...
In Caring Arms
Chapter IV: Lower Moons
The fireplace burned relentlessly, warming the space around them. Its heat was a strange thing, an unfamiliar thing—a stark reminder of his inability to revel in the sunlight.
He watched the flames with weary eyes, distant thoughts swirling within his mind. Thoughts of the past. Thoughts of the present. Thoughts of all he had done to reach this point.
Close.
He was very close to the solution. He could almost feel it.
Yet, everything still seemed so far away. So out of reach. The more time passed, the more impatient he became. This curse, he feared, would never leave him. And he would be trapped in a body that despised the sun. Forever languishing in darkness, never to feel the piercing rays of that star in the sky.
A sudden burst of fury welled up within him, a white-hot anger that burned in his crimson eyes. His veins bulged, stretching across his porcelain visage. His fangs and claws lengthened, fingers tearing into the furniture upon which he sat. He gritted his teeth, a roar of rage at the cusp of his lips.
"Father?"
The little girl stirred in his arms, awakening from her slumber. She looked up tiredly, gaze rising to meet his own.
Seething, it took every ounce of self-control to keep himself from tearing this child apart.
But despite his bloodlust, she stared at him without fear, her head tilted. This child, his "daughter," looked into his crimson eyes, both curious and unflinching. And for some reason, he did not devour her in that moment. Instead, he observed her closely—like a predator watching its prey—as she lifted her tiny arms and touched his face.
"Are you okay?" she asked, innocent as a dove.
He calmed himself with a breath, the feeling of her hands strangely warm against his icy flesh.
"Yes, sweetheart," the man said softly, lying through his teeth. "I'm fine. You have nothing to worry about."
"Oh… okay." She looked rather unconvinced. "You know, mother tells me it's alright to be sad sometimes," she mumbled tiredly, a yawn escaping her lips. She snuggled into his chest and closed her eyes, unaware of the monster that held her in his arms.
Though his daughter had fallen asleep once more, the heat of her hands still lingered on his cheeks.
Muzan frowned, for it reminded him of the sun's warmth.
Ozaki awoke with a strangled gasp.
Don't leave me!
Eyes wide, panic washed over her. She looked around with confusion, sweat slicking her skin, fingers curling into fists, hands clutching at the soft blanket on her lap. The light was blinding, unrelenting. She could hardly see, could hardly feel, as she finally returned from the land slumber—painful dreams still plaguing her mind.
Where was she?
In a room. Not the inn, though. Strange, Ozaki thought. She glanced around and found that she was on a bed, and that her jaw throbbed painfully as she turned. Hand against her head, she tried to remember where she was and what had happened to her.
Then she saw him, standing to her left.
Ozaki stiffened, reaching for a sword that wasn't there. Grimacing, she tossed the covers aside, finding the nearest escape route—a door left slightly ajar. Then she sucked in a sharp breath, muscles tensing in preparation for an impromptu getaway.
However, before she could even move, she heard a familiar voice.
"Ozaki, stop!" he urged. "It's… it's okay."
Murata?
Turning around fearfully, Ozaki was somewhat relieved to see her fellow Demon Slayer. He was seated upright in a bed similar to hers, smiling nervously—like he always did. And next to him was that blond man, a stethoscope wrapped around his neck. He observed her curiously, blue eyes glinting with interest.
Her heart began to race as memories of their encounter flashed before her. She recalled the ease at which he had defeated her, the strength within those arms, and the sheer speed he possessed. Worry slipped into her stomach. They were in his domain; if he so wished, he could kill them in an instant.
"As you can see," the man finally said, "I'm no demon." He walked over to the window, fully opening the curtains. Then, he bathed in the sunlight, allowing it to fall upon his skin. And true to his word, he did not burst into flames, nor did any sounds of discomfort escape his lips. "Now, please relax so I look at your injuries."
Injuries?
At that, she felt the throb of pain in her jaw and the aching of her stomach. Ozaki glanced over at Murata. He seemed relaxed, calm, even. Her fellow Demon Slayer gave a single nod, mouthing: it's alright, and she felt her shoulders slump and her muscles slowly relax.
Unbidden, shame flooded her veins.
She bowed her head despite the pain, and said, "I apologize, sir."
The man perked up, suddenly intrigued.
Ozaki shut her eyes tightly. "As Demon Slayers, we are supposed to help civilians—protect them from demons, not attack them. I've gone against this code, trampled it beneath my feet. For that, I'm… I'm truly sorry for what I did."
There was silence. A lingering silence that set her heart racing once again. Ozaki dared not lift her head to meet his gaze, even as the tense moment finally passed.
"I forgive you."
Her eyes went wide.
"Huh?"
He grinned, a beautiful flash of teeth. "I said 'I forgive you.' And besides, your partner over here already apologized a thousand times already. So, I'm convinced that your sentiments are at least genuine." The man moved over to Murata, kneeling at the side of the bed. "To be honest, I can't really blame you for what you did last night. You're Demon Slayers, after all. You're trained to hunt and kill things that could pose a threat to human lives. Of course, I would have preferred if we talked things out first, but… that's all over and done with. I'm Naruto, by the way."
Her gaze lingered on this strange man.
"Ozaki…"
"Nice to meet you, Ozaki," Naruto replied. He then continued to assess Murata and asked him to lift up his shirt. The young man complied, revealing a purple bruise that stretched across his chest. Naruto grimaced, feeling a tad guilty. He gently palpated the slayer's sternum, checking for any abnormalities. "Do you feel any pain or tenderness?"
"Y-yeah. A little." Murata nodded, wincing beneath his touch. He chuckled weakly, "You hit hard, doctor."
"Sorry…" Naruto said softly. Focusing, he sent a pulse of chakra into his sternal area. A gentle glow seemed to surround his palm, an ethereal energy flowing into the afflicted area. "Does that feel better?"
The Demon Slayer's shoulders lost all tension. "Actually, yeah." Murata could feel the pain receding, fading into a barely noticeable ache. He shuddered as one final wave of energy entered his body.
It felt peculiar, but at the same time… satisfying.
Naruto smiled with relief, moving on to Ozaki. He reached out and took her chin between his fingers; he tilted her face upward and inspected her jaw for signs of dislocation. Ozaki's cheeks warmed at the proximity, and she averted her gaze.
"Can you lift up your shirt for me?" he asked.
Her face flushed exceedingly bright, but a stab of pain in her stomach made her forget any feelings of embarrassment. Unbuttoning her uniform, Ozaki tugged the hem of undershirt, exposing her toned stomach—now discolored by a violet bruise.
Naruto gently reached out, fingers brushing her abdominal region. Ozaki shivered, despite the warmth of his hand.
"Any pain?"
Ozaki grimaced and nodded. Then, he began the healing. The warmth of his hand spread through her skin and into the muscles of her stomach. Eyes widening, she was surprised by the strange, yet pleasant feeling that sent tingles down her spine.
Before she knew it, the pain began to ebb away, replaced by a warmth that slowly grew colder.
Once finished, Naruto pulled away. Ozaki was left frozen, glancing at Murata, then at the blond man that had just seemingly healed her injuries. He tapped her jaw in a swift motion, and the pain there dulled as well.
"How… how did you do that?"
Naruto smiled mischievously. "It's a secret."
He moved away from her bed, grabbed a stool, and sat down between both Demon Slayers. Arms crossed, his gaze moved from her to Murata, before finally settling on the window that displayed his garden—which seemed to glisten in the morning sun.
"Okay," he began. "I'm sure you have some questions. The looks on your faces pretty much tells me that you're both confused, possibly amazed, and a little afraid." Naruto leaned back against the wall behind him. "So, how about this? I'll answer your one burning question, only if you answer my question in return, alright?"
Their one burning question.
Murata glanced at her, and they both knew what that question was.
"Okay then. Why… is there a demon here?" he asked hesitantly, unsure of what Naruto's reaction would be.
The blond rubbed his hair sheepishly. "Susamaru? Well, long story short, she's my guest. She's been staying with me for a few days now, actually."
Both slayers looked at him as though he had lost his mind.
"But that's a demon," Ozaki whispered through gritted teeth. "They kill people. They eat people. All without remorse for their actions. How could you possibly harbor a demon?"
The anger in her voice could not be contained. Murata glanced her way, shaking his head in an attempt to calm her down. After all, they were still in a position of weakness. Without their weapons, they were powerless against someone like this doctor.
"S-sorry," Murata mediated. "I think what she's trying to say is that this kind of situation is unheard of. We devoted our lives to killing demons without discrimination. So when we hear something like this, it's very difficult to process…"
Naruto watched them closely, studying the upset Ozaki and the cautious Murata. He figured this would happen. This situation was a bit strange, even to him. He had killed many demons since coming here, and not once had one given up during their fight. Not one had stopped to consider their mortality when attacking him. Driven by a lust for his flesh, they kept trying to eat him, even when they were soundly beaten, even when he left them in the sun to die.
But Susamaru had been different. She attacked him, yes. However, when faced with the reality of her death, while still craving his blood, she stopped to consider his words.
As a result, he had decided to give her a chance.
A gamble, of course. But still, she had proven herself a person of her word. Someone willing to change, in spite of the urges that plagued the mind of a typical demon.
"I don't expect you to understand my actions, nor do I expect you to agree with them," Naruto said calmly. "However, one fact remains here. When you attacked her, Susamaru did not use lethal force against you. She didn't even use her weapons—which, if she did, would have left both of you in a much worse state. In short, all she did was defend herself from you, right?"
The silence was palpable.
Looking at it objectively, that was the truth. They attacked her first, and all she did was evade. In the end, they would have killed her if Naruto hadn't intervened; but if she had resorted to those weapons of hers, then they would certainly have more injuries than they did now.
"That's… that's not the point," Ozaki urged, her argument losing steam. "Even if she's somehow different, most demons aren't. Knowing this, it's impossible to tell which ones aren't blood thirsty monsters."
"I agree," Naruto said. "That's why I'm not angry at you for attacking her. It's my fault, really. I should have been out there with her. Maybe if I'd been there earlier, we could have at least talked things out." He rubbed his spiky main, sighing. "This whole situation was just unfortunate. But I hope we've come to a bit of an understanding."
Murata nodded slowly. "I guess…"
Ozaki remained silent, unsure of what to say.
"Anyway," Naruto continued. "What brought you to my clinic last night?"
"A demon," Ozaki answered quietly. "We were given a mission to kill the demon that terrorized Nerima a few days ago. We wanted to see if you knew anything, since you're treating some of the victims."
Naruto leaned forward. "Well, I was out of town during the incident. So, unfortunately, I don't have much details as far as descriptions go."
"Damn," Murata muttered. "We still have zero leads then."
"If it helps," Naruto continued, "one of my patients did report seeing a single demon. They also said that there were animals involved, like wolves and even a bear."
"Animals?" Ozaki echoed. She instantly remembered seeing the claw marks that were carved into buildings. And she didn't like the implications of it.
"That's about all I have for you though," the blond said, standing up.
"Uh, thank you," said Murata, bowing his head. "Even though it doesn't seem like much, this information should be very useful to us."
"No problem, Murata." Naruto gave a half smile, crossing his arms once more. "And actually, I'm considering going after this demon myself."
Both slayer's eyes widened with alarm, a million questions forming in their minds. However, before they could utter a word of protest, someone knocked on the door.
A moment later, they entered.
Murata and Ozaki's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
They were speechless, gazing with a mixture of confusion and fascination. Because the person that had just arrived looked exactly like Muichiro Tokito, the mist Hashira. His hair was shorter, and his demeanor was different: faintly aloof, more serious. He was also missing an arm. But the resemblance was there—almost uncanny.
Yuichiro paused, taking one sweeping glance around the room. He frowned, then sighed with exasperation, a small, yet knowing smile on his lips.
"Okay, Sensei," he remarked. "What on earth happened here last night?"
Naruto only chuckled.
"Let's… discuss this outside," he said sheepishly.
The doctor had been gone for a few minutes, presumably to explain the situation to who they assumed was his student.
Now, left to their own devices, both of them sat in silence. Only the sounds of singing birds and a whistle of wind filled the quiet room.
Murata exhaled in an exaggerated manner, glancing her way.
"So, what're you thinking, Ozaki?"
She gripped her covers tightly.
"That he's… incredible."
"I know." Murata clenched and unclenched his fists. "He beat us so easily, and he doesn't even know any breath styles. Not even the most basic of techniques. In fact, he barely seemed to take a breath while we fought. That strength of his… I wonder where it comes from."
"He's also a medical expert. Just like Lady Shinobu," she added. "And he seems to be around our age, too."
Murata recalled their conversation with Naruto; a contemplative look entered his eyes.
"You think we should try recruiting him to the corps?"
It was a risky idea, but a good one, nonetheless. "Maybe," Ozaki said. "We could really use someone with such raw talent. Imagine if he was properly trained. He could probably become as strong as a Hashira."
"It's possible," Murata replied, crossing his arms. He was still surprised by the fact that his chest no longer hurt. "But we'll have to convince him first. And honestly, I don't think we made a good first impression."
"That's for sure." Ozaki frowned, a wave of guilt washing over her. "B-but still, he's harboring a demon. I don't think anyone, especially the Hashira, will tolerate having someone like that join us."
"What a shame." Murata leaned back against his palms. "We need all the help we can get against the demons. We need stronger people."
"Yeah," Ozaki said sadly, eyes distant.
There were truly special people in this world—freaks of nature that made normal humans look like fodder. The Hashira were a prime example, and so was Naruto. In a way, it discouraged her because she knew she would never reach their level. She wasn't talented, nor was she particularly strong.
And if she could be beaten so easily by an untrained person, was she really powerful enough to make a difference in the world?
The thought gnawed at her stomach—twisting and mangling Ozaki's confidence in her abilities.
"Also, did you see that guy just now?" Murata continued. "Is it just me, or did he look a lot like Master Tokito?"
Pushing those feelings aside, Ozaki managed a nod.
"I thought I was the only one that noticed. The hair's shorter, though. And I don't remember hearing that Master Tokito has brother. Did you?"
"Nope." Murata shrugged. "He's probably just someone that looks like him. That's not too uncommon."
A moment of silence slipped by, and she could hear Naruto talking with his student, her sharp ears gleaning bits of information. It wasn't a heated discussion by any means, as far as she could tell.
"Naruto says he might be going after the demon that caused all this," Murata whispered.
Ozaki frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said. "Civilians shouldn't risk their safety like that. He might be strong, but he doesn't have a nichirin blade. He can't kill a demon."
"That's true," he replied, studying the walls. "We'll tell him to leave it to us—that it's our job to handle these sorts of things."
"We should also get back to work as soon as possible," Ozaki said. "This mission is already becoming too long. I'm sure our crows will be coming to check in on us soon."
Murata stretched his muscled arms above his head.
"How long should we stay here then?"
"Until evening, maybe?" she suggested. "I feel better. Whatever it is he did, I'm not in pain anymore."
"Me neither," Murata said, stroking his chin in thought. "It's… kind of strange, don't you think?"
"Yeah," she said—that suspicion resurfacing in her mind, but she shook it away. "He's not a demon though. We know that for sure now."
Murata nodded and rose from his bed, intent on finding a restroom. He yawned and headed for the door.
"Then I guess its settled. We'll stay a little longer."
Night
When they decided to leave, the sun had just set. And for some reason, Naruto's garden looked even more beautiful in the darkness. To Murata, it was very calming, reminiscent of his hometown, where the full moon would shine its radiance upon streams and rivers and lakes.
They ended up staying longer than expected. Despite their rocky encounter, Naruto had shown them a great deal of kindness. Contrary to their initial expectations, he did not harbor a grudge against them, nor did he treat them worse than his other patients.
He gave them free reign over his home, with certain exceptions, of course. He fed them, talked with them when he wasn't busy, and even gave them the best routes to follow when in the city.
In essence, it was a peaceful day. A well needed reset from all the stress of trying to find their target.
Now, they were at the door, ready to set out for the night. Murata threw on his haori and fastened his katana to his side, and Ozaki did the same, clutching a pack of essentials Naruto had graciously provided them. It contained food and various medical supplies just in case they needed it.
In light of his kind actions, both slayers had urged Naruto to not attempt fighting the demon they were after. It was their job, they explained. And that, in spite of his strength, he wasn't equipped with the right tools to face such a threat.
He agreed, albeit reluctantly.
"Are you sure you're okay to leave?" Naruto asked.
Murata nodded, a small smile on his lips. "Yes, we're fine, doctor. We still have a mission to complete, after all."
"Okay," Naruto said simply.
"Sorry for attacking you," Ozaki repeated.
"I told you that you're forgiven, didn't I?" he said, chuckling. Then he looked at them with a gentle gaze. "Be careful. And if you need anything, my door is always open."
"Thank you," Murata replied, finally ready to leave.
Both of them turned and went on their way, passing through his garden one more time.
Ahead of them—near the pond—was that same demon from yesterday. She was sitting on the soft grass, laughing as she played with a black cat. They moved past her warily, hands griping the hilts of their weapons, ready for her to strike.
But she paid them no mind. She knew they were behind her, yet she made no move against them, nor did that smile ever leave her beautiful face.
Later
Susamaru skipped along happily, clutching a book to her chest.
Naruto was next to her, hands in his pockets as they strolled through the lively city street. There were many people still moving along the road, despite the absent sun. They went about their business, some laughing and chatting, some drinking, some hollering for customers at their food stands.
He smiled a bit, reminded of Konoha's boisterous night life.
If only…
If only he hadn't failed, he would be at home right now, celebrating the end of the worst war in the history of the shinobi world. It was approaching that time of year—the anniversary of his defeat at the hands of his closest friend.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi had been bad enough, but Sasuke's plan to murder the kage and bring the world under his control through fear, tyranny, and violence, was, in his opinion, just as evil.
What was happening now? He wondered. Was Tsunade dead? Gaara? The others? Who else had perished because he couldn't stop the last Uchiha?
He frowned at the thought, hands clenching into fists. He had an obligation to go back—to stop whatever hell the people of the elemental nations were being put through.
No matter what, he had to find a way.
"Naruto?"
Her soft voice cut through the fog in his mind. He turned and could see her looking at him curiously. Her amber eyes landed on his trembling fists, then found their way back to his face.
"Is everything—"
He put on his brightest smile. "I'm okay, Susamaru."
"Hmm. You sure?" she pressed, inching closer and inspecting his features. "I'm not convinced."
Naruto laughed softly, nudging her with an elbow. "Trust me. I'm fine."
After a moment, she finally relented, pulling back. "If you say so, doctor," Susamaru said playfully as she clutched that orange book.
"Oh. I see you've been reading my book," he said, taking notice of what she was holding.
She beamed. "The tale of the Utterly gutsy Shinobi. It has a very interesting title, but I have to say, it's got me hooked. And even more interesting is the fact that the main character has your name. Coincidence? I don't think so~"
"You're right about that," Naruto explained as they moved past a throng of laughing people. "That book was written by my sensei. My parents loved it so much they decided to name me after the main character."
"Really?" she asked. "That's actually very sweet. Whoever this Jiraiya guy is, he sure knows how to write. I'd like to meet him someday."
Naruto smiled gently, clasping his hands behind his spiky mane.
"He died a few years ago."
Susamaru's face fell. "Sorry… I didn't mean to assume."
He waved her off. "Don't worry. You didn't know. In fact, I'm glad you like his writing so much that you'd want to meet him. He'd be happy to know that." Naruto paused, thinking. "However, I'm not sure if you'd really want to meet him in person."
She arched a brow. "Why's that?"
"Let's just say… he was a very perverted man," Naruto said, laughing wistfully. And, as much as he liked to deny it, Jiraiya's ways had certainly rubbed off on him—to some degree.
Susamaru shrugged. "Well, everyone has a perverted side," she said. "Some are just good at hiding it."
"Are you speaking from experience?" Naruto teased.
Eyes widening, a blush tinted her pale cheeks. "M-maybe. Even demons have urges, y'know." She shook her head, quickly changing the subject. "A-anyway, you never told me where we're going."
"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise," Naruto said, "but we're going to see my friend."
This friend of his. The same one he had mentioned when she first started staying with him and Yuichiro. She wondered what was so special about this woman. Evidently, she lived in a different part of Tokyo, and she owned a clinic as well, tending to people that weren't in Naruto's immediate vicinity.
Someone waved in their direction, and Naruto returned the gesture.
Susamaru hadn't noticed it before, but a lot of people seemed to know her companion. Probably former patients of his, she realized.
"Also, I've been meaning to ask how you're doing," Naruto suddenly said. "I mean, after all that happened yesterday, with Ozaki and Murata. Are you all right?"
Physically, yes, she was great. But emotionally, well…
She gritted her teeth. "Ugh! They pissed me off so much," she exclaimed. "I tried to talk to them, but they wouldn't listen. I even made sure not to attack them with my temari, and all they did was cut off my arms! It was just terrible. Absolutely terrible!" After getting all of the frustration off her chest, Susamaru took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "But, as I've said many times before, I won't blame them for deciding to attack me."
Her final words were soft, understanding. And Naruto looked upon her with a warm gaze.
"You kept your promise to me," he said, "and I appreciate it. But if this ever happens again, I want you to know that it's okay to defend yourself. You've proven that I can trust you." He turned away, rubbing his golden hair. "And… I can't have you dying on me now, can I?"
"Of course not," she replied, grinning. "I'm not dying anytime soon."
Not yet.
"Oh, and since she lives a bit far away, just walking will take too long," Naruto said, entering a secluded ally. "So—" He smirked. "Try to keep up."
In that moment he leapt upward, jumping atop buildings in a burst of speed.
Susamaru felt excitement surging through her, always eager for a challenge. She followed after him, bounding forward in an attempt to keep pace, all while laughing with glee.
In the end, though, she could hardly keep up. They covered a quarter of the city in a matter of minutes, but he'd always been a few meters ahead of her—no matter how much energy she put into her legs.
Finally, their surroundings began to change, giving way to a more opulent area. An area even brighter than where Naruto's clinic was located. A place with more activity and wealthier denizens.
They leapt off a particularly large building, then continued on foot. They were a blur in the night, barely noticeable to those around them. Naruto slowed down a bit, and she found herself running beside him.
They wound through a few more streets until they reach a lengthy compound. Ahead, a dead-end quickly approached.
Even as the wall loomed closer, Naruto did not stop. Just before she voiced her concern, he ran right through it, as though the wall was nothing but a projection. She followed suit, slipping past the "wall" that was created by what she assumed was a concealment talisman, made possible by a blood demon art.
Slowing down, they stopped in front of a beautiful house, where a woman and a young man were waiting at the door.
The woman smiled at both of them, and in that moment, Susamaru knew that these two weren't human.
Tamayo was beautiful, as always. With comely features and a feminine physique, she was the object of many men's desires. Dressed in a floral-patterned kimono, her gaze was kind as she welcomed him in. He hadn't seen her in a month, and he found that he missed her company. Technically speaking, they weren't too far away from each other, but with both of them owning a clinic, things tended to become busy, leaving them little time to meet.
However, every month he cleared his schedule and came to visit. Firstly, so he could see her. And secondly, so he could supply both her and Yushiro with his blood.
"Come on, dear," Tamayo encouraged, gently beckoning to Susamaru.
She was still standing at the entrance, frozen with trepidation. She hesitated, glancing at Naruto as he looked on with an encouraging smile.
"You're… a demon?" she asked.
Tamayo nodded slowly. "I am. Both me and Yushiro are. I assumed Naruto would have told you."
Crossing her arms, she accosted Naruto with an accusing stare. "Well, he didn't tell me at all." At that, the blond chuckled. "I guess this is the surprise?"
"Naruto!" Tamayo scolded. "You didn't tell her?" She shook her head as her blond friend put his hands up innocently. "Well, I can't say I'm shocked. Since I've known you, you've always been a playful person. In any case, Susamaru, I'm Tamayo, and this is my clinic."
"And I'm Yushiro, Lady Tamayo's faithful aid," said the person standing at the woman's side. He looked young, barely an adult in appearance, but Susamaru knew he was far older than any human.
In that moment, she froze, pausing for a moment as she realized that this woman was called Tamayo. The Tamayo. A fugitive. On the run from Muzan for hundreds of years.
Finally getting over the shock, she entered the building. "You know my name?"
"Of course," Tamayo affirmed. "Naruto sent me a letter detailing what happened on his way back to Tokyo. I must admit, I was a bit surprised. But looking at us, it's not so hard to believe that a demon would try to change their ways. Right this way, please."
They followed the doctor to a room, one with cushions and places to sit.
Susamaru stuck close to Naruto. Even though she was surround by her own kind, she still felt a bit nervous. She didn't know why, but this whole situation was surreal. The fact that there were other demons that could control themselves in the presence of a human like Naruto.
"I want you to wait here for a bit," Naruto told her. "Miss Tamayo and I have some business to attend to."
"W-wait," she whispered, glancing around.
Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder. "You'll be fine. It won't be long. And plus, you'll have Yushiro to keep you company."
The male demon huffed, crossing his arms pompously. "If you think I'll leave Lady Tamayo's side, then you're gravely mista—"
"Yushiro~"
Tamayo's voice sent a chill down his spine. "I-I mean, if it's what Lady Tamayo desires, then I'll gladly stay with her!"
"Good." Tamayo smiled sweetly. "Feel free to relax, dear. Come along, Naruto."
Susamaru watched him leave, a strange feeling arising in her chest. She crossed her arms and sighed, taking a seat.
"And what are you lookin' at?" she asked.
Yushiro's brow twitched with annoyance.
"It's hard to believe that it's almost been three years since we met," Tamayo remarked.
She led him into sterile room. Naruto followed and entered, finding a single bed to sit on. He knew the drill. They'd done this more times than he cared to count; so, he remained still, took of his jacket, and rolled up his sleeve, exposing his arm for her to extract his blood.
"Feels like yesterday that you found me, bloodied and dying," Naruto recalled. "I was so exhausted. I wouldn't have survived long without you."
"You flatter me, Naruto," she said. "Your body heals quicker than a typical human's. I didn't play that big of a role in your recovery."
He smiled a bit. "I wouldn't say that."
Tamayo quickly gathered the supplies she would need, and Naruto watched her—an expert in her field—as she pulled on a pair of gloves and moved to his side.
"How's Yuichiro?" Tamayo asked. She tied a rubber tourniquet around his arm, which in turn caused his veins to become more visible. "He hasn't visited in some time."
"He's been the same old Yuichiro—serious as usual," he answered, chuckling. "But he's also been working so hard, learning so much, and making friends outside of the clinic. I'm happy for him, honestly."
"It seems saving that young man did wonders for you as well," she remarked. Naruto tilted his head curiously. "You look so proud when you talk about him."
"Oh, yeah?" he said, a bit embarrassed. "Well, who wouldn't be proud of someone like him?"
Disinfecting the area, Tamayo found the right vein and punctured it, drawing his blood through a special needle. The crimson liquid flowed freely, entering a vile. Despite this, Tamayo did not lose her composure, neither did she begin to salivate, like most other demons would.
She drew several pints of blood, more so than a typical person. But thanks to Naruto's increased regenerative abilities, he could handle a bit more being taken.
"Thank you, Naruto," Tamayo remarked happily. "Your blood sustains us for a longer period of time, compared to our other donors. It's always a pleasure to have you here."
Naruto waved her off. "Come on, Tamayo. This is the least I can do for the person that saved my life."
"I suppose," she laughed softly, then stored his blood in a secure place. She moved back and sat next to him. "Now, tell me about Susamaru. How has her behavior been?"
Pulling his sleeve down, Naruto stroked his chin in thought. "She's been fine for the most part. Even around other people, she hasn't made a move to attack. She still desires blood though, and I gladly provide, of course. But… she's changed a bit. She remembers her life before she was turned. And she's working hard to improve herself—whether that's through gardening or reading or even playing with our cat."
"Interesting," Tamayo said, mulling over his words. "I'm not too sure what to make of this. But I'm happy that even one demon could change their ways."
"It has to be my blood," Naruto speculated.
But Tamayo shook her head. "Possibly. However, I don't believe your blood physically changes people—not like Muzan's. What it does do, perhaps, is give demons the strength to change. In the case of many demons though, this change won't happen, because they would much rather the quick pleasure of eating you over working to restrain that part of themselves."
"Huh," he remarked. "Never thought of it like that."
It was an interesting hypothesis.
Maybe his blood was a catalyst, not a cure—something that could aid demons in suppressing their urges for flesh and organs. But only if they truly desired to. If they did not want to change, then they wouldn't.
"What about your plan to return home?" Tamayo inquired. "Have you made any progress?"
Only two people knew about his project. Only Tamayo and Yuichiro.
Naruto nodded, clenching and unclenching his fist. "I've made some progress, but I'm still not there yet. The solution could come to me today, or next year. That's how these things work. But no matter what, I will find a way back."
"I know you will." Tamayo sighed, placing a gentle hand on his. "You just seem tired…"
"Is it that noticeable?" he asked. The sheer amount of chakra it took to expand the portal was finally taking its toll, it seemed.
"A little," Tamayo said. "I know this is important to you, and I know that you're working very hard, but please don't hurt yourself in the process."
She couldn't help but be concerned. This teenager, barely a man, had so much to deal with.
"Don't worry, Tamayo. I'll be careful," he promised, smiling as he stood up.
She could only nod and trust that he would be safe.
"Before you leave," Tamayo said after moment, "let me see Susamaru privately. I also want to take a sample of her blood."
Susamaru found herself sitting across from Tamayo.
They were alone, and it was silent. She didn't know what to think, what to say, or what to feel.
Tamayo, however, smiled gently—a motherly look in her eyes. There was so much care and love in that gaze that Susamaru felt the tension around her begin to disappear.
"This must be strange for you," the older demon began. "Your whole life has changed in a matter of days, and here you are, talking to another demon like yourself."
"I'd be lying if I said that's not how I feel," Susamaru admitted. "But… a part me is relieved. Because I'm…"
"Not alone?"
A blush tinted her pale cheeks.
"Yeah…"
Tamayo's kind gaze lingered on her. "You'll never be alone, Susamaru. Not again. And if you need anything, you're welcome to come here anytime." The doctor stood up and began setting up her equipment. "It's okay if I take your blood, right?"
Susamaru shrugged. Naruto already explained this would happen. "Sure."
With consent given, Tamayo went through the whole process once more. While she worked, Susamaru observed the beautiful woman, a thousand thoughts in her mind.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Yes, dear."
She ignored the pinch of the doctor's needle. "How did you meet Naruto?"
Looking up, Tamayo said, "It's quite the story. But to be brief, I found him outside my clinic. In the street, actually. He was terribly injured, unconscious, and surrounded by onlookers. While everyone was frozen, I did what any doctor would do. I took him in and helped him recover."
Back then, his blood had been so alluring, so different from any person, that even her and Yushiro were affected. However, she did not act on that temptation to feast upon human flesh. Instead, she pulled herself together and focused on helping him, as a doctor would to any other patient.
Nodding, Susamaru grew quiet once more. Then she glanced at the doctor again, hesitating.
"You have another question?" asked Tamayo.
"Um… I don't know if it's too personal to ask."
Tamayo concluded the procedure and stored Susamaru's blood. "Don't worry. You can ask me anything."
Susamaru swallowed. "Th-Then, your family, your human family," she began. "When you were turned… did you kill them?"
Tamayo smiled sadly.
"Yes."
Her husband and her children and so many other innocent people, dead by her hand. It was the one thing she could never forgive herself for doing.
"How did you move on from it—the guilt?" Susamaru asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I don't think I'll ever truly move past it," Tamayo explained. "I still think about them, even to this day. But the guilt lessens with time, as horrible as it sounds. The thing is: you have to keep moving forward. Do something meaningful. Devote yourself to something that you know your family, were they still alive, would be proud of."
Susamaru listened with rapt attention, engrossed in the wise woman's words.
"And most importantly," Tamayo continued, "surround yourself with people that love you. And love them even more in return."
It was time to leave.
They'd spent a few hours in Tamayo's clinic, but it hadn't been for nothing. She'd learned so much, more than she deserved to know. For that, she was grateful. Grateful to have someone she could talk to about this new life she was living.
Tamayo and Yushiro were there to see them off. The male demon had his arms crossed, standoffish as usual. But even he seemed to have enjoyed their visit.
"I appreciate your donation, Naruto," Tamayo said sincerely. "It will sustain us for a good while."
She glanced at Yushiro, who, taking the hint, bowed swiftly. "Y-yes, doctor Naruto. I appreciate your help as well."
The blond tousled Yushiro's hair as though he were a child, even if the demon was over two hundred years older than him.
"I always knew you felt that way," Naruto teased—to Yushiro's annoyance.
Tamayo then pulled Naruto into a tight, lingering hug; she did the same to Susamaru, holding her closely.
"Visit whenever you like, alright?"
Susamaru returned the embrace, tentatively at first, before wrapping her arms around the older demon.
"Sure, I will."
"And make sure to keep this knucklehead in check," she said, pining Naruto with a stern, yet affectionate gaze.
Susamaru laughed lightly. "Of course."
Though, in actuality, it was the other way around. Without Naruto, who knew what she would be up to at this very moment.
Probably listening to Yahaba complain endlessly about dirt and stains.
Or worse, she would be on a mission given by Muzan himself.
A spark of fear suddenly raced down her spine.
With all that had occurred, Susamaru barely thought of that man. She'd been gone for a few days, not long enough to be a problem. But in time, her absence would become more apparent. Not to Muzan, maybe, but certainly to her former partner, Yahaba.
She clenched her fists.
If Yahaba tried anything to hurt Naruto, or even Yuichiro for that matter, she would beat him into a bloodly pulp and turn him into chunks of twitching flesh.
For now, though, she would focus on what was important: her new life at the clinic, as well as the blond walking by her side.
They had just left Tamayo's clinic and were on the main road, walking at a reasonable pace, when a stray thought entered her mind.
"Hey," she began as they moved further down the path. "I know this is a strange question to ask, but… are you leaving soon?"
"Leaving?"
She held Jiraiya's book closer to her chest.
"Uh, yeah. Yuichiro spoke about you returning to your home country, or something."
The blond remained quiet for a time, even as they reached that part of town—the richer, more opulent part, filled with cars and fancily dressed individuals.
Finally, he spoke.
"Yeah. I'll be returning home. As soon as I can."
"Okay…" she whispered, clutching her book tighter. "Where is it, your home?"
"It's far," Naruto answered honestly. "Far away from here."
"Like beyond the sea?"
"Beyond that," he said, then sent her a small smile. "Don't worry. When I leave, you can stay with Tamayo. She'll take good care of you."
No…
She felt her chest constrict, a sudden sadness coming upon her.
But why?
She'd only known him for a few days.
Why was she feeling like this?
Can't I come with you? She wanted to say, but Naruto's demeanor had changed. He suddenly paused, head snapping to the direction of Nerima.
"Something's wrong…"
In that moment, she felt it too. A wave of scents and sounds, and a pressure brimming with Muzan Kibutsuji's aura. She could sense it. Three powerful entities ahead. And by the looks of things Naruto could perceive it too—a wave of negative emotions that flowed without end.
"Let's go," he said, breaking out into a sprint.
She followed behind him, the world blurring out of focus as she attempted to keep up.
In Caring Arms
…
..
.
It was chaos.
People were screaming, hollering in fear. They were running—running away as a multitude of animals descended upon them. From mutated bears, to rabid wolves and dogs, to abnormally large birds, these creatures moved about as though controlled, pouncing indiscriminatingly at anything that moved.
The streets were alight with a frenzied panic. Fathers attempting to protect their wives were attacked without remorse. Mothers, clutching their children, were mauled mercilessly. Police officers had yet to arrive at the scene, and it was a telltale sign of the spontaneity of this unprovoked attack.
Mukago stood atop a building, a gleeful smile upon her lips.
She watched the horror as it ensued, her horns sparking with stray bolts of electricity. She lifted her hands upward, and with this single gesture, she controlled the formation of the creatures attacking. Even without words, her animals still obeyed the command, finding new targets as people tried to run away.
This was her blood demon art.
She could turn any animal she pleased into a demon. Not only that, but she could manipulate them to a starling degree; she could also see through their eyes. And they were loyal to her, and only her.
Next to her, Rokuro stood. Powerful arms crossed, he stroked his beard as he observed the carnage before them. It wasn't his style of killing by any means, but this sort of strategy did have its merits.
"You truly are ruthless, Mukago," he remarked with a low chuckle.
She regarded him carefully.
"Is that a compliment?"
"More like an observation," Lower moon two replied.
"Well… I'm… I'm not doing this for my pleasure—not entirely," Mukago said quietly. "With this, he's bound to appear."
"Gah!" Lower moon six, Kamanue, growled. He was seated on the roof, watching the events unfold through narrowed eyes. "He's just a fucking human! I don't see why we can't just search for him and capture him already!"
"Quiet, Kamanue," Rokuro said sharply. "Do not be so hasty. Trust in Mukago's judgement. If this human is really as troublesome as she claims, then we must follow her plan. We must be as meticulous as possible."
Kamanue rolled his eyes, leaning forward. "Then what about those two Demon Slayer brats? Can't I just kill them now? I'm feeling a bit hungry."
"Leave them," Rokuro intoned, uninterested. "They're nothing but a nuisance."
No longer listening to their discussion, Mukago's gaze landed on the Demon Slayers below. Just two of them, trying desperately to protect civilians. A male and female, battered and bruised and tired. She took note of the male, eyes lingering on him. He had a fine scent to him, a decent face, too. Perhaps, after capturing their main target, she would play with him for a bit.
Still, it was quite entertaining to see them fighting her animals. It was a futile battle, though. Judging by the way they were struggling, they certainly weren't a threat.
Slowly, she gazed upon her handiwork, the panic she had caused.
And it was perfect, the best place to bring about death and destruction, the best way to lure him into their trap.
Murata gritted his teeth.
The bear was massive. Much larger than normal. And powerful. It's fur, instead of black, was a sickly gray. Its eyes burned a crimson shade, and engorged veins bulged along it's body. It slobbered hungrily, fat globs of drool leaking from its gaping maw.
It lunged toward him, growling dangerously.
Water Breathing - First Form.
He took a breath and focused the oxygen in his lungs, letting it spread throughout his body.
Water Surface slash!
His blade moved swiftly through the air, slicing into the neck of the creature before him. Even then, he could barely pierce its flesh. The bear swiped with menacing claws—which cut through Murata's uniform and lacerated his side.
He hissed, applying more force to his swing. And finally, the bear's head was separated from its body, spraying warm blood into the air. It collapsed with a thud, sputtering, and twitching as the last vestiges of life slipped away.
Murata panted heavily, his grip on the Katana loosening. He clutched at his side and felt the warmth of blood on his hand, flowing steadily.
"Dammit…" he Muttered. The family behind him looked on, reaching out to help him, but he shook his head. "Go! Now! While there's still a chance!"
They obeyed his order and scrambled to their feet. A mother grabbed her child and fled—just as three mutated birds came careening his way. They were large, almost as big as a person, beating their heavy wings against the air.
Murata ignored the pain and lifted his blade, entering another stance.
Sixth Form: Whirlpool.
Twisting his body, he generated enough force to slice through two of the birds. But one evaded his spinning attack, piercing his shoulder with its powerful beak.
Murata cried out, and quickly cut off its head.
He stumbled, staggering backward as the creature disappeared upon dying. His breathing became harsher, his body trembling with exhaustion.
If only he was as strong as Giyu…
Then maybe he would be able to stand a chance. But things were looking more hopeless as time went on. He chanced a glimpse at that building, catching sight of those three demons.
The Twelve Kizuki, without a doubt.
He shivered with apprehension.
They were watching him. He could just feel it, their numbered eyes gazing at him as though he were nothing but an ant.
This was the worst possible outcome. Their mission, meant to be a simple one, had turned out to be well beyond their skill level.
Ozaki, he thought desperately. Where was she?
He'd lost her in the panicking crowd.
Scanning his surroundings, he found her engaged in combat with two demon-bears, her uniform ruffled and torn.
Despite the pain in his side and shoulder, he sprinted forward.
He brought his sword down, cutting off a paw that was about to tear into his partner. She turned, relief in her eyes as she saw him.
"Murata!" Ozaki exclaimed. She looked just as bad as him, if not worse. There was a large cut on her forehead, which leaked blood into her eye, obscuring her vision.
Back to back, they stood together as more creatures began to encircle them.
Most of the crowd had fled, and the animals were now converging on their location, growling, and snapping hungrily.
Clutching his side, Murata said, "Looks like a lot people escaped."
Ozaki panted breathlessly. "That's good. I'm glad we could do something to help."
"This sucks…" he said, stabbing a disfigured dog through the throat.
She could feel tears brimming in her eyes, but she shook her head. "I thought I'd live a little long than this…"
"I thought so too," Murata's voice trembled, and he wheezed as a sharp pain stabbed at his side. "At least I had good partner to fight alongside me."
Ozaki smiled a bit, blinking away the blood that entered her eye. A dog suddenly lunged toward Murata's blind spot, and she leapt forward, pushing him aside as it bit into her forearm, sharp teeth digging into her flesh. She screamed out, sheer agony shooting through her.
"Ozaki!"
It was Murata's voice. He cried in alarm as a bear came barreling toward her, intent on tearing her apart.
If she said she wasn't afraid of dying, she would be lying. But in that moment, despite the terror coursing through her veins, she felt as though she could perceive everything in slow motion.
And she watched with fascination as the dog's head—the one biting her—exploded into pieces, spraying her with warm blood.
It didn't stop there, however, because the bear had also been reduced to chunks of meat. She could barely track it, but a patterned ball—a temari—was the culprit. It impacted her foe with enough force to tear its flesh apart.
Next to her, Murata was no longer in danger, for the animals attacking him were on the ground, cut to pieces by a familiar blond doctor.
Naruto stood protectively in front of them. Susamaru was at his side, bouncing her temari balls upon the road.
"Naruto," Murata said, clutching his side.
"Long time no see," the blond replied, brandishing a glowing kunai. He surveyed the area with a frown, eyes snapping to the three demons on the roof. "They did this, huh?"
"Yeah…"
Naruto turned and faced them, unflinching as he studied the beings above him.
His eyes narrowed.
"That's all I need to know."
End.
Remember, Tamayo is no longer under Muzan's curse. That's why she can say his name without dying. I'm just putting this out there before someone tells me I got something wrong lol
Anyway, I really enjoyed writing this chapter, especially Muzan in the beginning. In my opinion, I don't think his character was fleshed out too well in canon, and I'd like to explore him further.
So, Ozaki and Murata what to recruit Naruto?! And Susamaru and Tamayo meet at last! Finally, the lower moons make their move. I wonder how this will play out...
Mukago's blood demon art isn't known (along with most of the lower moons), so I'm taking some creative liberties here!
Thanks for reviewing, following, adding this to your favorites, and reading!
You guys rock!
Stay safe :)
Edited: 2/2/22
There was an interesting, and somewhat unnecessary, argument concerning Nerima in the review section. Just to let you know, I'm well aware that modern day 'Nerima' did not exist in the 1920s. But, does it matter? This an alternate Japan, a fictional Japan. Mount Natagumo does not exist in real life, yet it does in Kny's Japan. I don't see why Nerima can't exist in this universe. It's really a non-issue. As much as I like to be realistic, I'm not so pressed to make every detail in this story historically accurate.