WHAAAAAAATTTTTSSSSS UPPPPPPPP!
How are you guys? Good? Excellent. That is marvelous to hear.
Allow me to introduce to you all, chapter 8 of Purpose and Conviction
I do hope it's to your liking everyone.
Start:
Since arriving here in this world after his battle with Pain, Naruto found himself in a constant state of shock and surprise.
It happened so frequently that he should have gotten used to it by now.
Sadly for the hero of Konoha, life and psychology just didn't work that way.
Everything about the dimension he landed in was just so different from his world, be it the weird infrastructure that they called skyscrapers, or learning that there were so many human-like species, the fact that no one seemed to possess any chakra…
There were a great number of things that were just so far off from what he'd been used to.
But one subject in particular, women, was something he'd always been less than knowledgeable about even back in the elemental nation, in here he found the females to be even more strange and perplexing than ever.
So much so that it was almost laughable really..
Though one couldn't blame him too much when he remembered sleeping alone in his room just to wake up this morning to the sight of both Rias and Akeno in bed with him.
While there have been occasions where Rias did join him in bed late at night when he was asleep, it hadn't happened since the night she tried to have sex with him in an effort to get out of her arranged marriage.
To see her on his mattress after so long and with Akeno too… words failed to express just how startled the blonde shinobi was.
'…' Naruto looked on mutely, jaw hung wide open as he continuously shifted his gaze back and forth from the left to the right, eyebrows raised up to his hairline as the two great ladies of Kuoh Academy were sleeping soundly with Rias on his shoulder and Akeno on his upper right pec.
Blood rushed to his groin as he easily noticed that his companions in bed were very, very, naked.
It was through sheer will alone that Naruto managed to stop himself from admiring the enticing features that put Rias and Akeno on an entirely different league than what he was accustomed to.
Though in retrospect, the shinobi found the two great ladies to be a perfect example of how women here were much different in comparison to the one's back in his home.
The women in the elemental nation were a lot more conservative both in how they dressed and with the way they interacted with others, unlike in this world where females dressed scandalously and behaved even more so in a shameless manner.
Though perhaps he did have that opinion due to most of his interaction being with both Akeno and Rias.
Asia and Koneko seemed plenty enough normal and he highly doubted that either of the mentioned girls would sneak into a man's room late at night while he was asleep and sleep with said man naked, Asia was too shy and reserved for that while Koneko was a full pervert-hating specimen.
Still Naruto knew without a doubt that this world was created for perverts to be happy, he didn't know much about the place but it was an instinctive feeling on his part that told him that this dimension was a haven for those like his pervy master and Issei who practically worshiped the female form, and his instincts were rarely wrong.
A giggle snapped him out of his thoughts, a glance towards his chest revealed a pair of soft and amused looking amethyst orbs gazing at him tenderly. "Good morning cutie-pie." Akeno sent him a small, beautiful smile.
Naruto felt his cheeks flush pink. "G-good morning Akeno-Chan." He cringed on the inside, did he stutter!? And in front of Akneo too… 'Good job Naruto, I'm so proud of you for looking like a complete doofus.'
Her smile widened. "How's your morning so far?" she cheekily asked.
"Good, but I have to ask…. Why were you sleeping with me? Why is Rias-Chan sleeping with me?" he inquired, curiosity and embarrassment present in his tone.
"Welllll." Akeno teasingly drawled out, raising her upper body and granting the jinchuriki a good look at her full, huge, and heavy breasts dangling in the air. Naruto instantly closed his eyes shut, trying desperately to fight against the urge to take another long look. "I thought you deserved a reward for saving my best friend and sister."
"I unfortunately came up short on how to thank you for what you've done for her… Any ideas on how I can reward you?" Though his eyes were closed, Naruto could easily tell that the ravenette was grinning like the cat who caught the canary.
He shook his head in a negative fashion. Blush darkening slightly at her suggestion before he forced the lewd thoughts away. "I appreciate the thought but it's alright Akeno-Chan, helping friends should be a normal thing y'know, I don't deserve a reward for doing something that the rest of you were doing too."
A small genuine smile replaced her grin as she admired the blonde. To do all that he did, just because it was the right thing… He was without a doubt one of the best things that ever happened to them.
Being so humble and talking about how he didn't deserve a reward as it wasn't just his efforts alone, ironically, it only made him more deserving in Akeno's eyes. "I'm really happy that you came into our lives Naruto-Kun." She declared softly.
Despite the situation, Naruto couldn't help but smile as well. "I'm happy to have met you guys too."
A mischievous grin overtook Akeno's smile as she gazed down at the temporary rook. "Still I'm afraid I must insist that you get rewarded and I think I have just the perfect thing in mind."
"Really…" Naruto almost squeaked.
Akeno giggled and nodded enthusiastically even though the jinchuriki still had his eyes shut tight. "Yeah I think-" "I think rewarding him should be my concern. Not yours." Rias menacingly voiced out from the side.
The shinobi inwardly cringed while Akeno rolled her eyes at the timing. "Good morning to you too Rias."
"Why are you here?" The red-head glared at her queen, less than amused to find her atop the blonde's chest.
"Because I wanted to be with my cutie-pie why else?"
Naruto smiled uneasily as he sensed the tension and disapproval emanating from both girls. "Ladies, let's not fight first thing in the morning."
"NO!" "NO!"
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School had finally ended after what felt like forever and Naruto barely suppressed a groan as he entered the club room and headed straight for the couch, lying down on the furniture and ignoring the amused looks sent from the entire peerage as they chuckled before they got back to conversing with one another.
It didn't matter if he was actually doing well this time around while being part of an academy, being in school just simply sucked. At least his time at Kuoh would come to an end soon enough.
Naruto grew sober at the thought, the implications of Sirzech's offer finally crashing into him as he realized that meant he would hardly be around his friends anymore.
He threw a glance at the occupants of the room, eyes darting from Issei and Asia to Kiba and Koneko before finally arriving at the last giggling pair consisting of his two closest friends in this world. He clenched his eyes in sadness and inwardly sighed sullenly.
It was going to be a very awkward and painful conversation, explaining that he won't be around them any longer.
And he would be lying if he said the thought of staying here didn't appeal to him in the slightest.
Since his stay here in the past month, Naruto found himself to be at peace, the people of Kuoh didn't glare or ignore his existence, he didn't have to prove himself to anyone, and he found loyal and good friends in a strange but loveable group of devils.
Life here was peaceful, strange but peaceful and before he knew it, he got used to the change quite quickly, so much so that there was a part of him that didn't wish to return back to Konoha.
And though he tried to silence the part of him that warred against returning back to his home, Naruto wasn't immune to the murmurs whispered to him by the deepest inner part of his soul. Why should he be loyal to a place that judged him quite literally from day one?
Despite all he did and accomplished, he was always treated like dirt and there was no forgetting the pain, sadness, and utter humiliation that came with the memory of how store owners would refuse to sell to him food, or how parents forbade their children from playing with him, or even how he was callously tossed to his side by his teacher so he could train Sasuke one on one.
He tried his best to not let it affect him or cloud his judgment but deep down he felt resentment towards the people of Konoha for treating him in such a way.
The worst part about it… coming here to Kuoh and experiencing what it was like to just be an ordinary person where people didn't whisper to one another about how they wished he never existed as he walked by on the streets.
One couldn't blame the jinchuriki for becoming quite fond of the town he currently resided in or becoming even fonder when he thought of his friends, especially Rias and Akeno who went even above what people would normally do for others.
But despite all that, Naruto was a man of his word, more important than bringing back Sasuke or becoming Hokage was bringing peace to the ninja world just as he vowed he would do in front of his Godfather's grave.
It would hurt but he would eventually heal from the separation.
Still he tried to be optimistic, he had a week left with them so he may as well make the most of it.
"Hey guys." Naruto sat up and addressed the room. Everyone turned to him, curiosity and inquisitiveness lighting their features. "I think we need to do something fun, celebrate the victory y'know."
Rias took a moment to process his proposition before her lips quirked into a large smile. "I like the idea Naruto-Kun."
"So do I cutie-pie" Akeno voiced out in agreement.
Issei pumped his fist in the air before turning to his closest friend. "Yosh I'm so excited, what about you Asia-Chan?"
Asia nodded and smiled. "The idea sounds wonderful."
"I am definitely interested." Kiba smiled politely, a glimmer of excitement shining in his eyes.
Koneko shrugged her shoulders. "I'm game."
The shinobi rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Just one problem, I have no idea on what we should do."
Everyone immediately faceplanted. Naruto grinned awkwardly at their reaction. "My bad guys, the thought just came to me and I didn't think about it at all."
Rias giggled as she walked up to the seated blonde and joined him on the couch, sitting too close to him much to Akeno's internal annoyance. "Well here's a thought, how do you guys feel about playing dodgeball tonight, and I'm sure we can think of something to do for the next few days."
A loud squeak emerged out of Issei as he covered his balls protectively. "Why dodgeball!? Can't we do anything else?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What's dodgeball? And why is Issei covering his… friend?"
"You don't know what dodgeball is?" Kiba asked, eyes wide in surprise.
The shinobi shook his head. "Afraid not."
Rias laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's a really fun game Naruto-Kun, I'll tell you how it's played later at night, as for why Issei-Kun is covering his penis… Last time we played Dodgeball, Sona threw the ball with her devil power and it hit his penis."
A small, amused smirk twitched at the corner of Koneko's lips. "Smashed would be a more accurate term."
Naruto and Kiba cringed at the description, both of them giving the user of the boosted gear a pitying look, neither of them wanted to experience what that was like.
"So what do you guys think? Dodgeball tonight?" Rias cocked an eyebrow as her gaze shifted from one person to another.
"I still don't know what it is but it sounds fun."
"Ara Ara, a chance to hurt you all, how very exciting."
"Yosh! I'll use this game as my chance to impress Rias-Buchou and Akeno-senpai!"
"I-I-If Issei-kun is playing then so am I."
"Dodgeball is always good, don't you think so too Koneko-Chan?"
"Hai Kiba-Sempai"
The numerous and ultimately same answers brought a fully satisfied smile upon Rias's visage. "Good, then tonight at nine o'clock we'll be playing dodgeball in the gymnasium.
Issei raised a hand.
"Yes Issei-Kun?"
"If you don't mind me asking Buchou, what do you have in mind for us tomorrow? Y'know since you mentioned that we'll be doing something for the next few days."
Rias giggled at his question before she turned sideways and wrapped her arms around the surprised shinobi.
Naruto for the first time since he first met the devils, managed to not blush at the feel of Rias's soft tits enveloping his arm. The red-heard tossed a glance towards her only pawn. "Tomorrow we won't be doing anything since I want to spend the day exclusively with Naruto-Kun."
An awkward smile overcame Naruto's features as Issei glared at him. "Damn you teme! You may have won today but mark my words… Rias-Buchou's virginity is MINE!"
The reaction incited by the words of the perverted trio's leader was not a very positive or supportive one.
Asia blanched in horror, unable to believe the words coming out of her dear Issei's mouth even though she had been around him for more than a month while Akeno laughed and wheezed desperately for air. Naruto, Kiba, and Rias just looked uncomfortable at the average looking boy's declaration.
As for Koneko… "Die you disgusting pervert."
Issei cried anime tears. "Koneko-Chan, why are you so mean to me?"
"Because disgusting perverts like you offends my existence."
Naruto cringed at that reply, talk about brutal.
But better Koneko's harsh responses than Sakura's fist of fury. He'd been on the receiving end of that more times than he would have liked.
"Anyway… I expect to see you all in the gymnasium at nine, see ya all later everyone." Rias sent a small smile towards her precious servants.
With that, the members belonging to Rias's peerage each waved or hugged her before walking out to do their own thing till then, Naruto would have walked out as well had his favorite red-head not grabbed a hold of him as he stood up. "And where do you think you're going mister?" Rias asked amusedly, gently pulling him back down so he could sit with her.
Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "No idea, though training does sound like a good idea."
"I'm sorry but did you say you want to train?" She couldn't help but ask, taken aback by the fact that someone so powerful, powerful enough to easily wipe the floor with a high-class devil, wanted to train.
The shinobi nodded. "Mhmm"
"But why Naruto-Kun? You're already so strong as it is." Rias looked at him dead in the eye, an inquisitiveness glint nestled deep within her beautiful aquamarine orbs.
"There are many reasons why but I suppose the main reason is because I want to protect my precious people." Naruto answered sincerely, closing his eyes briefly and missing the awed look sent to him by the Gremory heiress.
Becoming stronger to protect his precious people…
Truly it seemed like the blonde would forever not stop impressing her. "That's really sweet." She laid her hand on top of his. "Am I one of your precious people?" Rias instantly regretted asking that question, her breath lodging itself in her throat as she awaited the shinobi's answer and hoped beyond hope that he would say yes.
Naruto looked at her weird. "What kind of silly question is that? Of course you are Rias-Chan!"
A tidal wave of happiness and joy slammed into her as she heard his answer. A large, almost goofy smile making its way to Rias's visage as she gazed at Naruto's handsome face. "Thank you so much for the kind words Naruto-Kun."
"There is no need to thank me for saying the truth." The shinobi looked away, cheeks tinted slightly pink and heart thumping in his chest due to the heartfelt smile sent to him by the gorgeous red-head.
In that brief lapse of concentration, he failed to notice Rias leaning in as he was too busy trying to calm his raging heart.
~Smooch~
Naruto gulped, a huge explosion of red erupting on his visage from feeling Rias's pair of soft and plump lips pressed firmly against his cheek. The blush only worsening as she took her sweet time to convey her affections to the blonde.
By the time she finally pulled back, the tips of Naruto's ears were steaming and his appearance bore a striking resemblance to a lit lantern from how hard he was blushing.
Rias giggled as she noticed his embarrassment, raising a hand to gently turn his face towards her and leaving it there. Naruto subconsciously leaned into her palm, a development the heiress instantly noted down with utmost delight as she gave him a fond look.
Time seemed to stop as neither said nor did anything for a while until the shinobi finally managed to muster the courage to speak his mind. "What was that for?"
"For being a sweetheart." She simply answered.
"Oh…" he had no idea how to reply to that, at a loss for words due to the unexpected turn this afternoon took.
Though him being at a loss of words seemed to be an increasingly common occurrence whenever he was around either of the great ladies of Kuoh academy.
Still he tried his best to not let things be awkward and gave her a small grin. "I guess it's my turn to say thank you for the kind words."
A small chuckle escaped Rias as her eyes twinkled merrily. "You're catching on."
Naruto scoffed playfully and gave her a faux mean look. "Don't test my patience ma'am."
An exaggeratingly affronted look was given to the blonde. "Ma'am! You dare call me ma'am!? I'm only eighteen years old!"
The shinobi gave her a mischievous look. "Are you for real!? Because I spot a gray hair right now."
Rias rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. "Alright buddy, that's enough."
He looked at her amusedly but ultimately decided to humor her.
With that, silence reigned once more between the unique duo, both of them simply treasuring the rare peaceful moment before life would eventually throw another curveball at them.
Naruto especially treasured it, with his experience back in the elemental nation and with the awareness that he would have only have around a week's worth of time to be with his friends, he wanted to enjoy every moment of it.
Still there was a large part of him that wished he had more time to spend with his friends before he ultimately left.
It wasn't that he wasn't planning on ever coming back but his very future as of now was just shrouded in darkness, for all he knew he may be stuck in this world forever with no way to return.
His life was just one big mess of confusion and it pained him to admit that he had no idea how to untangle himself from the threads of mystery that bind him.
But though he was so helplessly lost with his future uncertain, he did know one thing and it was that he owed it to both his master and to Hinata to return back home.
To bring peace and to answer the confession of love.
Unaware of his internal musing, Rias smiled gratefully at the blonde, her heart overflowing with gratitude due to all he had done for her. "Naruto-Kun..."
Said blonde returned back to reality and gave her a curious look. "Yeah?"
"Just so we're perfectly clear… you're one of my precious people too." Rias declared softly, eyes the shade of turquoise glimmering with nothing but honesty and affection for the lone shinobi.
Naruto looked at her silently, mouth parted open with surprise as he looked at her.
It took a few seconds until he finally comprehended what was just said, mouth closing and a small genuine smile crossing his visage.
He may be lost in this new world but he wasn't alone.
That was a fact he could take comfort in.
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The Underworld: Lucifer's estate
A lonely, almost hollow set of silver eyes stared back into Grayfia as she gazed into the mirror, revealing to the normally impassive women just how empty she felt on the inside.
It was a fact she had learned to bitterly live with many decades ago, though the more time passed on, the lonelier she felt until she found herself pleading to her former lover if she could be his maid. It was utterly degrading but being around him even after all that happened between them was what kept her sane.
She tried to move on, tried to find the spark with other male devils that helped her connect with Sirzech but no matter where she went, she found only three types of men.
The kind that would be intimidated by her presence, the kind that only wanted her because of her fame, and the kind who only saw her as a delicious piece of meat and nothing more.
When courting devils didn't work, she tried her luck with humans and they proved to be much like their devil counterparts.
So hopeless was her case, she felt that she lost the only chance she ever had at love with a soul mate and the pain would have broken her if not for the family she found with the Gremory.
And in the end, Grayfia felt that her story was one that was so utterly pathetic and miserable, to be blessed with beauty unimaginable to the mind but to still be rejected and discarded for another who was leagues less beautiful than she was.
It was a wound to the pride, especially when she abandoned everything for the one who ultimately pushed her away for another, lesser beautiful woman.
Yet the embarrassment didn't end there as the people who did end up comforting her when she had her heartbreak was the family of her former lover, their presence brought her both comfort and pain.
It was an experience that was much too humiliating for her but in the end she did come to love them immensely. It was only when Rias was born that she remembered how much she wanted to be a mother too and that was when she found herself needing to be by Sirzech's side even if it wasn't as his lover.
Was it degrading? One hundred percent yes but being around Sirzech helped her dream better about how she would have a happy life with adorable kids with her hair and eyes, about how she would spoil them rotten and tell them how much she loved them every day. Every. Single. Day.
Being around Sirzech gave her hope, false hope but hope nonetheless, she needed to believe that she would eventually have the chance to be a mother. That she aspired to be with every fiber of her being.
And if being around her former lover is what gave her the strength to push forward till the day she would have her own kids to spoil, then so be it.
'I'm so pathetic.'
Grayfia sighed sullenly, feeling much more drained and exhausted than ever before.
She exited the bathroom and just in time to hear someone knock on her door.
Irritation surged within her as she clearly remembered informing her fellow maids of how she wished not to be disturbed this late at night. She walked towards the door and opened it, barely withholding a glare as she gazed cooly into the eyes of a meek average looking maid. "May I help you?"
The maid gulped, easily sensing the displeasure rolling off the silver haired women. "I-I-I'm s-sorry for d-disturbing y-you G-Grayfia-Sama but L-Lucifer-Sama requests y-your presence."
Grayfia nodded. "Thank you for informing me, I shall appear before him once I am adequately dressed."
The younger maid nodded shakily, eyes quickly darting towards the older woman's figure clad in a nightgown and feeling much envy over the older woman's insane measurements and curves. "H-hai."
Grayfia gently closed the door after nodding politely to the younger maid, walking over to her wardrobe to pull her signature maid outfit and wear it.
It was roughly fifteen minutes later that the silver haired queen of annihilation stood before the large doors that concealed the throne room, she watched it open on its own and there and behold in his throne sat the fearsome crimson Satan.
She walked up to him, feeling hints of wariness and suspicion as she noticed his abrupt and tense posture.
"You summoned me Sirzech-Sama?" Grayfia bowed before the leader of the devil race, a questioning tint present in her normally impassive tone as she gazed into his unusually serious orbs.
Sirzech nodded as he stood up from his seat, walking past the silver haired maid and towards the balcony, Grayfia instinctively followed behind, maintaining a respectful distance of two meters as Sirzech propped his arms on the railing and stared out into the night. "I have Grayfia-Chan, I require you to complete a personal task for me."
"How may I be of service to you my lord?"
Her question was greeted with nothing but silence as the devil leader silently mused once more about his decision, he sighed inwardly, knowing that by the end of this conversation, his friend and once upon a time lover would not be pleased with him "…That young man, Naruto Uzumaki…"
Grayfia almost raised an eyebrow in intrigue, wondering what it was about that fella that caused her to be called.
"He is very far away from his home and has no idea how to return back, the details are actually a lot more complicated than that, but simply put I want you to help him and be his guide as he searches the world for answers."
"You're sending me away!? Just like that?" Grayfia almost lost her composure, immensely hurt by how negligible of her feelings he seemed to be. After decades of loyalty, she certainly expected that he would be more considerate of her feelings.
Pain did not even begin to describe how she felt that she could easily be tossed aside by her friend.
'Though it wouldn't be the first time it happened.' She thought bitterly.
Sirzech barely suppressed the urge to sigh, he looked over his shoulder and locked eyes with his most faithful maid. "Grayfia-Chan, that young man is strong, really strong, his strength may even equal or surpass mine." He revealed.
"W-What? How can that be?" She questioned, utterly shocked by his admission.
"I don't know for certain how strong he is, but there is no doubt in my mind that he's at least strong enough to face an ultimate class devil and win… easily. The power I sensed inside him was massive."
Now the pieces started to fit. "I see, so you need me to observe him as I am one of the few who could possibly be stronger than the boy."
Sirzech nodded and returned his gaze back to the underworld. "That is one of many reasons. He helped Rias-Chan when I couldn't and he sacrificed his humanity to do so when it is something he deeply treasures. That alone makes me indebted to him… by sending you to help him in his quest for answers, I'll manage to kill multiple birds with one stone."
Understanding dawned on the queen as she attentively heard her king's reasoning.
"For starters, I get to help Naruto as you are knowledgeable and qualified for the task, having you there with him would help him immensely in his search. Another reason would be because there will be others who will also be able to sense his potential, it's better they think that he's with us. And finally, journeying the world with him will also give you the chance to find out more about this group I've heard about… the Khaos brigade."
"The Khaos brigade?" she repeated questioningly.
Sirzech rotated his stance so he was facing his most powerful piece. "A group that from my understanding, is composed of different rogue members of each faction in the world, my informants tell me that among their ranks are individuals like Kokabiel and the descendants of the original Satans."
"I need you to do this for me Grayfia-Chan, I'm sending you away because there is no one I know who is more qualified or as resourceful as you are. You're the only one I trust to get the job done." He added.
Grayfia bowed down once more. "If that is what you wish, Sirzech-Sama."
The devil leader turned back around, his sight locked above as he gazed into the starry night. "Thank you for your cooperation Grayfia-Chan. So your mission consists of two goals, one: assist Naruto Uzumaki and to be his guide in the world and two: to learn more about the Khaos Brigade and if given the chance, to capture or kill any of their members."
"I understand, when does my mission start Sirzech-Sama? And how long will it last?" She inquired.
"In six day's time, and to answer your second question, the answer is till Naruto-Kun finds the answers he seeks… That is all for now."
Knowing a dismissal when she heard one, Grayfia bowed to the leader of all devils then proceeded to walk out.
Leaving Sirzech alone in the balcony to contemplate the conversation he just shared with his maid. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. 'That went a lot better than I expected.'
End.
Hey lads, hope you all enjoyed the chapter immensely. This chapter right here is the start of how Grayfia joins our favorite shinobi on his journey to discover answers for a way back home.
Will he ever end up back in the elemental nation… Not even I know to be honest, though you all are more than welcome to suggest ideas to me on whether that should be the case or not. Regardless I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, I know I did.
Chapter 9, 10, and 11 are posted on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n Here's the link lads
www.#patr#eon.#com/Demon_Knight939 (Just remove all the hashtags)
Stay safe lads.
Peace.