Chapter 3 – Baby steps

He lay there sprawled on the ground like a puppet with severed strings. Every muscle ached, his body wouldn't respond to him. Words from long ago, spoken by a person long forgotten echoed through his mind, "Stand up!". It wasn't Serafall looking at him anymore. A man with long white hair looked at him in contempt; it was sunset- not this ugly purple sky. "Your mind is your strongest weapon! If your body can't obey your mind, then you are only a thumb-less monkey holding a gun! Now stand up!"

With a painful roar he stood up again, arms limb on his side, his face was bloodied and the scent of his scent mixed with his blood as it poured off of him like a river. Serafall stomped the ground as she stood on the same spot. She hadn't moved an inch since they started; icy spikes exploded from the ground and he rolled backward, lest he impaled himself. From a crouching position, he sprinted at her, intent to at least punch her once.

This was the last of his strength, his body couldn't take anymore. His teacher's figure encompassed Serafall's and the same anger he experienced back then resumed and rejuvenated his body for just this moment, just for this; ice spikes continued rising as he sidestepped and slithered through them, he jumped in the air arms spread to maximize air resistance and slow himself down for the decent.

"JIRAAAAIYA!"

For the first time since they started Serafall raised her palm at him, a magic circle appeared and an ice spike twice as big as the previous ones exploded faster than a bullet. He brought his arms near his chest and narrowly avoided the deadly attack. With a graceful landing, he pushed the ground underneath him and coiled his fist back to punch her.

His fist stopped inches away from her smiling face. He stood dead on his feet, so tired that a single moment of rest would send him into unconsciousness, widening eyes observed her standing there, he couldn't understand why his fist didn't make contact. A roaring pain registered on his stomach. Looking down, he saw Serafall's fist buried in his gut,

"Nice try Naru-chan!" she said excitedly, just before he lost consciousness.

"Onee-sama, don't you think you are going too hard on him?" Serafall's younger sister sat on a nearby rock. Prim and proper as always. "Nah, he can take it. How come you're here Sona-tan?"

Sona's eyes widened at the lack of excitement. She thought it would have felt a bit better whenever her sister decided to stop with the obnoxious excitement. But it stung- just a little.

"Mother told me to invite you to dinner…" Sona stood up and a teleportation spell activated underneath her feet, "…oh, she also said to bring the newest family member too." Sona disappeared from the clearing leaving an upset Serafall and a broken queen.

It was an unspoken agreement between everyone who knew Serafall on a personal level that staying in her presence while in her adult form was a no go. It had been a month since Naruto arrived at her mansion. Half naked and handcuffed by two of Asmodeus' policemen. Cheeky as he was he wouldn't show her any respect. That was fine too until he barged in a live shooting of Magical girl Levia-tan with his pajamas still on. The camera rolled as he scratched his toned belly and yawned for the whole underworld to see.

It was the first time since her crush on Sirzechs- a couple of centuries ago, that she blushed and felt utterly ashamed. In his first week of devil hood Naruto had already achieved what most of hell's denizens would never achieve in their life; headlines of Underworld Times: "Who is this mysterious teen living in Leviathan-sama's mansion? (more details p.13)"

Naruto also broke a record in the category of fastest being alive to enrage Serafall Leviathan. Which by the way was thirty seconds faster than Beelzebub managed. The servants never learned the reason and quickly learned to never speak about it if the mistress was anywhere near a ten-kilometer perimeter around of them.

The previously almost empty mansion was now filled with life; Naruto's antics while filled with mischief brightened Serafall's otherwise empty days. Any previous constraints about him becoming a member of her peerage quickly whittled away. Even if she had to bail him out of jail twice already.

To the question:" Why did you steal his wallet?" the answer: "I am a thief Serafall. I take what I want", only made him more endearing to her. To her chagrin, Serafall noticed that she gave too much energy when turning him. It was a miracle that he was even alive. That being said he could hardly control magic at the moment so she had to seal away a big chunk of it. He couldn't even perform a single teleportation spell at first because of energy overload. Now he was fine and with time and effort he would become a person to take notice of.

She looked at the teen laying on her thighs with a smile. 'Not yet, though'.

The ice field created by their 'spar' melted away. The residual water gathering around his beaten body. His wounds quickly healed themselves as she pushed more and more magic into her spell.

In the depths of his mind, repressed memories escaped their restraint. Things he didn't want to remember but was now forced to look at again. He was but an observer as Eli and Johnny laughed at his failed attempt of throwing a Japanese kunai. Sasuke's smirk at getting it on his first try and Cao Cao's irritating smirk. Days spent outside on that grassy field. A homely little cottage where they spent five years of their short life. Jiraiya's obnoxious giggling at night as he watched the pervy ads on TV thinking that they were asleep. His and Sasuke's blushes while they discretely watched too. Eli's gasp when she found them watching one of Jiraiya's 'research' DVDs.

Hey, old geezer! Why do we have to read this stuff? I don't care about the area of a triangle. Neither do the rest of us! Teach us those kickass moves you pulled on those bullies!

Shut your mouth shitty brat! A man's power lays in his mind. With a powerful mind, you have the best weapon. A powerful body only compliments that. Now sit down and do your work! Eli is already finished, see?

How could he forget his teacher? The man he hated and respected the most at the same time. The man who gave them a chance at life and then disappeared like nothing ever happened.

Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya!" He jumped out of bed. Bed?

Calming himself down and taking big breaths to bring his heartbeat up to a normal rhythm again. He was sweating again. Sheets wet and cold. The window was opened and soothing air blew inside. The irritating purple hue that surrounded everything around this world still shining the same as ever.

He checked his body only to find that the skin was as immaculate as ever. There were no blemishes or swollen skin, he felt as healthy as a baby right now. He turned around to look at the Levia-tan clock that sat on his bed stand. It was either a different day or only three hours had passed since his 'spar'.

Naruto groggily stood up, idly noticing that his muscles still ached he decided to not make any unnecessary movements. Slowly but steadily he walked towards his door and then outside. The mansion was as luxurious as the Gremory estate. Serafall's mansion was less pompous and a lot more… eccentric? Yeah, that would be the right word. If the magical girls' statues and paintings that surrounded every speck of free room in the mansion meant anything.

"Naruto-sama?" a black haired devil-girl stood in front of him. She was a head shorter than he was and that meant something since he was short as hell to begin with.

"Ah, Lily right?"

"Yes Naruto-sama" she bowed in acknowledgment.

"Cut the 'sama' suffix. I've done nothing to deserve your respect." He said irritated that the maids in this place wouldn't stop referring to him as such. Having lived a good chunk of his life in the United States, and on the streets none the less; he couldn't accept people referring to him with respect. Respect is earned, Naruto-chan. His father's voice rang in his ears. He almost didn't remember how it sounded anymore.

"I can't do that Naruto-sama. You are Serafall-sama's queen and therefore, you must be addressed with respect." She pressed on. Her voice reminded him of Eli, shy but firm. "Fine…" he scowled slightly but then gasped as if a lightbulb came to life above his head. "…Then I order you to stop calling me with the 'sama' suffix."

Lily giggled and negatively shook her head while turning around to walk away at the same time. "It doesn't work that way Naruto-sama. Serafall-sama asked me to tell you to find her in her study when you wake up."

"Fine, fine." He walked away, irritated that she one-upped him in an argument. A small smile forming on his lips. He liked Lily.

Serafall's study was on the second floor, third room on the west side hallway. The door leading into it was not as flashy as the rest of them, only made out of wood, with no ornaments on it. He knocked twice and waited for a response. A 'Come in' sounded from the other side and he opened the door.

It was the second time he ever walked in this room. Unlike, her normal carefree smile she always seemed serious in here. Stacks of books lay scattered on the floor and countless shelves with fat books decorated the room. In the middle stood a desk, filled to the brim with books. A cozy looking couch on one side and an executive's leather chair on the other. Serafall sat next to the desk on the floor. A big book on her lap and black frame glasses on her face.

"How are you feeling?" she asked without looking at him. Naruto took a few moments to admire the library.

"Aching muscles aside, I'm fine" he finished lamely. He didn't like standing there like a log but sitting on the chair seemed a bit disrespectful. Which would probably earn him a quick beating into tomorrow.

A few moments passed in silence. Serafall was immersed in her book and Naruto looked around awkwardly.

"Who is Jiraya?" she finally asked. The awkward situation they had going, quickly turned into a 'get-ready-to-fight' situation. How did she know that name? A couple of ice spikes to the head too many made sure that his scream during their spar remained forgotten.

"How do you know that name?" he asked. He tried to remain calm but his voice cracked- just enough for Serafall to notice.

"You called me 'Jiraya' when you tried to throw that last punch."

Naruto looked hesitant for a moment but relaxed and sat on the floor across his king. With a sigh, he started talking, "…Jiraya. We were being attacked, Sasuke, Johny, Eli, and I…"

He was talking but his eyes were plastered on the floor, memories playing along his tongue. "…It was only a couple of thugs, they noticed that we hung around the slums and that we were alone so they wanted to have some fun, ya 'know? Johnny was on the ground, blood running from his ears and nose broken, Eli was crying on her knees and Sasuke and I were standing in front of her trying desperately to protect her. I was shaking in fear but Sasuke…" he smiled.

"…Sasuke always wanted to prove his worth ya 'know? He looks at me sideways and whispers: 'What? Are you afraid? Scaredy-cat.' He taunted. A metal bar lay on the ground next to us and so; he picks it up and screams, right? Really screams, louder than anything I ever heard before. 'Come and get us bastards!' he said back then. Of course, he didn't wait for them to 'come and get us' because the idiot ran ahead and soaked one of them- the fat one, right on the forehead, the dude fell down like a rock." The old memory made him laugh, it was hollow and desperate.

"…So the other guy- the tall one, pulls out a knife and stabs him right in the gut. Sasuke screamed in pain and I saw red. All fear forgotten, all I wanted was to tear that man apart, I wanted him to be dead on the ground, I want- "Naruto took a calming breath and looked at a wide-eyed Serafall who certainly didn't expect such a tall tale.

She stood up and came and sat behind him, Naruto blushed when she hugged him from behind and pulled his head to her chest. Like his mother did all those years ago she started stroking his hair. "What happened next?" she asked soothingly.

"…I was nine years old back then. Couldn't even pick up two gallons of milk for longer than a minute. It is all hazy in my mind but I remember running up to him, he tried to slash but Sasuke bit him on the ankle, Sasuke wouldn't let go and the thug screamed when I kicked him in the balls, I put all my power behind the kick too." They both laughed for a bit.

"…He dropped the knife, without thinking I picked it up and looked at him. He was scared. The pussy had pissed his pants. As I stood over him, he was begging for his life… I remember getting ready to kill him. Would have done it too, I didn't care back then. What were they going to do? Put me in jail? Ha! Jail has three meals a day and free time. No begging for food there. I knew that the fastest way was to the head so I raised the knife as high as I could- "

Naruto sobbed at the painful memory. Serafall didn't interrupt letting him regain his bearings.

"…I stopped at the last second, Eli had thrown herself in front of the knife. 'You can't kill him' she glared at me and screamed on top of her lungs, louder than Sasuke, louder than the whole entire world. You might not know Eli like I do, but Eli never glared at anyone… Jiraiya found us soon after that, Sasuke had lost a lot of blood and Johnny had two broken ribs. He took us to his cottage, tended to our wounds. For five years he taught us how to read, write. Math, history, how to fight and how to live. Then he disappeared, didn't say a single word."

The silence would have flooded the room if it had any substance. They spent it in an embrace, Naruto was replaying the memory over and over in his mind, while Serafall decided that maybe there was way more than roses and sunshine in her newest family member. She gently stood up and looked at Naruto who turned around. "Get ready for dinner, you will meet my parents today." She said with a gentle smile and walked towards the door, she turned around to look at him. "You are now a member of my peerage. Family!" she yelled at him. "I'm never going to replace your friends, but you are now more than Naruto Uzumaki, more than Gabriel. Never forget that!" with her piece said she walked away, leaving a confused teenager behind.

/

Naruto stood in front of his mirror. He wore skinny black denim jeans, a pair of black leather boots that Serafall bought him- after he stole them. A white t-shirt and a bleached orange jacket. It was a compromise that took about an hour to take place. Serafall wanted him to wear a suit but there was no way he would do that. He paid his choice by accepting extra hours of 'spars' and foot massages which he had to deliver twice a week for a month. It was all worth it though because suits didn't come in orange and an orange suite would look ridiculous anyway.

The ride to the Sitri mansion was spent in silence. Only the tipping of Serafall's fingers on her cellphone reverberated in the carriage. It took about half an hour to arrive there. The Leviathan household relocated to the Sitri clan grounds after the end of the civil war. So they were quite close to their destination.

Two rows of servants stood on either side of the marble passage that led into the estate. Beautiful men and women dressed in maid and butler outfits. On either side stood two gigantic fountains with statues of snakes crawling upwards in the middle of them.

Atop the stairway stood Lord and Lady Sitri, directly to their left their youngest daughter and heiress to the Sitri household, Sona Sitri. With pleasantries exchanged they walked inside. A prolific dinner was served. Lord Sitri was a warm man, joking and making small talk whenever he got a chance. He danced around the more intimate and personal issues that surrounded the odd pair of master and servant. Lady Sitri was easy going and let her husband lead the discussions. The only thing that appeared out of place was Sona's glare that only appeared when no one else was looking.

After the feast, which displayed Naruto's lack of any kind of table manners, the three senior devils went upstairs to catch up while Sona was tasked with giving him a tour of the estate. They got up to the second segment when Naruto decided to address the proverbial elephant sitting in the middle of the room.

"What's your deal?" he asked bluntly. Fed up with her mean attitude.

"I don't know what you're talking about Uzumaki-san." She answered without looking at him; if words could kill he would be laying on the floor in a pool of his own blood by now.

"No. No. There is definitely something going on with you. What's your deal with me specifically?" he asked nonchalantly. The paintings on the walls somehow became quite interesting because he started looking at them with interest. There was this one really big painting, at least, three meters in diagonally. It depicted a devil standing above a battlefield, angels were on the losing side- propaganda he instantly assumed.

"You just barge in here! You don't know how to eat like a normal person! Then Rias won't shut up about the 'super-ultra-awesome-cool leader of the Shadow syndicate! And then my own sister acts weird around me! What the hell have you done to her?! Cause so help me I will end you if you made her sad!

'Well, that's one way to break a person' he thought as he looked at Sona. Prim and proper gone, an enraged female stood in front of him ready to attack at any moment. Naruto had learned early on that enraging any female mammal was a one-way ticket to the hospital or worse.

Like a delicate bomb technician, he readied himself to diffuse the situation.

'Gloves on? Check'

"I really don't know what you're talking about?" He shrugged.

Menacingly, she started strutting over to him, now it was the 'attain-pity' moment.

"If you mean the table manners…", she stopped, 'stage two success'

"…I am an orphan. Never had anyone to teach me. I ate from dumpsters…" 'put hurt expression on.'

Sona's eyes softened.

'Stage three, success.', "I am really sorry if I somehow insulted you. Woo, everything is new to me around here! In hell I mean." He finished solemnly, calculating eyes on the female who almost beheaded him.

Sona sighed regretfully. "I'm sorry Naruto-san, please forget this ever happened." She asked and with an open palm pointed onwards. "I'll show you to the rest of our house."

A.N Woo, that took a lot less than I expected. I normally fail to get past chapter one on my stories, but the conversations and plot flow naturally when I write them which I take as a good sign! A bit of backstory on Naruto's group and his personality.

Thank you for liking this story and reading it. If you have any criticisms please send me a PM, I learn as I go so hopefully I get better along the road.

Also, I've been trying to get a beta reader, so I naturally went to the beta section here on and wrote to a bunch of different beta readers but no one answered, so I think that I am doing something wrong. If you know a beta reader or you are interested in being a beta for this story, please PM me :D

As always review and follow, C ya.