The Most Dangerous Enemy of the Sailor Senshi
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Naruto leaned back against the wall, arms folded as he studied Usagi carefully. Moments ago, he'd suggested taking her home to ease the Senshi's worries; the last thing he wanted was a city-wide hunt forcing him to keep running. But she looked so earnest, so concerned for him, that he couldn't help but hesitate.
Usagi settled onto the edge of the bed with an uncharacteristically pensive air. She'd had time to reflect on everything he'd said: the Yin–Yang imbalance, his travels, the fact that he needed sexual energy but hadn't hurt anyone beyond draining them into a temporary coma. She found it strangely believable; it wasn't that far-fetched in a world where reincarnated moon princesses and evil kingdoms existed.
"Why do you look so sad?" she asked softly.
Naruto sighed. "I'm not sure," he admitted, sliding his hands into his pockets. "I guess I just…don't do well with goodbyes. And if I let you go, the next time we meet could be on the battlefield."
She swallowed, still feeling that little twinge of fear when she remembered how swiftly he handled Rei and how easily he outmaneuvered all of them. But there was something in his voice she couldn't ignore.
"You don't really want to fight us, do you?"
His lips curved into a wry smile. "Fighting is rarely my first choice—nowadays, anyway. I spent too much of my life in battle. In the end, I just want to live. And if that means feeding on enough energy to keep my body from falling apart…then that's what I do. But no," he said, "I don't relish the thought of hurting you or your friends."
Usagi's eyes glowed with earnest compassion. "There has to be a way for you to survive without making enemies everywhere you go. Maybe we can figure out something else, like an alternative source of energy."
He shrugged, a lock of blond hair shifting over one of his fox-like ears. "I've tried different ways. Meditation, absorbing trace amounts of Yin from nature itself—believe me, I've tried a lot. It's just that direct contact with human Yin is the easiest and most effective.
"Besides," he added with a slightly teasing grin, "I'm not forcing anyone. I talk to them, flirt a bit, and usually they're all too happy to share some…company once they get to know me. The only snag is that if I'm not careful, it can leave them exhausted for a while. They come to the hospital in a, ah, blissed-out state if I get a bit carried away."
Usagi's cheeks went pink. "Oh… that part."
"Hey," he said quietly, "I get it. To someone who doesn't know the full story, it'd look terrible."
The two sat in silence for a beat before Usagi cleared her throat. "So, do you think, um…you could give me back my brooch now?" She attempted to sound brave, but a nervous quiver touched her voice.
Naruto studied her for a moment, then pulled the little compact from his pocket. The golden crescent glinted in the light. "We'll make a deal," he said, holding it out but not quite relinquishing it. "I give you this. You convince your friends I'm not a threat—at least not a murderous threat. I'll do my part to avoid harming people. And maybe we can find a more controlled way for me to feed. Does that sound fair?"
She almost reached for the brooch, but hesitated. "I'll try," she answered, her tone soft but determined. "I can't promise they'll all believe me right away, but I'll do everything I can. The last thing I want is more chaos."
He looked at her searchingly, then placed the brooch into her waiting hands. "I trust you," he murmured.
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Usagi tested the weight of her transformation brooch in her hand, relief flooding her face. She was Sailor Moon again in spirit, but somehow being here, talking to Naruto as if he were simply a misunderstood traveler, made her feel more like plain old Usagi Tsukino. That didn't feel so bad—maybe even a bit liberating.
"I need to get going, don't I?" she said softly, staring down at the golden item. "It's late, and Luna…my cat, she's probably worried sick. My friends, too."
Naruto nodded. "Let me see you out."
The building itself was tucked away in a quieter ward of Tokyo, half-hidden by tall trees and an abandoned industrial compound. Naruto led her down a narrow metal staircase, and soon they reached the doorway leading outside. Pausing by the threshold, Usagi felt something twist in her chest—maybe sympathy for him, or gratitude that he truly hadn't harmed her.
She turned back to him. "How am I supposed to explain this to them?"
He shrugged. "That's up to you. If you want me to come along, I can, but I doubt that'd go smoothly." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Probably better if you break the news gently first. I have a feeling the one with the raven hair will want to turn me into ash on sight."
"Rei," Usagi said with a sigh. "Yes… She's protective and impulsive. And a little…uh…judgmental toward men. You just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing, in her eyes."
"I'll try not to hold that against her," Naruto replied with a small smile. "But do me a favor—tell them I mean no harm, and maybe give me a day or two to sort out a better feeding arrangement. I could skip town for a bit if it helps, until things calm down."
Usagi's brow furrowed. "We'll figure something out. Running away doesn't solve problems—trust me, I've tried hiding from algebra tests." She managed a shaky laugh. "Listen, if you can gather your energy in smaller portions—like a regular…um…donor arrangement—maybe the hospital visits will stop. And my friends won't keep chasing you."
He nodded thoughtfully. "It's not my style, but sure. I'll try."
They stood there, awkwardly, until finally Usagi turned toward the door.
"I guess this is goodbye…at least for now."
She pushed the door open and stepped out into the cool night air. Before she vanished from sight, she glanced over her shoulder, offered him a small wave and a hesitant smile, then hurried on.
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Rei paced across the living room of the shrine, fury etched on her features. Ami sat nearby, flipping through pages of one of her reference books while her computer ran a scan. Makoto and Minako stood by the door, both looking anxious and ready to rush out at a moment's notice.
"She's out there somewhere," Rei insisted, fists clenched. "That monster took her. We should be doing something—anything—other than just sitting here."
"We've been everywhere," Makoto countered, brow creased. "I've scanned half the city with Mercury's help. Wherever this demon took Usagi…he's masked his energy signature."
Ami paused, pressing a few buttons on her mini-computer. "Anytime we get close to a strong reading, it disappears. It's as if there's a barrier or some sort of distortion."
Minako attempted to lighten the mood. "We'll find her, Rei-chan. Usagi might be a crybaby, but she's also got this knack for drawing out the good in people."
Rei stopped pacing for a heartbeat. "…What if there is no good in him?" she muttered grimly.
Suddenly, the shrine doors burst open. Usagi, in her everyday clothes, rushed in with her eyes wide, breath quickened from running.
"Usagi!" they cried in unison, surrounding her in a flurry of questions and relief.
"Are you okay?"
"What happened?"
"That beast didn't hurt you, did he?"
Usagi held up her hands. "I'm okay, I promise. He just…talked to me. That's it."
Rei's face twisted into confusion and anger. "Talked? You were gone for hours!"
Seeing the rising tension, Ami stepped in. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Usagi, can you explain everything, from the beginning?"
Usagi inhaled deeply, trying to summon calm and composure. "He told me his name is Naruto. He said he's not part of the Dark Kingdom. He's…he's a traveler, from another dimension. He doesn't want to kill or hurt anyone—he's just feeding on energy to survive."
Makoto frowned. "So those hospitalizations—the women—"
Usagi nodded, cheeks coloring. "Yes. He says he doesn't force them. He seduces them, but apparently it's too much if he's not careful. He never intended to leave them so exhausted that they collapsed."
Rei's eyes narrowed. "And you believe him?"
Usagi swallowed. "Yes. I do."
An uneasy hush fell over the group. Finally, Ami broke the silence. "If that's true, we might need to reconsider our approach. It's dangerous to have someone with that kind of power roaming freely, but if his intent isn't malicious, maybe we can come to some sort of truce."
Minako tapped her chin thoughtfully. "People find happiness in different ways, and from what you said, if it's consensual, then…uh…maybe it's not our place to judge." She cleared her throat, avoiding Rei's piercing stare.
Rei, for her part, looked unconvinced. "I want to trust you, Usagi, but I've had enough experiences with manipulative men to know some can be exceptionally convincing. How do we know this isn't just another trick?"
Usagi took Rei's hands, surprising her with a firm squeeze. "Because I've been with him for hours. If he'd wanted to harm me—truly harm me—he had every chance. We talked like…like two people, not captor and hostage."
Rei exhaled. There was no denying the sincerity in Usagi's voice. "I still don't like it," she muttered, "but…you're here, safe. That's what matters."
Ami pulled up her computer again. "If we can establish contact or monitor his location, maybe we can reduce misunderstandings. We should try and find him before the Dark Kingdom does, if they realize there's a potentially powerful demon walking around who isn't on their side."
Makoto nodded. "So what's our plan?"
Usagi stepped back, glancing around at the group. They'd been through so many life-threatening battles; maybe they could handle a bit of diplomacy for once. "I told Naruto we'd try to talk things through. He gave me time—he's not looking for a fight. Let's meet him somewhere open, but private enough that we don't attract crowds. And…please, Rei, no sneak attacks."
Rei closed her eyes and let out a soft huff. "Fine."
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Night had fallen again by the time Usagi managed to arrange a meeting. She relayed a message through less obvious means—slipping a small note under the door where Naruto had kept her, hoping he'd return to that building soon. To her relief, she discovered he left a brief response on the same piece of paper by morning:
"Midnight. East Park clearing. I'll come alone if you do the same."
Of course, Usagi planned to bring her friends—just not in a heavy-handed, ambush sort of way. If there was going to be trust on both sides, it had to start somewhere.
At exactly midnight, Usagi—already transformed into Sailor Moon—stood in a wide, moonlit clearing at the eastern edge of town. Towering trees circled them in silhouettes, and the faint glow of city lights spread out in the distance.
Her four companions watched from behind a stand of trees, hidden but ready to intervene if needed. A soft rustle in the underbrush signaled Naruto's arrival.
He stepped into the clearing wearing casual clothes, fox ears alert atop his blonde hair. A single tail brushed the ground behind him, though Usagi suspected more were simply concealed.
"Tsukihime," he greeted, using the nickname with a hint of amusement. "We meet again under a slightly less stressful circumstance, I hope."
She offered him a gentle smile. "Thank you for agreeing to come."
He shrugged. "I figure I owe you that much. You made it sound like you have a plan or a suggestion, so here I am."
Usagi nodded, glancing toward the shadowy tree line. "Before we talk, I need you to know my friends are here. I promise they won't attack if you don't."
There was a pause, then Rei, Ami, Makoto, and Minako emerged, transforming as they came forward in their respective colored fukus. They kept a respectful distance, but Naruto could sense their tension.
"I'm here, Senshi," he announced, showing his empty hands in a sign of peace. "What now?"
Ami took a small step forward, holding her mini-computer close. "I want to study your energy signature. Maybe we can figure out a more stable method for you to gather Yin energy without leaving anyone bedridden."
Minako spoke up. "It'd be more like an exchange. If we find a safe way, you won't have people after you."
Rei still looked wary, arms folded across her chest. "And in return, you'll stay out of trouble. No more random women showing up in comas."
Naruto raised a brow, but nodded slowly. "I said I'd try. I keep my word."
Makoto eyed him up and down. "Just remember that if you do anything suspicious, we won't go easy on you."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Don't worry, Thunder-chan. I've had enough lightning for a lifetime."
Usagi exhaled in relief. This was…something. Maybe even the beginning of a real alliance—if they could figure out a workable solution. "So," she said, brightening, "we all want the same thing: peace, and no more unnecessary harm. Ami, how do we start?"
Ami lifted her computer, scanning around. "I'll need some data on how your energy interacts with a consenting partner. We can do this carefully—monitored. And hopefully we'll avoid…dramatic side effects."
Naruto tilted his head, fox ears flicking. "Carefully monitored? Meaning…with one of you?"
The Senshi exchanged glances, each one showing varying shades of hesitation. Finally, Minako raised a hand halfway. "I have some experience in…situations like this," she muttered, recalling the past glimpses of her star power and certain love-based attacks. "If it's purely energy, I might be able to handle it for a short test."
Rei stared, eyebrows shot up. "You can't be serious."
Minako shrugged. "We need answers, right? And I can keep calm if things get intense. Besides, I can call it off immediately if it gets too overwhelming."
Naruto's expression was surprisingly considerate, though a bit mischievous at the corners of his mouth. "I'd make sure not to push you too far."
Makoto crossed her arms. "Let's do it in a controlled environment, somewhere that if anything goes wrong, we can step in. Maybe inside the shrine, with wards. Ami can read everything with her computer. Usagi can keep watch. And if it looks like anything's off, we stop immediately."
Rei looked between the group, clearly reluctant. But after a moment of measured silence, she conceded. "Fine."
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Thus, a short while later, they found themselves back at the Hikawa Shrine. Candles lit the wooden floors of the main room, wards placed around the edges by Rei's steady hand. Naruto stood in the center, feeling the flicker of spiritual energy that made his fox-ears twitch. Minako stepped forward, heart pounding but face resolute. Ami stood to the side with her computer. Rei, Makoto, and Usagi stood by, each ready to intervene if needed.
"All right," Ami said quietly. "I'm going to start scanning." She pressed a few buttons, and a faint hum of power radiated from the screen. "Minako, slowly channel your own energy as if you're about to perform Venus-related magic—just enough for me to read your baseline."
Minako nodded, holding out one hand to concentrate. A gentle golden glow spread over her fingertips. Ami's computer beeped, reading the flow.
Naruto took a slow breath, stepping closer. "Let me know if it hurts or if you feel dizzy. I can pull back at any time."
Minako's golden aura pulsed gently around her, and Naruto inched into that radiance, letting his own power rise in response. The swirling energy between them crackled in the air, making the candles flicker. Ami's eyes darted over the incoming data.
"Fascinating," she murmured. "There's a layering of demonic chakra and…some other kind of spiritual energy." She tapped a few more keys. "Minako, you may feel a slight draw, like static."
Minako's face flushed a little as she sensed a tingle that coursed up her arm. She bit her lip, determined not to be embarrassed by something that wasn't inherently malicious. "It's okay," she managed, glancing at Naruto. "I'm all right."
Naruto met her eyes and continued, carefully siphoning a slender stream of energy. He kept full control, mindful not to overwhelm her. In turn, Minako adjusted her own aura, letting him take only what he needed for Ami's readings.
From the sidelines, Usagi felt relief and a strange sense of wonder. This was so different from the usual "villain attacks, Senshi respond" routine. Here, they were forging a bridge that might actually prevent future chaos.
Slowly, Naruto pulled back, dispersing the energy. The glow around Minako subsided. She wobbled slightly but didn't collapse, and Ami quickly helped steady her.
"How do you feel?" Ami asked.
Minako blinked a few times, cheeks still pink. "A little…warm," she admitted, "but not drained. I think I'm okay."
Ami studied her readings. "It's far below the dangerous threshold we saw in previous victims. This method seems feasible as long as you keep the intake small and controlled."
Naruto exhaled, a note of relief in his voice. "Thank you," he said to Minako with a half-smile. "That helps more than you know."
Rei flicked her dark hair over her shoulder. "All right. So maybe you're not draining people against their will. But don't think you have free rein to do whatever you want."
Naruto held up his hands in surrender. "Understood. No one wants another fiasco."
Makoto gave a short nod. "Guess that's progress. If you need energy, we'll figure out how to arrange it. Safely."
Usagi stepped forward, happiness evident in her eyes. "Thank you, everyone. I really believe we can prevent more problems if we cooperate like this."
Naruto's gaze slid to Usagi, a soft glint in his cerulean eyes. "You never told me one thing: you said earlier you might convince your friends I'm not a threat. Did it work?"
Usagi smiled brightly. "I think we're on the right track, yes."
Even Rei, arms still crossed, couldn't deny the significance of tonight's meeting. They had a demon in their midst who seemed more mischievous than evil, and for once, a problem in Tokyo wasn't solved by brute force. It felt risky—and yet, in Usagi's eyes, it was worth the chance.
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In the days that followed, word spread quietly that the mysterious "strange attacker" had disappeared. No new reports surfaced of women waking in hospital beds with that blissful exhaustion. Meanwhile, the Senshi worked discreetly with Naruto, testing careful ways to balance his feeding without causing any more critical drain on civilians. Occasionally, Minako volunteered (with a playful wink and an insistence that she could handle it).
Rei still watched him like a hawk, but the tension between them settled into a grudging truce. Makoto gave him side-eyes but admitted his agility and reflexes might be useful if they ever needed extra help. Ami took copious notes and tried to analyze the broader implications of a demon's presence, while Usagi was…simply glad there was no bloodshed. She also found herself growing friendlier with Naruto, occasionally exchanging stories about past battles, odd culinary preferences, and everyday teen (or adult) concerns.
Of course, not everything would stay peaceful for long. The Dark Kingdom continued its assaults across the city, and there was always the looming threat that they'd discover Naruto's unique power and try to use him—or eliminate him. But for now, they had an uneasy cooperation, with an outcome that hinged on whether trust could truly triumph over fear and prejudice.
In the quiet moments, Usagi often wondered if she'd done the right thing, forging an alliance with someone so obviously non-human. But then she remembered the honest look in Naruto's eyes, the sincerity in his voice when he said he didn't want to hurt anyone.
And, for better or worse, she chose to believe in him—just as she hoped her friends would believe in her.