Author's Notes I: And the amount of stories and authors in my favorites keep decreasing. That's a good sign and a bad sign. Anyways, last chapter…everyone seemed to more or less like the chapter. All except three and, unsurprisingly, all three of them were guest reviews left conveniently one after another. Some even claimed that I plagiarized from other works. SMH. I write fanfics for hobbies, if I wanted to plagiarize then I wouldn't have gone through the effort of rewriting and cancelling nearly all of my stories. So, grow a pair, make an account, prove that you're an idiot and go back to writing "Kill yourself, virgin fag" like the 12 year old you are, Salty Anon. :^)
I still don't own Naruto or High School DxD. Getting real tired of your shit, Kishimito. Getting real tired of whatever you think you're doing, Ishibumi.
xXxXx—ADM—xXxXx
Akeno Himejima considered herself a lot of things.
A good cook, a collector of rare things, a Queen on her way to becoming one of the greats, and a sadist with a mean streak the size of Mt. Everest. She was also a light masochist —there was no need for people to know about that. The Priestess of Thunder made sure it was a secret; she had a reputation to maintain.
But, there was another trait Akeno liked to think she had: empathy.
Partially empathetic, if not completely.
She wasn't perfect, contrary to what the students of Kuoh Academy believed. Akeno had issues —lots of issues. There were things she did not want to talk about and if she could, she would change the blood in her veins.
But the matter which demanded her attention at the moment was the fidgety expressions of her King, more importantly her best friend, Rias Gremory. Something had been off for the last four or five days, and for the life of her, Akeno couldn't figure out what it was.
Usually, the Crimson Haired Ruin Princess would tell her Queen everything; Akeno was called the Gremory Confidant for a reason. And yet, there was no forthcoming from the young heiress. Akeno didn't want this period of misery to continue.
"Buchou," the black haired beauty said, after steeping the tea. Her King looked at her, broken out of a marathonic mental race from what she assumed.
"Huh?" was the intelligent reply Akeno got. Urging the temptation to frown, the Queen went to the desk and sat opposite to the Gremory.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
'Another lie.' Akeno coughed into her hand before staring at Rias. She was trying imitate an action a certain blond in her life did. 'Ara, it's actually working.' The Queen smirked when her King began to fidget under her gaze. All she needed was a bit more pressure and-
"Alright, fine!" Rias shouted, looking away with a regal manner. Akeno found this satisfying. After a few more moments, the redhead spoke. "It's about Issei."
"What did Hyodou-kun do?" she was generally curious. To her knowledge, the month-old reincarnated Devil wasn't doing too shabby.
"It's his Sacred Gear," her King sighed, a bit distraught. "It's still in its dormant form. At this rate…"
"Rias," Akeno was confused at her words. It didn't make sense. "What are you talking about? Are you hiding something?"
"The wedding deadline, it decreased."
Akeno felt a pang in her chest; she could only imagine what her King was going through. "Again? I thought it was six months later."
"There was an incident a few days ago." Rias explained. "We don't know what exactly, but the rumor is Loki defected from Norse pantheon."
A god was just that: a god. The power they held, it was maddening to say the least and Loki was no prankster. Well, not a harmless one anyway. "I see," Akeno said. "And what did Lord Lucifer say?"
"Every pantheon is a bit on guard, the Three Factions especially. To be honest, we're still recovering and I'm not talking only about our race." Rias explained and closed her diary. Now, that book contained secrets that even Akeno didn't know. "And, they didn't want to take any chances with a how a rogue god can act —especially one like Loki."
"So they scheduled your wedding ahead of time." Akeno said, Rias' nod seemed cruel to her. "Rias, we don't have a choice now. We're going to have to start training Hyodou-kun."
"I know, but how?" Rias asked, her voice louder than usual. Her air of regality, gone. In that moment, the red haired girl was nothing more than a teen whose fate was all but sealed. "What do I do? Issei's devil powers are horrible, he hasn't awakened his Sacred Gear, and half the time I talk he's staring at my chest!"
"We don't have any other choice, Rias," Akeno sighed. Even she was at the end of her wits. "We're going to start training seriously. When's the date for the wedding?"
"June 20th." The Gremory heiress clenched her fist and Akeno hid her surprise. A month and a half was not enough.
"Don't worry, Rias," Akeno placed her hand over her King's. It was smaller than hers and bit smoother. Keeping that bit of jealousy in the back of her mind, she continued. "We can pull it off. Though, our routine will have to change."
"I know," Rias said, and her Queen, silently, mourned for the anime collection that was yet to be seen by her King. "But what about Issei? The Boosted Gear hasn't awakened yet."
"Don't worry," Akeno smiled, one that promised pain and suffering. "You leave that to me. A cute kohai he may be, but you're my King and my best friend. If he doesn't shape up, well," she paused. "I'll persuade him to do so."
She felt Rias' hand jerk a bit under her touch. "Don't kill him."
"Ara," Akeno playfully muttered her own tic. "When have I ever gone over the top?"
"Akeno."
"Don't worry, Rias," Akeno said, her tone more stern and comforting. Only a few people knew this side of hers. "You're not going to get trapped with that Phenex. I'll make sure of it. Besides, I wouldn't be much of a friend otherwise."
"Thank you," the crimson haired heiress smiled. Akeno could tell her King was a bit calmer now. "Thanks, I needed that."
"Don't mention it," Akeno replied. Her smile turned a bit cheeky now. "Although I do wish I had a camera right now, watching you squirm and getting all frustrated makes my day."
"Akeno," she groaned and the Queen giggled at her expression. Then Rias' eyes widened as she looked peevish. "Oh no, I forgot."
"Forgot what?" Akeno asked, her King looked silly at that moment. Not befitting her position at all.
"The new missions from the House," Rias sighed. "I forgot to send my familiar the last time."
"Well, that was highly irresponsible of you, Buchou," Akeno chided. "You're going to ask me to go get it, aren't you?"
"…Yes."
"Fine," Akeno sighed. "But I expect some sort of compensation for this. Skipping classes is something I don't generally do. I take my studies very seriously."
"Yes, of course," Rias said leaning forward. That confident smile didn't please Akeno. "Bet it has nothing do with a blond, does it?"
"Maybe," Akeno smiled proudly. "Maybe not. Why are you so interested? Don't tell me you actually have a crush on him?"
"Please," Rias said. "We both know who has a crush on him."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she replied. As if Rias could rile her up. Her King wasn't near her level. A mere child compared to the things Akeno could say. "You do seem interested though."
"One of these days, Akeno," Rias said, "Naruto is going to drive you crazy and I will be there to see it."
Akeno's cheeks flushed. She spoke with a sultry voice, "Well…I never pegged you for a voyeur."
Rias' face becoming red was extremely satisfying. Ah, her King was yet to learn her art.
"So," the black haired queen continued. "When do I go? Now or-"
"If you go now, then you might make it back for lunch time. Unless-"
"Enku is there." Akeno sighed. Lord Lucifer's Pawn was a bit slow. Handling paperwork was not his forte. She loved the Qilin —the Pawn was an avid friend when they were kids - but he was meant for other duties.
"Yeah, that might be an issue." Rias grumbled, drumming her fingers on the desk.
Akeno resisted the urge to sigh again, something she was picking up from another person in her life. She nodded before standing up and spoke again, some mental comfort could help her friend.
"Rias," Akeno began. "Don't worry. We'll get through this. I promise you that."
Her King's shoulder slackened and she nodded. Using her powers, Akeno created a Teleportation Circle and the world before her disappeared.
Various colors exploded, everything around her rushed past her-a very fast acid trip. Akeno, personally, considered this method to be similar to a fast elevator.
'Maybe they should add that "ding" sound as well.'
The behemoth Gremory Estate was in front of her. Akeno never did finish exploring the place. Roaming around the entire compound (if she could call it that) with Rias was one of her favorite games as a child. Of course, then Okita had to start talking about the way of the Samurai. The Queen still blames Lucifer's Knight for triggering the 'weeb' inside her King.
"Akeno," she heard someone call her. It was low and stern and emotionless. "You're late."
The Himejima smiled, a bit nervous at the scrutinizing gaze Grayfia Lucifuge - the Strongest Queen - gave her.
"Apologies, Lady Grayfia." Akeno fiddled her fingers. "My King forgot to tell me about this."
The silence frustrated her. The silver haired maid reminded her of Naruto at times, but she was scarier in her mind. Akeno had seen what Grayfia could do to her Lord husband.
"I see," Grayfia said, her voice still not showing any emotions. "Follow me. Unfortunately, it will take some time. There are some renovations going on here for the upcoming event."
Akeno clenched her fists at those words as she strode behind her fellow Queen. "Lady Grayfia," Akeno spoke up, ridding the fear in her mind. "If you don't mind me asking, why is this still going on?"
"Marriages between Devilkind to preserve the blood isn't uncommon, you should hardly need to ask me that." The maid replied without looking back.
"Still, Rias should be free to choose her own life. Why can't Lord Zeoticus and Lady Venelana see that?"
"We are Devils, Akeno," Grayfia said, Akeno saw the maid looking for people slacking off their work. "Being selfish is in our nature. Like every other being we want what's good for us. Keeping the remaining Pillars intact is something no one can refute -not even Lord Lucifer. Besides, we're servants, our opinions hardly matter."
Akeno didn't reply and kept up with her pace. As true as the words were, her resolve didn't waver.
"She's not going to get married to the Phenex heir."
"We'll see." Grayfia replied.
"Also, there's something else I need to talk to you about, Lady Grayfia." Akeno stated and she could tell Queen of Lucifer was interested.
xXxXx—ADM—xXxXx
She kept reading through the age old book.
It was older than her by at least nine centuries.
Her turquoise eyes scanned the book. Searching for loopholes, plausible reasons to delay the inevitable. As she continued, her dread increased with each word.
The old Devil laws had stood the test of time for a reason, and the only method of escape she had was something she'd rather avoid.
Rias sighed and closed the book. A frown scarred her beautiful features, and felt a small pang in her heart.
It had been some time since Akeno had left, and Rias couldn't bring herself to walk out. Her usual stride — graceful and perfect — which all the students would worship was gone; Rias' walk now resembled that of an old man withered by age and loss.
Her mind was at more than a million places at a time; she couldn't even tell Akeno about the few things she found out about a certain blond.
Was it a breach of privacy on her part? Not really; she was one of the two Kings of this area and no anomaly would go unchecked. Still, the Gremory heiress felt a little dirty for digging into his background.
The noise of the door opening distracted her and she saw the members of her Peerage sans Akeno and one cute, cross-dressing Devil. Yuuto looked bright as ever, Koneko was bland as usual, Issei was depressed?
"Did something happen?" she asked. Her Pawn was always a bit more cheerful than this. On top of that, Rias didn't want him to be in a down mood since they would be going out for a hunt today. Well, she hoped there would be a Stray Devil around here.
"Buchou," the teen groaned. The third member of the Pervert Trio seemed disheartened. "I can't do this anymore."
Was he thinking about quitting her Peerage?
"I can't give out those flyers anymore! You wouldn't believe the freaks I meet sometimes!" Issei exclaimed and Rias was surprised with the dedication towards not handing out contracts with Devils.
"Now, Issei," Rias began, using her smooth voice which enchanted so many. "Remember what I told you? Your dream of becoming a Harem King won't come true unless you get to become a High Class Devil, and for that you need to work hard. Very hard."
'Hopefully too hard', she knew it was cruel but desperate times called for desperate measures. Rias was willing to go the extra mile. Originally she planned to, slightly, seduce Issei every now and then —to motivate him.
Different people aspired in different ways; in Issei's case, perversion and promises of lust increased his drive. The Gremory Heiress was never afraid of showing a bit of skin, the only reason she hadn't woken up naked in her newly acquired Pawn's bed was because she had been busy with a lot of research.
"Try not to focus so much on a plan," he said, she couldn't look away. The condescending tone all but gone. Was he giving her advice in general? "Anything can happen in a fight. Improvise more, then we'll talk-"
Rias cut out the last word he said because it was not necessary. She was not a-
"-loser." Issei said and Rias turquoise eyes narrowed at him. Her Pawn flinched in fear and Crimson Ruin Princess clenched her fists.
"Care to repeat yourself, Issei?" Rias did not know how menacing her smile was at the moment. She wasn't angry, no…she was livid at that one word.
Her Pawn, shook in fear, her Knight gulped and Koneko was, in her eyes, a tad bit more serious.
"Well?"
"B-Buchou," her Pawn stammered, Rias still fumed and gestured for him to continue. "I said, I said the last guy I went to give a flyer to was a total loser!"
Rias calmed down a bit. 'I'm more on edge than I thought I'd be. Stupid Loki. Stupid Council, Stupid Phenex, Stupid Naruto.'
"Buchou, is something wrong?" Yuuto Kiba asked. The King calmed her nerves and took a breath of fresh air.
"Nothing," Rias said sighing and saw her servants relax.
She looked at the brown haired teen, who was still scared witless - not surprising since a bit of her destructive power had seeped out.
The heiress didn't blame him. People stronger than his current state had been erased before her by the very same small wisps she revealed.
"I'm sorry about that, Issei," she apologized, the Pawn nodded. Very quickly might she add. "Don't worry, what were you saying?"
"Ah, never mind, Buchou. I'm uh sure you-"
"Issei," Rias ordered her Pawn. "Please continue what you were saying, I honestly tuned out."
"Right the flyer thing, Buchou." Issei began after taking a pause. "I met some of the sickest people. One of them wears cat ears and has a loli fetish. Hell, even I've never seen some of those doujins he's got."
'Note to self: never let Issei appear in front of parents without teaching him proper tact.' Rias nodded to his words and the rest of the blabber that left. It was cute in a naive way. A lot of people underestimated the famed member of the Perverted Trio. He was a nice person.
"And then I found out he has Kakasu's original hentai manga. Those are uber rare but still, NTR isn't my thing."
And he was one of the biggest pervs she would ever meet in her life. Period.
'Well, beggar kings can't be choosers.' Rias finished the thought and Issei stopped. "I understand what you're talking about Issei and they will stop at one point. She saw the hope gleaming in his eyes, the chest filled with pride, body shivering with excitement. "But not anytime soon."
"Pervert's sad," Koneko hammered another nail to his deflating coffin, Issei's depressed form in this case.
"But don't worry, tonight," Rias said, her voice a tad bit sterner. "We'll be having a different routine."
"Different?" Issei asked.
"There's a chance we'll get to meet a Stray Devil tonight."
"Um, what's that?"
. . .
"Issei, didn't I explain this to you before?" Rias asked, wondering if she had indeed forgotten such a thing.
"I may have zoned out."
At least he was honest.
"Stray Devils are basically Devils gone AWOL on their masters," Rias explained. She was glad he was paying attention to her eyes, his eyes were slowly going down. "AND," she said loudly, snapping his attention back to her face, "are labeled as threats. Usually with kill upon sight orders. So, make sure to never run away Issei, I don't want to hunt you down."
Rias loved how she could mess with people sometimes; she must've been rubbing off of Akeno. They did sleep in the same bed countless times. That was one image she didn't want Issei to think about at the moment. His brain could only take so much lewdness.
Finally, a magic circle appeared in the room and Akeno appeared. She looked at the group, and smiled.
Rias, however, saw the small bit of worry and annoyance in her face. 'Oh yeah, I need to tell her about Naruto.'
"Ara, all of you seem to be here," Akeno said, her usual tic in complete rhythm with that smile of hers. Rias often wondered if her Queen practiced this in front of the mirror. "Buchou, sorry about the late arrival. There were some renovations going on at the house and Enku was dealing out the papers."
Shoving the thought about her brother's Pawn aside, the crimson haired girl's mind lingered on the word 'renovation'. It pissed her off. This whole thing fucked with her temper more than she wanted to admit.
"Buchou," Akeno broke her out of that train of thought. "It looks like there is a Stray Devil here."
Akeno handed her a piece of paper, the Gremory sigil, her sigil clear on the parchment. Her eyes scanned the paper over and over again.
'I feel like Go-…the Creator has a gripe against me. Is it because I'm the current Lucifer's sister?' Rias resisted the urge to groan. Of all the rogue, traitorous Devils to pop up in her 'hood', so to speak, it had to be one with large breasts. Her Pawn was lucky in a way.
"Oh right," Yuuto spoke up, grabbing everyone's attention. "Akeno-senpai."
"Yes, Yuuto."
"Naruto-senpai left early. Just thought I'd let you know."
"What?"
Rias snapped her gaze towards Akeno, more precisely due to the small shock she heard in that one word.
"Uh, he left early today." Yuuto explained. Her Knight and Rook, aware of how Akeno's reaction was different than usual.
"When did he leave exactly?"
"Right after classes ended, I tried to say 'Hi' but I guess he was in a rush."
Rias wasn't the smartest person (yet), but she was sure that Uzumaki never left the school in a hurry. Never. This was unusual and judging by the look in Akeno's eyes, who was probably the closest person to him, it was something that raised questions.
The blond had a pretty monotonous life. Always being average, blending in with the crowd to became a perfect, faceless everyman. Just Naruto Uzumaki, a ramen shop owner, an orphan, an average student. Except he wasn't. Even Rias knew he was so much more than that. But first she needed to ease Akeno's mind and friends came first.
"Right," the King said to her Peerage members. "Now that school's over, you can all head home. No need to make contracts today, we have a Stray to hunt tonight. So eat up and be prepared. You especially, Issei. Today will be your first combat experience."
"Right, Buchou," Rias couldn't help but giggle at his salute and after they left, the King called Akeno to seat beside her on the couch. She even locked the door, this was something only her Queen needed to hear.
"What is it, Rias?" Akeno asked, and the heiress knew her friend picked up on the mood.
"You're late. Much more than I thought you'd be. If you weren't, you might've caught him."
"I was…discussing something with Lady Grayfia."
Now that was interesting. "About what?"
"Something regarding the Rating Games, it's something I'm working on and I still haven't found a clear answer to."
"Will it help?"
"I'll let you know when it does." Rias sighed in relief, glad that her friend was looking out for her. "Is there anything else, Buchou?"
Rias knew why the black haired beauty wanted to leave, but she needed to let her know. It did help her solve a piece of the puzzle known as Naruto Uzumaki. "You're going to look for him, aren't you?"
"Yes," Akeno replied, smiling. "I've gotten used to him, especially since he's been opening up a bit more."
"But he's still hiding things, isn't he?"
"Sadly, yes." Akeno had a wistful expression now. "But, I'm sure he will one of these days."
"Akeno, do you trust him?" Rias needed to know. For some reason she couldn't explain, she needed to know. There was…this air about Naruto that Rias couldn't explain. It was strange, alarming yet peaceful too.
"Strange as it sounds, yes." The Queen of Rias Gremory said proudly, not a hint of deception in her voice. "I trust him."
"There's something I found out about him."
"What?" Akeno frowned at her; Rias blamed her inner, insatiable curiosity for this. "Did you-"
"Listen," Rias said, grasping Akeno's hands —which were a bit rougher than hers. "I think I know a bit about why he is the way he is."
"Rias…"
"I don't know why I did it Akeno, hear me out." Akeno still seemed reluctant. "Please."
Her Queen sighed. "Fine, Rias. Just this once, I'm letting it slide. But please don't do it again. I really don't want him stray away again."
Rias could not describe how jealous she felt of Naruto at that moment. Digressing her thoughts and began. "Naruto, he wasn't as alone as we thought he was."
"What?"
"Yes," Rias said, she had same expression as Akeno when she found out. "Naruto had a family."
xXxXx—ADM—xXxXx
Deep within the urban crevices of Kuoh, was a shady part of the otherwise perfect town.
While the crime rate here was all but nonexistent, there was always a hoodlum looking to make a quick buck. Some hooker looking to earn a bit more money, pay off that filthy mortgage and not get disfigured.
Downtown, or Dirty Little Kuoh as some locals call it, housed them all. Drugs, booze, women, strip clubs, illegal purchases all available here, and the cops that cracked down on them —paid off. It was beautiful to the less than legal social class. Then the rates began to drop and the number of active ruffians began to disappear. All around eleven years ago, Downtown became less of a shithole than it was back then.
Right there, in the middle of that otherwise black sheep area of Kuoh, was a small three story building. Gray in color and bland in its outlook, the place was a home to all those who were unwanted. To the ones who were considered mistakes.
The Cleria Memorial Orphanage.
It was the biggest orphanage here and despite the looks, the building was well maintained, but could use more patrons. After all, how many people gave a shit about orphans living in the bleakest part of town? Not very few.
Naruto drove his SUV, remembering the area he grew up in for the first seven years of his life. It was a place he didn't hate, but there was a certain resentment he had towards some people.
When his access to chakra became proficient, he started 'cleaning house' and even now he sent a disguised clone to scout the place. More so since the encounter with Raynare.
Finding his stop at the gray building, Naruto parked the car and unstrapped his seat belt. He stepped out and grabbed the two, very, large white bags from the passenger seat. He volunteered for this and he'd keep his word. Holding the two in his hand, he opened the door and entered. They had a new receptionist. A very pretty blonde with grey eyes, a rare shade. She greeted him with a wide smile.
"Welcome to Cleria Memorial, how may we help you?"
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki," he said. Lifting the bags, he continued, "I believe it's my turn for the monthly Kids' Feast."
"Oh yes!" the receptionist, Kara was her name if the tag didn't lie. "Mr. Uzumaki, you can go straight through and join the children in the dinner hall."
"I'd rather not." Naruto shrugged. Seeing her confusion, he continued. "I'm not good with kids."
"I see," the smile on the receptionist dulled, but she took those bags with enthusiasm. Yeah, there was no way she could lift them.
"I'll help, thsese are pretty heavy." Naruto said, taking up the bags again. Kara walked beside him, she looked bubbly and cheerful.
The walk to the hall was short and as the doors opened, a million different voices rung in his hears. Children chattered, some yelled, most of them laughed. A string of 'eeeww's could be heard as Naruto saw a kid sneeze, the brat's nose gushing out a waterfall of mucus.
This place reminded him of a time long gone. The hallway still looked the same to him.
It hadn't changed the slightest.
"It's here, Uzumaki-san," Kara said as she lead him to a large table.
The blond placed the two bags of food and turned to give her a list. "This is a list of what I brought. Will it be enough, or do I need to get more?"
"Goodness no! This is more than enough," her eyes widened at the amount and Naruto took a small bit of pride in her shock.
'Still unpredictable as ever.'
"Oh my, if it isn't my favorite ghost."
Naruto knew that voice, that kind, gentle voice.
He remembered a time when it had more life, and he turned to see a woman dressed in a grey nun outfit. The woman was around seventy. The nun's frame, lightly, hunched over and she had that damned smile on her face. "You've grown your hair too big, Ruto."
And she still called him by that name. "Sister Aria."
"In the flesh," the old woman reached for his face. She had gotten old. "To think the small skinny boy would grow up to be so handsome. Maybe if I was born 50 years later, we could've been a what do they call it these days? 'A thing'?"
"You're still as witty as ever," Naruto replied, forcing himself to not smile at her.
"I see you've met Kara already," Aria pointed at the young receptionist. "Please be a dear and take her out for dinner sometime."
"Sister Aria!"
"I don't date nuns," Naruto said. "They're too uptight."
"She's not a nun and I'm sure she has a thong somewhere."
"Sister Aria! There are children around here!" Kara exclaimed, the blonde's face now red. She faced Naruto and spoke, "I am so sorry."
"No need to, I know exactly how insane she can get."
"Children these days. Come on now. I haven't seen you in a while, you're not leaving that quickly." Sister Aria had always been stubborn, but he was ahead in that department.
"I can't," Naruto said. "I'm kind of busy, I have to go back to work."
"Ruto."
"Look, Sister Aria." Naruto began, he was getting softer these days. The old woman's eyes didn't help either. "I'll visit some other time."
"The last time you said that was when you got into that school of yours, five years ago no less." Sister Aria pointed out. She was good, he could say that much. "And now you're here again, making another empty promise."
Naruto couldn't deny that. Sister Aria, despite her lack of knowledge, was right about him. He did make empty promises and failed to keep them up. It was better that way; giving your word meant something he would do no matter what.
The blond didn't want to keep any more promises. They shackled him, and he never wanted to fail again.
"I'll try to visit, okay?" Naruto tried to convince the woman.
"I see you're still reluctant as ever. Out of everyone I raised here, you were by far the most troublesome." Aria sighed.
'Hardly.' Naruto wanted to snort, but resisted. Rolling his eyes, he spoke, "Whatever suits you. Goodbye, Sister Aria."
"Wait, now," she grabbed his sleeve. "The very least I can do is walk a patron out of this building, and I did walk you out of here the last two times as well. You do remember, right?"
"Yes," Naruto replied, very quickly. 'Just another series of mistakes in my life.'
"Let's go then." Sister Aria, slowly, led the way and Naruto heard the receptionist bid him farewell. He nodded back. After leaving the hallway, the two walked at a slow pace. "How are you, Ruto?"
"I'm fine," Naruto replied. "I came here a few days ago. Heard you were in the hospital. What happened?"
"Oh nothing these old bones can't take." The nun replied with a gesture. "I think my time is coming. We all have God's calling."
God, the omnipotent asshole in his life.
There was a time he would've outright ignored the mere concept of God, but fate — yes, fate — had shown him otherwise. The Creator of everything had fucked with his life and, Naruto was tired of it. That was the reason why he felt slight towards such a being. Sister Aria's constant attempts to baptize him always failed, he didn't have faith in a person who turned his back on people. To top it all off, he had an object which served proof of God's power with him.
Even now, always by his side. Its useful features were the reason he hadn't thrown it away.
"Well, look at that," Aria exclaimed. "We've reached the end of the line."
Naruto reached for the doorknob and was about to walk out, but Aria's next words stopped him.
"I'm sorry, Ruto." The blond turned to look at her. "I'm sorry for what happened to you. No child deserves the fate you had. Maybe if they lived-"
"They're dead, and don't apologize. You weren't there that day," Naruto cut her off. "And besides, it was my fault. All of it. Take care, Sister Aria."
"Do come and visit me sometime," she said with a smile. "You were an adorable child."
"We'll see."
"Promise me, Ruto." Sister Aria was not letting him off the hook that easily. "Promise me."
"I'll try," Naruto stopped for a while looking at the frail old woman. Nostalgia tugged at his heart and he laid a small kiss on her cheek. "Take care of yourself."
"Oh I will, Kara's there with me at all times," the nun said, he nodded.
"Goodbye," Naruto got out and was speeding towards his car. He went in and ignited the engine. It hummed to life and he was driving out of Downtown, the broken place for the forgotten ones. He…he didn't even know why he was doing this. Oh right, because he was selfish. The blond wanted that normalcy, but shame, guilt and memories would never let him have that.
'You're never going to have a normal life. Half of it was your fault, you fucking idiot.' Naruto said to himself. Getting home and writing some smut would probably distract him.
It was late noon and he arrived sooner than he thought. Opening the garage door in the backside of his house, he parked it and was planning to go through the backdoor. Unfortunately, he felt someone standing near his apartment door. Naruto knew who it was and stepped out of the garage, locking it. He walked up the staircase and saw Akeno standing there.
Strangely enough, her violet eyes seemed a bit down. He could see the worrisome expression on her face.
"You're here again."
"I heard you left early." Akeno said. Naruto eyed the lunchbox in her hand. She then brought it up, "This is for you."
Naruto took the box. "Thanks."
"We're going to be hunting a Stray tonight."
"A stray what? Cat?" Naruto asked. It may seem out of place, but he truly wished there wasn't a demon cat here as well. He had enough Tora for one lifetime.
"Stray Devil." Akeno clarified. She smiled a bit. "Do you want to come over?"
A woman was offering him to hunt some demons. He sighed, "As tempting as it sounds, I'll pass. I have a shop to maintain."
"It would've been a good experience." The black haired girl said. "Sorry I couldn't make it to lunch today, I was busy with something else."
"I figured." Naruto said. He was honestly surprised she wasn't present at class today. She did have a life outside of just meeting up with him. Though, it was kind of weird not having her around today, especially since he started talking with her more.
"I have an idea," she chirped. That smile on her face was so beautiful. "How about I help you out tomorrow at the shop?"
"What?" Naruto asked.
"I can help you at the store tomorrow."
"I don't need help."
"Well, you don't have a choice."
He sighed, a bit mentally tired today. "Fine, 11'O clock. Don't be late, and I'm not paying."
"No problem~" she sang, Naruto knew she was doing this to get on her nerves. It was a game between them. Sadly, she won more than him. He was about as talkative as a brick wall and some of the things she said, surprised him. Then without warning she stepped forward and looked straight at his face —very closely. The intensity in her eyes was something to behold.
"What are you looking at?"
"Oh nothing," Akeno said, warmth present in her voice. "You, Naruto-kun. Just you." She said goodbye and left quicker than he thought.
He shook his head and planned to prepare a clone to follow her. This 'Stray Devil' business sounded interesting and he needed more info on the Peerage. Naruto didn't even realize, he was smiling a bit as he entered his house.
"Crazy woman."
xXxXx—ADM—xXxXx
Author's Notes II: Yeah, not my best chapter but I assure you this wasn't filler. So please don't go around labeling this as one; the entire chapter was deeper insight into the three main characters and I hope all of you enjoyed it. I'm not going to write about the Stray Devil thing cause that bit is going to follow canon. Also, I wrote this whole damn thing on a phone, so mistakes are bound to happen. I'll fix them later, I promise. PS: I read this recently amazing new fic, it's based on Doki-Doki Literature Club, make sure to play that little acid trip of a visual novel. The fic's name is "Just" by BigE2955; it's a good read. Don't forget to review the fic! Sorry I didn't reply to a lot of them this time. I was busy and I rarely log in anymore. Take care people.