Original Posted On Oct. 8, 2024
Beta Read by: Crowfeast, Darlord331
Review Responses:
Jebest4781: Thank you.
Gamelover41592: That was the point.
Dktv9: Karasuba is a bitch. Thank you.
StrongGuy159: Kermit is working with Perfect Cell in the DAU, but he comes by his shop every so often.
MisterWriter1994: Good Questions!
Bednarczykmiki: … what will you do if Tamamo does get hurt?
Ravage88atlas: Wow… that's amazing.
ShadowBloodedge9396: Yeah, Fuu's new to combat, so her losing was not a hard decision. You think Kurama survived?
Thor94: Well… no, that isn't it. OOOH, look who is paying attention.
Freedomringer: LOL!
Fenris Silverblood: Yep, Naruto has it now.
MichaelTheFox: Enjoy.
Yami Luna Kitsune: Why is it snowing in Hell? That's a good comparison, Ichigo and Naruto's I mean. We shall see what happened with the bombs.
Gold Testament: A Building shattering KabOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Hellhammer: Well, Karasuba's dead, so… no, she ain't feeling so saucy.
StarDustDragonknight: Well, I gotta keep everyone on their toes.
DaftMerc39: Naruto could/would continue calling Andy his Little Killer Queen. Damn, I should have quotes Joker from Injustice, FUN FACT: Richard Epcar who did Joseph Joestar in Part 3 did Joker in Injustice.
DireWolf1412: Thank you.
Sniperbro1998: I know you hate them, BUT you'll like this chapter to a small degree.
NaruLemon Stories: We shall see.
MEATBICYCLE: I'm happy I was able to surprise you. Well, he did get stabbed once. Karen is doing a good job. Kurama didn't, I can tell you that. LOL, I didn't even notice, but those aren't intentional references, but I LOVE jojo. Naruto under pressure going 'My name is Naruto Uzumaki…'
Guest: Fox's Den got Blown up.
Calderoneric758: Not that much older. We shall see what happened.
Nicholas: Yep, it's ironic isn't it.
Reggad the Knife: What do you think? You're the weapon expert!
Marshman101: Tamamo is a good Noodle.
Ice: Interesting.
Guest: I like the idea for the family celebrating Halloween.
Six: We shall find out, RIGHT NOW!
Mando Vet: Thank you.
OKAY, LETS READ THIS SHIT! I DON'T OWN NARUTO OR HELLUVA BOSS!
"Hey" = Speaking
'Hey' = Thinking
'Hey' = Memory
"Hey" = To be Determined
Chapter 126: The Plea
Lust Ring, Fox's Den…
"HURRY UP, GET OUT, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE SURVIVORS!" Arnold yelled.
"I NEED SOME HELP OVER HERE!" Hinata screamed, trying to hold up a burning wall, allowing the workers to run as Kiba ran up to help her.
"THIS WAY, THIS WAY!" Karen called out, getting the survivors out of harm's way.
Melani was carrying three workers out, over her shoulders and back, put them down, and then ran back in as the fire department arrived.
"Karen!" Gamabunta called out.
"Oh, Bunta, good. We need as much helps as possible…" Karen said before coughing, swaying.
Gamabunta dropped Karasuba's corpse to catch Karen.
"Karen… what happened?" Gamabunta asked the Sinner.
"A bomb… some minutes ago… a bomb went off…" Karen answered, her throat burning from the smoke. "The Madam… and Tamamo…"
Karen's vision blurred as Gamabunta picked her up and took her to an ambulance.
The paramedics put her on a gurney, strapped her in, allowed Gamabunta in the car with her before they took off to Sloth.
Karen had a breathing mask put on, which also had a magical filter to help remove any smoke residue from her throat and lungs.
With each breath, Karen felt her ability to breath slowly and surely improve.
"Karen," Bunta asked. "What happened? Were we attacked?"
Karen shook her head.
"An explosion."
Flashback…
Karen was at the reception desk, working.
"Here…" Tamamo said as she handed Karen a cup of tea.
"Thank you." Karen said before blowing on it, taking a sip… only to spit it out, her tongue sticking out of her mouth. "It's hot…"
Tamamo giggled.
"So cat-tongued, huh?"
"I AM a Cat." Karen emphasized, putthing her hand on Tamamo's head, ruffling her hair.
"What's going on?" Arnold asked as he returned, having just thrown out some rowdy customers.
"Tamamo is making fun of my sensitive tongue by giving me hot tea."
"Oh, like how cats don't like hot things." Arnold said, nodding his head as Karen face palmed.
"You two are…"
*KABOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
A shockwave and intense heat shot through the air.
"WHAT WAS THAT!" Karen screamed, turning to see where it originated.
It was coming from Kurama's office.
*KABOOM*
The ground shook this time.
"EVERYBODY OUT, NOW!" Tamamo shouted, grabbing a mic and making the order.
*KABOOM*
The second-floor bathroom had another explosive go off, this time in the bathroom.
Workers and customer's scrambled to escape.
Everyone on the higher floors had to make the decision to run through the halls or go out the windows as fire and smoke began to spread and burn.
"MOTHER!"
Karen grabbed Tamamo.
"WE GOT TO GO!" Karen pulled Tamamo away, toward the door.
Before Tamamo could say anything, a fourth explosion went off, causing the roof above them to collapse.
Karen felt Tamamo hit her full force, sending the sinner toward the door before the debris landed on Tamamo, caving the damaged floor in, sending the teen into the basement.
"TAMAMO!" Karen shouted in absolute panic.
The cat intended to jump down into the flames, but was caught by Arnold.
"Don't be stupid, you'll burn!"
Karen didn't care.
She freed herself from Arnold gasp and jumped into the fray.
Arnold followed.
The two landed in the flames, the smoke burning their eyes and throats.
The hellfire scorched their skin and hair.
"TAMA!" they shouted, not caring for themselves. "TAMA!"
Karen gasped when she found Tamamo, trapped under rubble.
With Arnold's help, they were able to free Tamamo and escape, loading her into an ambulance.
Before she exited to go help the others, Karen felt a tug on her tail.
"Ple…" Tamamo whispered softly, her voice raspy. "Mot… er…"
Karen sighed, a sense of defeat setting in.
"Be safe… mom…"
Karen's ears perked up.
This concern wasn't about Kurama.
It was for her.
"I will…" Karen replied as Tamamo was taken away, sent to Sloth.
Flashback End…
Karen closed her eyes.
"We don't know who or how, but someone…" Karen took a few seconds to cough, a black foam being removed from her mouth as she did. "Someone was able to plant these explosives… without being caught…"
Gamabunta gripped his hands on his knees so hard they turned white.
"I can't believe this had happened while I was away…" he stated as Karen closed her eyes.
'That... could have…' Karen thought as she relaxed, starting to feel drowsy from the stress leaving her body and her exhaustion having caught up to her. 'Been better…'
Flashback…
"Here." Karen said as she handed the square explosive and its remote detonator to Karasuba. "This can destroy the Clock tower if you wanted too."
"Perfect." Karasuba said as she handed the explosive to Gamabunta, keeping the remote for herself. "Any rules?"
"No, just set, pull the pin…" Karen pointed at the detonator. "And push the button. Bada-Bing, Bada-Boom~ Rocks Fall, Everybody Dies."
"Classy." Karasuba replied, her smile never ending as she got the DND reference.
The two left, talking about their mission, not seeing the dark look in Karen's eyes.
'Good, they took the fake,' Karen thought as she turned, pushing her glasses up. 'Now, the hard part…'
Skip, Evening…
Alone in the bathroom due to locking the door, Karen unscrewed the ventilation screen.
Putting the screwdriver down, Karen grabbed the last of the explosives she had created into the ventilation.
Screwing the screen back in place, Karen walked out of the bathroom, sighing as she did.
"Karen…"
Karen looked up to see one of the many prostitutes of Fox's Den looking at her.
"You were in there for quite a while… are you okay?" she asked in concern.
"Yeah, right as rain." Karen said, gesturing to a tool belt. "I was just fixing a leak. Should be fine now."
"Oh… okay…" the woman said, sighing in relief. "Well, have a good night, Karen."
Karen bid her fare well, walking past more coworkers before she clocked out, walked to her car.
The sun had already set in Lust, so the drive home was very uneventful due to the fact there was no traffic or anything of the like.
The eerie silence allowed Karen to think.
'IS this the correct time?' Karen thought, gripping her steering wheel.
'If something goes wrong, and I am… her aunts and uncles will help… right?' Karen thought with uncertainty, thinking back on how Kurama and her siblings and their discussion some time prior. 'They should… they're family, after all.'
Karen took the correct turn, heading down the dirt path that led to her home.
'As long as Kurama dies… I don't care about what happens to me.' Karen thought as she slowed down, parking her car.
Flashback End…
'Let's just hope those explosives did SOMETHING to Kurama…' Karen thought as sleep consumed her.
Meanwhile, Dry Fuck Studios…
Everyone stood around the table.
On said table was the package that Naruto had pulled from the vent.
"It's a bomb." Fuu said surely.
"I don't know, it doesn't smell like a bomb." Naruto replied, no longer in his True Demon Form.
"How would YOU know what a bomb smells like?" Fuu asked, deadpanning slightly.
"I don't know, but I don't smell gunpowder like scents. We should be good." Naruto said, albeit cautiously as he reached out to touch the package.
"I don't think that is a good idea." Moxxie said anxiously, putting his own hand on Naruto's, stopping his son.
"Come on, dad, I already touched it earlier when I pulled it out of the air vent." Naruto pointed out.
Moxxie bit his lip.
He felt stupidity wash over him.
"But thanks for the concern."
"Wait a moment." Millie said as she pulled everyone's attention to herself and Andromeda.
"Yes?" Naruto asked.
"Earlier you mentioned that you 'figured it out'… what does that mean?" Millie asked, holding her grandchild.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"How'd you hear that?"
"I have good hearing, now answer the question young man!" Millie demanded.
Andromeda looked at Naruto, curious.
She then looked at Millie, then back at Naruto, mimicking her grandmother's serious glare.
Even crossing her arms.
Naruto sighed.
"Well, during the fight with Karasuba," Naruto entered his trye demon form.
No, not the tiny wings, horns, or partial snake tail.
His horns were full, his wings were large, and his entire tail was that of a snake.
"I figured out what my mental block was." Naruto said, gripping his hands as he looked at them. "Karasuba, Stark, Alastor… they were strong demons who were once human, and they knew who they were. There was no doubt that no matter that… they would always be themselves. Since I was born a human, I was afraid I wasn't going to be myself if I use this power…" Naruto exited his true demon form. "But… it feels normal… you know?"
Loona and Verosika smiled, their shoulders relaxing.
Millie and Moxxie smiled.
Blitz smirked.
Fuu rolled her eyes, smiling cheekily.
Andy… babbled adorably.
"So, back on track…" Naruto said as he returned his attention to the package. "Let's see what this is."
He carefully undid the twine before unfolding the brown paper.
"A computer?"
Everyone was confused, leaning in to see that indeed it was a lap top.
A small one, with a note on it.
Naruto picked up the note.
Open Me and hit the space bar.
"Okay, now that sounds like a bomb switch." Loona said nervously.
"Yeah, Naruto, we shouldn't open it in here." Verosika added.
Naruto opened the lap top.
"NARUTO WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Blitz shouted as Naruto hit the space bar.
The lap top turned on, a download bard appeared.
Small percentages appeared, disappeared, reappeared before it opened up what appeared to be a video screen.
"Is it rolling?" a voice said from the other side, the video adjusting to reveal Karen. "Okay, this will work."
"Karen?"
"A recording, but yes."
"Doesn't she work for…"
"Shush…"
"Hello, Naruto. If you don't remember, I am Karen. We first met when you hosted a party for your daughter after her birth and last met when you were trying to escape Crimson's home." Karen bowed. "I know I have no right to ask, but I need your help. I need you to kill Kurama the Marquis."
Blitz paused the video.
"This has to be the biggest crock of bullshit I've ever seen!" He exclaimed. "Killing a royal? That's a death sentence!"
Naruto hit play.
"Before all that, I need to explain myself." Karen's face softened. "I was tasked with building explosives for Karasuba to force your hand. However, I gave her this as a false bomb. The real bombs I planted around Fox's Den. By the time you're watching this… they most likely have gone off. If things go as planned, Kurama should be dead, injured, or comatose."
Naruto quirked an eyebrow.
"But I am a cautious woman, and doubt a bomb or several will kill her. So…" Karen adjusted the camera, showing that she was kneeling on the floor before bowing, pressing her head into the floor. "I beg of you, please help me save Tamamo. She is a victim, and I can't save her by myself. This is the opportune time, I held off on this because if I died, Tamamo would have no one, but now that I know she has more family, I am able to put my life on the line for her."
Naruto crossed his arms.
"You are strong, but you'll need reinforcements. So, I urge you go to the Toad Yakuza, the Slug Cartel, and the Snake Mafia. They will give you the necessary man power. Please," Karen put her head back to the ground. "If you are willing, come to my home, we can talk about payment."
The video glitched out, opening a map, with directions to Karen's house and a phone number, most likely Karen's.
"I await your answer, Naruto."
The lap top turned itself off.
"This is most likely a trap." Verosika stated.
"This has to be…" Loona said in agreement.
"Hmm…" Naruto thought, scratching his head.
Flashback…
Naruto prepared to attack, but was stopped when a gun went off.
"Alright, that's enough bullshit!"
"Wait…" Naruto mumbled in realization as he saw Karen standing on the limo, holding a Holy Magic Shot gun.
It looked like a Benelli M4 Tactical Shotgun with Pistol-Gripped Stock, with holy magic in the tip.
Naruto could tell, since his sword was made from holy metal.
"Hey, Karen!" Kiba called out as he got back on the roof, sighing in relief. "Thanks for keeping him…"
He jumped when the spot next to him was blasted by Karen's expert aim.
"You are in Hot water, fuckwad!" Karen stated in anger. "Get your whore out here and get in the car! We are leaving, NOW!"
Naruto watched as Kiba did not say a word before he crawled the wall to the open window Naruto previously opened.
"Hello, Karen." Naruto greeted as he held his hands up, walking toward her. "You remember me?"
"Of course, I do, Naruto." Karen said, not lowering her weapon. "And I am sorry…"
Naruto didn't understand until he felt the gun barrel nearly impale his stomach.
"It's just business." Karen said coldly as she removed her weapon from his body.
Naruto collapsed to his knees, holding the aching area.
He didn't falter further.
Flashback End…
"You can't actually be thinking about doing this, Naruto!" Fuu gasped, seeing the look on his face.
"I am."
"Why? Did you get kicked in the head?" Blitz asked, shocked at Naruto's admittance.
"All I am saying is that this is a good chance to finally end this bullshit with this fox bitch!" Naruto explained. "I am done with her interfering with our lives."
He looked at his family.
"I thought you'd have my back for this." He said in a calmer tone.
"We do." Millie said, taking her son's hand. "But this feels a bit to convenient."
"Yes, exactly." Moxxie added. "What if this is just a ploy to get you alone?"
"I won't be alone." Naruto said, gesturing to Fuu and his parent's. "I'd bring you with me."
"Hold on, let's just think about this… let's give it a week." Loona said as she stepped between her husband and in-laws.
"Why a week?" Verosika asked, confused.
"Because if it is true, then this person," Loona gestured to the computer. "Will be busy. Their workplace has been bombed, so going now will be a bad idea." She turned to Naruto. "Give it a week, and if you still feel this is the best course of action, then we will go with it. Okay?"
Naruto wrapped his arms around Loona, lifted her up and spun her around a bit.
"You're very correct, my Moon." Naruto said, face in her boobs, making Loona blush. "But, yeah, I'll wait a week."
Evening…
"SO… why did you say a week for real?" Verosika asked her wife as they, Fuu, and Millie rested in the shared bath.
"It's Naruto's birthday in five days." Loona said as she washed her body.
"OH, FUCK, YOU'RE RIGHT!" Millie screamed, immediate feelings of being a bad parent rushing through her blood. "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!"
Fuu's hand planted itself on Millie's head… before pushing the imp under water.
Millie flailed a bit before Fuu released her, making Millie GASP for fresh air.
"YOU LITTLE BITCH!" Millie screamed, fire behind her as she glared at her son's friend.
"Calm down, Mils." Fuu said calmly, not affected by Millie's enraged screaming. "I say we just have a surprise party for old Naruto. No gifts, just a party. After all, we don't want to distract him to much with his decision."
Verosika, Loona, and a now calm Millie nodded in agreement.
"I feel like we should help." Fuu voiced her opinion. "I mean, from what I know, which is little, this Kurama has been a thorn in your sides for to long. So… why didn't you take care of her earlier?"
"She is a Marquis." Verosika stated.
"… And?" Fuu asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"An attack on a Marquis," Loona chimed in. "Is an attack on Lucifer. If we attacked her and failed, Kurama would have free reign to slaughter us with no repercussions."
"Ah, I see." Fuu said, eyes wide as she leaned back. "Well, ain't that a kick in the teeth. You either sit back and allow her to continue, or retaliate and die."
"Which is why we are apprehensive of this." Millie added. "If the cat actually did set off bombs, and Kurama finds out, she is as good as dead. And for what? The daughter of the person she is trying to kill?"
Loona, Verosika, and Millie didn't say anything, allowing a sad silence enter the bath.
They were mothers.
They understood Karen's plea for help, but she worked for the enemy.
It was a hard decision.
Meanwhile…
Naruto was upstairs on the roof with Moxxie as Blitz was in the kitchen with Andromeda, feeding her.
"Dad…"
"Yeah?"
"I want to help."
Moxxie looked up at his son.
"I… I don't want to leave that poor girl with that woman." Naruto explained. "She isn't around good people… Stark was a fucking asshole, treating Tamamo like a thing, not a person. I can't imagine what else could be happening… or what has happened…"
Moxxie smiled, patting Naruto on the back.
"You really are a bleeding softie."
"Hey."
Meanwhile, Sloth Ring, Belphegor's Hospital…
Kurama's right eye opened, completely bloodshot.
Her face was heavily wrapped in bandages, along with her left arm and shoulder.
Her torso had been casted, and from what she could feel, several sets of stitches across her torso.
Her tails.
Much of the fur had been burned off from the explosion that had happened in her office.
She couldn't move.
All she could do… was stare at the ceiling.
'What happened?' Kurama thought.
Flashback…
"… guns for all of our men." Crimson finished his report, folding the folder.
"Good job, Crimson." Kurama said through gasps as she ran her hands through the hair of the woman giving her oral.
"Hm…" Crimson scrunched his face, visibly disturbed at the sexual act before him.
"You are…"
Kurama stopped as her ears twitched at the sound of beeping from the air vents.
"What is…"
*KABOOOOOOM*
Flashback End…
'I swear…' Kurama thought as she saw red, desperately wanting to grip her fists but being unable to. 'I'll find who did this and fucking devour their soul!'
Chapter 126, DONE!
Got a new art piece for Crying for the Moon on Deviantart, it really shows the Spooky Season. Hope you enjoy it, look for Boo1194.
Yeah, so, a lot of talking has happened this chapter.
Karen made the bombs, but gave Karasuba/Gamabunta a fake bomb. Karasuba is the reason why the bombs went off, because the detonator worked, just not where she wanted. The night before Karasuba and Gamabunta started the fight, Karen set up four bombs around Fox's Den, one on each floor.
Karen's angle is 'she is not involved'.
So, Kurama wouldn't be able to sniff out this betrayal easily, which is why she went out of her way for this, and even allowed Tamamo, someone she loves dearly, to get hurt to sell the part.
Now, Naruto is going to contact and converse with Karen… After his family hosts his birthday party, please send ideas if you have any.
New One-Shot: CftM: Fox Season
If you enjoyed the chapter, leave a review, even if you hated it because it helps me become a better author.