Into the world of demons
"WHAT! Why do we have to bring Sasuke along?!" whined Naruto.
"First off, it's the only way we can successfully get that seal removed. Second, he is an Uchiha, which could help stop his brother. Finally, if we are to have any hope of convincing them to help us, we'll need a mortal who hasn't had contact with demons at all," explained Haruto.
My friends on the other side won't listen if they only hear this from those who have been possessed by demons; it would be too risky. How would they know if the human is telling the truth or being controlled by a rogue?
I can understand that but why, why does it HAVE to be Sasuke?!
Relax…if Sasuke is given a demon to remove the seal, you'll still be stronger than him. Even if it's a Tailed Beast.
Really? How come?
Because I am the leader of the Tailed Beasts. The strongest of our kind battle for control. I was challenged many times and have yet to be beaten, even if my opponent was a Tailed one. That, and I'm the oldest of the Tailed Beasts.
Fine…I guess I can live with Sasuke coming. But if he starts his usual bit, I won't let it slide, got it?!
I wouldn't expect anything less from you.
"So if we allow Sasuke to go along with you, and allow demons into the village, how do we know they won't wreck more destruction?" asked one of the elders.
"Look, would it help if I had one of the summoned beasts supervise them?"
"Summoned beasts?"
"The creatures we bring out using the Summoning Jutsu. They live alongside the demons," said Haruto.
"So long as they don't reveal their true nature in the village…I guess we can allow them to help with the repairs. But how do we know that taking the last Uchiha will remove the seal?"
"Orochimaru is nothing more than a second-hand puppet, controlled by a snake. If Sasuke goes into the world of demons, the power will override the seal and remove it from him for good. The seal on my brother however, will be put back into effect once we leave that world."
"Why will the Uchiha's seal be removed but not Naruto's?"
"Two reasons; 1.) Sasuke's seal isn't as strong as Naruto's. 2.) Kyuubi won't leave his host defenseless against one of his own kind. If he were to leave, Naruto would have a weaker defense against any demons that come after him."
"Very well…we will let you go on this suicidal mission. But if anything goes wrong in their world and they come after the village, we will hold YOU responsible."
"Fair enough."
"They agreed. I just hope that nothing bad happens with the demons. They're holding ME responsible for their actions," said Haruto with a groan.
"They won't act too badly with ME around," said Kyuubi.
"I hope you're right, Kyuubi-san," said Haruto.
"My main concern is when you lot find out the truth of my world… Do me a favor and don't ask about it, okay?" said Kyuubi nervously.
"So how exactly do we get there?" asked Sasuke.
"I'll handle that. Just hang on for a moment. I haven't used this spell in over twelve years," said Kyuubi irritably.
Shiroi yami kiri saku tsubasa ni nane
Kagami ni utsutta ki seki no yoru
Shiroku somaru yami tsuki nukete
Hateshinaku tsuzuiteku byakuya o tobe
"Become the wings that cut through the white darkness,
In the miraculous night reflected in the mirror,
Break through the darkness that is painted white,
Fly into the white night that continues endlessly."
(I made this by mixing up parts of the D.N.Angel theme song, 'White night-True light'.)
As Kyuubi chanted these words, a strange white fog surrounded them, engulfing them in a dark embrace. As they stood there in shock, a pair of grey wings appeared on their backs and they took flight into the heart of the dark abyss created by the mist. When they opened their eyes, (the humans didn't remember closing them to begin with), what greeted them was a complete shock. Standing between Naruto and Haruto was a fox-like person with a disturbing grin.
"It's good to be home. Or at least that's what I would say if I didn't know what awaited me in my office," said the fox.
"Kyuubi-san?! What's going on?!" said Haruto.
"I thought I said no questions," said Kyuubi turning toward her.
"Seriously, what the hell is going on?! Why do you look like a fox-human mix?!" said Sasuke.
"Welcome to our world. Here things are a bit different; mainly due to the fact that there are NO shinobi at all," said a second human-animal mix. (Raccoon-human crossbreed to be more specific.)
"Ah, Shukaku! I was wondering if you'd come along!" said Kyuubi amused. It was then that Naruto noticed something else.
"Tails, why are you in a suit?"
"Oh, this thing? It's because I own a business that controls the weather in both worlds. As well as the law enforcement, the utility, and well, almost all the necessary businesses. Shukaku, on the other paw…"
"Don't you dare tell them!" growled Shukaku quickly.
"What? You don't want Haru-chan to know that here you're a fast-talking salesman?" said Kyuubi evilly.
"You're a WHAT?!" said the three shinobi in shock.
"If you think that's bad, wait until you see that snake Orochimaru summons. You'll die laughing!" said Shukaku.
"What is he here?" asked Sasuke.
"You'll see soon enough. In the meantime, who's hungry? I know a great place nearby; it'll be my treat," said Kyuubi.
"Any ramen?" asked Naruto hopefully.
"Not today kit," laughed Kyuubi.
"I'm in…on one condition. Can you explain why your world is so similar to ours?" asked Sasuke.
"Why not? Might as well blow some time before I have one of you go into the main building for me," said Kyuubi.
"Why would you have one of us do that? Why can't you go inside yourself?" asked Haruto.
"Does the word 'paperwork' tell you anything?" snickered Shukaku.
"Wait a minute…you mean you have paperwork you need to do?" asked Naruto.
"Eat now, explain later!" said Kyuubi quickly.
After eating lunch at a street-side hayashiraisu (stewed meat and vegetables with rice) stand, Kyuubi and Shukaku split up, both taking one of the young human shinobi with them. Kyuubi took Haruto and Sasuke to the station where they were greeted by an assortment of kitsune, Inu and (you've got to be kidding) Neko demons?!
"What the…? Why are there cat and dog demons working together?" asked Sasuke surprised.
"Kyuubi-sama, are these, these humans…from the other world?" asked one of the cat demons.
"What was your first clue?" joked Kyuubi.
"I'm guessing the idea of cats and dogs not getting along are a misconception on this side," said Haruto.
"Better believe it," snorted one of the canines.
"Kyuubi-sama, why did you come here? You know your assistant will want to know you're back," asked a fellow fox.
"You know how I feel about paperwork. There's no telling how much she'll have for me after almost 13 years in the human world!" said Kyuubi in dismay.
"You never change…" said several of the workers.
"So who are the humans?" asked one of the cats.
"The boy with a Goth-like attitude is Uchiha Sasuke and the girl is Haruto."
"Haruto? The Haruto?!" they all said in shock.
"In any case, we better get going. I promised these kids I'd show them around," said Kyuubi.
"I've been meaning to ask, but where does the Kekkei Genkai on our side come from?" asked Sasuke. Kyuubi was amused because Sasuke choose that time to ask that question.
"Kuro, would you like to explain to him?" asked Kyuubi.
Halfway across the city, Shukaku and Naruto were bored. Naruto was in a good mood after he saw what Shukaku did for a living in his world. But his amusement quickly faded after an hour. He turned to the raccoon demon and said, "You two said that the snake Orochimaru uses has a weird job here. Can you show me?"
"Kid, when you see what that damn snake does for a living, you'll have a new reason to hate and/or want to kill him."
"Can you give me a hint?"
"His favorite thing to do is jumping through Red Tape and finding loop holes in the laws that Kyuubi and the others created to keep everyone sane here," said Shukaku with a shrug.
"Define sane to someone who's favorite Jutsu was created to humiliate adult men," snorted Naruto.
"Touché; how many guys have you used it on?"
"I lost count a long time ago."
"Why do I get the feeling there's something else you want to ask?"
"What's the difference between the demon side of the world and the Summoned Monsters?"
"I've actually never thought about it. So what creature do you summon again? Haruto can bring out demons, nature, and other stuff.""I summon…frogs," said Naruto hesitantly.
"Frogs? As in Gama Bunta and kin?"
"Yeah…I think so," said Naruto.
"Who taught you to summon frogs?"
"That pervy sage, Jiraiya."
"Thought so… have you ever wondered how those frogs can handle being in a hot spring without dieing from the heat?" asked Shukaku.
"Not really…though now that you mention it…"
"Want to know why?"
"Sure, I guess…"
"It's 'cause Gama Bunta and his kin run a bath house in our world. Though I can guarantee Jiraiya wouldn't like the Toad Chief's place," snickered Shukaku.
"Why not?"
"He wouldn't be able to spy on any of the women in the springs!"
"Nani?! How did he pull that off?!"
"Kid, after all the years Gama Bunta and his kin had to put up with that sage, do you really think he'd let the same thing happen here?"
"I guess you have a point… So how did he manage to prevent any one from peeping in the baths?"
"It's easier to understand if I show you instead of tell you," said Shukaku. He led Naruto to the other side of the world which had almost all summoned creatures in it. (If you didn't count the occasional demon.) As Naruto and Shukaku arrived at the bath house, he could see why Jiraiya wouldn't like it. Wherever there was a spot that the sage could peep through, a thick impenetrable mist made it impossible to see through. They went to the main entrance and were greeted by none other than the same frog Naruto summoned when he first confronted Gaara!
"Welcome to the most popular place to relax, Kaeru Sento!" said Gamakichi.
"It's called the 'Frog Bath House'?" said Naruto skeptically.
"Eh…?! I don't believe it! How'd you get here, Naruto?!" said Gamakichi.
"Tails brought me to this side and Shukaku showed me the way here," said Naruto.
"Hey pops! You'll never believe who's here!" called Gamakichi.
"Eh…? What're you yelling about now boy?! How many times do I have to…" said Gama Bunta irritably. The minute he saw Naruto however, his tirade stopped abruptly.
"What the…? How did you get here brat?!" said Gama Bunta annoyed and surprised.
"Tails brought me; along with Haruto, Sasuke and Shukaku here," said Naruto.
"It's true. So how has business been since I got trapped?" asked Shukaku casually.
"You two might as well come in and join me. I was about to eat lunch," said Gama Bunta grouchy.
"What about me pops?"
"You keep attracting customers! You know your younger brother is hopeless!" snorted Gama Bunta.
"Yes sir…" said Gamakichi disappointed.
"Hey Gamakichi…want to play later?" said Naruto, hoping to cheer the frog up.
"Sure! We can go to the weightless playground after my shifts over!" said Gamakichi happily.
"Gamakichi, go easy on Naruto when you go. He isn't used to floating like you are!" scolded Gama Bunta.
Naruto learned more about the world of summoned beasts and demons from Gama Bunta. He also gained another clue as to what occupation the snake Orochimaru had. (Not to mention the name of said snake. It was Manda.) While Shukaku and Naruto explored, Sasuke learned of the origin to the Kekkei Genkai.