Hello there readers. I hope you are all doing well. If yes, that's great if no... then it's not so great…

My health is doing great after the medicine I received from Eirin, so I should be fine, but I have a feelings that medicine was something else as well. Whatever.

Anyway here is another chapter for you guys. I hope you like it. See you around.

Stage 10

Curse of Blood

『Heritage can bring great fortune,

but sometimes it brings a great curse.』

Konoha, Naru household

When Naru returned to her house, she didn't expect Suika to greet her. She was expecting Kurama or Sakuya, not a loli, drunk, oni. Well not too drunk oni but still drunk oni. Suika was smiling brightly with her hands on her hips.

Naru was confused at most. How could an oni help her in training? She didn't have the slightest clue, and she was afraid to find any. Suika looked at Naru with raised eyebrows.

"What are you standing here like a doll? Get inside," she said. Suika moved deeper into the house, with her hand now behind her head. Naru still was slightly confused but entered and closed the door. After they reached the main room, Naru sat down with Suika on the other side, in front of her. Naru placed the cake she had bought from the shop onto the table. Kurama took it and went to the kitchen.

Suika took a gulp from her gourd and smiled.

"Nothing is as good as good sake in the afternoon. He He! Want some?" Suika asked. Naru shook her head calmly. Suika shrugged and took another deep gulp from her gourd. Kurama meanwhile brought cake for the two of them.

"You won't eat, Kurama?" Naru asked. She shook her head with a small smile.

"I don't feel like eating cake right now. Maybe some other time," she responded and walked away. Naru was wandering where Sakuya was. She looked around but she couldn't find her. She also couldn't find her presence in house whatsoever. This made Naru slightly worried. Suika noticed it.

"Don't worry about Saku-chan. She is big girl. She can take care of herself," she said with a grin.

"I know, but still," Naru responded. Suika frowned.

"Naru-chan. They are older than you, more experienced and more powerful, for now at least. Kurama-chan is stronger than you think, this includes Sakuya as well. I know Sakuya, she won't take unnecessary risks. So stop worrying, will you? You make my sake taste bad," Suika complainedwith a pout. Naru couldn't help but chuckle slightly. Suika continued but this time with anger rising in her voice.

"You're that type of person I don't like. People who try to do everything by themselves! That's not possible. Even for Yukari or even for Lunarians living on the moon. Believe me, even the most powerful being needs some support of friends or henchsmen. You're no exception, no one is. So stop acting like you can do everything by yourself! You've got friends ready to help you!" Suika shouted angrily at Naru. Probably because she was drunk but also probably to teach Naru a lesson.

Naru looked slightly shocked and terrified. She didn't know Suika very well, but Suika was speaking like she knew her much better. It was a little scary. Suika studied Naru and sighed.

"Again this situation. Dammit… And I thought I wouldn't be forced to do this… Looks like Yukari was right once again..." Suika muttered to herself, scratching her forehead.

Flashback, at party after Naru left Yukari and Suika

Suika raised her eyebrows and looked at Yukari, concerned.

"Naru is the type of girl who wants to do everything by herself. She reminds me of Reimu before you convinced her," Yukari said. Suika felt a chill run down her spine at that memory and turned around with a nervous look.

"Don't remind me. I still feel bad after what I did to Reimu. The memories of this are still fresh, even though it happened some time ago," Suika said with a sad face. She tried to take a sip but she couldn't. Yukari patted Suika's shoulder.

"Yeah, that whole farce was just to free Reimu from herself. It was brutal, but it was necessary. But she didn't hold it again you in the end. The situation will need to repeat itself for the sake of her future," Yukari said with a small, sad smile and closed eyes. Suika only nodded with a sad expression. (A/N: reference to Fan game Sengoku Gensokyo)

End of Flashback

Suika couldn't believe she would have to go through the same experience once more. She liked fighting with friends, but it was mostly sparring, nothing serious. But that situation had been different. She couldn't hold back. Back there she hadn't been the cheerful Suika; back there she had beenSuika Ibuki, one of the Four Devas of the Mountain.

It was painful for her to hurt friends so badly, and it was more painful, at least to her, when she was forced to hurt her friends to save them. After that event Suika had disappeared for some times; no one had known where she was.

Suika eyes hardened and, with an angry grin, she declared.

"Naru, meet me outside," her voice was stern and serious. Naru was surprised. She hadn't expected to see Suika so serious. It was kinda scary. But Naru stood up and followed Suika outside.

Outside

Suika stopped and turned to Naru with a serious expression. The wind blew making both Naru's and Suika's hair cover their faces. Naru was worried and scared. Suika was serious and tense.

"You're worrying about your friends, and that I can understand. Everyone wants to protect the people that are close to them. But sometimes this protection is needless. People want to know that you care about them, but they don't want to be nursed. This makes them feel weak, useless. Do you want to feel like this as well? Of course not! So don't make people close to you feel the same way. This is a direct hit to their pride and honor! Sometimes it's worse than death!" Suika said angrily.

Naru was shocked and stunned. She couldn't respond to that. Suika's face softened slightly but she continued her speech.

"That kind of action is wrong, Naru. You can't do everything by yourself. Why do you think Kurama and Sakuya joined you, why do you think they are here? To help you, of course! But you are rejecting them, by rejecting their help! It's like you just hold them here for your own amusement. Do you think someone would like to be treated like that, like toy? I doubt it!" Suika shouted again at Naru who was stunned in the middle of the garden.

Meanwhile Kurama and Sakuya walked out of the house with worried expressions on their faces. Kurama felt inside her how Naru was feeling. A big feeling of guilt and shame was inside Naru. She must have realized what she had done. She wanted to run forward and stop this already, but Sakuya stopped her by grabbing her by the shoulder.

Kurama looked at Sakuya with a shocked expression. Sakuya only shook her head. Kurama was going to say something, but stopped when she felt power emanating from Suika. She looked back at the scene before her and her eyes visibly opened wide.

Suika was standing with rocks flying around her, because of the pressure her power was giving. Naru was still stunned, scared, confused, terrified. But not because of Suika power but because of her speech. On her face were drops of sweat. Her body was visible shaking.

"Such behavior is hard to change with just words. That's why..." Suika said seriously. Suika frowned deeply and charged at Naru with blind speed; only Kurama and Sakuya were able to follow, but even they had a problem following Suika. Naru didn't move, still stunned. Suika was above her with a fist ready to strike.

Kurama was shocked and managed to shout.

"Naru-san watch out!" Naru looked up and her eyes shrunk. Suika face was covered in shadow because of the sun being behind her, which was slowly hiding behind the horizon. Only Suika's glowing eyes were visible.

"I will need to use my full power to do so," Suika said and punched Naru in the head. The force was so big that Naru hit the ground and created a deep crater in the ground. The whole area trembled furiously because of the strength of the punch. But Suika didn't stop there. She quickly landed on the ground and started punching Naru's body with a series of powerful and fast punches, burying Naru deeper in the ground. Naru cried out of pain, but the shout was quickly repressed by another punch by Suika.

After the series of punches, Suika didn't give time for Naru to even blink. She grabbed Naru by the collar and threw her high in the sky. Suika saw Naru was flying high in the sky. Suika made a hard step on the ground. It started glowing with red light and soon a large pillar of fire burst from the ground directly under Naru. Naru didn't even blink before fire consumed her.

Suika saw how the smoked body of Naru was flying down to the ground. But Suika didn't stop there. She jumped in the air and grabbed Naru by her arm. She pulled Naru to herself and punched her straight in guts, sending her with tremulous force towards the ground. When Naru hit the ground, pieces of rocks where flying everywhere.

Kurama and Sakuya where watching this with mixed expressions. Kurama was shocked and tried to run to help Naru but she was scared of Suika's power. The power of Oni. In terms of magical power Kurama was stronger, but raw power, the strength of Oni, it was far above her level. Sakuya also was watching this with grief. She didn't want to see Naru get hurt, she wanted to help her, but she was also scared. Scared and she also knew why Suika was doing it.

Suika landed on the ground and with a stern look, looked at the beaten body of Naru. Naru spat blood and groaned slightly with pain, but didn't say anything. The sun had hidden already behind the horizon. The night sky was turning from an orange color to deep blue, almost like the deepest places in the ocean. The sky was starting to be illuminated by stars. Naru looked at them with half closed eyes.

Play (Touhou Violin/Piano) Capital City of Flowers in the Sky

"How's, that feel. When you're alone? When no one will come to help you? When you're all alone on this world, without friends, without people who would love you? Only surrounded by enemies. You, the only source of the light, in endless darkness?" Suika asked. Naru didn't respond. She only looked at the night sky, wondering about her behavior.

"Did I really… disrespect them so much… Did I really do that?… I just… wanted to… protect them… Did my behavior… really hurt… them..." Naru was thinking. Suika looked at Naru and sighed. She clenched her fist and hit the ground. Soon the ground around Naru glowed brightly before it exploded. Naru was sent flying a few meters away from her previous location. While still in the air, Suika reached her and, grabbing her head, she made Naru hit the ground. Naru was lying on the ground, pinned by Suika.

When they stopped Suika hit the ground with Naru a few times before throwing her at the wall. Suika looked at the collapsing wall where Naru was with a serious expression. She was glad Yukari put extra barriers around Naru's home before everything happened. So she could allow herself to be serious.

The cloud of dust settled down slightly, revealing Naru buried slightly under rocks and fragments of the wall. Her body was beaten, bloodied, half of her bones broken, a few internal bleeding. Suika clenched her head.

"Dammit! Why?! Why do I need to do it again?! I didn't want to do that! Why couldn't Yukari do it, or someone else?! Marisa, or Ran?! Someone, but not me! This is not how Naru should remember me later. I don't want to be her enemy… I want to be friends with her. Why am I the one who needs to do this..." She dropped her hands and looked at Naru who was looking at the night sky. Suika slowly started marching towards Naru.

Naru saw with one eye how Suika was coming torwards her.

"Why… Why I… did I do what I did… I thought… I was doing the right… thing… Then why… why do I feel… Like I betrayed them..." Naru couldn't figure it out. Suika now was standing before the beaten body of Naru. Suika looked at Naru.

"You know why you behave like you behaved? Because… you're Uzumaki and Namikaze!" Suika declared. Naru eyes visibly opened wide.

"Before Yukari took care of you, you were the daughter of Namikaze and Uzumaki. People for who family is the most important thing. But because those two blood mixed, this feeling, the feeling of protecting those who they loved, became stronger, to the point where you want to protect themso much, that you did what you did."

"The blood of these people is no longer in you after you turned into youkai, but the behavior stayed. Yukari knew this but didn't say anything to you. She thought, that being with her and others would cure this curse, but the influence became only stronger. She explained everything to me," Suika said with a bit of guilt in her voice.

Naru only released air from her lungs and, with shaking sight, looked at Suika. And smiled. It was a small and faint smile, but Suika could see it clearly. Naru knew why Suika had done what she did today. She had realized it while Suika beat her up. Suika felt tears gather in her eyes. With astunned face and body, eyes wide open, Suika looked at the faintly smiling Naru.

Suika fell on her knees and looked at sky with tears dropping from her eyes, down her chin. Suika felt how the weight of guilt of what she did today struck her. Like the last time, after she left. The same pain struck deep in her heart. And the smile Naru was giving Suika broke the ice. Suika started crying uncontrollably. Suika grabbed herself.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Suika was repeating over and over again. And Naru was smiling. At her, at the night sky, at herself. She finally could be who she should be for everyone. And Suika had helped her. She was grateful for that.

Naru felt how her body was turning numb. She felt weak, so weak. And heavy. She looked at the stars which were illuminating the whole sky, like one big pattern.

"Ahhhh… Such a beautiful… night… I wish… to see more night… like this… with everyone… with Kaa-san… Ran-kun, Chen… Kurama, Sakuya… and with you… Suika..." Naru said weakly, her voice was almost a whisper.

Suika stopped crying and looked at Naru who had closed her eyes but still had a smile on her face. Suika wanted to say something, but her words stuck in her throat, unable to leave her mouth. Suika felt how her heart was clenching with guilt, sorrow, anger. But the guilt was the strongest feeling in her right now. The pain in her heart was so big, that Suika wanted to rip it from her chest, just to make it stop.

Suika started crying again and started hitting ground with her fist. She didn't want to be like this. She wanted to make happy memories with Naru, see her grow, her smile. Drink with her and fool around. Like good friends. She didn't want to beat Naru like this.

Kurama and Sakuya ran to them with worried expressions, especially Kurama. She ran directly to Naru's body, which was beaten pretty hard. Kurama could feel some of the pain and damage which Naru had gotten from beating. She removed rocks from Naru's body and gently grabbed her in abridal style.

Sakuya meanwhile was kneeling next to Suika, with her hand on her back, trying to comfort her. Sakuya also took a look at Naru and Kurama, and felt guilt in her heart for not doing anything. She knew, or at least had a good idea why Suika had done this. But she felt guilty, because she didn't stop Suika.

Kurama stood up and slowly moved back to the house, but stopped next to Suika and Sakuya. On her face was an angry expression. A stoic, angry expression. Kurama was furious, but she couldn't do anything now. She needed to take care of Naru. Her tails were moving with a slow but angry motion. Kurama was also glowing with a red-orange aura around her. She only spared a glance full of hate at Suika. Kurama looked at Suika who was still crying.

"I know that Naru doesn't hate you. But I'm barely holding myself to not rip you limb to limb. Leave now. I don't want to see you for now," was all Kurama said and then left to the house to take care of Naru. Suika only nodded. She didn't cry but tears still were visible on her face. Kurama left Suika and Sakuya alone in the garden.

Sakuya didn't say anything. She couldn't and even if she could, the words would probably stick in her throat. She only lowered her head with shame. Suika wiped out the tears and slowly stood up. Sakuya looked at Suika and tried to comfort her with words but Suika stopped her.

"It's ok. I knew this would happen… I knew… Don't worry… I will be fine..." Suika said with a stoic expression but Sakuya could tell, that Suika was holding tears back. Her voice was shaking as well as her body. Sakuya lowered her hand and head as well. A gap opened near them, but no one emerged from it. Suika slowly walked to the gap, but stopped before she entered and turned to Sakuya.

"Tell Naru I'm sorry. I… never mind… I will visit her later… maybe… If I find the courage to look in her eyes..." Suika said and left via the gap which soon closed. Sakuya was alone in the destroyed garden still in a kneeling position.

Stop playing music

With Kurama

Kurama placed Naru in her futon. She removed her clothes, leaving only underwear. She also cleaned Naru from dust, sweat and blood. Naru's hair was in a mess, her clothes were only rags which were completely destroyed. Naru's body had places where the skin was deep purple, and where it wasn't purple it was pale. Naru was looking like she was on the brink of death, but Kurama could feel, that Naru was far from being dead.

Kurama placed a wet towel on Naru's forehead. She was kneeling beside her with an expressionless face. But her eyes were telling a different story. She was mad but also sad, in despair even. To see Naru is such a state and to not be able to do anything to prevent it from happening it. That waswhat hurt her the most. She was her Shikigami, she should protect her. Instead she could only watch how Naru had been beaten to this state she was in now.

Kurama clenched her hands as well as her eyes and mouth, trying not to cry. She felt pathetic, like a human child who couldn't do anything. She covered her face and started sobbing quietly.

"I'm sorry… I couldn't do… anything… to help you..." Kurama muttered quietly to herself. Naru was breathing with a steady rhythm. Kurama spend the rest of the night next to Naru taking care of her.

Sakuya was in the kitchen trying to wash dishes. She had thought she it would take her thoughts away from what had happened to Naru.

But this hadn't helped. She stopped in the middle with a sad expression. She looked at her hands and felt how tears were gathering in her eyes. She allowed it to happen. Even if the reason was to help Naru, it's still hurt. She felt how anger rose in her chest. She gritted her teeth and hands, which were shaking from anger. She grabbed a plate and threw it at the wall.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She fell on her knees with tears coming down her chin. She started crying uncontrollably.

That night no one could sleep properly except Naru.

Few days later

Naru slowly opened her eyes. The light was faint so her eyes didn't hurt when she opened them. She slowly looked around without moving her head. She felt like her whole body was burning from pain, but she gritted her teeth and ignored it. She was alone in her room.

She wondered where Kurama and Sakuya where. Had they left to the city or something? She couldn't tell. She tried to get up but the pain in her chest stopped her for a second before she sat down in her futon. The last thing she remembered was the crying Suika after she had beat the living shit out of her. Naru understood why Suika did it, she understood perfectly.

"I wonder where Kurama is," she mused to herself and tried to stand up but something stopped her. She felt an arm on her shoulder. But on one had been here earlier. It could mean only one thing.

"What do you want Kaa-san?" Naru turned slightly to see at least some part of Yukari's face. Then she noticed the sad expression on her face. Naru had idea why, but didn't said anything. Yukari hugged Naru from behind and started patting Naru's head. Naru didn't get why Yukari was doing it, but she didn't stop her.

She could feel something was behind this action, but she couldn't guess what it was. Yukari opened her eyes and say while still patting her head.

"I'm sorry Naru-chan. I… I should find some other way to do it… But..." Yukari hugged Nary tighter. She could hear the sorrow in Yukari's voice. Naru knew why Yukari was sorry. Naru smiled slightly.

"Don't worry. Suika explained it to me… And… I guess it was my fault. I should… ask my friends for help. After all, they are here for me, to support me," Naru said with a gentle voice, relaxing in Yukari's arms. Yukari couldn't feel more proud of Naru right now, but she couldn't smile. After all, this wasn't everything she needed to say to Naru.

"Naru… Do you know where... Kurama and Sakuya... are?" Yukari asked. Naru thought a little but shook her head.

"You can't sense Kurama?" Yukari asked again, this time a bit more serious. Naru shook her head again. Naru wondered why. Soon Yukari explained.

"Kurama… she came to me after she took care of your injuries… She decided to break the Shikigami Contract… and Sakuya… she went back to Scarlet Devil Mansion," Yukari said, expecting the worst.

Naru's eyes opened wide at this information. Her whole body froze on the spot. Only her slight breathing could be heard. She felt… empty. Why? Why would they leave? Was this because of her? It was her fault. Tears started gathering in Naru's eyes and soon she broke into a hysterical cry. Her body started shaking violently and Yukari tried her best to hold Naru tightly in her hug. Her injuries still weren't healed, so this kind of movement was dangerous.

Naru was crying for another hour, until she stopped. Tears still where coming from her eyes, but right now, she was lying on Yukari's hips, with her eyes open but with no life in them. Yukari was patting Naru's head with a lowered head. She didn't say anything. There was nothing good to say.

Naru was looking in empty space. She didn't move, not even flinch. She didn't even blink. Her eyes were like glass. Empty. She was depressed. Yukari kept patting Naru's head, stroking her hair gently.

"Was it… because of… me? They left… because of me…?" Naru finally asked in a low voice, almost a whisper. She sounded like robot; with no life, no energy. Just a shell of her former self. Yukari smiled gently and kissed Naru on the head.

"No, it's not because of you. They came to me explaining that they didn't deserve you. They felt like they had betrayed you, allowing Suika to injure you like this. I guess it's my fault they left you. Because I came up with this idea," Yukari responded. Naru didn't say anything. She kept staring at space with blank eyes. Yukari didn't want this to continue. She couldn't bear to see Naru in this state. She needed to do something. Naru opened a small gap and pulled out a small picture. On it was Naru, Kurama, Chen, Yukari, Sakuya, Remilia, Patchouli, Meiling, Flandre, before Naru had leftfor Konoha.

Naru eyes were locked on Sakuya and Kurama. Tears start flowing again from her eyes. Yukari didn't say anything. She couldn't say anything. Words weren't able to leave her throat. Naru clenched the picture to her chest and started sobbing quietly.

Then knocking to the door could be heard. Naru didn't even notice it, but Yukari raised her head and looked at the direction of the hall which lead to the main door. Yukari gently placed Naru, who was still sobbing, in the futon and went to see who it was.

Yukair wasn't in the mood to talk with anyone, so even if this was damn Hokage she would tell them to get lost. She didn't have time for that. She opened the door and saw Iruka with a concern face. Yukari had a serious expression on her face and even an annoyed grin. Iruka flinched slightly but spoke.

"I'm Iruka Umino, sensei of Naru Yakumo. She has been absent for a few days and it concerned me. I came here to check on her. Is she in home?" Iruka sound concern. Yukari looked at him.

"Naru won't be coming to school for some time now. It's family business," Yukari spoke in a tone which told him to get lost. She didn't have time for that. Iruka flinched, surprised.

"I see. Anyway, please tell her my regards. I will take my leave now." And Iruka left. Yukari looked at him for few second before she closed the door and got back to Naru who was lying in the futon, still sobbing quietly to herself. Yukari just sat next to Naru but didn't say anything or do anything. She just sat there and kept listening to Naru cry.

Gensokyo, Scarlet devil Mansion, before Naru awake

Remilia was sitting on her chair, drinking tea and reading the newspaper brought by Aya, a few minutes ago. The Scarlet Mansion was in a little turmoil right now. Because Sakuya wasn't here, a few things needed to be reorganized. First thing, Meiling was again Head Maid, and because of that there was no gate guard in front of the Scarlet Mansion. This gave more bold youkai the hint to try and get in.

Of course they failed, because at that time Flandre was outside. After she had made friends with Naru, Remilia had decided to see how she would behave outside the basement. And she was surprised how well Flandre had behaved. She even wondered if someone had replaced her sister for someone else.

The lack of gate guard was also noticed by Marisa of all people. This made her 'visit' Patchouli more often followed by more books being 'borrowed' by her. Patchouli even placed more defensive spells, which didn't change anything. At all. Remilia sighed after taking a sip from her tea cup. The tea wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good as the ones made by Sakuya.

Suddenly Meiling opened the door violently with a loud 'thud'. Remilia, surprised by sudden sound, spilt tea on her dress. And because it was hot… well you get the idea. Remilia quickly start waving her hands to make the tea as cold as possible in little time.

Meiling was breathing heavily. She grabbed her knees and tried to catch her breath. Remilia spun to face Meiling.

"Meiling! What are you doing?!" she shouted. Meiling quickly bowed.

"So-Sorry My lady! But! She! She is here!" she said in a hurry tone. Meliling pointed behind her with a still tired but surprised expression. Remilia raised her eyebrows.

"Who is here? Answer god dammit!" Remilia was impatient.

"Sakuya! Sakuya is here! She is in the main hall!" Meiling responded. Remilia eyes opened ide and her mouth gaped. She grabbed Meiling by the collar.

"You're lying! She is with Naru in Konoha! Don't you dare lying right in front my very eyes!" she shouted right in Meiling's face. Remilia was angry and her eyes were blazing in a red color. Meiling was scared and quickly raised her arms in a defensive manner.

"Th-That's true! I'm speaking the truth! She is here!" Meiling quickly said. Remilia kept looking for a few seconds into Meiling's eyes before she dropped her onto the ground. Meiling sighed and massaged her neck. Remilia crossed her arms and thought a little before she turned to Meiling who was still on the ground.

"If you speak the truth, how was she?" she asked. Meiling thought a little before she responded.

"She was crying. She didn't say. She just went inside and fell on her knees. She said to call for you as soon as possible." Remilia looked at Meiling and quickly ran to Sakuya. While running Remilia was thinking.

"Why? Why did you came back? What happened back there? Sakuya." Remilia frowned and opened the door to the main hall. In the middle she saw the crying Sakuya, with her face burrowed in her hands. Remilia stood at the door frame before she slowly started walking to Sakuya.

She didn't even noticed when Remilia kneeled next to her and grabbed her in a hug. She started patting her head, but didn't say anything. It wouldn't do any good. Sakuya was crying like something really bad had happened. But Remilia didn't want to talk about it right now. It wasn't the time. It would only hurt Sakuya more.

But Remilia frowned with anger and decided to pay Naru back, for making Sakuya cry. She would pay and pay painfully.

But Remilia didn't know why Sakuya was crying, and she wasn't aware of the events that had happened in Konoha.

Ok, folks. This is the chapter. I hope you will like it. I get this idea from Sengoku Gensokyo, which is cool game by the way. I just change one event into more… dramatic, I think you could say.

Anyway, hope you enjoy it and see you soon in the newest chapter.

Note from Beta Reader

P.S The beta reader apologises for the delay of the chapter as it was entirely their fault.

The beta reader also thanks all the readers for supporting the story.