A/N: Went back and expanded the last scene. Hope you enjoy~!
Apologies for the absence, but I'm back. Had to do some soul searching -literally!- on this story. I suppose you could say this old man had a crisis of faith. Isn't that ironic? I won't bore you with the details, but suffice to say, an argument most bitter raged within me before I finally put my foot down.
It was tough, it was rough, but I've had enough.
At the end of the day, what you see here is just fiction, mere words meant for entertainment, the hope of putting a smile on someone's face and a brighter day. Surely that isn't a sin. So, here we go! Looking forward to your feedback! Do let me know if you want weekly updates to return for this story! I'll try to be better about that,
At present, the (tentative!) given update schedule looks something like this:
Sunday (barring occasional interruptions) = Foxfire.
Monday = Only Day Off (No Updates)
Tuesday = Undecided.
Wednesday = The Boys
Thursday = Elden Ring.
Friday = Claws of a Lion/other GOT or HOTD stories.
Saturday = RWBY.
As you can see, everything is quite tentative thus far, some stories may be updated bi-weekly or monthly. Other stories like Dance of the Dread and To be Worthy, I write with Advent. Meanwhile, I write Father of Monsters and No Strings on Me with Slifer. These four stories don't always have a static update date. I'm just one old fellow working with a great many others, and we each have our own lives.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far, far, FAR greater than little 'ol me.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time. Feedback is important.
Hope you enjoy.
"Aw c'mon, it can't be that bad down there...
.
..
...
Good lord it's everywhere!
My eyeeeees!"
~?
Way Down We Go
"Wait!"
Emily cornered him before he could make his escape.
Perhaps escape wasn't the right word, no, Naruto knew it wasn't; if only because he wasn't trying to run away from anything. Heaven had little power over him, and Sera even less, but even so, he couldn't quite quell the sudden urge to flee when he heard her voice. It wasn't a command or a demand, nor an exclamation, but something so much worse. Pleading. Begging him to stop at the edge of the clouds, to just wait a moment, take a step back, and reconsider his actions. Damnitall, he wasn't even looking Emily's way and already he felt weak.
He'd been trying to avoid her -with good reason!- since his bitter argument with Sera. Everything would be so much simpler if he just...went Down for a little while and found the truth on his own. Maybe then he'd have a better perspective on this Purge madness, maybe then it would all make sense, maybe...
.
..
...bah, who was he kidding?
Life, especially the afterlife, was seldom so simple.
Emily reached his side a moment later and took ahold of his hand tightly. "Where are you going?"
Lifting his chin, he clenched both fists at his side and reaffirmed his resolve. "Down."
She looked to him with her guileless lilac eyes, still clinging onto him. "Why?"
The things he could say!
Sera's word's came back to him unbidden. "Please, don't tell Emily."
A brief surge of righteous anger bloomed in his gut and scowling, he stomped it down. This was probably going to blow up in his face, he just knew it. Even so, he didn't have the heart to do it; to be the one to take her innocence and smash it. He simply couldn't bring himself to corrupt this pure girl. He knew she was no child despite her slight appearance, but even so, he wanted to protect her from the awful truth. Learning about the Purge -no matter how necessary or unnecessary it might be- had broken something deep inside him.
Kurama would've had something wise and sage to say about this, he was sure of it.
He would've given him good advice and maybe, just maybe, with his help, he might've made it through.
And yet Kurama was gone; the lack of his presence was a hole in his heart, gnawing and twisting and biting until he felt hollow inside.
But he absolutely refused to take that anger out on Emily. So he passed the buck instead.
"Reasons." he made a point of looking away. "They're not mine to tell. Go and ask Sera about them if you like."
Her gaze narrowed. "Did she say something to you?"
Naruto mimed the action of zipping his lips.
Emily stomped her foot, but he held firm.
Yes! Deflection successful! Not his problem anymore! He'd kept his end of the bargain; Emily could ferret out the truth of her own accord and Sera couldn't cast the crime at his feet. Better yet, he wouldn't be around for the inevitable explosion -and blame game!- that followed. Perhaps that was cowardly of him, but he didn't want this pure little seraphim to think ill of him.
She squeezed his hand suddenly diverting his attention. "You're going down there aren't you? I should accompany you-
Naruto nearly choked on his own spit. No, no, no! Bad idea! All the bad ideas!
"You can't." he crouched down, the better to avoid towering over her, looking her in the eye. "Hell's no place for someone of your stature."
Emily yanked her hand from his, crossed both arms over her chest, and glared at him. "Because I'm a child?"
Sage save him from stubborn girls!
"For the love of...!" Carefully, he reached out and reclaimed her left hand in his right. "No one is calling you a child, ya know!"
She tried to glare at him, but managed only an adorable pout. "You're acting like I'm one...
"I ain't." he rasped a little laugh despite himself, only to laugh harder when she kicked his shin. "Really, I'm not! This is just something I have to do on my own."
That was the truth of it; had to find his answers alone, one way or another. Unbiased. Only then would he know peace.
He knew he had Emily when her fingers threaded through his own. "Will you come back?"
His head bobbed. "Soon as I can."
"Promise?"
He held up his free hand and wiggled his pinkie finger at her.
"Oh, you...!" Emily seized it in her own with small giggle, curling her little finger tight, but that wasn't enough for her; she darted in under his arms and gave him a hug, burying her head in his chest as her small arms struggled to wrap around his broad back. "Be safe."
Naruto froze up for what felt like an eternity, uncertain as to how he should react. How long had it been since someone hugged him...?
Emily made the choice for him and squeezed him tighter. "Hug me back!"
A flicker of his old self broke through and he returned it, planting his chin on her shoulder. "I'll be right alright, don't worry."
She drew back to regard him with damp, shimmering eyes. "Promise me you won't become a Fallen."
Naruto hesitated.
"Promise me!" mistaking his silence for anxiety, Emily latched onto both his hands this time in desperation and held tighter to him. "I can't bear the thought of it!"
Frankly, he wasn't sure he COULD become a Fallen. Call it a hunch, call it a feeling, but he felt like he was on the right path. Besides, if his awful argument against Sera and the "Laws" of Heaven hadn't seen him cast out, he wasn't sure what could. Even his so-called "descent" was just him popping down to the check out the underworld for himself. Maybe he was missing something here, maybe not. In the end, there was only one way to find out.
Right, everything would be fine. He had to tell himself that. Else, he might lose what little sanity he possessed.
And so, he blew out a breathy sigh, hoping he could honor the words he was about to say. "I promise."
Something softened in Emily's face. "Good."
She darted forward and took flight.
This time he was keenly aware of her kissing his forehead this time, rather than his cheek. The act was pure as the driven snow, chaste, even. His face burned all the same. That was twice now. Once was an accident, twice was coincidence, thrice...well, there hadn't been three times yet, but this...
It felt like...something, ya know?
She leaned in and whispered quickly into his ear. "If you're looking for the person in charge, you should go to the angelic embassy. Ask for an audience with...
The rest of her words were inaudible, only to him.
His eyes widened ever so slightly.
"Awww, thanks-
He turned but the little Seraphim was already long gone, wheeling away into the heavens. He could've caught her if he wanted to, but something told him she wouldn't much appreciate that. No, best to let her go for now. They could sort this -whatever it may be- upon his return.
'Alright, then...
He walked to the edge of the clouds and steeled himself. If there really was something down there he couldn't see it; there was too much light and the clouds were thicker than any fog he'd seen.
And yet he knew where to go.
How hard could this be? Just fly straight down at top speed, land, have a look about, ask a few questions and go back up once he was satisfied. Surely it wouldn't take more than a day, three at most.
Everything would be fine; what could possibly go wrong?
.
..
...I just jinxed myself didn't I?
Nah, he didn't believe in that sorta thing?
He tucked in all ten of his wings against his back, took a deep breath, stepped off the edge and:
"BANZAI!"
(.0.0.0.)
Reality trembled.
Contorted.
Twisted.
Resisted.
Something shattered.
And then he was through.
(.0.0.0.)
Carmine heard the explosion from on high; because someone had torn open the sky.
Racing a window, she flung it open just in time to see all hell -ha!- break loose.
Of course it had to be on her damn turf, didn't it?
A lone angel soared down through at speed...
.
..
...and plowed clean through a nearby building.
Another now. Another. Yet another.
"That can't be good...
(.0.0.0.)
Alastor looked up from his balcony as a distant explosion rattled the world.
He knew that noise; it was the sound of change, knock-knock-knocking on his door. And so he watched -observed really- as a star fell from Heaven. That glorious glimpse of gold of light rocketed down from the on high to the ground at absurd speed, careening through everything in its path, heedless of the carnage it caused.
This wasn't another one of heaven's purges; far from it, this was something new, something unexpected! What fun!
Rising to his feet, the radio demon tittered merrily. "Well, well. This promises to be...entertaining."
He wondered if the hotel's newest guest had noticed it as well.
(.0.0.0.)
He squinted at the falling star from afar.
He was many things, but not blind.
He recognized that energy.
He smiled at it.
HE KNEW.
"Naruto...
(.0.0.0.)
Negativity.
It assailed Naruto at every angle, so much so that he had to close his eyes against it and seal off his sixth sense for a moment lest he vomit outright. Unfortunately, that moment cost him dearly. The sheer assault on his senses actually knocked him out for a moment; not long, barely a second, but it physically threw off his descent; what had once been a -relatively!- controlled flight immediately became an uncontrolled tumble that sent him crashing through a building.
Followed by another.
Then another.
Another.
Vaguely he was aware of shouts and screams of alarm, but momentum dragged him on relentlessly as he hollered apologies.
WHAM!
"What the hell?!"
"Sorry!"
BLAM!
"My leg!"
"Sorrrry!"
SLAM!
"That was my favorite table, asshole!"
"Sorrrrry~!"
By the time he finally regained control it was too late; he slammed down into the street on bent knee; the sheer shockwave of which rattled his bones and had his wings tucking in tight against his back. From there, he sucked in a quick, ragged breath, and climbed back to his feet, reeling a little.
"Okay, didn't stick the landing...
This had to be the place, yet this so-called "Hell" didn't look anything like what he'd thought it would be. From there, getting his bearings proved to be an exercise in futility; although he could see burning buildings aplenty and plenty of red sky, he had no idea where he'd landed.
Really could've used Kurama's advice right about now. Alas, he had only the void.
Shunting open his senses, he winced at the ensuing negativity, but it wasn't such a shock to him anymore. Appalling, yes. Shocking? Very much so. But he found himself gradually growing used to it; that little lapse from before wouldn't be enough to knock him out again...
.
..
...but this place was wrong.
Wrong, wrong, terribly and horribly wrong!
All twisted emotions and greed and anger and lust woven together in a crippling cocktail that threatened to cripple him with a migraine. And the smell! Good lord the smell! He didn't even have words for it.
Another burst of negativity assailed him, sending him staggering into a wall. He grit his teeth against the pain that followed, clamping one hand to the side of his head to stave it off, to no avail. It was enough to drown a man; he could barely keep his head above water. How did people live here...?!
Sera's words came back to him, sad and resigned.
"You will find no goodness there."
No. There must be some good here. There had to be. He refused to believe all this was for nothing.
"Hoooooly shiiiiiiit."
A new voice had him craning his head.
Seemed someone had noticed his impromptu landing; and they stood not a yard away.
Gold-red eyes gleamed at him, set within a round bright-pink-skinned face bearing long pale hair gone almost white, a pair of equally pink horns jutting up from her head. Come to think of it, the rest of her looked pretty pink at that. Like a bright, hot pink. And were those wings jutting from her back? And a tail?! He shook his head once and squinted at the newcomer anew, only to realize the scantily clad outfit she was wearing and good lord she had legs for days-no, Naruto! Bad Naruto! Focus!
Thankfully, she seemed to be eyeing him up just as hard. She'd stopped short. Did a double take, now.
"Hullo, handsome...where did you come from?"
His wings flared behind him almost of their own accord, bathing her in angelic light. "That answer your question?"
The horned woman's gaze flitted up and bulged as she beheld them, alongside his halo. "Oh, shit." she recoiled and retreated, stumbling over herself. "You're an-
"Hey, hey! Wait!" He grabbed at her wrist, drawing her back before she could bolt. "I'm not here to cause trouble! I just want to talk!"
"No way, nuh-uh!" She hissed and clawed at his chest, breaking her nails. "Tell that to the buildings, buster!"
He reeled her in, butting his head against hers. "That was an accident!"
Her tail lashed at his face like a whip. He caught it and yanked.
Much to his surprise, the winged woman moaned.
Naruto tilted his head, baffled. "Did you just...?"
Her face flushed deeply. "You didn't hear shit!"
"Pretty sure I heard a-what was that for?!"
She'd stomped on his foot.
He glared at the feisty horned woman, and she glared right back at him, breasts smashed up against his chest, heaving for air, lips inches from his own. Tension hung hot and thick between them, and he suddenly found himself stricken by a strange urge to something he really, really shouldn't...
...I'm sorry, I think we both got off on the wrong foot, here." Tentatively, he released her tail and, still holding her, drew back at arms length. "Why don't we start with our names?"
"Ha! That's rich!" She snapped sharp teeth at him in a snarl, forcing him to draw back or be bitten. "You first, angel asshole!"
For a moment, there, he saw red. Cheeky minx. She was doing a fine job provoking him.
"Naruto." he said his name for her sake as much as his. "And you are...?"
"Verosika Mayday." she supplied warily. "So what now? You gonna kill me?" her fangs flashed as she snarled at him. "Add my name to your tally? Do angels have those?"
"I'm gonna let you go."
Her jaw clicked open. "Angel boy say what now?"
"I said I'm letting you go." when she scowled at him, he hastened to amend his statement. "Once I ask you a few questions, you're free to leave."
Veroskia scowled at him. "What's the catch? Want me to get a head start before you cut me down?
He shook his head slowly, bangs swaying side to side. "Nope."
Her scowl redoubled. "Not gonna stab me in the back?"
"Why would I even...?"
"Because that's what you Angels do." she stomped a heeled foot on his again and thrust her face into his, either trying to harm or scare him, for what little good it did. "Adam brings you shits down here every year to hunt us like its a damn game! You gettin' an early start this year?"
"Adam?" Here at last a smile touched his face. "I'm nothing like that guy. "I beat him black and blue."
Ha!" she barked a laugh, despite her derision, it was a strangely pleasant sound. "Prove it!"
...its the truth." he shrugged a shoulder. "You'll just have to take my word for it."
"The word of an Angel?" She scoffed, leaning back. "Why in the hells should I believe you?"
An idea dawned. "Or I could show you."
"Shoe me whaaaaaaaaiiiieeee!"
Her words piqued into a gasp as he pressed a hand to her forehead, planted his fingers over her eyes and shoved his chakra into her, showing her the memory in question; the moment of Adam's defeat in all its painful glory. A string of varied swears and syllables followed her curse; actually understood a few of them before she reclaimed her voice again and when she did speak, it was little more than a weak whine.
"Okay, okay!" she writhed in his grasp, gasping aloud. "I give! Whatever you're doing, stoooop!"
He released her, leaving her to crumple bonelessly to her knees before him.
She swayed where he'd left her, eyes half-lidded. At length, they refocused. "What in the hell was that?"
He could've explained it any number of ways. He settled for the truth. "A memory."
"What kinda memory rattles the inside of someone's skull?"
"Sorry, did that hurt...?"
"There you go apologizin' again." Her tail flicked as she squinted up at him, still on her guard. "You're really not gonna kill me?"
He held up his hand. "Scout's honor."
She smacked her lips at him. "Yeah, gonna have to better than that. You angelic types ain't big on honor."
Adam really had carved an awful reputation down here, hadn't he? "Alright, miss. I promise I won't hurt you. And if you have any idea who I am, you'd know that I never go back on my word."
Something about his conviction must've finally got through to the surly succubus her; because she slumped with a sigh.
"Miss, huh?" Verosika rasped a laugh. "Shit, you're the real deal, aren't you...you're nothing like Adam at all...
Naruto blew out a sigh. "I did tell you."
"You really did, didn't you? Huh." her tail flicked once more as she tried to rise and failed before, crumpling back to the ground. "Good on you. Bastard offed one of my besties last year. Hope he's down and out for good." a beat of silence passed between them as she looked him up and down anew, considering something else, now. "You know, I've never done it with an angel before...
He frowned. "Done what?"
Verosika blinked, incredulous. "You cannot be serious."
Naruto returned her blink with two of his own. "Pretty sure I am...
"Hells, you actually are." The succubus licked her lips. "Aren't you adorable?"
Such was the beginning of a rather spectacular day.
A/N: May this whet your appetite!
Hope you enjoyed this! Would you like weekly updates? Four slots remain!
Felt the need to put a disclaimer at the top of bottom here since the idea of Heaven and Hell has become so hotly debated.
Naruto isn't so much furious at Extermination Day as he is at the idea of it. He's never been to Hell. He doesn't know what its like, only that it amounts to literal angels -of whom Adam is a poor example- are killing a bunch of souls and keeping it secret from the rest of Heaven. And Lute deliberately framed it in the WORST way possible just to upset him.
Of course he doesn't understand. Of course that would upset him. Of course he feels the need to go and see for himself.
After all, we KNOW there are some monsters down there, but there are a food good folk amongst them all.
You can save some, sure, but you can't save everyone.
Reviews are my lifeblood. Without them, I cannot write.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?
They keeps an old man alive.
And enjoy the previews.
As ever:
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Get ready to smile~!
Obvious references are obvious~!
(POTENTIAL!) Previews! What can I say? We've been busy.
"You really don't know much about this place, do ya, whiskers?"
"Please don't call me that."
Verosika grinned.
She did, in fact, call him that.
"Yo~!"
The girl sputtered and dropped her papers. "Ohmygoodnesswhyareyousotall?!"
That was...an awful lot of words at once. Naruto tilted his halo-clad- head. "Come again?"
Somehow, she rallied, much to his amusement. "Right, sooo...I'm Charlie! My, ah, dad couldn't make it, so he sent me...
She offered him her hand.
...nice to meet you?"
Huh. A nice person.
He accepted her hand.
"Right back at ya."
Miles away, a man dropped his ducks.
"I sense a disturbance...
"Damn dirty angel!"
It was a very nice attack.
Shame it was utterly doomed to fail.
Naruto caught the madman's fist in his palm and yanked. The limb tore off in his grasp with a wet sucking sound.
His attacker howled in agony. "Gaaaaaaah! You shit! I needed that!"
"Ooops..? Didn't realize you were so fragile."
"Can I have my arm back?!"
He thumped them over the head with it. "No."
"I want to be better." He gripped their throat, dangling him over the edge. "Don't make me let you down."
"You're insane."
"Ah, but what is madness if not the path to brilliance?"
"You'll learn, or you will be made to learn. Simple as that."
"Hey, watch it, buster! She's taken!"
"But I didn't do anything...?"
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed! Looking forward to your feedback!