Him can draw on the negative emotions of others, making himself stronger." He then pointed at his student. "Your anger gave him all the power he needed to easily win. At his best, you had a chance. But if he had used all of the power he gained from you, winning would have been impossible."
Naruto lowered his head upon hearing this. Mimi's father was just toying with him, holding back the entire time. If he had kept his cool, he could've won. No… as Aku said he couldn't have won, at least not yet.
"Now for your punishment." The Uzumaki raised his head hearing what Aku said. Bringing his hands down, a large dark sphere formed within the Shogun's grasp. "You will face three of my most powerful warriors and fight, until you either defeat them or until I say it is enough." Naruto could feel three separate, yet similar powers coming from inside the sphere before seeing a pair of red, blue, and green eyes glaring at him. "An introduction is in order."
The darkened sphere vanished, leaving the figures inside out in the open for the hanyou to see before all three of them spoke. "We're…"
-End Chapter-
AN:
Well what do you guys think of this so far?
Don't really have much to say as I've already written down a lot in the past few AN's.
Anyways, be sure to review this story guys! Would like the criticisms. Please and thank you!
R&R