Welcome back, everyone. This chapter's going to be a bit of a cooldown from the last one involving some fluff and foreshadowing…and a few surprise encounters. Oh, and some canon-meddling.
I do not own anything.
Fox Tails and Whirlpools
Chapter 18 - Nameless Angel and Fallen Angel Pt. 1
"You go start making breakfast, I'll see him." Whispered the human Master, only to be met by a catty smirk from his Servant-turned-wife.
"Oh no, right now, he needs the soft encouragement of his mother, besides this will be good practice for you in making pancakes." Coolly shot back the fox-eared woman, her equally fox tail wagging behind her.
Hakuno raised a lone eyebrow while continuing to smirk and keep his voice barely above a whisper. "Challenging my cooking, are you? You know that's going to cost you."
Tamamo merely looked back to her Master with an equally daring smile. Neither of them had any real intention of continuing the battle, nor did they care who won it. Giggling, she grabbed him by the hand and led him out of the bedroom and down the stairs. The closer they got, the more clearly they could hear it - the sound of their son practicing in the backyard.
Both Master and Servant knew it was the battle with Okada that had awoken Naruto's fighting spirit-no, perhaps it was more accurate to say it had further stroked it. Since then, he'd begun to more earnest practice his fighting skills whenever time allowed him to do so. Tamamo would rather have liked it if her son hadn't seen her do battle with another Servant. In fact, she could still hardly believe that Naruto had managed to elude her attention. Then again, he was a fox like her, and she'd been rather focused on killing the opponent before her. In the end, she was simply glad that the young blond had managed to avoid the fierce crossfire exchanged during the battle. Hakuno honestly didn't blame Naruto for wanting to see his adoptive mother fight; admittedly, watching Tamamo do battle had become one of his favorite things to see.
She was the one that Naruto was mimicking, or trying to anyway. He was a long way off from her refined and graceful movements, what with his barely muted grunts and wails as he pounded at the wooden practice dummy they'd set up in the backyard. Hist fists and legs slammed against the stuffed dummy again and again in a mad beat without any sort of rhythm. It was admittedly good…for someone his age. From a single glance, one could tell that Naruto was a brawler by nature and he'd likely grow up into one, albeit hopefully one who knew how to use his brain as well as his fists. Tamamo secretly vowed she'd make sure the whisker-faced boy who think as well as he could fight, so too had Hakuno.
Suddenly, the rush of physical blows came to a halt as the whisker-faced boy still in his pajamas kicked off of the training dummy with a jump kick that landed him back several feet. His hands went through a series of hand signs, ending with his mouth open and inhaling visible whiffs of air. From their place behind the wall, Hakuno and Tamamo tensed.
"Wind Style-Air Bullet!"
The blast was strong, and so too was the kickback.
"A-Ah! M-Mom?!" Exclaimed the shocked seven-year-old, staring at the fox-eared woman who held him in her arms. The shock faded fast as the pieces came together in his young mind. "Um, h-how long were you and dad watching me?"
"Mm, just for the last three minutes. Quite impressive, but you've still got a long way to go before you're fit for fighting." Chided the Servant, placing the boy back on his feet and ruffling his hair.
"H-Hey! Can I get some credit!? Look at what I did to that practice dummy! I totaled it!" Defended the young jinchūriki, pointing his finger at the practice dummy, or what was left of it. His air-based attack had knocked the target clean off of its wooden mast, a nice-sized hole in its stomach area making it resemble a flatten straw pancake. "One day, that's going to be anyone who tries to come at me!"
"Maybe, if they're standing absolutely still and are weak to blunt-force attacks." Quipped Hakuno, standing beside his wife with a disinterested stare on his face.
To his credit, Naruto picked up on the sarcasm. Fast. "Dad! Come on, you're supposed to be helping me like mom is!" Cried the blue-eyed child, waving his arms about while Tamamo giggled. A part of her wanted to give her husband a mock scolding, but one quick glance told her that there wasn't any need to.
The blonde's flailing came to a quick stop as he felt the older male's hand fall atop of his head. One thing Naruto had learned was that the palms of his adoptive parents carried two distinctive feelings that well represented their personalities. His mother's palm was always warm and welcoming, like the soft heat of the sun upon one's face. In contrast, his father's were more…soothing, often bringing raging emotions to a stand-still and replacing them with a translucent calm. Furthering the feeling were his eyes, always warm and inviting, but also kindly telling him to stop and listen to what he had to say. That's exactly what Naruto decided to do.
"What you do was impressive, for a schoolyard brawl." Hakuno began. "But you can't remain at that level forever, you certainly won't be able to graduate from the academy with it. If you got about wailing like that with all your might, you will do three things: tire yourself out, provide an opening for your enemy…and look kind of stupid while doing it. Trust me on that last one, it's especially bad if you're trying to show off for someone." He was glad that he'd grown used to Tamamo's giggles enough he could ignore them. And that Naruto was too focused on him to take much notice of her.
"B-But how do I get people to watch me? And think I'm awesome or strong?" Pressed the young Uzumaki.
"By focusing on the task at hand. Until you get to a certain level of skill and strength, you can't afford to spend your time thinking about who's watching you or what they might think." Calmly replied the Wizard. His hand moved from his golden spikes to his chest, where his middle and index finger stopped at his center. "Sometimes, what's in here can only be shown through actions, not just words. If people are watching closely, they'll see that, and respond to it more than they will you just shouting at the top of your lungs." There was a pause as Hakuno's hand rose back up, stopping at the blonde's forehand. "Of course, there are times when words can do a lot. In fact, sometimes they can get you places your fists can't." The brown-haired teen's lips twisted into a smile. "Confusing, isn't it?"
Naruto's frown spoke volumes. "Yeah, it is. I mean, I sorta get what you're saying, a little bit. But…how do I know which is which?"
"That is something you'll have to learn as you grow older and advance in life." Interjected the pink-haired woman. "When to use words and when to use action, those are things you're going to have to discover for yourself, Naruto."
The couple could tell that he didn't fully understand their words, but he now at least had them in his head where they'd remain and be mulled over until he could. That was the best they could ask for - planting a seed and hoping that one day it would sprout into a splendid flower.
That was the future though, for now, they were going to focus on the present. "Say, Naruto, how about you head inside and set the table for breakfast? I'll be right behind you in a second." Hakuno said, causing the boy's mood to brighten.
A smile on his face, Naruto raced from his father's embrace back into the home, his feet pounding against the floorboards as he did so. Barely a minute later and a light-colored fox trotted along the floor after the blonde. The familiar looked to the couple with a neutral stare before yipping and following after its young charge.
"You know, I think that familiar you made for him has taken a liking to him." Hakuno noted.
There was barely any reaction on his part as he suddenly found his neck encircled by his loving wife, her assets pressed up against his chest. Hakuno was glad that Naruto was now busy in the kitchen. It was ten years too early for him to see stuff such as this. And he wasn't quite ready to have "the talk" until he'd at least grown some facial hair. "It isn't surprising, he's a kind and innocent boy, one who will grow up into a fine kitsune of his own one day. Before then, he'll do all the things kids his age should be able to do - have fun, be spoiled, and go off to school. Leaving his parents all by their lonesome." Added the gold-eyed woman with a seductive smile.
Hakuno could feel a sweat drop forming on the back of his head. "Tamamo, the store."
"Oh, our customers can wait an hour…or two. Besides, I need my nourishment just as much as them." Answered back the Servant. Behind her, Tamamo's animalistic tail began to sway back and forth in a familiar pattern, she was signaling him. She was no rubbing herself against him; should Naruto have chosen to come back at the moment, he would have caught both of his adoptive parents in a rather…compromising scene. Tamamo didn't seem to worried about that, perhaps on account of the fact that they'd done this dance countless times before. She had become a master at it, and so too, for better or for worse, had Hakuno.
"While you may be right about our customers…I don't think the same came to be said for Lord Hokage and the council." Declared the human. Immediately, the Caster's face dropped.
Wearing the same deadpan expression, she directed her attention to her left, where she saw a brown-furred monkey perched atop the fence. Attached to its back was a holster containing a scroll in it.
Tamamo raised a single hand, made a gun-motion with her finger and let fly a single bolt of pure solar energy. Expectedly, a fearful shriek left the summoned animal as it scrambled to get out of the way. Where it once stood now rose a column of smoke with cinders cascading onto the grassy ground.
"Caster." Groaned Hakuno with a painted smile.
The Servant grunted, and snorted as the monkey regained its bearings and began an angry rant against her.
"Hey, hey, sorry about that." Offered the brown-haired teenager, lowering himself down so he was almost eye-level with the animal. "How about I whip you up something to eat? Afterwards, we'll be there for the meeting and you'll have a nice full stomach, sound like a deal?" A human hand was stretched out and met by a small and furry palm, a happy series of chirps and oohs going along with it. In a heartbeat, the monkey messenger scrambled up Hakuno's arm and found a temporary home on his shoulder, much to the annoyance of the fox-eared woman.
"Maaaster! You're being too nice again!"
"Personally, I blame you for making me weak to all things cute and furry." Shot back the human in a sing-song voice. "Come on! You don't want this little guy to be the first one to sample my all-new super delicious blueberry pancakes, do you?"
"EEK!"
And so it was breakfast at the Kishinami household was joined by a new member, one barely the length of either of the senior's arms yet possessing all the quickness of the wind. Needless to say, the youngest member of the household was quite enthralled by the guest, who mirrored his fascination. As for the mistress of the house? Well, that was a different story. Naruto caught her near venomous glares that his adoptive mother shot at the monkey but never bothered to question them. Nor did he question why his father would continuously smirk at her pouty face and his curious expression.
I guess…this is what having a family is like. Happily concluded the young blonde as he continued to tear into his stack of pancakes. He was going to be needing all the energy he could get for the day.
"So, how are you holding up after…you know?"
Several weeks ago, it would have been considered downright insane to suggest that Sasuke Uchiha would be openly interacting with Naruto Uzumaki, the village outcast. Not only was Uchiha child interacting with him, but their talks had become an almost daily occurrence, as had talks between the blonde and several other clan heirs and such. A spot had been found - the old swing set that Naruto himself frequented when he first began going to school at the academy. No one, not even Kiba, ever dared to sit in the wooden set for reasons none of them could ever identify, and in the case of some like Shikamaru, chose not to dwell on. It was Naruto's seat, the one place he'd been able to claim for his own at the academy in spite of the disdain the student and teacher body showed him. Or most of them nowadays.
Naruto looked at the dark-haired boy with a questioning stare. "I'm doing okay. I mean, we really don't talk about it much. At the very least, my parents weren't angry with me. Were yours?"
There was a shrug of shoulders, "Well, they were pretty nervous. My mom made me promise to never do something like that again."
"I don't know why she was so angry with you." Sakura chirped in. "Wasn't it originally Naruto's idea to follow them into the forest?"
"Hey! It's not like we got hurt or anything!" Quickly defended the whisker-faced boy.
"Yeah, but what you did was still pretty reckless." Shikamaru added with a yawn. A moment later and his back was laid flat against the grass, the late spring sun shining overhead. "Still, you guys got to see a pretty high-level battle which I'm sure kept you both up at night, so I guess it was worth it."
"What kind of jutsu did you say your folks used? Naruto, you said your mom used-"
"Water style!" Exclaimed the former orphan with a wide grin. "She was super cool in using it! She could have beat Okada hands-down if the fight had gone on a little longer!"
"With my dad's help." Snapped back Sasuke, crossing his arms. "Your mom was backing my dad up, and that's how they were able to win the fight."
The assembled kids shut paused as the two boys locked eyes in what was shaping up to be yet another glaring contest. Though many would say that friendship was blooming between the two, it was obvious there was a growing rivalry laced in there as well. Naturally, most leaned towards Sasuke holding the led, which he planned on validating in the afternoon once the time came for sparring practice. That said, the blond underground still had his supporters, albeit of the quiet and reserved kind.
"Um, wasn't the fight interrupted? Or at least, that's what I heard." Spoke Chōji, looking between the two boys. Their harden glare dropped as they recalled how exactly the confrontation with the Manslayer had ended. It served as a gateway to remind them of just how off-track the entire afternoon had gone.
Sasuke was the first to concede, in a sense. "Yeah, well…my dad's super-secret jutsu was still stronger! As a Uchiha, one day, I will use that same jutsu to crush anyone who gets in my way!"
"Yeah right. 'Sasuke Uchiha, shooting lightning out of his fingertips,' that'll be the day!" Naruto snorted.
A knot formed on the boy's forehead. "Shooting lightning is cooler than wind! Besides, in terms of elements, I've got you beat!"
"Yeah! Sasuke, wait a second." Sakura started, looking between the two boys. "What do you mean? Elements?"
"They're talking about chakra affinities." Explained the still laying down Shikamaru. "I heard my dad talk about them, they're-"
"Every ninja possesses an affinity for one of five chakra natures - fire, wind, water, earth, and lightning." Naruto cut off, doing his best to look as focused as possible. "Sasuke's chakra nature is fire…and mine is wind." Suddenly, the blonde's face lit up. Quickly, he jumped off of the swing and made for his schoolbag, its front decorated by a cartoonish fox logo. He returned with several sheets of paper. "Here! Let's see what kind of chakra nature you guys have!"
"Huh?" Exclaimed the pink-haired girl. "Naruto, where did you get these?"
"I brought them from my house! Come on, let's see what kind of elements you guys can use!"
Sakura was the first to take one of the sheets of paper in hand. She was obviously nervous. This was her first time learning of chakra natures and the like. If she had to guess, Naruto's "home studying" had been a far bigger boon than anyone had previously thought. Yet, she didn't feel as embarrassed as she should have as the "demon child" gave her a quick lecture on how to channel chakra into the sheets with Sasuke helping. Admittedly, she did blush as the black-haired boy walked over and placed his hands against hers to help her focus. She suddenly didn't mind spending the whole morning by the swing set and tree.
The kids' ears buzzed as they heard the paper began to crack and crumble away like dirt scooped from the ground. Sakura's face morphed into one of panic and she would have dropped the sheet had Sasuke not kept his grip on her hands, calming her.
"Huh, so you've got an earth affinity."
"I-I-I've heard of that. E-E-Earth c-can b-be used to manipulate rocks and stones, a-a-and I-I've heard that s-some c-can even create whole mountains." It was the first time that Hinata Hyūga spoke since the "morning meeting" began.
"Really! That's awesome! Sakura, I knew you were going to grow up into a super-strong kunoichi!" Exclaimed Naruto, much to the dismay of the blue-haired Hyūga.
In spite of the excitement from the blond, Sasuke noticed the downtrodden expression on the pink-haired girl's face. "Sakura? What's wrong? You were hoping for a different affinity?"
Somewhat nervously, she withdrew her hands, though a part of her would have liked to continue to feel the Uchiha's palms against her hands. "N-No, i-it's nothing. Just…nothing! Who's next? Chōji! Let's see what chakra nature you have!"
To be entirely honest, none of the assembled kids were all that surprised when much like Sakura, the Akimichi Clan heir's sheet turned to dark and began to crumble away.
"You know," began Sasuke. "I'm not all that surprised."
"I think it's a good thing." Spoke up the round-faced boy with a small smile. "I'm not really…as fast as you guys. In fact, I don't think I'll ever be fast like most other ninja. Instead, I can probably focus on being like a mountain - big and strong."
Naruto smiled seeing the acceptance of the larger boy. His mouth opened as he turned to the Akimichi's best friend.
"No."
"Come on, Shikamaru!" He pressed. "Aren't we all sharing here?"
"Then do Hinata next. Ladies first and all that, right?" Fired back the Nara heir.
Expectedly, the pale-eyed girl yelped in shock as Naruto turned his full attention at her, his hand shot out presenting one of the paper sheets to her. Nervousness gripped her by the throat and made her reach out incredibly slow; thankfully, Naruto didn't seem to mind too much. The sheet shook in Hinata's eyes as she focused what little chakra she had into the paper. Little more than a second later and a reaction was garnered from the other four children.
"W-What?!"
"W-Wow!"
"Awesome!"
"Well, can't say I'm surprised. Your name does mean the sun after all." Shikamaru noted before laying his upper body back against the grass.
It was quite a reaction for such a light flame, barely the size of a candle. Shocked by all the attention as well as the small flame, Hinata dropped the sheet of paper to the ground, where the flame quickly began to spread along the grass. Naturally, the other kids began to panic as the fire grew. Naruto acted fast, stomping the small fire out with his own hands.
"I-I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! It was an accident!" Stammered the Hyūga heir, stepping back and repeatedly bowing her head again and again. She was sure the scream of anger was about to come next.
Instead, her fellow future dōjutsu user spoke first. "So she can use fire too, she still won't be as good as me." Sasuke haughtily declared, puffing his chest out.
That quickly caught Naruto's attention. "Hey! Who says Hinata won't be as good as you at Fire Style?"
Sasuke returned Naruto's glare. "Because I'm a Uchiha, everyone knows we Uchiha are the best fire-users in the whole village!"
"But you guys aren't the only ones." Noted Shikamaru. "There's the Sarutobi Clan, they're good fire-users too."
"Yeah! Besides, I've seen my mom use fire attacks too, and they're pretty strong!" Added Naruto, boldly stepping up. "If she can do it then so can Hinata! In fact, I bet that one day she'll be even better at that Fireball Jutsu than you!"
The Hyūga looked on in shock, and amazement at the passionate defense the former orphan was providing for her. Just like the same day they'd met each on when they began going to school together. It took a slight dent as she looked back over and saw the building agitation in Sasuke's eyes. He looked ready to fight with the blond for his insinuation. Sparing a quick glance down at the blackened patch of grass, Hinata couldn't help but wish that she'd had a different affinity, like water or wind like Naruto.
"Ah-hem, such things can be figured out at a later date, preferably after you've all learned a little more about chakra affinities and natures. Those, as happy as I am to learn that you're all are studied outside of class, I can teach you all just fine if you will sit down and listen."
An invisible sigh of relief left escaped the Hyūga, and the other three children. Together, they all looked back to find the scar-faced chunin standing behind them. His face was not one of anger, in fact, they could see hints of jubilation on his face. His hands clapped together, catching their attention.
"Class begins in two minutes." Iruka simply said and watched the reactions of four of the five children, the scrambled as fast as they could for the door leaving one behind. He wasn't all that surprised that Naruto stood where he was a moment longer and took his time. "Something on your mind?"
"I just…I never thought I'd be spending a morning like this, talking with friends. It's…well…it's weird." Admitted the young jinchūriki, ducking his head. "A part of me is scared that I'm going to do something and…make it all go away, like a dream or something. I didn't drive off Sasuke, did I?"
"No, no." Calmly assured the older ninja, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Naruto, what Sasuke felt was pride as a Uchiha. Believe me, it's one trait that comes naturally to them. That said, he also wants to see you and maybe even Hinata challenge him. Friends, family, and rivals, they don't just use kind words to encourage you, they do so in a number of ways. One way is by just standing up to them when their head starts to get a little big. You'll understand one day when you're older."
Naruto pouted. "My parents said the same thing."
"Because it's true, you're still a kid so we as adults have to tell you this stuff so you can think about it growing up. That's how you learn."
The blonde's mouth opened to speak, but a distant voice called out to both of them.
"Naruto! Hurry up and get your butt in here! You too, Iruka, you've got a class to teach!" Came the voice of the white-haired academy instructor.
"C-Coming Mizuki-sensei!" Naruto yelled, suddenly sprinting across the grass with his teacher following after him.
"H-Hey, y-you're a teacher too, you can start class yourself, you don't need me to do it for you!" Shouted Iruka, causing his best friend to laugh in amusement at his statement.
"This…Alecto certainly sounds like quite a piece of work." Huffed Tsume Inuzuka, looking over the hand-written files on the former doctor turned mad scientist. She was somewhere between disgusted and slightly impressed. "An army of undead creatures that she can set loose whenever she pleases, wonderful. As if we didn't already have enough problems."
The feral woman had spoken for a good majority of the assembled men and women that sat around the circular wooden table. Before them lay a set of files handwritten by the brown-haired teenager, the only one below the age of twenty in the entire assembly.
When they first met Hakuno Kishinami, many found it hard to believe such a young man could possibly be worth so much talk, even if he did fall from the sky. But in one way or another, they'd all come to see with their own eyes that the brown-haired teenager held just as much wisdom and intelligence as the clan leaders, many seasoned war veterans themselves. As they all looked into his honey-colored eyes, they could see that though seemingly young, Hakuno had lived a long and…interesting life, a life that had granted him many things. One such thing was fine handwriting, and at such speed that several found it hard to believe the multi-stacked reports they were reading had been written by hand. And in less than three hours.
The Third Hokage made a mental note to ask if the boy could teach him the secret behind such skill…or if the teenager's wife was willing to loan him out for a day or two.
Said wife was looking less than pleased at having to be back in the meeting chamber, yet she'd thrown her all into looking and speaking as politely and helpfully as possible. She knew better than most of them that the sudden attack on the Hidden Grass Village affected her, that its consequences would be far-reaching.
A heavy sigh escaped Hakuno's lips as he saw that a majority of the assembly had finished reading up on Alecto and Caligula. "She's not evil, she's just…she just wants to see her husband again."
"Be that as it may, the lengths she's willing to go to make her a threat to not just us, but the rest of the Five Great Nations as well, and in more ways than one." Countered Fugaku. Resurrecting the dead, the deed went against the laws of nature…but Fugaku had learned over his ninja career that there was a jutsu for all manners of heinous purposes. Even violating the natural order. "If she believes that such a method may lie in the village, she may turn her sights on us, we have to be ready for that."
"From what I gather, she already has the means to resurrect her husband, taken from the Hidden Grass Village." Spoke up Danzō Shimura. His words dropped like an icy avalanche, making a quick and merciless descending upon an innocent village. Several sets of eyes darted toward the crippled man. They were not happy, but being the recipient of such looks was nothing new for the one-eyed ninja. "As it stands, the Hidden Grass Village has been crippled, thus we must also see it as a liability due to its crippled status."
"Not completely," Challenged Chandler. He now knew why Tamamo and Hakuno told him to be wary of the cycloptic elder. The man gave off too many bad vibes for him to feel safe around. "Currently, Damon and Munisai are keeping watch over the village."
"And they are…" Inquired Shikaku Nara. "You mentioned them before, Hakuno, Tamamo, but who are they?"
"Friends, good and dependable friends." Hakuno spoke up, looking each assembly member dead in the eye. In their own way, they'd all acknowledged that the true worth of the seventeen-year-old was found in his eyes. Honey-colored orbs that were either warm and comforting as a candle flame…or as cold and focused as a blade. The former only came out when the topic matter was grave, and in this case it was. "Damon Wyss, he's a doctor so I can tell you all right now he won't leave until every person in the Hidden Grass Village has been treated. His Servant, Shinmei Munisai, is a Saber, one of the best swordsmen around."
"He was called 'Unrivaled Under the Sun' for good reason." Tamamo added, her gaze equally as sharp as her husband's. "Though a stingy man, he will follow Damon's every command, and Damon will order him to stand watch over this village until it is safe. So long as they remain there, the Hidden Grass Village will be secure as he's quite dependable…unlike the man-child we've been saddled with."
"Why you, stupid fox! Do you want me to come over there and cut you down!" Screeched the Assassin, jumping to his feet with an angry knot on his forehead.
"Seeing as how you failed to cut down a single mad emperor with little to no fighting ability, I can't say I'm scared." Flicked off the pink-haired Caster.
Several openly groaned as they prepared themselves for what was looking to be another verbal spat between the witch and the Manslayer. The first time the two had engaged one another, they got the feeling they were witnessing the start of a trend. It was looking like their suspicions were right.
Knowing what was to come, Hakuno and Chandler grabbed at their respective Servants. The two shot a quick venomous glare at one another before withdrawing. Seeing it, Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed out a sigh of relief. Honestly, is every Master-Servant relationship like this, or is it that these two just have such bad chemistry it takes their Masters to keep them restrained? Something in his gut told him it was the latter.
"Moving on, I believe it's time we addressed this…what was it you called it?" Spoke Homura, raising a file with a family-like emblem at the header. In his other hand was a document containing a cross in the same place.
"The Basilone Family mafia…and the Cross Bearer Unit." Huffed the teenager. "Which one would you all like to hear about first?"
Fugaku snapped at the question like a fish on a lure. "This crime family."
Maybe it had something to do with the fact that he worked in law enforcement. Hakuno looked visibly displeased at having to discuss the Basilone Family, but resigned himself none the same. His hands reached out projecting a holographic display of his homeworld. Italy was highlighted. "They come from a country called Italy, it's on the same continent as Chandler's homeland of French." Sparing the Frenchman a side glance, he found him silently asking to take the floor. Hakuno was all too happy to let him do so.
"The Italian mafia, in our world, was a band of criminal families much like what you all have to deal with here." The green-eyed Wizard started. "You can all look over the finer details yourselves, but they were extremely dangerous, and among them, the Basilones ranked quite highly…but they weren't in the top five. Not before Hakuno came along."
"Nor are they a threat we need to worry about." Tamamo interjected, causing a ruckus amongst the assembly. She ignored her husband's wide-eyed gaze. "Originally, the Basilones were under the thumb of another mafia family, one of foreign origin, the Scladio Family."
"Past tense." Noted Hisashi Hyūga.
Chandler shot the pale-eyed man a quick glance before answering his question. "The Scladio Family were the most powerful mafia in the real world and Moon Cell, ruling several other smaller and weaker families with iron fists. Needless to say, some of those families weren't all that happy with serving them so when the opportunity to break away came, they took it." Sitting upright, he fixed his fellow Master with a hard stare. "Thanks to Hakuno, an opportunity for them to gain their freedom arose. He killed one of the heads of the Scladio Family, Bazdilot Cordelion."
It took all of the teenager's restraint to keep from face-palming, and cursing, as several eyes darted toward him. Murmurs broke out, murmurs he could hear.
"This boy killed a crime boss?! How?!"
"Good looks and capability? Remind me, why is this boy still stuck in the civilian sector?!"
"It appears this child is far more capable and dangerous than we thought."
He could see that it was no use. Casting a sideways glare at Tamamo, he was met with an apologetic frown.
I'm sorry, Master, I really am. She began, slipping her hand against his and giving him a squeeze. But they have to know, I want them to know. You're not just this kind young man, you're the Winner of the Moon Cell Holy Grail War, you're a man who challenged gods and won, you're the one who was chosen by the moon. You're…you're…you're incredible. You're a hero.
There was no way he could fight her eyes. Glancing across the table, he saw that Chandler was giving him a similar look. It was either the truth comes out now or later on. Hakuno decided that they were right, better off now than later.
"Through a very complicated series of events, I ended up aligned with the Basilone Family, their don, their boss, Maurizo is an…old…" His face visibly contorted as he tried to figure out the best way to describe his relationship with the mafia don. It wasn't like he wanted people to know he was friends with gangsters, especially since these people were the parents of his son's friends. The last thing he wanted was for them to get the wrong idea. "He and I made an alliance to bring down Bazdilot since our interests aligned. I fought him in battle…and I killed him."
"Correction," Chandler snorted. "You punched his heart out and crushed it."
"WHAAAT?!" Screeched nearly the entire chamber, jaws dropping and eyes widening.
Hakuno threw up both his hands. "Look, I fought him, he kicked my ass, then I beat him! No big deal!"
"How exactly do you spend your time if you consider punching people's hearts out not to be a big deal?!" Screamed one of the civilian council members.
Tamamo clicked her tongue. "When you live the life we do, such matters tend to become shall we say, weekend affairs."
Ignoring his Servant's statement, Hakuno continued on, his muscles already aching as he recalled the memory. "Afterwards, Maurizo said he…owed me a few favors. It's because of me they were able to make it to the Central Core of the Moon Cell and were caught up in the warp." The teen's shoulders sagged and his eyes were overshadowed by shame. "It's my fault they're here, that they attacked the Blood Prison and-"
"The prisoners of Hōzuki Castle were the worst of the Five Great Nations." Interrupted Fugaku, looking the teenager directly in the eye. The sudden eye-contact stunned the younger man. "Their loss will not be mourned, but it will be noticed. One of the favors this crime boss owed you…was one of them…a truce?"
"He's scared of my Master, Mister Fugaku." Tamamo spoke up, grabbing everyone's attention. "While Maurizo is a man of some worth…when it comes to those with stronger wills, he will always back down, even if he has a strong wind at his back. That is precisely why when it came to battling the Scladio Family he let my husband all the hard work. Still, recognizing that he agreed that he was in our debt that he would keep his family and associates off of our backs."
Danzō glared at the fox-eared woman. "And you expect us to take that fact as a reason not to be concerned?"
The Caster's glare turned sharp, literally as her eyes narrowed into slits. "I am saying that while he may be a criminal who killed hundreds, he possesses some sense of honor. That honor will stay his hand as he knows that we have taken residence in this village. Not to mention, Maurizo likely has several other threats to contend with. One who lives such a dangerous life tends to garner enemies on multiple sides."
"Something I'm assuming you and your Master know quite well." Coolly fired back Danzō.
A blaze of golden light exploded from Tamamo, knocking back several, and terrifying the others. Quickly, the formerly pleasantly-temperature room became a blistering inferno. At the heart of it stood a close-kneed figure with eyes that burned like the sun. Lungs and muscles tightened and bodies were made ready to move at a moment's notice.
"Tamamo, please."
Quickly as it was born, the blaze died; it was soothed by the serene man who stood right beside it, not a bead of sweat on his body. It was just as interesting to behold as the sudden eruption.
"Now then, I think it's time we moved onto the other party that was at the prison last night, and believe me, they're arguably more dangerous than the Basilone Family." Hakuno began, looking as calm and placid as if nothing were out of the ordinary. "Everyone, the second group, the Cross Bearer Unit, they're a group of militant priests who are a part of an organization known as the Church in our world. A religious organization charged with maintaining order-"
"In their own demented view." Snorted Okada.
"By means of any means necessary, including murder and assassination. As for their Servants…" There was a quick sigh, Hakuno twisted his fingers causing the holographic globe to reconfigure into a winged humanoid. "Does anyone here believe in heaven?"
"Mikooon! If I'd know this meeting was going to be this tense then I would have suggested we just take our odds in skipping it!"
Hakuno laughed at his wife's comically annoyed face. His gaze was directed toward the unseen third member of their group. "Mister Kakashi, is there something on your mind? I know you didn't follow us outside during our break just because you wanted to spend time with us. Or were you just hoping to nap some of my wife's meals for yourself?"
"Oh, like you even have to ask, Mister Kakashi, I heard that you managed to upstage that sorry-excuse for a samurai! That's enough to make me prepare a full-course meal just for you!" Shouted the Caster with a carefree smile.
In a haze of wind and leaves, the masked Anbu right beside them. He still carried several signs of his injuries from the previous night as evident to the struggle he'd endured. One certainly couldn't find fault in that given the nightmarish mess that the previous night had turned into for all those involved. "Just Kakashi is fine, neither of you need to use the honorifics. By the way, thank you for the talismans, they came in great help."
"But of course!" Happily hoisting one such charm with visible pride. "Slaying the King of Werewolves, that's going to carry on quite a ways amongst us Servants. I believe you're the first mortal in this world to do such a thing."
"Not sure I want that kind of attention." Replied the silver-haired ninja as a pleasant wind passed by the rooftop.
"I understand the feeling." Spoke the brown-haired teen, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Sadly, it's what you've been saddled with so best try to make so use of it. I hear you've already got quite a reputation so this is just going to add to it, be prepared." After a short pause, he turned back to the open blue sky before them. "How are you holding up after that?"
"Fighting werewolves certainly wasn't how I pictured on spending my night, but it's definitely not something I'm going to be forgetting. I already know from here on out things are only going to get wilder." Silently, the Anbu produced the silver dagger that caught the attention of both Master and Servant. "I ran into an Archer named Tristan who asked for me to deliver a message to you two, 'Though he wields the power of the Great Bull, Maurizo still cowers before the majesty of the moon'."
Quietly, the war veteran watched the human and Servant exchange a long and intense look between one another. It ended with Tamamo smugly crossing her arms, looking quite pleased with herself. In return, the brown-haired youth hung his head in what Kakashi knew was defeated annoyance.
"I'm assuming this had something to do with the crime family that was mentioned during the meeting, doesn't it?"
Tamamo gave him a sideways smirk. "So, you were listening in on the conversation. My, my, it seems Mister Sarutobi does indeed place a good deal of trust in you, which is warranted." She knew that the meeting chamber wasn't as sealed as it was supposed to be. In fact, she knew that several covert operatives were stationed above them listening in on every word. Personally, Tamamo found it amusing. "Well, the meaning of the message confirms what I already thought, even with a powerful Servant at his back, Maurizo is still too scared to challenge my husband in any way, much less seek him out."
Upon hearing her words, the one-eyed ninja directed his gaze to his fellow human, who still had his hand facing his palm. "There's a real interesting story behind your association with this Basilone Family, isn't there?"
"It's not one I like telling, mostly I'm hoping none of this reaches Naruto." Sighed the seventeen-year-old. "There's so much that I'm not ready to tell him about until he's older, especially the…his…"
"He won't find out. Everything spoken in that chamber will remain there until the appropriate time." He wasn't good when it came to making people feel better, but when it came to the Kishinamis, Kakashi felt an obligation to at least try a little. He owed it to them for Naruto's sake.
Hakuno's head rose, a lone eye matching Kakashi's. "True, but whatever you may think, information always has a tendency to leak. Naruto's status as the host of the Nine-Tails was supposed to be top secret, but over half of the village's adult population knows about it."
"It's not like we have to think hard about who's responsible for that." Much like her Master's, Tamamo's voice had gone icy cold. It tended to whenever she spoke of the leader of Root. Kakashi couldn't find it in himself to say that her disdain was illogical. "That Danzō character…he is going to use this somehow, I can't quite explain it, but I can feel it in my bones."
"Same here." Added Hakuno, his eyes focused on an invisible threat in the distance. "When I asked what aid could be done for the Hidden Grass Village, he said that assistance was already on the way. I trust Damon to be able to pick up on something out of the ordinary…but until I can contact him, he's got no idea what to expect. Not to mention, there are still so many other variables unaccounted for."
"You two believe this is the calm before the storm?" Inquired the Anbu.
"Exactly, but where the storm is going to come from and what's it's going to look like…those are the things that scare me." Suddenly, the seventeen-year-old stood up, his face one of concentration and focus the likes of which only seasoned soldiers possessed. "Call it a hunch…but I have a feeling that something's coming, something big."
"Then let it come!" Declared the Caster, jumping up to join her husband. "We've faced monsters, demons, gods, and megalomaniacs before, and here we stand victorious! Should trouble come, it shall face us! The Victors of the Moon!"
"…Is she always this confident?" Measly asked the Anbu to which the teenager chuckled.
"You have no idea."
"Maaaster! I'm trying to build up some confidence!"
Cool warmth flooded through Tamamo's being as she took note for the first time the smile on her husband's face. She was sure it hadn't been there a second ago, but Tamamo wasn't complaining. The sight of it was too much for her, crying in delight, she threw her arms around the teenager, completely forgetting or perhaps not carrying that they were standing atop a rooftop almost a hundred and fifty feet above the ground. Not like the fall would bother either of them. Nor did she seem to care that their embrace had an audience of one.
Casting a sideways glance at the Anbu, Hakuno noted the thin smile that appeared beneath his mask. He chose not to say anything about it.
"Hey, Karna, do you think…this mirror will really be able to send us back home?"
Calmly opening his eyes, the white-haired Lancer fixed his Master with a neutral frown. Right now, she needed a more emotional response to reassure her of their current course of action. Sadly, such things were beyond Karna, though there were times he wish that weren't the case. "The Suisei-no-Kagami is said to have power surpassing that of this world's common ninjutsu so there is a possibility. Not to mention it is supposedly sealed away in such a faraway place. Such lengths would only be taken if it lived up to at least some of the stories."
Jinako let out a half-stiff, half-humorful laugh. The Lancer didn't show it, but he certainly felt happy at the gesture. Luckily, the brunette could feel it as well. It provided her more warmth than the fire burning at the heart of the cave did. "Y-You s-sound like Yasunao, the little bastard…but…if this works, I'll thank him once we get back home."
Out of the corner of her eyes, the half-German Master watched for her Servant's reaction. It went without saying that she was not a fan of this new world, primarily because as far as technology went, it was several leagues behind the one she and her fellow Masters had come from. And it was filled to the brim with a mixture of crazy people and scary people. Though on that note, it wasn't all that much different from her homeworld. Jinako tightened her grip on her blanket, a protective gesture she'd gotten into since their arrival in the Land of Snow. She never liked snow and ice growing up. One time too many she'd slipped and fell flat on her face in winter, and then there were her absolutely disastrous attempts at ice-skating. Thankfully, she had the son of Surya, the sun god, beside her.
Even if he was critically underpowered.
And he could barely fight longer than four minutes.
And they could run into enemies who could potentially steam-roll them in the blink of an eye.
And they had absolutely no back-up plan on if things went south.
"Master, may I speak?"
Drawn from her thoughts, Jinako looked up meeting her Servant's gaze. There once was a time when looking at him directly in the eye terrified the living hell out of her, but not anymore, not as often. "Y-Y-Yeah, w-w-whatever it is, g-g-get it off y-your chest now before we scale Death Mountain Ice-Edition tomorrow." She fired off, hoping not to look too flustered.
"Come what may, we will reach the summit of the mountain and claim the mirror."
Stunned, the glasses-wearing girl stared slack-jawed at the lance-wielding warrior. The sound of the crackling fire filled the spacious cave while outside the man-made curtain the snowstorm continued to blanket the mountainside.
"O-O-O-Of c-c-course w-w-we're going to make it to the top! I-I-I-I-If w-w-we don't t-t-then w-w-why t-t-the hell d-d-did we cross half a continent endure a shitty boat ride and track through hundreds of miles of snow and ice to get here!" Barked the Japanese-German girl, pointing an accusatory finger at her Servant. "W-W-Whatever's g-g-guarding the m-m-mirror, I-I-I fully expect y-you t-t-to b-b-be a-a-able t-to defeat it without any help unlike last time, g-g-got it!"
A ghost of a smile graced Karna's lips. Jinako bit her tongue in commenting on it. "As you say, Master. It will be done."
No sooner had he said the words did Jinako flip onto her side, her back facing him. Karna moved to snuff out the fire, allowing for her to have the darkness she needed to sleep when her voice cut him off. "Do you…want to stay here while I go back if this works?"
Her question didn't entirely catch him by surprise, but she chose a rather interesting time to ask it. Perhaps it was for the best though. "As your Servant, I go wherever you go."
"You're a warrior, I'm not! I'm…I'm a coward, Karna." There were tears at the lining her words, and trembles rocking her shoulders. "I-If t-this mirror can send us back then…I know what's waiting for me on the other side, b-but…what about you?"
"What I want is of no concern. I'm sure a spear." Came the Indian Servant's flat response.
"N…No, you're not, you're…you're…" Thankfully her front was hidden from his eyes, not that it was any good. Knowing Karna, he could see every move she made. He could see her clenching at her heart as if she were in pain. It was too much for her to bear for this night, on the eve of so much about to be attained or lost. "Just be ready for tomorrow, even if we end up having to fight your nephew."
"Understood." With gentle eyes, the Lancer watched Jinako's muscles relax and her trembling to cease. Within minutes, she was lightly snoring away the night. Since their arrival in this world of shinobi, she'd grown accustomed to sleeping in the wilderness as sure as she had slept in a normal bed. Those who knew Jinako Carigiri on a somewhat personal basis could say that had marked and improvement in her. She'd made it up an icy mountain and valley with very little complaining, and was ready to climb up an even higher mountain on the slim chance their quest would be successful. That took some level of courage.
As the human woman softly snored away the night, Karna turned his attention to the half-covered up door. "You can come out now, Aria. Thank you for waiting until we were finished talking."
There was a rush of heated air that filled up the cave. Silently, the Hindu warrior looked over the third occupant of their little shelter.
As always, Tamamo Aria's eyes were closed and her head hung low, giving the appearance that she was sleeping. There was not one drop of snow or moisture on her yellow-colored kimono, itself looking near-identical to the blue and white-trimmed outfit that the original Caster incarnation wore. Tensely, the Lancer-Servant waited as Aria's mouth stretched open in a yawn reveal her own canines, so much like a fox as befitting of her origin.
"At the top of the mountain, you shall find that which you seek, though its ownership shall be contested by the man who lives in his forefather's shadow…and the Tyrant of Flames."
Karna knew that Aria's predictions weren't going to be pleasant to hear, but at least hoped a smidge of luck would be on their side in attempting to make for the Suisei-no-Kagami. That hope had just been dashed. "So…Seijun…and Xiang Yu. Then this will be quite a battle."
"Only if her will to return out weights the flame that you and Hakuno have nurtured within her. Do you seek to know what lies beyond that?" Pressed the shut-eyed Alter Ego.
The offer was tempting, but Karna knew the dangers of vocalizing his desire. It wasn't for his sake, it was for Jinako's. Her safety was his primary concern, and would remain so until the foreseeable future. Which was funny since he was sitting in front of a person who could see the future, all possible futures. Which one that would pass depended on the actions of those living in the present such as his Master.
But did that include him? A Servant called from a bygone age?
"We do not belong here, yet here we are." To the pale-skinned Lancer's credit, he didn't jump at the Alter Ego's voice. "This land of snow and ice…tragedy greater than what was originally planned, but a savior will appear…yes, I see it. One who was outcast, but whose wind is kind. The Tyrant of Flames…his conquest will continue; ashes shall dance in his wake. His path…he shall collide with he who rages like the wind, his howling the cry of the reaper. He who wields the crimson-colored wind."
"Crimson-colored…" Suddenly, Karna's eyes widened into saucers. "No…no…No! Ashwatthama can't be here as well! He wasn't there when the-"
"Your arrogance shines like the rest of us, the sun embodied." Slurred the yellow-clad Servant. "This world…we do not belong, yet here we are, our presence…a plague, a curse."
Without missing a beat, the green-eyed Lancer shot to his feet and left the safety of the cave. Immediately, he was blasted by a wave of near sub-zero air. It wasn't like it had much effect on Karna. Even though he was barefoot of near ninety-eight-percent of his full power, what he had left was still strong enough for him to weather the cold of the icy mountains of the Land of Snow. He stopped at a ledge that overlooked said mountains. Such a serene sight, but it didn't make Karna reconsider his chosen course of action.
"Aria, I don't suppose you can…help me with this, can you?" Questioned the Hindu Servant, already knowing the answer. His eyes slid shut so his concentration could be at its maximum level. Karna knew he was going to need it.
"I am not Cat. This sort of hard labor is her department, not mine." Her response was a tad more sarcastic than he'd expected.
Instantly, all of the snow melted as the magnificent fur-like armor and circular garments of Kavacha appeared around him, their burning aura visible to the naked eye. Though it wouldn't be for long. Summoning the armor was at the moment, one of the highest feats that Karna could accomplish at the moment. A moment was all that he needed.
"GAAAARRRRGGGHHH!" Screeched the ancient warrior, his eyes enlarged and veins popping out of his skin, which was rapidly turning from pale white to sickly red. Waves of fire and lightning shot out in all directions as Karna continued to pull at the fur-like cloak. The flames were angry at the attempted separation, lashing out at their owner. Still, Karna continued.
Aria watched it all through shut eyes, her god-like senses registering every nerve firing in pain. It was only thanks to her that the Master-Servant connection, linking the screaming warrior and his Master was being disrupted. Jinako would be screaming alongside Karna if she could feel even an ounce of the agony he was putting himself through for her sake. For what felt like an eternity, the screaming dragged on before it finally came to an end.
Eyelids finally opened, revealing a pair of shimmering olden orbs whose light revitalized the severely weakened Lancer. "You…truly are the Hero of Charity, yet will your charity be enough to keep her alive?"
The white-haired Lancer was already moving back down the path he came from, his every step feeling like he was carrying the entire continent of Asia on his back. "That…is something…only…time…will tell. All…I know…is that…be they…gods…devils…or even the…angels of the west…I…will…protect her." Stopping dead in his tracks, the demigod's whole body tensed, a skin-tight layer of heat forming around him. "I…will not…no…I will not allow THAT to happen again!"
"…Do you think nurturing this girl will be enough to redeem yourself? For doing nothing?" Aria questioned.
"…I'd rather do something…I'd rather try…then live…the rest of my existence…lamenting my doing nothing." Replied the Lancer before continuing on his path down the mountain.
Aria followed him in silence all the way back to the cave where Jinako was still sleeping, blissfully unaware of what had just transpired. She would remain unaware until the next battle, when the full extent of her Servant's compassion and loyalty revealed itself. Breathing hard, he fell to his knee, his hands shaking as he moved the golden shoulder pauldron over the Japanese-German girl's slumbering form. A sigh of relief left his lips as he watched the golden light materialize in a circle around her. Karna let go and watched as the pauldron slid across her back, a translucent cape of flowing flames following suit before both vanished in an array of embers. His task completed, he fell back against the opposite side of the cave, his breathing more labored than it had been in months.
"Where…is…Scorn?" He huffed, turning his attention to the shut-eyed Alter Ego. "We have…been in this…world…for going…four months, and yet…she is…"
"Nowhere." Aria cut off with a deep frown. "I cannot see her, but the others, they I can see. Her…she is hiding, waiting. Her wrath, it has not yet faded, nor will it until her grudge has been laid to rest. You cannot do that, only the moon's chill can soothe the rage of the sun."
Karna shut his eyes in acceptance of the prediction. It wasn't like he'd been expecting anything too positive, but he was at least pleasantly surprised. "So…Scorn…is…laying low…for the moment. Most likely…so…all of us Servants…kill each other off. Not…a…bad plan, especially…with some like…Orion and Gugalanna and…Summanus…around. What of…your…sisters? The original?"
Aria's eyes darkened at the mention of the original Tamamo, the "Source of All Evil" as Hakuno had comedically called her. "She…is secure. She will…nurture them, the protector-king, the avenger, the poisoner, and the tamer. Cat is running, Vitch is unknown, Delmo has laid down roots like the original and Hime…but be wary of Gucci. I offer you this, no matter what, keep yourselves away from the Land of Water." The golden eyes opened once again revealing the inhuman shine. Karna could only recall ever seeing his father, Surya's eyes burning with the same radiance four times, and those were times he wished he could wipe from his memory for the icy chill they sent down his spine. "We are a blight on this world, our stain…shall turn the Bloody Mist bloodier. Beware it, beware the land where the mist smells of blood and the water deep red."
"And…what of you, Aria? What is your aim in this?"
Her eyes slid shut as she rose and turned her back to the Lancer. "I have a job to do, in the place of laughter and lights. Until next we meet, Hero of Charity." She stopped at the edge of the cave. "Silver saves…red ruins. Remember that."
Karna silently watched the quietest and most elusive member of the Tamamo Nine disappear out of the curtain and into the blizzard outside. He knew that she would remain untouched by the snow on her way back to wherever she came from. She'd given him enough information to go on, the information he could use which was all he'd asked for. Shutting his own eyes, the Son of the Sun God drifted off to sleep after his Master. He was going to need the strength for the next day, and beyond.
"He wasn't too much of a handful, was he?" Innocently questioned Hakuno as he watched Tamamo gently take their sleeping adoptive son into her arms. She lightly fussed at the various cuts and bruises he'd gathered form the afternoon's training as if instead of a seven-year-old she was cradling a newborn.
"Oh, no, it was fine. In fact, I actually enjoy spending extra time with him." Iruka responded with a laugh. "Anyways, again, I'm glad that you're educating him outside of my classroom."
"Naruto's one of the types who need to start young, otherwise it'll drain out of his head." Chirped Tamamo with a giggle. "We foxes are a sneaky bunch who need to have some information ingrained into us at an early age." As she looked back to the scar-faced teacher, the Servant's expression turned withdrawn. "Mister Iruka, for the next few days, things are going to be…tense so to speak. I'm assuming you…know about the Hidden Grass Village?"
A deep sigh slipped from the chunin's lips, confirming the pair's suspicions without any use for words. "The news came through towards the end of classes for the day. When they come back on Monday, we're going to do our best to keep a lid on things. The last thing we want is the kids panicking, or worse attempting to single out Naruto. Though they've…slackened, there's still a good number of students and teachers who keep their distance from him."
"It's not like things were going to change overnight, and I'm not expecting them to get any easier over the next couple of months." Hakuno's gaze softened as he glanced over to the side at his sleeping son. "Mister Iruka, do you have any plans for the weekend?"
"Or more accurately, are you going to be seeing anyone?" Asked Tamamo with raised eyebrows.
Before the gaze of the former court lady, the chunin was helpless. "H-H-Huh? S-S-S-I-I mean n-no! I-I've got f-f-far too many papers to grade and all! J-Just enjoy your weekend, Mr. and Mrs. Kishinami, -a-and make sure Naruto's prepared for class on Monday!" Still red-faced, the young adult chunin bolted for the door, leaving the couple standing before the battered field that served as confirmation that Naruto had done something productive during the late hours he stayed at the academy waiting for them.
"You enjoy doing that, don't you?" Hakuno noted with a smirk.
"Whatever do you mean, my dear husband? I have no idea what you're talking about." Feinted the Servant. Minute later and her expression turned grave as she directed her attention skyward. Purple and blue had quickly overtaken the sky, signaling the beginning of the night. With her superhuman eyesight, she could see the first of the stars beginning to come out. "How else it neither of us have any rank, yet we were forced to spend an entire day at that meeting? Answering questions and whatnot?"
"Because, when it comes to Master-Servant shenanigans, I'm pretty sure we've become the foremost experts on what to expect and how to prepare. I mean, I've learned a thing or two about things I never thought I'd have to - criminal gangs, secret religious church militants, cults, Neo-Nazis, and dealing with the world's angriest tax collectors. Quite a resume I've been built up."
"And it's only going to get bigger. Does it scare you, my love?"
Laughing, the brown-haired teen slipped a hand around his wife's slender waist. She yelped in delight, though not enough to wake the sleeping jinchūriki in her arms. As per expected, they received odd looks from some of the villagers, and some venomous glares. Neither Hakuno nor Tamamo paid them any mind as they continued on their way to their family home. They were thankful that the week was over as it left the weekend to the three of them; a family outing was definitely an order.
Once inside, Hakuno made for the kitchen while Tamamo moved to place Naruto against the couch. In a few minutes he'd probably awake, feeling hungry and exhausted from his intense training. They'd have some talking to do once he awoke. Before that happened though, Tamamo needed to have a talk with someone else. The Servant cast a side glance at her husband, who nodded back understanding what she was about to do. Sucking in a breath, she laid her adoptive son flat on the living room couch and reached for his stomach area. The second her fingers touched him, Tamamo felt a rush of air and heat coiling around her, then the living room she'd become accustomed to went black.
"So…you finally decided to face me. Making me wait, talk about impolite." Boomed the positively male and conceited voice of the Nine-Tailed Fox, the strongest of the nine Tailed Beast and the former revenger of the Hidden Leaf Village.
He was everything that Tamamo expected him to be: incredibly massive with size fit for a kaiju, crimson eyes that simmered with thinly held back rage and hatred, yet were ringed with curiosity as he stared down a creature so very much like him, nine tails that swayed behind her, just barely visible through the darkness, and lastly a row of sharpening canines that were revealed as the beast smiled down at her.
Her right hand on her hip, the Caster fixed the giant demon fox with a cocky smile. "I believe introductions are unnecessary since we both know of each other by this point, do we not, Mister Nine-Tails?"
A deep and feral growl rolled through the cages; it slowly melted away into chuckling. "Talking like such an upscale human, how cute. Tell me, does it ever get tiring, pretending to be one of them? No…does it ever…nauseate you?"
"We both know that's a question you want to ask my…other self, but as for me personally, no. In fact, interacting with humans is part of what makes my life so pleasant to lead."
"Hmph! Pathetic, here I was thinking I would have someone to talk to, but instead I find you to be another domesticated-"
BANG!
The ringing resounded through the massive, flooded hallway silencing the giant fox's voice, though not out of fear. A red layer of chakra covered his fur as he grinned an insidious smile in response to the sharp look that was being given off by the spiriton-composed witch before him.
"I came here to talk, so how's about we skip the witty banter and get down to business?"
"Spoilsport, why the rush? I mean, it's not like we're short on time…are we?" Challenged the imprisoned demon.
At that, Tamamo smirked. She hadn't fully meant what she'd said before. She was a fox, and she was finally staring down a member of her own kind. Witty banter was going to happen, with or without her consent; the only question was whose expanse was it going to come at. Tamamo had every intention of ensuring it wasn't hers. "Mister Nine-Tails, this realm seems quite cramped, does it not? Perhaps I could do something to make your stay inside of my son's body a bit more…accommodating? Would that perhaps do something to lighten your foul mood?"
From behind the bars came a snort that breathed out a cloud of steam. "You want to do something to help? Release me! Now! I will leave this brat and cursed village behind and never look back!" Barked the Tailed Beast.
"Tempting, but no. Besides, would you leave before or after you've razed it to the ground?" The giant fox's lips pulled back in a feral sneer. Tamamo took a single bold step forward. "Second, where would you go? From what we've gathered, you Tailed Beasts are no different from us Servants…weapons to be used and controlled." There it was, the flinch that she'd been waiting for, albeit small and barely noticeable. Glancing up directly into the crimson orbs before her, Tamamo allowed her gaze to soften. "I know that you can see and hear through Naruto, including all of the things that he can't pick up on…you know this world has become much more dangerous."
"Is that supposed to scare me? Do you not know who I am, you pathetic little excuse for a fox?!" As best he could the Nine-Tails rose in his small cage, his teeth barred and his eyes blazing with anger. "I am the Nine-Tailed Fox, the strongest of the Tailed Beasts! The Living Embodiment of Human Hatred and Malice! Do you think I would turn tail and run from some ghosts?! Relics like you whose time has long since passed and are now lingering around in my world?!"
Waves crashed about against the walls and splashed against Tamamo's waist, yet just like her husband, she remained resolute. Across her face set a look of steely determination. It both impressed and infuriated the Nine-Tailed Fox. The latter won out over the former as a set of claws came barreling through the bars directly at Tamamo. Without breaking her expression, she held out her hands, her soft palms catching the massive claws while digging her heels into the steel floor beneath her. The act was completely unexpected, and the giant fox allowed his surprise to show on his face.
"For a chatterbox…you're pretty sturdy."
Smiling at his praise, Tamamo lightly pushed the giant nail away. "Hey, I'm more than just a pretty face. Oh, don't tell Naruto that though, I want to maintain my image as a frail and graceful image before him a tad bit longer! At least until he's fifteen or so!"
A near comedic groan emerged from the imprisoned fox. "Oh for the Old Man's sake! Will you quit it!? I don't know which is worse, the courtesan act or your pathetic attempts to be a mother to that idiot container of mine! You might be worse than his real mother!"
It were times like this that it showed that the human known as Hakuno Kishinami had left a mark on Tamamo. She kept herself calm, even as her ears registered words that would have normally sent her into a cold rage. Sympathy remained in her eyes as she looked back at her giant and crimson-furred counterpart. Slowly, he began to shrink back, his fur standing on end the more he looked into her eyes. Finally, he had enough. The entire sewer-like chamber shook as the chakra monster turned his entire body around, his back and tails now facing the Caster.
"Unlike you, I have no intention of becoming a slave to those bastards, ESPECIALLY this one! I refuse!" Exclaimed the demon fox.
"Who said anything about being a slave? I'm asking you if you would be willing to become Naruto's friend? Spending all that time cooped up inside of his mother, who I imagine never talked much to you…don't you think it's time for a change?"
DANG! DANG!
"You already have my answer, Caster."
A small smile formed on the pink-haired woman's face. "Thank you for addressing me by my name, sort of. At the very least, can you protect him should danger visit him?"
"You mean danger that you and your…husband," There were no attempts to hide the disgust the Nine-Tails felt at the speaking the words. "Invite upon him? The danger that will leave his little body beaten and bloody and broken? Does that scare you so much?"
"Does the thought of dying and resurrecting without your memories scare you?" Coolly shot back the female fox. Again, she was met with a growl. "Look, I know that you despise humans. My…I too once did, but I've learned something, not every human is a monster, and not every monster possesses a monster's heart. Naruto…one day he will learn the truth, that you are the reason he was hated and feared. Do you want to spend the rest of your time in him being hated and despised when you become be friends?"
"…You realize we're talking about a human, right? Besides…what…what on earth could make you think that little runt would EVER want to be friends with a creature like me? For that matter, what makes you think I want to be friends with him to begin with?"
Her hand lay flat against the metal doors the kept the fox at bay. Through her skin, Tamamo could feel the powers of the sealing jutsu humming strong. "Because…you're a living creature, just like everyone else, and everyone needs someone to call a friend or associate, otherwise life of any sort is just plain hell." Her smile turned softer as she saw a break in the Nine-Tails' fierce demeanor. "Humans are strange creatures, surely you've lived long enough to admit that much, but that strangeness is what makes them unique. Sure, they can be vile and wretched creatures…but they can be something else, something kind and warm. Besides…you never know where love and friendship can be found, often they're in the place you least suspect them. So…why not give that route a shot? Surely it can go into making this stay easier, don't you think?"
Silence came from the other side of the cage. A lone tail rose and swayed. Tamamo could feel herself being pushed back; she made no effort to fight the push.
"…I may borrow that familiar you've made for him, not exactly the best…but it'll do."
By luck or chance, Tamamo was so caught up in her talk with Naruto's inner demon that it gave him the opportunity to slip away into the backyard. Blackness had near completely overtaken the night sky allowing for the stars to come out and shine brighter. A few of them were shining brighter than the others.
They were in fact blinking.
Morse code.
A heavy sigh escaped the teenager. Can't say I'm surprised. Comstock knows I'm here so he's probably pushing himself pretty hard. As quietly as he could he raised his finger extended upward. At the end flashed a silver light that he knew could be seen by the Counter Guardian currently watching him and his family. Unseen by his wife and son, Hakuno's face harden, his finger flashed silver light several more times, also in Morse code. His message was received. The stars flashed again, communicating the Counter Guardian's response to Hakuno's request. As quickly as it hardened, Hakuno's face relaxed, "Thank you, Kabaiel." Whispered the Victor of the Moon.
Fortune smiled on him as just as his conversation wrapped up, he heard the faintest sounds of Naruto waking up. Expectedly, he was in a sullen mood that Tamamo was quickly working on remedying. Turning around, he found the two walking out into the backyard.
"You can't win every fight, Naruto; at some point, everyone eats some dirt now and then." He softly spoke. "Especially when it comes to their rivals."
"Still doesn't make it any easier to swallow." Answered back the blond child. "Iruka-sensei had to save me."
"Well, that's what teachers are supposed to do."
Naruto further looked away, a question building within him. "Um, mom, dad…you two have been in fights, right?" Finally glancing up, he saw them both nod their heads. Something told him that they already knew what his question was going to be. "How useful is wind in a battle? I mean, I tried to hit Sasuke with my Air Bullet jutsu and…Iruka-sensei told you what happened, didn't he?"
Hakuno regarded his adoptive son with astute compassion. "Naruto, the jutsu that you should have tried to use was either Vacuum Bullet or Vacuum Blast, jutsu that deprive fire of the oxygen it needs to burn. Watch us."
On the porch sat the young jinchūriki, his eyes focused the showdown occurring between his parents. Little over a minute later and his jaw dropped as he watched his mother expel a massive fireball directly at her father, who stood calmly before the approaching attack, his hands weaving various signs. His cheeks inflated then pushed out, a barely visible stream of wind flowing from his lips. It quickly compressed into a spinning ball of moving air that was launched directly at the fireball. Naruto's cry of surprise was sweet music to the ears of the Master and Servant pair as the fireball was extinguished upon meeting the vacuum sphere that the former had launched.
Next came several fireballs the size of his upper body. Still, his father remained calm in weaving another set of hand sign ending with the brown-haired teen holding his hand to his mouth, breathing another stream of translucent wind onto it. It took the form of a flowing blade which he used to cut through the flames as if they were butter.
"A vacuum is devoid of all physical matter and energy!" Shouted the Master, playfully slashing at his wife, who giggled as she waltzed out of his half-hearted slashes. "It expels all foreign matter, including oxygen which you need to create fire, breath!" Tamamo fell backward, a daring smile growing on her face while she held upon one of her talismans. Catching her drift, Hakuno dispelled the vacuum blade and weaved a new set of hand signs of his own. From his wife's hand came a massive block of ice that would have left Hakuno lying flat on his back and groaning in pain if he wasn't ready, but he was. "Wind Style-Air Bullet!"
CRACK!
His father's air bullet was three times larger than his own, and its power was far greater-shattering the ice block as if it were a twig. Still, it was easily deflected by his adoptive mother, who looked none the worse for wear.
"As you can see, my son," she began. "Wind is perhaps one of the most versatile elements one can wield. It can slash and smash, give life and take life, and lastly, allow one to soar the skies as if they were a bird."
"What?! Really? Controlling the wind can let you fly?! Let me fly?!" They'd definitely lit a fire beneath their son, and right when things were supposed to be calming down for dinner.
Hakuno figured they might as well go all the way. He crouched down so his back was presented to the young blond; he quickly scrambled onto his adoptive father's back, his heart racing.
"Wind Style-Air Step!"
Naruto had a split second to process the jutsu's name, then he felt its effects. "Aaaahhhh! U-U-U-Up! W-W-We're up!" Their house seemed miles away and the clouds seemed to be getting closer and closer. Driven by the rush of excitement, Naruto reached up, half believing he could touch them. Another blast of air slid against his skin, causing him to do a double-take and realize he was moving, or rather he and his father were moving. The ground and the buildings atop of it were growing smaller and smaller by the second. "D-D-Dad!"
Chuckling as he held tight to him to prevent him from falling off, Hakuno said, "Well, gliding might be a better description. Concentrate air around your feet and you can leap tall buildings in a single bound!"
"Mikon! Don't sugar coat it! One can fly once they've mastered the power of the wind!" Came Tamamo's voice. Naruto looked to the side and nearly lost his grip as he saw her hovering alongside his father, a stream if pink-colored wind swirling around her legs. Catching his gaze, Tamamo smiled. "Still think wind is a weak element?"
Vigorously, the blond shook his head, a brimming smile on his face. "Nope! In fact, it's the coolest element on the board!"
As I said, some fluff, schoolyard interaction, and some very important meetings. This chapter's title is pretty meaningful as it its splint into two and actually refers to a few characters. The "nameless angel" I'm pretty sure you all can guess right off the bat since he spent most of this chapter dishing out advice and putting tensions to rest (at least momentarily). Next chapter will see the debut of the "fallen angel" referred to in the second half of the title.
For the record, the Scladio Family and the name-dropped Bazdilot are actually canon, being lifted from Fate/Strange Fake. Bazdilot was the "True" Master of Archer! Hercules, who he then corrupted into the Avenger Alcides when he refuses to kill children and innocents so don't feel too sorry about what Hakuno did to him. A story for another day (or chapter). Hakuno's relationship with the Italian mob is also meant to contrast to Kiritsugu's; fun fact, that large house that Shirou and Taiga live in actually belongs to the yakuza who apparently 'ole Kiri performed some favors for! Obviously, there's A LOT of differences between him and Hakuno which is part of the theme of parallels I want this story to have with the original Stay Night storylines.
So this chapter introduced the first of the Tamamo Nine, Tamamo Aria, the "mysterious one" whose kimono color is bright yellow. As she's labeled the "strange one" I decided to make her the seer of the group, holding most of the psychic power you'd expect from a god. Her powers revolve around future sight and scrying, the ability to glean into the past and future. As Amaterasu is a cosmic deity, I figure she'd have some form of clairvoyance; perfect future sight? Not likely as she can predict POSSIBLY futures, and those who hear her are just as likely to understand her as misinterpret her. She also dropped some pretty heavy hints about future events and characters. Aria was the first of the nine and over the next couple of chapters, I'm going to start introducing them and showing what they've been getting up to while Tamamo's carving out a home for herself.
Personally, I was a bit surprised to find out that Hinata's elemental affinities were fire and lightning, though it gave me a VERY good idea that I'll be implementing in this story. Same thing with Sakura possessing an earth affinity. I do plan on having Naruto gain a very wide and varied arsenal of wind jutsu since he never got the chance to in canon; as was stated in this chapter the best way to do that is to have him start off early.
Next chapter will cover the Kishinamis heading out for a hopefully pleasant and enjoyable weekend. Don't expect things to end well. Also, let me know what you all thought of Tamamo's first meeting with Kurama. It was a tad short but they've got a lot of differences and slight similarities that they're going to work through in the future.
