A/N; This chapter ws a lot of fun to right. Couldnt wait till tommoros and uploading it early. Enjoy.

Chapter Eight; Ravens and Robins

Japan; Kyoto Region

Naruto shakes off the slight vertigo, looking down at his captive, Yasaka was in arm, looking up, or down, he sees his other clones have both Konu and Matatani. In the opposite direction the driver and the two guards secured safely too. He slowly dropped Yasaka onto the seat, it has seemed the bus landed on its wheels from whatever hit it. Two puffs of smoke later and both Naruto and Yuma where in their combat uniforms, after being caught out at the school, they weren't going anywhere without them.

Yasaka stepped out first, confronting Team Vali, lacking Kuroka of course, followed shortly by Naruto, who has already sent a summon to both Xenovia and Irina via their necklaces, as he lands on the grassy fields, Yuma drops beside him, and quick Look at the four people ahead, the smirking one with the staff was the one most likely responsible for the bus. Typical brash types. Probably hasn't had his butt kicked hard enough, so confident in his strength. Oh he's using senjutsu. That explains a bit.

Stepping up beside each flank of Yasaka, Naruto on the left with Yuma on the right, hoods up and nasals on as to not reveal their identities "To what do I owe this displeasure?" Yasaka opens as the four just stood there, their confidence was borderline arrogant "We came for you, Lady Yasaka." The blond gentleman like man stepping forward but it was clear his was wary of the unknowns "Though, we had no idea you were in league with this ragtag group. We would have come sooner if that were the case."

"…and why is that?"

"They have one of ours. We had been looking for them for awhile now." He responded, adjusting his glasses "Now then, hand over Lady Yasaka and Kuroka and we may allow you to live." Vali ordered arms crossed, foot tapping as Yasaka seemed to chuckle at these children, "You think you can stand against me?" tessen in her dominant hand slamming shut, and pointing at them "Scram. Before I lose my patients with you ruffians."

"I see, then it's by force." That seemed to be a signal as Bikou charged right for the bus, no doubt to retrieve hostages for ease of 'Negotiations' with a superior opponent. Unfortunately for the descendant of Sun Wukong, Naruto was faster than him, and before the monkey Youkai could react, a senjutsu enhanced punch shattered his jaw and rocketed him off course. As Naruto slides to a stop, he ducks Vali's armoured fist, slides around his wilder swing whilst ejecting his sword above his left shoulder and upon its unsheathing, Vali jumped back from the man. That sword can and has cut through his armour on more than one occasion. "So, it is you… Lucifuge?! Once I beat you, you will serve me!" Naruto could hear the battle lust filled grin in those words, "I serve no one." was responded back coolly.

Naruto had long gone out of the habit of bantering with his enemy but seeing as he was buying time for the rest of his team to arrive, he could do partake in it this once. "Well let me reintroduce myself to you. My name is Vali Lucifer…" his eight devil wings unfold along with his dragon wings, the power output was respectable, but it seemed he wasn't a fully blood, explains the sacred gear, "…and your soon to be master."

"Yeah… like some half breed battle junky could even lay a finger on me." The shinobi taunted as he knew the entire old faction scrubs ever talk about is their 'purity of the blood' crap and this meant that no matter how much this, Vali, claimed to a Lucifer, the Lucifer would never allow him anywhere near them.

Maybe that's why he's so angry, of the sensory information is accurate. Earning a chuckle from the former blond, loud enough to be heard by the dragon user, as a Naruto allows his old faction blood to surface, arrogance filling his words, "Vermin like you deserve nothing but the dirt and death. Be gone from my sight!"

That did it. Vali was absolutely livid, fuck this guy, fuck those old faction wannabes, fuck it all! Raising his right fist to the sky, "I; who is about to awaken; am the white dragon emperor…"

"VALI! DON'T!" Shouted Arthur telling Naruto everything he needed to know, hand out to his side, chakra began swirling around in his palm and immediately began hissing in the wind, cracking like glass as he lifted it above his head. All watched this attack continue to gather strength, Yasaka noted that this one seemed to barely visible, a crystal blue colour instead of the brilliant white of the last time he used it, "…and by piercing through the imaginary dream..."

"Ice style; Uzumaku yukinokesshō." Naruto threw the iced version of his rasaenshuriken, that left nothing but a frozen beam of permafrost in its wake, but before it hit Bikou tackled Vali out of the way, breaking his chant for the juggernaut drive. The ball continued on for another hundred metres before erupting into a frozen implosion, sucking all air within that space before erupting outward that rapidly expanded into an absolute zero zone that rushes back towards the two downed fighters.

Vali jumps to his feet and takes flight, Bikou leaping back towards the others, landing just as Vali smashes down from another slug from Naruto, from behind. Again, Vali seemed so focused on escaping, he missed Naruto's airborne interception. Said devil landed between the artic wind and his party, erecting a barrier just as the flash freezing winds hit, covering everything in a layer of ice as it passes.

A full minute after the winds died down, Naruto steps out from behind the barrier that protected him, Yasaka and Yuma from the wave of super cooled winds to face the enemy once more, though it seemed Bikou had raised an earthen wall to defend against it, it barely held by the looks of it "You survived." Naruto's voice was as cold as the area had become, eyes promising deathly cold fight if they continued "Good… then I can keep letting loose a bit more." He opens both palms, two palm sized rasenshurken appearing in quick succession, team Vali all gulped at that very clear threat.

Arthur looked down at the still dazed Vali being tended to by his sister, then back at the devil before him, when Yasaka steps up too "Mah, Naruto-kun, don't forget about me…? I want to let off some steam too." The vixen purposefully let out a puff of fox fire at the end, smiling as her nine lush blonde tails span out from behind her. "This isn't…" suddenly the sound of wings flapping drew all eyes up when a squadron of fifty fallen angels arrive, led by Azezel himself, drawn by the massive cold front they sensed as well as the magic signature responsible for it.

Without prompting team Vali left via portal just as their cover was blasted apart by the barrage of light spears. "Tsk. Figured." Naruto dispersing his attacks before any of the angels saw. Looking back at the ruined bus, he saw that Matatani and Konu were producing their respective flames to keep the guards and driver warm in the untouched shadow of the wrecked bus.

"Looks like we missed a party." Azezel dropping into beside Yasaka and the masked devil he assumed correctly was Naruto, "More like aggressive discussions." Naruto murmured but allowed Yasaka to do the talking, "Yes. It was quite the show. I am surprised you are here Azezel-san. My I ask as to why that is?" Yasaka asks causing him to sigh, hands falling into his trouser pockets, "You forget we had a meeting this afternoon? For wrong doings of my forces within Youkai territory?" Yasaka blinked once, then twice before nodding as she recalled that "Yes, but that isn't for another hour or so. Is it not?"

"It is," Azezel nodded before glancing at Naruto, who was clearly keep an eye on him and his forces, discreetly as to not raise the tension, "But when we sensed the magical spikes out here, along with Vali's team, we came as fast as we could." Gesturing to he frozen part of the countryside "That attack helped us close in faster."

"I aim to please." Naruto quipped, earning a cheesy grin from Azezel and a frown from Yasaka, "Naruto-kun, please refrain from that level of attack within our borders again." Naruto shrugged, "Tell that to our aggressors."

"Naruto…" her eyes narrowed but he didn't react, though it was hard to tell as the hood cast a shadow over the top half of his head, the mask covered the rest, Azezel bellowed a deep laugh, clearly amused by this boy even more than the time he talked the four Satans down with the hard truth. "I like you boy. If you ever looking for work…"

"I'll keep that in mind, sir." Naruto informed and the fallen leader nods before looking around and seeing the ruined bus, "So… need a ride back?" Before she could respond, Naruto blasted off, and intercepted a fallen approaching Matatani, drawing his blade to her neck in the same instant "Back off…" he growled and the woman raised her hands up and took a step back, "Is… is that… you Naruto-kun?" Naruto and Matatani recognised that voice, they last heard it back in the underworld, at that town "Maya-san…" the fallen looks to him, smiles, and nods.

Maya was an fallen angel that befriended Naruto at the park in the fallen town that their hideout was near. Although a full two years older, she and her neighbour Kerri, kept trying to get Naruto to open up to them. Naruto had trusted them, to an extent, but by their own hasty actions, they inadvertently drove the boy away and hadn't heard from him since the week before Matatani's seventh birthday, "You're taller than me now…" she pouts but Naruto remains liked a statue, his blade very much at her throat, yet despite that, even Naruto had to admit that Maya, who was already attractive back then, had gotten more so. Her long black hair, perfect frame, though more on the rear then the front, thick thighs just like he remembers, and a cute, girl next door, face that no doubt has men crawling to her.

"…why are you approaching my sister?" She see's those cold purple eyes, narrow at her and a cold sweat began forming, "Come on Naru-koi…"

"Do not call me that…" he straight up hissed, forcing the developing coy smile to fade to blank, "I felt bad after you never showed up for the birthday party. Even worse when you never returned."

"We did show." Matatani announced glaring at the fallen, "You tricked us!" hissing at the memory, "I didn't…" Maya began but the sword inched closer, "Then do tell what… three four winged angels, a single six wing, and numerous other non-natives doing there when we arrived, huh?" Naruto growled this time, a very deep foreboding sound if Maya had ever heard before, "You… you were there!" She gasped, "I also know you were with the six winged angel in your home." The blade seemed to ignite in ice, frozen mist falling from it as his eyes begin to glow, "Explain or your head is gone."

The air was tense. The other fallen didn't know what to do. The guy threatening one of their was on par with a Satan level devil of eight wings with just six, scare another into submission with his killing intent alone, then simply walk away without injury. According to rumours and reports at least. If they strike, no doubt his rage will be turners on to them, and despite the numbers, most were single set led by twin sets.

A throat clearing from Azezel draw all eyes besides Naruto and Maya who were staring at one another, Maya not willing to risk moving, "Lord Leviathan. Surely this is a misunderstanding. I am sure my subordinate…"

"Broke my trust in her and brought danger to my family." His voice was as cold as his magic, hard as tungsten and threatening as the gods themselves "Grounds for immediate execution in my book individually. Together? Better prey I don't find you."

"You commit to this, I won't stay silent…" Azezel's voice grew steely, his twelve wings unfolding as his gaze harderns. Naruto's six erupts from his back and the entire area grew icy, "Then so be it…"

"Stand down Naruto." Yasaka stepping in before World War Three could get underway, "You"ve made your point. I won't allow this." His growl let all know of his displeasure at the order as he slowly withdrew his blade from the angel's neck, before walking between her and Matatani, who scowling too but made no comment.

Yasaka sighed to herself, this was becoming one hell of a day already and things seem to be piling up. It wasn't even noon yet. Maya returned to her flock, eyes down cast, her mood in the sewers as she had hopped to reconnect with her childhood friend but it seems their actions had sown mistrust between them. A misunderstanding as they had planned to introduce them to the Gregory and offer them shelter, schooling, and training. It was their surprise gift for Matatani. Telling her squad she was fine as she joined their formation, she looks down at her secret crush, who was gathering the guards and children around, she sighs again. Telling Kerri she found them is her first duty once they get some spare time.

Naruto creates enough clones for everyone, picking up the non flying persons into princess carries before spreading his wings. Matatani climbed on his back, like they used to back when she was younger, which allowed him to pick Konu up princess like.

Azezel was still tense about the incident just now, but even still was curious about the young man's power and the hold Yasaka seemed to hold over him. He was ready to start a war to defeat a perceived threat against his family. Admirable. Sure, but stupid in the long run and a clear weakness in his strength. Yet Yasaka was able to reign him in despite clearly capable of killing his subordinate. Speaking of… he looks up to said character, who was looking at the boy with a look of longing, no doubt their relationship was damaged on his side, but she will obsess over it if he doesn't do something to smooth it over. Naruto's voice dragged him back to his fellow leader "Lady Yasaka, I will be flying us back from here…"

"You can do that? I thought these were illusionary?" Her response and he shook his head, "Different technique. See…" reaching out his hand and she took it, feeling his solid form that surprised her briefly before nodding, "Very well, I am in your care."

"By your word." Bowing comically earning a giggle from the leader of the Youkai faction, just as she was swept off her feet, with seemingly little effort, and Azezel did not miss the blush the ludicrously curvy priestess now had as she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested agains his shoulder. Damn kid is going places. He grinned at that.

With everyone now mounted up on a clone, wings spread, and the Naruto's all took flight among the sounds of screams and giggles from a certain feline who had enjoyed this feeling when she was younger. Azezel wasn't far behind and he was surprised at how quickly the Naruto's all fell into their formation perfectly which raised more than a few eyebrows from the other fallen.

Slinking back to him, the one carrying Yasaka that is "Hey kid, how do you know our flight formations?"

"Used to practice in the time trail out near Kuoh." Naruto states earning startled reaction from over half the angels in the formation who had heard of the first-time trail, Azezel surprise was evident as both his eyebrows reached his hairline, "That was you? You created the peregrine falcons!"

"The what?" Naruto questioned and he sighed as he plammed his forehead, "A small subsection within my forces that are almost obsessed with their flying skills, they call themselves the 'Peregrine Falcons' and are the best flyers I have. Even if I am loathed to admit it."

"Ah. I see. Well, I guess you could say that was my fault. It was just me trying to push my limits in the air, they helped a lot." Naruto informs as the Governor General smirks, "Care for a race then? I almost beat the score you set in the Kuoh trail." Getting a glare from Yasaka who was currently holding onto Naruto at the time, "Another time perhaps. As you can see, I am currently escorting my family home. I have no interest in your show boating at their expense."

Azezel smirked at that, he will get his race against the reigning champ at the Kuoh derby and no doubt more of his forces will turn up to see. Once word spreads, no doubt the falcons will show to see their heroes go head-to-head. His blood was boiling. This was going to be a great way to further increase his faction's cohesion. After the words Naruto gave to the Satans at the conference, and he had stopped laughing at them, he had also realised his faction was the second least cohesive and there was plenty of infighting. If he wished to approach the boy for anything in the future, he had actually stepped up to solve these problems like the leader he was back in the war, where his word was law.

Sure, he has less time for his research these days, but moral and cohesiveness has skyrocketed and plenty of the bad eggs are seeking professional help at the behest of their friends. He had no idea just how bad mental health was among his forces until recently. Thankfully that is now being solved.

Yasaka on the other hand was happy, like really happy, and had to consciously stop herself from showing it as right now it would give her away. Naruto had called her family, she was happy to be of course, but she had assumed he was only interested in his sister's safety. Hopefully, going forward they could build on this. It was a good first step. She has to take this one step at a time.

Meanwhile with the real Naruto, currently carrying both Konu and Matatani, "Ney-neh, tou-nii… do some tricks!" The ever-flaming kitten orders emphatically from his back, "Maybe later…" Naruto replies without looking as spots the city skyline up ahead. "Pretty pleawse…" he sighs at her childish attempts to persuade him, "Ano… if you could?" Konu cutting in, drawing his eyes to her, despite initially being nervous about being so high up, she found the flowing wind through her fur rather pleasing, "…I wouldn't mind trying something like that."

"Don't get dragged into things because of my sister, Lady Konu." Naruto states ignoring the outrage from his sister, but she shakes her head, "I won't get another chance, so…" the kit responds, and he sighs. "Fine." He mutters as he activates as his chakra to ensure his two charges were secure, both felt it, "Hang on still. Just a little bit." Looking to his right, he signals to give space in the fallen hand signal and they part slightly further off., drawing eyes to him as his wings slowly began to emit ice creating a steam trail.

Immediately he pulls up, wing catching the wind and he slows before curling up and breaking from the group as he tumbles back behind the formation, giggling from two excited girls could be heard as the group passed them. Azezel was watching this in amusement, but Yasaka was horrified. Wings out and he uncurls, levelling out, before blasting forward at speed, shooting above the formation with the smoke trail still active, screams of joy as he dashes pass before pulling up again, winging over into a upward corkscrew that folds in to descend into a roll before passing back around, beneath the formation, banking a hard right as he climbs back up and slowly rejoins the group sliding back into his original position, his ice trail tapering off as he finalised his merging at the head of his formation, the two girls giggling with fuzzier hair "Enough for now huh?" Getting two excited nods and he chuckles along with the reformed angels nearby.

"Naruto Kyuubi Leviathan!" Naruto winced at Yasaka's yell at him, never a good sign when a female uses your first and surname when addressing you in rage, "By the flames of Amaterasu, when I get my hands on you…"

"Well, there goes my afternoon." He mumbled as Konu and Matatani console him with bright smiles upon their faces, "She won't kill you." The kit informs, "but your knees will hurt from sitting during her lecture." Matatani adds and he sighs, "Troublesome blondes."

"I heard that!" Yasaka shouted and he sighed again, 'Shika was right, blondes are troublesome.' He pauses that trail of thought, a donning horror upon his face 'I get it now, if I was that bad…' a shudder down his back that confused Matatani.

Japan; Kyoto Shrine

After seeing the returning forces of angels escorting a wing of Naruto clones carrying the party back from the Nekosho clan compound, the other members of his party arrived at the shrine to witness Yasaka laying into Naruto about something. When Mio saw this she was ready to rip the little fox a new one but was stopped by Matatani, Xenovia, and Yuma. Even after explaining what happened, her mood did not improve but it stayed her hand.

Seeing as she had a meeting with Azezel to attend to, Yasaka ordered him to remain at the shrine until they finished, which he was planning on doing as this is where Matatani lived and he didn't trust these fallen, especially Maya, from approaching her.

When the two leaders left, Azezel giving Naruto a discreet thumbs-up when seeing Mio hug, him, Naruto's party set up a small training session with Konu and Matatani. Extreme tag. His sisters' favourite game as it tested one's ability to hide from an actively seek enemy, or finding an actively hiding enemy. After explaining the rules to his team, some of the fallen decided to try it out too, others began taking bets with a few keeping eyes out for any unauthorised approaches while keeping tabs on any rule breakers.

The next four hours was an eye opener for those who didn't know Naruto nor Matatani, even his team was surprised as the two were routinely last found, never actually found, but their seeking was also second to none. The fallen would take turns in attempting to hide, using every trick they knew, to keep from hiding from the energetic Nekosho, it was pointless against the leviathan, but the kitten would sniff them out when given enough time. A time that reduced after each round. Lance, a four winged fallen, masked his scent, suppressed his signature, and moved without making a sound that even his breathing was silent. It took the kitten four minutes to find him. He was impressed.

The only one to find everyone routinely was Naruto, as he even found Matatani as he had taught her everything, she knew about hiding so it was simple. After the final round of which Naruto was the winner, again, Yasaka and Azezel stepped in clapping at the game played having watched it for the last two rounds with his fellow leader "Remarkable. I must say Lord Leviathan, your ability to seek and hide is second to none."

"Comes with the territory." Naruto shrugs, "Besides, only an idiot fights fair."

"What makes this unfair?" Lance asks, stepping up to the devil who shrugs again, "You all seem to forget that Mata and I lived in your territory for awhile, evaded your patrols and trackers the entire time." This caused a collective wave of realisation to cross their features and Matatani giggles cutely, tongue out as she blows a raspberry at Lance who facepalms, "Truly, we never stood a chance."

"Nope." Naruto grins, "We know how you operate."

"I suspected as much…" Yasaka sighs out drawing Azezel's attention, "You knew?" And she just nods silently as she points to Naruto, "As he said, he never fights fair. He always has a trump card or something he is willing to pull out specifically for each opponent he comes across." Yasaka then seemed to have her own realisation at that moment then narrows her eyes at said boy who suddenly felt nervous, "Naruto-kun… you have a plan against me, don't you?" The silence was telling, and Naruto refused to answer or look away, blank faced though his hood and face mask hid it from view.

Letting out a tired sigh, "Fine. Keep your secrets. Just… make sure it doesn't fall into our enemies' hands."

"It won't." His clipped response. Azezel claps to draw attention to himself, "Enough of that…" grinning like a child, "We have time right now, let's have that race!" Excited chatter from the nearby fallen and another sigh from the leader of the Youkai faction head, she's been doing that a lot whenever Naruto is involved.

"I want in on this!" Mio bellowed her demonic wings making their appearance, "I am not allowed to turn this down." Irinia's determination was missed by no one, "We are masters of the sky. I too will put my feathers on the line." Spoke Lance, his four wings spreading proudly causing Naruto to sigh good natured "Guess I have to put you feathered hippies in your place – again." His six devil wings expanding, snow glistening off them, as he smirks as Azezel approaches twelve wings out on display.

The Great Race – Later named The Kyoto Rush

The competition lines were drawn, news was spread faster than light as a course made out throughout Yasaka's territory and fallen and Youkai proctors set up at each checkpoint for this epic show down. As Azezel predicted, the Peregrine Falcons showed up in the dozens and only aloud two to participate. What surprised everyone though was the arrival of Raphael, who came out of nowhere, dressed in his flight suit and goggles. He wasn't the only one to appear abruptly as one Sairaorg Beal, who had been in town visiting an orphanage, arrived to take part. He also revealed that half the underworld had tuned in.

Yasaka suddenly found herself at the centre of attention of Heaven, the Underworld and even her own people as evident when Magari showed up with her newest student, Shirone. Naruto had fist bumped the young nekomata before giving her a head pat and she wished him luck. His two-finger salute to her would later become the calling card for the Peregrine Falcons.

The starting line consisted of, from right to left, Azezel, Naruto, Mio, Lance, Narlo (Peregrine Leader), Kato (Peregrine secondary), Irina, Raphael, and finally Sairaorg on the far left.

James - "For those who are just tuning in, welcome to the first annual race of the new season, brought to you live by peregrine TV, I am your host James, speaking live from the track. My co-host today is none other than the ever elegant, the most beautiful woman in heaven, Lady Gabriel. How are you doing today, Lady Gabriel."

Gabriel - "Excited to be here to wish my brothers well and ensure we all have a great time together."

James - "Most generous of you. As you know, this was started because your brother Azezel challenged the current reigning champion on the Kuoh course, one Naruto Leviathan, what are your thoughts on that?"

Gabriel - "Well, Azezel has always been rather competitive and I know Naruto-kun is a kind soul and likely didn't want to disappoint. This seemed the best course of action."

James - "No doubt. Oh look, Lady Yasaka is a preparing to set this off. Let's tune in now for the proceedings."

Yasaka stepped towards the start line, the edge of the water to the lake in her backyard, turning to address the racers, "Everyone ready?" those seemed to be the key words as everyone's wings erupted from their backs, spread behind as they ready to charge into the sky at a drop of a hat. Just as she prepares a fire fox ball, two late arrivals land, a pair of Tengu, "Lady Yasaka, may we…?"

"Hurry." She says annoyed her own racers arrived late, Sure, it was a spur of the moment but even the devils are here and waiting.

James – "Oh, it seems the Youkai faction racers have finally shown up, late no less. This can't be good for public relations."

Gabriel – "How unfortunate. They may need to have a word with later for this mistake."

James – "No doubt, whilst the racers get resettled, let us go over the team lists…" stat cards appear on the screen displaying flight related achievements and records, which was extensive for the peregrine team. Naruto and Mio had a few along with Azezel. Only basic information for Raphael but it was updated as Gabriel filled it out from memory, "…team balancers have two notable names, the founder of Peregrine himself, Naruto leviathan known for his current title as Kouh course champion by a full two seconds with Azezel coming in a close second place. Mio, has recently been bumped down to fifth place on that course but that does not mean she is out of this one. Both are to look out for."

Gabriel – "I heard they created the course. Maybe I should give it a go."

James – "All are welcome, Lady Gabriel. All are welcomed. Next is Team Light, Raphael is a strong contender in this competition and a serious wildcard. His student, Irina shidoi has reportedly been travelling with Team Balancer, so again an unknown factor."

Gabriel – "Wooohooo! Go get them guys!"

James – "It's easy to see who she's routing for. Next is… wait. It seems that the Lady Yasaka is about to start."

Retaking her position again at the side, Yasaka creates her fireball in hand which causes everyone to release and spread their wings to the ready positions. She holds it as she watches them all, the tension was thick enough that a wrong breath could break it. None dared to.

Released, the fireball arched over the lake, and it must have been the longest five seconds in recorded history as all eyes were on it. Bang

Boom. The participants took flight in a stunning display of strength, agility and power. The back draft produced knocked more than a few against the walls or tumbling into others which created a new rule to not stand behind the participants directly. More than a few audiences needed medical attention.

Naruto found himself battling for fourth with Kato, a fellow six winger, ahead was Azezel in the lead, followed closely by Raphael and Narlo. The extra wings gave a clear advantage in lift force and strength, so that was to be expected. It was show time though and Naruto narrowed his profile, channeling chakra through his shoulders and wings and snow began to form off them. Immediately with the cooler, thicker air flowing of his wings he lost a tiny bit of speed, but that was countered by the air resistance nullify seals on his shoulders. The reaction was immediate.

Naruto started pulling ahead of the Kato, slipping below the higher flying Narlo just as the front runners were reaching the first bend, that would lead off the lake, onto the mountain leg of the course. Sliding up on the left side of Raphael, Azezel led the left bank, wings spread perfectly to aid in his manoeuvre. Naruto seeing this, raises just above and follows suite, but with only six, he couldn't keep the turn pace and slides back past the equally banking Raphael, finding himself in the down draft of the, both, slowing him as they enter the flat turns around the mountain tops. This was his chance to gain position before they hit a more turn focused region.

James – "What an amazing start we have here! In first is none other than Azezel, no surprise there with the extra wingspan over the others… second is Raphael who isn't letting Azezel have the opportunity to make a gap between them. He is laser focused on keeping pace."

Gabriel – "It seems like everyone's giving their all!"

James – "Indeed – look! Look at Naruto! Passing through my two fellows with little effort! He isn't the only one, Mio too has overtaken Irina and Sairaorg! That was a remarkable pass! Oh here comes the first corner, look at that spray from the leaders. Oh! Oh! Look Naruto is unable to keep up with his six wings and has clearly ran right into the down draft from Raphael! Though he hasn't lost a place, that'll cost him!"

Gabriel – "Hope he'll be okay."

James – "I suspect this part is where he will show his speed asa is common knowledge that extra wings give greater lift, it also increases drag at higher speeds. This is only going to get more intense…"

Raphael was surprised when Naruto reappeared on his right, even more so when his wings narrowed further and despite loosing a bit of altitude by doing so, his speed far increased and past him by soundlessly, which impressed him. Narrowing his own wings, he proceeded to ensure he was not left behind. That's when Narlo and Kato appeared on his right and above, both clearly forcing themselves as they swerve around another cliff top, the battle was on, and Raphael would never admit at how much fun he was having.

Azezel hasn't had such a rush in centuries. Why haven't they done this before? Oh right, too busy with his research and preventing another war. As he banked around another bend, he then noticed how Naruto abruptly fell in line with him, flying with minimal from side to side, narrowly avoiding the overhangs, but by doing so maximising his higher speed/drag coefficient advantage over him. Smart boy. Narrowing his profile as much as possible, the two were near enough neck and neck as they entered the third stage, the low flatlands. Azezel knew this would be Naruto's element, and he will abuse the hell of it in preparation for the final sector within the confines of the city. He just needs not let him get too far away and he'll bag this. Grinning he pushes ahead after the leviathan.

James – "Ohhh! There it is! The overtake so smooth you could glide through it! Naruto sacrificed lift for speed and acceleration yet it payed off! He has taken second place!"

Gabriel – "Looks like Raphael is having fun still. Maybe we make an official racing team."

James – "I have no doubt similar discussions are happening all over the world – oh! Irina just cleared the battling Mio and Sairaorg! Can we get a replay on that? Yes see - that's a cheeky wing flip over them. Oh… that was cheeky with a side of satisfaction. Seems she has her sights on Kato next."

Gabriel – "She's so young. I am so happy for her."

Many in audience, of the avian variety shook their heads at the moved the new angel pulled. That level of disrespect shouldn't be allowed on the professional level. Several, along with peregrine members, people would lodge a complaint against such actions.

Azezel watched helplessly as Naruto literally tore through the sound barrier as they dropped down to below the required one hundred metre height limit in the plains. With the air so thick, he would struggle with twice the wings as his competitor, he was by no means slow, it was just that Naruto knew this was his only chance to gain space and was taking advantage. What surprised the governor though was Raphael appearing above him, flanked by both Narlo and Kato, all three battling for position but the two falcons were giving the ten winged a run for his money.

Directly behind the four, was Lance who finds himself and the two tengu neck and neck, they however weren't play fair as they kept trying to claw his wing. Not wanting to cause an international incident during such a public event, Lance continued to evade their discreet swipes. Copying a move, he notices Naruto do, and his fellow fallen, he rose before folding his wings back in a heavy steep and managed to pull ahead of the troublesome duo. It was short lived as they dived and caught up in the plane part of the course.

Thankfully for the fallen, help came as the trailing group caught up and 'accidentally' knocked the tengu aside, due to the heavy combined down draft from Sairaorg and Mio. Both smirked at one another before giving Lance a thump up. He smirks back returning the gesture before Irinia pulled ahead of the three. Not on their watch. All three charged forward.

Yasaka had never felt so humiliated, members of her faction playing dirty on camera no less, oh those two are in for it. The other tengu nearby were sweating under the accusing glare of the fallen nearby, but their clan leader sighed at the antics of his two sons. He thought they'd act seriously for this but it seems he was mistaken.

James – "A bit of a tussle happening there. Unsure what to make of that but is suspect a penalty is in order there."

Gabriel – "I agree whole heartedly. We are here to have fun not trouble." Huffing loudly, arms folded.

James – "Oh and it's Sairaorg with the save! Well played to the devil, Mio too! Oh – Irinia again with them sneaky pass above them. That battle continues well into the plains."

Gabriel – "This is so exciting! Oh look! Naruto-kun has entered the city limits!"

James – "So he has! This has cut his speed advantage in half, and Azezel knows it! Look at him fly! The trailing three are not too far either. He may have about forty second lead but Azezel is charging right through it!"

Naruto cuts and weaves, ice flowing off his wings in droves, as he tries to stay below the height limit whilst maintain his speed but it was getting harder and harder. His six are less than half as effective in the turns as Azezel's feathered twelve. Banking a hard left, a wing flip to right, and down beneath an underpass, Naruto is pulling out his full repertoire in this final round and no one was expecting anything less.

Azezel might be the leader of the Fallen Angels but right now he was demon of the airspace, gracefully taking the corners, maintaining speed and agility the whole time it was almost impossible to miss the grace in which he did so. To him, nothing else mattered right now but him and the goal. He can see Naruto ahead of him, who has been a fully committed fighter throughout this match and will hand it to the boy. In a few more decades, no – Azezel will put some respect on the boy's name and say a few more years, this race would have been his. Coming up beside the boy after the penultimate underpass, he nods a very serious nod, that carried nothing but professional respect and curtesy in the face of a fellow athlete.

The two banked around the last skyscraper, joined by Raphael as they levelled out with the finish line in sight, two pyres of blue flames, the three charged with everything they had and a photographically called finish was the outcome.

James – "WHAT A FINISH! MY GOODNESS! THAT HAS TO BE THE CLOSEST… DO WE HAVE A PHOTO? IT'S A PHOTO FINISH. MY…"

Gabriel can be heard cheering and clapping as the contestants come in for their lands, Azezel was beat, hands-on knees panting. Naruto was on his back heaving on big gulps of air, wings still out as they were tingling, loaded up on adrenaline. Raphael was a mix between the two.

James – "It's been confirmed folks, first place goes to Azezel!" cheers can be heard from the Fallen, but the man himself went and shook hands as the others began to arrive and collapsing from exhaustion, except for Sairaorg who looked like he go a few more rounds. His grin was infectious though. "Second place, by a literal feather, is Raphael which means that Naruto made third despite his impressive performance…"

Finishing places:

1– Azezel

2– Raphael

3– Naruto

4– Narlo

5– Irinia

6– Kato

7– Sairaorg

8– Mio

9– DNF

10– DNF

The abrupt race turned international event set of an impromptu festival within Kyoto for no reason other than to celebrate the race. Azezel received a medal made by a group of school children who watched the show, he actually treasured and showed it off all night at his speech. Raphael too received one, and despite being an Angel of few words, he admitted to being ready for next one. Naruto got his and, despite also not liking being centre of attention, states that he will up his flight training so this would beat the fallen leader in an official race. Azezel was ready! He called him out midway through. All in good fun of course.

This set the groundwork for several high-speed rivalries to foster in the future . Naruto and Azezel. Sairaorg and Lance. Sairaorg and Naruto. Lance and Naruto. Azezel and Zeus. Naruto and Athena. Irina and Narlo. Gabriel and Serafall. Aeros and Naruto. Ingvild and Khione. Ingvild and Persephone.

With the party in full swing, Naruto pulls Yasaka aside for a talk in private complete with his highest grade privacy barrier. Noticing this the Kyuubi was on guard, seeing as this is Naruto she's talking about, this must be serious, "I need you to trust me with something."

"What exactly?" Yasaka on guard and listening to every single word he was going to speak, "I need to burrow the lay line." He asks outright, not seeing any point in beating around the bush. Her eyes widen for a moment before narrowing, "Oh?" Almost a growl, "Let me explain first…" Naruto was quick to state, noticing her swaying tails with not so friendly intent, "You better. There are very few reasons to need access to them, even fewer for any good reasons…"

"To save my mother." Naruto states and causes Yasaka to pause in confusion. He killed her right. Seeing this, Naruto sighed as he lifted his shirt, upon his naval was an intricately shaped seal of some kind, "This is a called a three-pronged seal. It might be a bit overkill for what I needed, but it was the first to come to mind so…" he shrugged.

Yasaka stared at it for a long time, a very long time before looking to him with a gaze so hard, he flinched internally "So, what did you seal within it, exactly? And what does that have to do with…" she paused as her mind connected the dots. Her tails sway aggressively, "You sealed your mother's soul."

"I did."

"Ho…" she shakes her head, "No, don't even tell me. How do you plan on…?"

"Well…" he began.

Japan; Undershrine

Yasaka led Naruto into the most important of places, hidden from view of even her own people, and her personal responsibility until she hands it over to her daughter when she becomes of age. Under normal circumstances, she would have never even considered this, but if successful then a whole new avenue for her people will stand open to them.

Chakra coils. A way to move efficiently use and mould their internal energies, utilise the other world's techniques, enhanced their own. She's seen how proficient Matatani, a Nekosho turned Nekomata with her own chakra coil system gained at an early age. Sure, Naruto had taught her how, but the girl has mastered everything put before her. She may act and is rather childish preferring to play around over studying, a side affect of her brother mixing both together, but she was intuitive and once shown can easily pick up on even the most abstract concepts some many times older struggle with.

Stepping into the large chamber of the undershrine , Naruto immediately senses the abundance of natural energy gathered here, and unbeknownst to him, his body was reacting to it. His faded whisker marks glowed with a soft purple hum that mimics his eyes that two were pulsing with power, the pattern seemed to resonate with the earth's heartbeat.

Yasaka turns and notices this, stepping forward to try get his attention, she takes note that his devil features were surfacing with his gaze clouded over like he wasn't here in the room anymore. Because he wasn't.

Unknown space

Naruto jolts to awareness, finding himself in a wide-open white space, and is confused about where he is. Looking around he doesn't see anything right away but just as he was about to call out, he spots something on the ground ahead. Rushing forward he noticed that it was a young girl, and she was chained up with thick black chains that seemed to be endless. As he slides down next to her, reaching something, an inate feeling within him told him not to and yanked him back.

The sound of his landing awakened the girl, who was pale, gaunt, and slothful in her movements. Moving her head around, coughing that seemed to rock through her body as she does, she turns and finally leans on the confused form of Naruto. She smiles weakly at him, "You came…" a whisper that carried, she coughed again and Naruto wanted to comfort her but his body was scream at him that she was dangerous, "…I am sorry… for being…" she coughed again, "…I need help…"

"Help?" Naruto asks as he slowly wills his body to move, ignoring every cell in his body that was against this course of action, "What kind of help?" She smiles at him again, now closer Naruto could see the empty look in her eyes, void of warmth or anything like that, "Just as I saw… always…" she coughs and wheezes this time, but it didn't take from her smile, "I was jealous… my cousin… elemental nations…" that caught Naruto's attention, "I will… help…"

Japan; Undershrine

"Wait…!" He suddenly found himself back in the underground chamber, Yasaka startled as it seemed he came back to his senses. Naruto let out a sigh, hanging his head, "Great. Just when…" he suddenly spots the water on the floor, the wet of his cheeks, reaching up and stroking his cheeks finding tears. Confused he looked to Yasaka who was filled with concern, pulling out a hand mirror and handkerchief. Taking both, he looks at his reflection and was surprised, his eyes and whiskers were reacting to the nature energy here, this is this world sage mode?

After wiping his face, he looks to Yasaka, "You knew right? That I am… was a sage?"

"Taught by the Toads. Yes, I was informed." Yasaka nods and he sighs, "It seems it carried over… I can feel my chakra reacting with the nature energy that fills this place. This is what we called Sage Mode back home."

"What about the wrath of the world? Is it not…" Yasaka was worried, but he snorted, as he turned those powerful eyes on her, "You're forgetting my devil aspects. Wrath and Lust. A little anger is nothing compared to that. Not to mention dealing with that fuzz butt back home makes this not even a baby's temper tantrum level." Walking as he rants; Naruto did not see the absolutely crimson blush on Yasaka's face. She had known he had two aspects of sin, all devils do, but no one knows what his second one is. His first was easy, his anger was pretty evident in his fight, wrath. His second is a hot topic for many, subject for study of a few, a careful game of keep away for the selective. She had no idea she would hold such a secret. Yet, he never seemed very lustful or even inappropriate in the presence others. Azezel is a sleaze, his sin is lust too yet Naruto acts nothing like… she pauses for a moment and really starts to think.

Naruto meanwhile was setting out everything he needed for the ritual of sorts, a particular scroll proofing out from his most secured seal and rolled out before him, calmly rolling it out the large scroll with the most intricate detailing for its cargo was the most precious. A smaller scroll was next and after both contents was revealed, Yasaka snapped out of her thoughts and was slightly concerned for Naruto's well-being.

"Are you sure about this?" She asked him as he creates a pair of shadow clones, who promptly take up positions, "I would be lying if I said yes. But… I have to try." He looked her and she saw it. A man – no – a boy who had lost too much. The true face of Naruto Uzumaki. It tugged on her heartstrings to which she nodded before taking up position opposite the real Naruto "I will keep an eye on you and your progress whilst making sure the lay line is stable as you work."

"Thank you." He doesn't look up, instead placing his hands out along with his clones, "Okay…" taking a deep breath to centre himself, he looks to his fellows, "Let us begin."

"Yes boss."

"Let's save our mum." One clone, the one directly opposite him with a smile. He finds himself agreeing with the sentiments "Let's…"

"She's still having oxygen in her blood stream. We don't even have five minutes for this…" clone two informed, "Just keep the brain from shutting down, two. One and I, are working on the heart." Real explains as his hands glow a vivid leafy green, "The pulmonary artery is reattached, sealing will be done in ten."

"Wait. I haven't finished with the aorta. Fine, connect that then work on the vena cava. I'll switch to the inferior after."

"Got it."

"How's the brain…?"

"Still good. Got it stabilised."

"Did you get that bone splinter?"

"Already cut it away. Got the…"

"I'm done on my end. I'm working on the spine. Damn. We did a number on it."

"Let me just… got it. Heart should be good to go."

"What about the spine…? If we start the heart, the arteries we snagged…?"

"We'll just have to work fast."

"Clear!" Zap "Again."

"Clear!" Zap "Again!"

"Clear!" Zap "One more time!" Zap "We got a pulse!!,"

"We got a pulse!

"Fuck yeah! We got a…"

"Focus gentlemen. Time is low right now."

"Sorry boss."

"Now… the nature chakra or she'll bleed out faster than we can handle."

"Sage art; Renewing winds." Three chants in unison as a soft green glow of warmth erupts from them, encompassing the entire room and resonated with the lay line, a warm calming aura began to encase the world and just for that one minute it seems all felt a sense of calm and serenity. For one full minute, the world stood still, and in that minute a miracle was performed. "Sage art… unseal."

A/N; So, mummy has returned to the land of the living. I am aware that one person called it, sends glare at Lost dingo22, but she won't be in the next chapter as will be weak for a bit. Naruto, for both their sakes, seals her back into a medical stasis scroll until such a time that his team fonds a base camp.

He keeps them on the dark about this until she can walk upon her own strength.

2nd A/N; The races will be reoccurring. The Shire sprint in Ireland. the Cali-clash, named as Naruto, Azezel, Zeus, and Apollo go on a night out in California. A supernatural 'Hangover' movie effectively with a side of 'Gone in Sixty'. Naruto also inadvertently suduces a certain Olympian during his drunken escapades. Absolute anarchy.

o7

*Sneak peak Pt.2*

"Who... what...? I... lost..." Shiba as the light leaves his glazed over gaze, with Naruto panting over his, his own sword chipped armour in tatters and even missing in places. Heaving a big sigh as he survayed the damage, "For a human... you fought good." Stepping away from the dying hero, who smiled slightly, "...liar..." his final words in the world of the living. Mio, who was supporting Basara, approached her old flame with an apprehensive smile "...hey..." but see as he was about to fall forward only to be caught by another, "Damn it, Captain... you had me worried..."

"Sorry... Xenovia, it won't happen again..." Naruto whispered into her shoulder and she smiled softly, "No promise though..." her aoft chuckle was match by his light, too injured and tired to do much more than that, "Come on. You've played enough. Time to head back. Mums cooking hot pot."

"Yeah... sounds nice... but... I..." he stops upon feeling the soft rubs on his back, right were his wings would be and he basically falls asleep. "You really are too much sometimes." Xenovia placing him down gently, and taking out her stash of medical seals, "Xenovia...?" Said swordswoman knew that voice all too well, and sighed mumbling to herself "No wonder he left. I would say it is good to see you but... i am a lady of the light, it would be beneath me to lie so openly." Mio flinched at the ice in that tone, the soft glow of the medical seals working their charm "Oi! Don't speak to..." Basara began, angered by this woman's attitude towards Mio, but was silenced by the red head, "I know I hurt you..."

"Hurt me...?" She rose to her feet, glaring at her former sister, at least in her mind, "Yes. You hurt me. You hurt all of us." Retreiving her swords from her back, Basara's eyes widen at the swords, Durandal in one hand, Excalibur Ruler in the other. Duel weilding two-handed swords of legends, who was this lady?

"...but you destroyed him!" Xenovia growling and as if in response to her anger for an injustice, both swords glowed a soft celestrial gold, "You had no right to call upon after what you did!" Tears in the swordswoman's eyes, suddenly Brynhildr Basara had raised to confront Xenovia desummoned itself and refused to listen to its wielder. This has never happened before and Basara was now worried.

Thankfully he was saved, Naruto's arms wrap around Xenovia's form, her waist and upper chest, whispering into her ear something the other two couldn't make out. Upon the bluenette nodding, she takes several deep breathe enjoying her captains closeness to calm her rage, and slowly the glow from her blade's subsides, and opens them revealing her normal brown from the celestial yellow ringed.

As Naruto stepped past his second, who promptly returns her swords to their holsters, "Mio Naruse." Hearing him call her by her full name was heart shattering, "Hai..."

"As promised; i came when you called. This however is the last time." Naruto extended his hand out, and she knew what he wanted, but it was the last thing she had of his. When she left her armour was with Yuma for updating, the last time she saw the Nekosho, "Umm... where is... Yuma...? I need to..." Xenovia growled deeply and loudly at that, reaching for her swords again but upon Naruto's raised hand she fell silent and still, "Mio Naruse. Please... the ring."