Authors Note: Again the response has been amazing. Thank you so much!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Naruto.
Special thanks to God of the Wind 200 and Marioluciosemendo for bringing up some good points in reviews and pm's. As a result the original chapter 3 i wrote has been changed into chapter five. I had to split the third chapter in two.. I hope this makes it better. I do listen and take concerns and constructive criticisms seriously. Ill be editing some things in the previous chapters (I was spelling Tessaiga wrong i apologize and changing Lee's demon designation.
Edited:Febuary 2nd minor corrections and fixed the duplicated sections.
One week earlier.
Naruto was sure that demons could have headaches. His would be killing him with the sheer amount of information Myōgā had given him over the course of three days.
It was quite a relief to have a respite upon reaching the non-negotiable detour. The trip was made rather quickly because they were traveling on a miniature storm. A trick he taught his brother Shēssōmāru. Though his brother preferred a regular cloud.
The spot they found themselves in was a wall of sharp, jagged rock meeting the sea where a large maelstrom with three small whirlpools surrounding it raged.
Naruto stood up on the cloud, stretching his stiff muscles. Without warning to the retainer, Jumped off into the eye of the maelstrom. Myoga clung for dear life.
"This is insane, Master!"
Halfway through the center of the whirlpool, he twisted and performed quick hand seals, focusing his demonic energy into three of his tails. The results were three whirling spears of opposing wind. He aimed them at the surface of the water, creating several splashes as they hit.
Naruto backflipped and landed on an oddly shaped rock, which had cracked from the impact of his landing. The maelstrom's water walls were starting to collapse around them.
Naruto crouched down, placing his hands flat on the stone. He closed his eyes, feeling the heat that was bubbling beneath it. He snapped his eyes open, now a blood-red color, and cracked the stone even more, widening the fissures until hot lava-like fire appeared within them.
The rock turned into an altar, the broken earth created a pattern like the sun. A few more hand signs and he and Myoga were encased in an air bubble. Just as the water hit the crack, it created steam, which Naruto mixed his wind chakra with to strengthen his barrier.
Mere moments later, they were trapped beneath the sea. Myoga was still shaking in fear as the water pelted Naruto's barrier.
The sea around them began to boil as it filled the crack. Walking up to the barrier, Naruto spread his clawed hand over it. With great concentration and effort, he pulled a sphere of boiling water into the barrier, without the barrier collapsing. Taking the sphere of hot water, he went to the center of the altar; there was a rumble and the earth moved, revealing two spherical slots.
Inserting the hot water into the left slot, he then created a larger ball of blue swirling ki.
"Rasengan!" With a shout, he slammed the energy into the second slot.
Naruto stepped back as the ground shook and a stone door slowly rose from the spot. Confidently, he pulled on the door's handles and walked inside. The door closed behind him, and outside the water swirled and the cracks disappeared. The storm returned as if nothing had happened.
As Naruto stepped farther into the room, torches lit up on their own, revealing an ornate temple with painted murals of ancient battles depicting triumphs of the First Demon Races, and the great tailed demons ranging from one to ten tails. And statues of each one with their names carved beneath them.
One-tailed Shukaku, the demon of Earth and Sand.
Matabu, the two-tailed nekomata of fire.
Isobu - The Three-Tailed Turtle of the Sea and Waves.
Son Goku, the Four-Tailed Ape Guardian.
Kokua, the fifth-born half-dolphin-half-horse messenger.
Saihoken of the six tails, the strategist.
The Chomei demon dwells in the sky.
Gyuki, the eight-tailed bull, was the champion
Naruto bowed before each one, whispering a prayer in the old demon's speech. Until he reached Kurama, the nine-tailed fox and his ancestor. Naruto stood before him the longest. If only he had half his strength and wisdom. He vowed once that he would one day surpass him.
He won't fail again.
Myoga was in awe; he too bowed to each of their prayers, in modern tongues. He could speak many languages and read ancient scriptures, but he had never been able to speak it properly.
"I thought all the temples had been destroyed, but how is this one still standing?"
"During the Great War, my great-grandfather Minato hid it beneath the sea and in another dimension to keep it intact and safe. He guarded it until his and my grandfather's deaths at the hands of the Holy Priestess. The responsibility then fell on my mother, Kushina, and finally onto me.
Naruto headed toward the back of the room where a ceremonial altar lay beneath the Ten-Tail'd Wolf statue. The name of the creature, if it had ever had one to begin with, was long forgotten.
He smiled softly when he saw a familiar blue kimono adorned with silver butterflies. Stepping forward, he untied the kimono and unwrapped the sword hidden within. A long tsurugi sword with a pearl-like sphere at the hilt glittered in the low torchlight.
Naruto whistled twice sharply.
"Hey! Wake up old man!"
"Who are you calling an old man? You inconsiderate brat!"
A wispy white vapor rose from the sheath of the koto. A small spirit of an old man, barely larger than Myoga, hovered at eye level. It glared at the young lord.
First, you stuffed me into a scroll. Then, you trapped me here with nothing but Sounga for company! You had the nerve to just show up and wake me! I'll have you know that keeping this sword sealed is exhausting work.
Naruto stared boredly at the old spirit.
"Tell me, Saya . If you have sounga sealed..How is it able to bitch about its resting place?"
There was an awkward pause between them.
"Why are you here?" Saya glossed over Narutos question.
"I find myself in a situation that might cause me to have need of it. I will remind you, Father, left sounga and subsequently you to me. "
"So unless you want to stay here, alone. without even sounga for company. I suggest you to be a bit more respectful you old coot."
Saya felt it would be good to get out of this old temple. Although he wasnt to sure if his old spirit could take an adventure with Kushina and Tougas son.
"Just don't stuff me in another scroll."
Naruto gave a foxy grin. Taking the sheath, he secured it at his side with his other swords.
"Well then, time to head home. It will be good to see everyone again. "
With one last look around, Naruto created another door using a few hand seals, biting his thumb to draw blood he smeared it over the stone. Which cracked and crumpled to the ground revealing a hidden door.
Naruto opened it and stept through the barrier it revealed.
Myoga bounced on Naruto's shoulder in excitement as they passed through the created doorway into the heart of the elemental nations, the Land of Fire.
It had been a very long time since Myoga had last visited. It wasn't easy to pass the barrier separating the nations from the rest of Japan.
Long ago, long before the Shikon no tama was created, there were three ancient races: demons, humans, and the celestials. At first, they ignored each other's existence, but as is the nature of beings, they eventually came into conflict.
It wasn't long before war broke out. Both the humans and celestials feared the power demons held. Their ability to change weather and cause devastation with barely lifting a claw.
So the ledgends said.. In return, the demons thought little of them, considering them weak with pitifully short lifespans. No one knew who drew first blood for sure. Whatever happened caused ten thousand years of bloodshed and came close to the extinction of the celestial race.
It was then the first holy men and women were born, with energies opposite to those of demons. Their bane and the humans' boon. Whether it was the kami's will to even out the balance or the result of matings between humans and celestials, or both, the reasons have been lost in history.
Not all thrived on the chaos of the world. Though not free of hatred and violence, five great nations arose from humans and demons able to live together. The lands of Earth, Wind, Lightning, Water, and Fire. Each with a warrior village in charge of keeping the peace.
Within the villages of the elemental nations, a new power appeared. While not as strong as youki or reiki, it was used to great and devastating effects.
They called it Chakra, and unlike Youki and Reiki, it didn't have a known origin. There were theories; some said humans gained access to it through demons. Others said it was always within them, but generations nearing sources of power made them more aware.
the only confirmed answer anyone knew was that only the people of the elemental nations possessed it.
The demons were nervous about this new power. After all, the last one had been created to kill them. To their surprise, the humans shared this new knowledge; demons learned they could strengthen and control their powers with these techniques.
Both knew that this could create more tension between the elemental nations and the rest of Japan. So they decided to distance themselves from both other demons and humans. Helping only when truly needed, or the price was met.
It worked at first; that was until the first Holy War, and the attempted purification of all those born with demon blood. They believed this would bring peace at last.
So the cycle continued. Eventually, the nations had enough. In a rare show of solidarity, their leaders banded together to remove themselves entirely, erecting a barrier to keep all out, and taking some history with them.
It took the combined powers of the elemental nations and what remained of the tailed warriors whose lines hadn't been broken to create the strong barrier and illusion.
At great cost.
The Holy Preistess Chiyemi and her allies met them at the boarder, there were heavy casualities on both sides, when it looked like a loosing battle. Kuramas decendants Minato and Ashira met the preistess on the battlefeild and gave their people enough time to finish erecting and sealing the barriers of the lands.
at the cost of their own lives.
The lands were separated by a barrier for the most part. The Daiyokai and old demonic clans knew how to get in and out, having family on both sides of the barrier. The warrior villages also continued business after a few human generations and kept spies and "mercenaries" active.
Certain slayers and peaceful monks could pass through. The barrier had a mind of its own. It could sense the intent of those who wandered too close. To the humans and most holy men and women, the nations were myths and legends. Unaware, they were still very much involved. Their warriors continued to be hired.
Myoga smiled to himself, looking over at his young master. It was due to one of these assignments that Naruto's parents had met.
Kushina had been one hell of a demoness; Myoga was glad to have known her, and proud to serve her and Touga's son.
Her death hit all of them hard. Naruto had been Shippos age. Lord Touga never smiled again until he met Izayoi. Tougas marriage and mating to Lady Inukimi was political, and an attempt to have a mother figure for Naruto around.
Naruto admired her; he never called her "mother," but he did refer to her affectionately. In turn, she doted on him in her own way.
Naruto was very much his parents' son. Yet, the Lady Inukimi left her mark on the young man. Through her, Naruto learned the finer points of being a ruler. Myoga suspected it was because of her strict lessons that Naruto was able to run Konoha so well in the everyday business, and his ability to become the Southern Lord outside the barrier.
Myōga was jerked out of his reverie by Naruto, who suddenly stopped in front of the village gates, where four demons awaited their arrival.
Naruto stopped in front of his four favorite people; he felt nervous, but he didn't let it show.
In the center were two elder Demons. A rather busty blond who kept her hair in two tails, leaving her bangs long to frame her face. A purple diamond mark on the middle of her forehead; and soft honey-brown eyes. She wore a low-cut grey sleeveless kimono tied with a black obi, with a slit up the side of her left leg.
Despite her elder status, she barely looked older than middle-aged. Naruto suspected it had something to do with her healing jutsu, or an ability unique to slugs. Only she and her apprentices knew for sure. Next to her stood Jiraiya, the most perverted man Naruto knew—human and otherwise. He had wild white hair and a mischievous smirk. Intelligent yet deceitful dark eyes. The toad demon was often underestimated.
His enemies' last mistake. Jiraiya was the only source of information about all legitimate and illegitimate activities, not those of the Elemental Nations. Nobody knew how he knew everything.
Nobody dared to ask.
He wore traditional shinobi clothing: a sage green kimono and hakama, with a netting visible beneath his chest. He stood with his arms crossed, a gleam in his eye.
Naruto narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"what are you planning pervy sage."
He got his answer a moment later. Tsunade Sushined into his personal space and punched him hard on the head, he would have a bump for sure. "What was that for, Baa-chan?!" He growled. Fuck, that hurt.
"For just disappearing without a word, no letters, or any indication that you're okay."
She tugged his ear, making him whine.
"You are our leader. Next time send the toads at least every few years! You had me worried sick." Tsunade ranted before pulling him into a tight hug.
Naruto awkwardly pat her back as she tried to suffocate him with her chest.
"Baa-chan, let me go! I can't breathe."
There was a cough from behind Tsunade, so she let him go.
Tsunade stepped aside to allow the second female who was waiting to greet him to come closer.
Naruto swallowed hard and waited for the inevitable beating. Instead, his childhood friend pulled him into a less tight hug. Her head fit under his chin.
He froze, but hugged her back. The less awkwardly hug the scent of her tears was heavy in the air.
"Idiot" She sniffed.
Naruto felt like an ass. He comforted her by rubbing her lower back.
"I know. I'm sorry."
Naruto stepped back and looked at the pinkette.
Sakura was a beautiful kunoichi and demoness, a lion-dog with rare emerald eyes. She wore a Chinese-influenced outfit. A red dress with a gold sash and a high collar and armor over one shoulder with two slits up the sides to allow movement.
She fell in love with the style on their first overseas mission. So she often favored it when off duty. He also noticed the mating mark on her neck. Naruto grinned widely.
."ol bushy brows finally wore ya down?"
She gave an exasperated sigh, full of affection.
The sloth demon Lee had been trying to gain her favor since they were still in training. Naruto had to hand it to him; he didn't quit.
Naruto remembered Lee asking for his permission to court Sakura, as she had no living family and thus no one to ask.
Naruto was moved. Sakura was like a sister to him, and Lee thought he was important enough to seek out as an alternative.
Sakura would do what she wanted with or without blessings, but the symbolism was there, and after a long shovel talk, he gave his blessing.
Sauske was harder to convince but that was neither here or there.
Sakura had her own terms. She gave him challenges each more difficult somtimes ridiculous than the last.
Naruto suspected he won her over by the third task but she was having to much fun. Lee in turn liked showing off that his training made him stronger and faster than a normal sloth demon.
"I told him to move the nine-tailed monument five miles west. He did; I don't know how. I couldn't think of any more excuses. Besides, it was time to start my own family. Before.."
She trailed off. Naruto knew without her saying why.
Before he could be dragged into unpleasnt memories he tried not to think about there was a cough.
"Yes, yes. We're all glad to see you, but you didn't just come home randomly like this without reason. Or so quickly after a messenger. You rushed here. Why?" The last of those waiting. A dog demon who had been quite until that point, asked suspiciously.
"Your correct about that Kakashi sensei."
Though the silver dog, which was his grandfather's best friend and great-grandfather's student, had not been his teacher since his adolescence. He served as his general and adviser now. Naruto would always call him "teacher".
Kakashi was odd. He wore a mask over his mouth and a bandage over one eye. Unlike most dog demons like his father, stepmother, and half siblings, his hair was grey, not white, and spiky, not straight. He wore all dark blue and green, blending in with his surroundings. He was always observant, much like many in their village.
Naruto sighed. Of course, he'd pick it up. He took a breath and straightened himself for "leader mode".
"Unfortunately, you're right. Myoga has brought something to my attention. Before we discuss this further, gather the others. I will meet you in the smallest war room in an hour.
They all bowed and scattered, except Sakura.
"I'm glad you're back. However, if you ever leave like that again, I will kick your ass so hard you won't be able to have children again. Got it?!"
Naruto gulped.
"You have my word, Dattebayo!"
"Good, I will see you in an hour. " She shunshined out of sight.
"This is going to be a long meeting. Myoga"
"Indeed, master Naruto. We should get ready."
An hour later
Naruto awaited his most trusted friends and allies in the smallest war room, the deepest secret meeting place under the tower in which he ruled. One couldn't be too careful. They were shinobi and demons and as heir to the nine tails and of the western lands. Even though he gave shessomaru the title. It was still his birth right. As well as his becoming the southern lord outside the barrier.
Naruto had no lack of enemies.
One by one they entered the room. First was Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi with Sakura and her partner Lee. Ino and her partner Sai came next. The others trickled in.
Kiba and his dog Akamaru, Shino, Choji, TenTen, and the last to arrive was Shikamaru, who stepped out of the shadows and sealed the door.
Naruto surveyed his comrades; he would die to protect each of them, and vice versa. They had a strong bond. Everyone was there, except three. Two were killed, and one MIA. The very reason he had to take time to heal. He never thought he would heal from Hinata's loss entirely; she was probably scolding him in the afterlife for being gone from his duties so long. He smiled at the image.
He waited for everyone to take their seats.
"Okay, spill! What's the situation?" Ino leaned forward, tapping her painted nails impatiently for all the juicy details.
"I think it would be best if I answer that Lady Ino." Myoga jumped from his shoulder to take a spot on the center of the table.
"Do you all know the legend of the Shikon Jewel?"
"Yes, we are all familiar with lady midorikos story. Some of us were there you know." Jiraya pointed out.
"Right then, fifty years ago, a miko named Kikyo became its newest protector and purifier. Lord Inuyasha wanted to take the jewel, so he could become a full demon like his brothers. Instead, he fell in love with the priestess. Over time, they got closer and planned to wish him human so they could live a normal life."
"That wasn't to be, for a bandit by the name of omigumo, who was badly burned and parlized. Kikyou took pity on him and was taking care of him in a nearby cave. "
"He became infatuated with the priestess and wanted her for his own. So he gave up his body and soul to demons, becoming a half-demon. They took over and he became Naraku. He wanted the jewel for himself. He tricked Lord Inuyasha and Kikyo into betraying each other."
"Using disguises, he tricked Inuyasha into thinking Kikyo had no intention of using the Jewel and stole it. While also disguising himself as Inuyasha to give Kikyo a fatal blow"
"She had enough strength to track down Inuyasha, thinking he had attacked her. She struck him with a sacred arrow, pinning him to a tree in an eternal sleep. Unable to purify him. With her last breath, she ordered her body to be burned with the jewel."
"Everyone thought it destroyed and for fifty years, it was gone, and Inuyasha remained asleep. Then just a couple of months ago, a young lady appeared from the Bone Eaters' Well, dragged by Mistress Centipede through time itself. She discovered she was Kikyo's reincarnation. Her name is Kagome."
"In a panic, she released Inuyasha, and he slew mistress centipede. Not before she ripped out the jewel from her body. This was just the start of the chaos. In the last few months, the jewel was accidently shattered, Naraku has re appeared and is seeking shards himself. Tessaiga was found by Shessomaru luckily didnt get it but lost his arm in the process. "
"As if that wasn't enough, the witch urusuea stole kikyous ashes and tried turning her into a puppet. It didn't work; Kikyous soul was reincarnated. Already. So the witch captured Kagome to remove her soul and place it within Kikyou. It didn't fully work; before the ritual could be completed, both broke free. Kikyou only got a small piece of their soul; she swore vengeance against Master Inuyasha and is now traveling the land, undead and incomplete. Stealing souls of women to keep herself alive."
A houshi Miroku whose hand is cursed by the wind tunnel. unless naraku is defeated, it will suck him in as it did his father and grandfather.
Also, a Tarja who was murdered along with her entire clan. Only to be resurrected using a tainted shard of the sacred jewel. Telling her, Inuyasha and Kagome killed her clan. They defeated her, removed the shard, purifying it. Now he has the ability to make incarnations. One of which Goshinki destroyed the Tessaiga."
"I left as Totosai was repairing The late Tougas fang. To seek out Naruto-sama's help. Inuyasha is strong but still brash and loses focus. Lady Kagome is untrained. The houshi, taraja, and nekomatta can hold their own, but its not enough. There also Shippo, the kit who barely can use his powers. Naraku is gathering shards fast. The situation is dire.
There was silence as Myoga finished his tale.
Followed by the three demoness kunoichis, bursting with uncontrollable giggles and laughter.
" Shessomaru lost his arm? maybe that will knock the high and mighty western lord off his high horse. Hes long since needed a reality check that he's not "Perfection." Tenten snickered behind her hand, trying and failing to quell the amusement despite the severity of the growing situation.
"Sesshomaru? Talk about Inuyasha! pinned to a tree by an arrow! Pity he didn't get a worse punishment. " Ino was clutching her side.
"Girls! Please! We need to take this seriously." Sakura had gathered herself enough, but there was a hint of laughter in her voice. Naruto shook his head; he too found his brother's misfortune highly amusing.
"Tch, troublesome." Shikamaru grumbled, causing everyone's attention to turn to their lazy comrade.
"If you ladies were paying closer attention. Naraku has used several abilities that he should not be able to do "
"You're referring to the windtunnel and incarnations. I noticed it, too." Tsunade spoke pensively,
"Do you think some of the snake's research survived?" Naruto frowned.
"It's possible. Orochimaru had hideouts across Japan and even on the mainland. One of them could have been overlooked or forgotten."
Everyone shivered, just mentioning the Demon gave everyone the creeps.
"Another sicko. My question is, why should we help the puppy? It's his mess; let him clean it up. Or have you forgotten what he did?" Kiba growled.
"I understand how you feel, Kiba, but we wouldn't be helping My idiot brother. We would be our own people, and the innocents of this land are a lot bigger than our issues with Inuyasha! I haven't forgotten or forgiven him, Kiba." Naruto's voice was deadly. His youki already irritated flared.
"Enough!" Tsunade stared down the two men. Deciding to end it before a fight broke out.
"This isn't the time for us to fight amongst ourselves. we need to make a plan. "
"Okay kid, what are your thoughts so far?" Tsunade returned to her seat.
Naruto looked at each of them in the eye.
"First order of business, I plan to travel with my brother's pack. However, I want to test them. See how they measure up. So, I need a small group of you to help with that. I don't know or trust them. I want someone I can trust to have my back."
"Second, I will send messengers to the other villages. It's unlikely but not impossible that a shard or two managed to get through the barrier. They need to be on alert. Shikamaru, I need you to come up with a good way to test the group."
"Troublesome, but I've already started since Myoga began his tale" Shikamaru agreed.
Naruto nodded, he should of known.
"Jiraya, get in touch with your contacts outside the barrier. I want you to find out everything you can about Naraku's movments. No rumour is insignificant. "
"No problem, you leave the investigating to me."
With the most important orders out of the way, the rest of the council lasted well into the early hours of the morning, and by the end, everyone had their tasks and Shikamaru had drawn up a rather perfect plan.
All that was left was to execute note 2: I had to type and edit this using the app, its not as good as the one ive used the last two chapters.
I tried to correct as many of the mis corrections i could. But until my lap tops prepared this is the best i can do.
Chapter four is going through edits now.
I hope it was was good, and for a better vision of Sakuras outfit. look up dynasty warriors 9 lianshi. i based it off her.