Disclaimer; I don't own anything at all!

~XxX~

~As Close as Siblings~

Chapter Ten

Gremory Manor: Where Peace Goes to Die

"How was school?" Naruto called from the couch, lazily flipping through a book he had no interest in.

Mirajane Strauss strolled into the room, rolling her shoulders like a warrior shaking off the fatigue of battle. "Not bad. I think the idiots finally got the message."

Naruto raised an eyebrow and closed the book with a dull thud. "Oh? And what exactly did you do?"

Mira smirked, arms crossing over her chest as if she were recounting a great victory. "Had a little chat with their leader. Explained—very clearly—that if anyone even thought about messing with my siblings, I'd drag him to the toilets by his hair and drown him like a flea-ridden dog."

A faint purple haze curled around her like a living mist, and Naruto felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

Yep. Evil Mama Mode was in full effect.

He couldn't even pretend to be surprised. From the moment the Strauss siblings had stepped into his family's care, Mira had wasted no time asserting herself as their protector. And honestly? He respected it.

Rias, Sirzechs, and even his parents had told him not to get involved when the bullying first started. Stepping in as Naruto Gremory would only make things worse. But Mira? Mira had handled it just fine on her own.

She always did.

"Where's Rias?" Mira asked, finally noticing the absence of his ever-present partner-in-crime.

"Out with Mom. Dress shopping for the Ceremony of Kings."

Mira dropped onto the couch beside him, pulling out her homework. "And you didn't go with them?"

Naruto shuddered. "I did that once. Never again." He stared blankly ahead, like a man recounting a traumatic event. "I love them, I do, but when Rias and Mom shop, they become… different. We're filthy rich, Mira, but I've seen my mom look ready to throw hands over a sale rack. I saw her glare at some lady so hard that the poor woman willingly put the dress down and walked away." He exhaled, haunted. "It changes a person, Mira."

Mira blinked, then burst out laughing. "Oh, come on! It can't be that bad."

Naruto turned to her, face completely serious. "I once spent three hours carrying bags while they debated which shade of red 'felt more regal.'"

Mira snorted. "And they didn't just ask you?"

"They did," he groaned. "And when I picked one, they looked at each other, sighed, and kept debating."

She cackled, shaking her head. "You poor, poor boy."

"Thank you for your sympathy," he deadpanned, leaning back into the couch.

Mira tapped the end of her pencil against her textbook, her face scrunched in mild annoyance. "Ugh. Why do I even need to learn this stuff? When am I ever gonna use trigonometry in a fight?"

Naruto smirked. "You could calculate the perfect attack angle for maximum destruction."

Mira rolled her eyes. "I don't need numbers for that. I just punch until there's nothing left standing."

He chuckled, shutting his book with a thud. "I respect the simplicity."

She stretched her arms behind her head, staring up at the ceiling. "How do you even deal with all this noble etiquette crap? I still don't get half the things people expect me to say or do."

Naruto waved a dismissive hand. "You're overthinking it. Just smile, nod, and if they start getting all snobby, pretend you don't understand a word they're saying. Works every time."

Mira scoffed. "Sounds like something you've actually done."

"Because I have," he admitted shamelessly. "One time, some guy kept droning on about his 'prestigious lineage' and their 'impeccable breeding.' So I just stared at him, nodded real slow, and said, 'Yeah, my dog has papers too.'"

Mira blinked. Then she howled with laughter.

"No way—what did he do?!"

Naruto grinned. "Turned so red I thought his head was gonna pop off. Rias nearly died trying to hold in her laughter."

Mira wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. "You're terrible."

"I prefer the term 'efficiently annoying.'"

She shook her head, but there was no real scolding behind it. Instead, she grabbed a pillow and lobbed it at him. He caught it easily, tossing it right back without missing a beat.

For a moment, silence settled between them. A rare, comfortable pause in the usual chaos. It was nice.

Then, the front door swung open with enough force to rattle the walls.

"I'M HOME!" Rias's voice rang out, triumphant and terrifying.

A second later, multiple shopping bags hit the floor with a thud.

Naruto and Mira exchanged a single look.

"Run?" Mira suggested.

Naruto nodded solemnly. "Run."

And then they bolted.

~XxX~

Rias stepped through the grand doors of the Gremory estate, exhaling in satisfaction as she set her numerous shopping bags down with a soft thud.

"I'M HOME!" she called, expecting at least some kind of welcome.

Silence.

Rias frowned. Oh, she knew Naruto and Mira were home—she could sense their energy lingering in the manor. And yet… nothing.

Her eyes narrowed.

They were hiding.

Cowards.

She kicked off her heels, shaking her head with a sigh. Naruto's convenient absence from today's excursion had not gone unnoticed, and honestly, she was a little disappointed. Sure, he had survived one shopping trip with her and their mother and declared "never again," but where was the fun in that? Would it have killed him to suffer just a little bit with her?

Still, she couldn't deny she had enjoyed herself. Shopping with her mother was an experience, after all. A battle of taste and refinement, a contest of who could spot the best outfit first—though, to be fair, they both won in the end.

The only real loser?

The poor shop assistant who had been caught in the crossfire.

~XxX~

Earlier That Day – A Boutique Employee's Worst Shift Ever

Venelana Gremory held up two gowns of almost identical crimson, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she turned to her daughter.

"This one," she said, lifting the first, "has a deep, commanding presence."

Rias hummed in consideration. "But this one," she countered, motioning toward the second, "has a sharper, sleeker look. It practically demands attention."

Venelana nodded approvingly. "A strong choice."

The shop assistant—who had been holding their many selections for the past hour—let out a barely concealed whimper.

Rias and Venelana exchanged a glance before smiling.

"We'll take both."

The shop assistant looked ready to drop.

Venelana turned back to her daughter, clearly still enjoying herself. "You know, dear, this would've been far more interesting if Naruto had come along."

Rias smirked. "Oh, he knows better."

Her mother chuckled. "A shame. I would've loved to hear his input."

"Oh, you mean his expert opinions? 'Yeah, Rias, this one looks fancy,' or 'Mom, this one is definitely red?'"

Venelana covered a soft laugh with her hand. "Yes, I suppose that is about the extent of it."

At this point, the shop assistant looked about ready to collapse under the weight of their purchases. Rias gave her a reassuring smile before turning to her mother. "We should probably let her ring us up before she quits on the spot."

Venelana glanced at the young woman—who had taken on the expression of someone who had seen too much—and gave a graceful nod. "Yes, that would be best."

~XxX~

Present time

Rias shook off the memory with a smirk. Shopping had been fun, but it would have been hilarious to drag Naruto along, just to see him suffer through it.

Still, she supposed he deserved a reward for his cowardly tactical retreat.

Reaching into one of her bags, she pulled out a brand-new limited-edition manga, one she knew Naruto had been eyeing but hadn't gotten his hands on yet. She flipped through the pages idly before calling out:

"Naruto! If you come out now, I might give you the gift I got you!"

Silence.

Then—somewhere deep in the manor—a distant thud of hurried footsteps.

Rias smirked.

Hook, line, and sucker.

~XxX~

Naruto lay sprawled face-down on the couch, groaning dramatically into the cushion. "Why…?"

Mira sat slouched in an armchair nearby, looking just as exhausted, her arms dangling lifelessly over the sides. "This is your fault," she muttered.

Naruto turned his head just enough to glare at her. "Our fault."

"Nope. Your fault," Mira shot back, eyes closed like she was trying to will herself into unconsciousness. "You fell for her bait."

"You fell for it too," Naruto accused, voice muffled against the couch.

"I was dragged down because you fell first," Mira groaned, rubbing her temples. "The moment you said, 'Sure, Rias, we'll help,' I knew we were doomed. I knew, Naruto."

"And doomed you were," came Rias's ever-so-smug voice as she practically floated into the room, looking not even remotely tired. No, she looked refreshed. Energized. Victorious.

Naruto cracked one eye open and pointed at her weakly. "You. You knew exactly what you were doing."

Rias plopped down onto the couch beside him, grinning like a cat that had just batted two mice into submission. "Of course I did," she admitted, completely unapologetic. "And you walked right into it. Honestly, I expected Mira to resist more, but you?" She reached over and poked Naruto's cheek. "You practically volunteered yourself as a pack mule."

"I thought we were just helping carry a few things," Naruto groaned. "Not an entire store."

Mira groaned in solidarity, rubbing her face. "So many outfits. So much standing. I think my soul left my body somewhere around outfit number fifteen."

"Fifteen?" Naruto snorted. "You tapped out way too soon. That was only the first store. I think I stopped seeing colors properly by store three."

"Oh, please," Rias waved a hand dismissively. "You two are being so dramatic. It wasn't that bad."

"Not that bad?" Naruto turned his head, looking utterly betrayed. "Rias, I carried more bags than I ever have in training! I felt my arms giving up on me."

"My feet still hurt," Mira grumbled, tossing her head back against the chair. "And you made us sit through an entire fashion show like we were judges on some runway event!"

"And?" Rias clapped her hands together, positively glowing. "Didn't I look amazing in all of them?"

Naruto and Mira turned their heads to glare at her in perfect unison.

Rias smirked. "I'll take that as a yes."

Naruto groaned, covering his face with a pillow. "I knew we should've run the moment you got home."

Mira nodded solemnly. "We had a window of escape. We hesitated."

"And that's why you lost," Rias declared with a satisfied nod. Then she reached into one of the many bags she had somehow still managed to bring in herself and pulled something out. "But since you two did suffer for me, I got you something!"

Naruto peeked out from behind his pillow, skeptical. "It's not another dress, is it?"

"Tempting," Rias mused, "but no." She tossed a small wrapped package at him.

Naruto caught it, eyes widening slightly as he pulled away the wrapping to reveal a brand-new manga.

Mira raised an eyebrow. "Bribery?"

"Compensation," Rias corrected with a knowing smirk. "I do appreciate my pack mules, after all."

Naruto stared at the book, then at Rias. Then at the book again.

"…I hate that this works on me," he muttered, already flipping it open.

Mira crossed her arms. "I notice I didn't get anything."

Rias grinned. "Oh, but you did. You got the honor of watching Naruto crash and burn before you."

Mira deadpanned. "I hate you."

"I know," Rias replied cheerfully.

Naruto sighed, sitting up and shaking his head. "I swear next time, I'm not falling for it."

Rias beamed at him. "Oh, you absolutely will."

And deep down, Naruto knew she was right.

~XxX~

Zeoticus Gremory slumped into his favorite armchair, utterly defeated. His once-pristine study now looked like a battlefield—discarded shopping bags, tissue paper, and dresses draped over every available surface like fallen soldiers. He groaned, rubbing his face.

"Why do we even have servants if I'm the one cleaning this up?" he muttered.

Across the room, Venelana hummed contentedly as she admired herself in the mirror, adjusting the fit of one of the many outfits she had paraded in front of him for the past two hours. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, dear," she said, turning slightly to inspect the dress from another angle. "You know you love watching me try on new clothes."

Zeoticus shot her a tired look. "I love you, Lana. But if I have to give my opinion on one more 'slightly different' shade of red, I might start seeing in black and white."

Venelana chuckled, completely unbothered by his suffering. "You exaggerate. Besides, wasn't it fun spending time together?"

Zeoticus let his head fall back against the chair, sighing. "Fun is a strong word. I endured. Barely." He gestured weakly at the disaster zone surrounding him. "And now I have to clean up? Why? We have an entire staff for this exact reason."

Venelana turned, her expression far too amused. "Because, my love, it builds character."

Zeoticus gaped at her. "I'm a grown man! My character is fully built, thank you very much!"

Venelana simply smiled. "Then consider it maintenance."

Zeoticus groaned dramatically, flopping sideways into his chair like a wounded soldier. "I should have eloped when I had the chance."

Venelana quirked a brow, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "With who?"

"…I don't know. Someone who would let me sit in peace after being subjected to a fashion show."

Venelana laughed softly and leaned down, pressing a chaste kiss to his forehead. "You do realize you have a harem, yes? Eloping wouldn't have changed much."

Zeoticus blinked, then sighed in resignation. "Damn it, you're right."

Venelana straightened, looking smug. "Of course I am."

Zeoticus huffed, crossing his arms like a petulant child. "I liked it better when you let me think I had options."

Just then, a sudden shiver ran down his spine, and a knowing smirk slowly spread across his lips.

Somewhere… my son is going through the exact same thing.

He let out a satisfied chuckle, reclining deeper into his chair.

"Good. Let him suffer."

~XxX~

Naruto ducked under a powerful punch from Sirzechs, feeling the whoosh of air as the fist passed mere inches from his scalp. His heart pounded, his muscles screamed in protest—this was his moment. With a deep breath, he moved beneath his older brother's guard, thrusting his hand to the side as a swirling mass of crimson energy coalesced in his palm, forming a violently rotating sphere.

A fraction of a second. That was all he needed. Just a blink, and—

BOOM.

Naruto wasn't just on the ground. He was part of it. His face wasn't resting on dirt; it was embedded in it, his skull forcefully shoved into the earth like an amateur landscaper had tried to plant him. His entire body ached, his bones protested, and his soul felt personally offended.

He groaned, voice muffled by the dirt. "How the hell is that fair!?"

Sirzechs, standing over him, was completely unbothered. "Hey, don't hate the player, hate the game."

Naruto peeled his face out of the ground, leaving a perfect imprint of his suffering behind. He turned a deadpan stare up at his older brother. "Bullshit. Your strength is bullshit."

Sirzechs smirked. "Oh? And here I thought you just lacked skill."

"Oh, please." Naruto wiped dirt off his cheek. "We agreed you wouldn't use your—whatever the hell that was."

"My what?" Sirzechs raised an innocent brow. "I didn't use magic. I just moved."

"You moved so fast my skull made a permanent home in the dirt!"

Sirzechs tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Tragic. I'll send my condolences to your dignity."

Naruto groaned. "I hate sparring with you."

"And yet," Sirzechs gestured at their surroundings, "here you are."

Naruto turned to the sidelines, where Grayfia was training Mirajane, "Because someone insisted I needed to refine my close combat."

Grayfia nodded. "That is correct." She stepped aside as a white haired missile was about to tackle her from behind. "Your form and posture are atrocious and needed to be refined."

"I don't see how getting faceplanted counts as 'refinement'!" Naruto gestured wildly at the crater that was, up until recently, his personal resting place.

Sirzechs chuckled, throwing an arm around Naruto's shoulders. "You are learning. Every battle is a lesson."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "And what's today's lesson? 'Pain builds character'?"

Grayfia, without hesitation, responded, "Yes."

Before Naruto could formulate a proper retort, a loud thud echoed across the training grounds. He turned just in time to see Mirajane slam into the dirt face-first, much like he had moments ago.

Mirajane groaned, pushing herself up slightly. "... I think I just saw my past lives."

Grayfia, standing over her like a merciless executioner, merely adjusted her gloves. "Again."

Mirajane groaned again, this time with the exhaustion of a woman questioning her life choices and Naruto could only blink, "You know… I thought I had it bad, but watching this I think I'd rather take you over her." Naruto nudged Sirzechs with his elbow and looked up to see his brother smirk at his wife and personal maid.

Mirajane, still on the ground, shot him a weak glare. "You suck."

"Maybe," Naruto smirked, "but at least I don't have to fight her." He pointed at Grayfia, who merely stared down at Mirajane expectantly.

Mirajane sighed, rolling her shoulders. "Alright, alright. Let's do this again."

Grayfia nodded approvingly. "Good. Perhaps this time, you will last longer than five seconds."

Mirajane groaned. "I liked you better when you were just silently terrifying."

Naruto opened his mouth to gloat—

And then his eyes flickered toward the other side of the training grounds.

There, under a shady tree, sat Rias, Elfman, and Lisanna. They were gathered around Venelana, who was gracefully guiding them through elegant stretches, as if they were preparing for a dance recital rather than battle.

Naruto's eye twitched.

"Are you kidding me!?" he shouted, pointing at them accusingly. "That's their training!?"

Rias, stretching her arms lazily, smirked. "Hey, Naru~! We're working on our poise! Proper balance is crucial for refining magic, you know."

Elfman nodded sagely. "A real man must have grace in combat."

Lisanna giggled. "And poise! Venelana says a refined stance helps with spellcasting."

Naruto gawked. "You're telling me I've been getting thrown around like a ragdoll, Mira's getting tortured by Grayfia, and you three are over there learning how to stand properly!?"

Rias smirked. "Maybe if you were more elegant, you wouldn't keep falling over."

Mirajane, still catching her breath, narrowed her eyes. "I swear if I hear the word 'posture' one more time, I'm throwing hands."

Elfman grinned. "That's very unladylike of you, Mira."

Mirajane let out a slow, dangerous breath. "I take it back. You suck more than Naruto."

Venelana, completely unbothered, sipped her tea. "Now, now, there's no need for jealousy." She turned to Naruto, smiling. "Besides, my dear son, you did start training yourself in secret without telling us."

Naruto's indignation died instantly. "Huh?"

Venelana sipped her tea, completely unbothered. "You started training in secret without telling your father or me, did you not?"

Naruto suddenly felt very exposed. "Uh… well—"

"So," Venelana continued smoothly, "I decided to respect your decision and treat you like an adult." She smiled sweetly. "Which means no complaints when Sirzechs beats you into the dirt, hmm?"

Naruto groaned. "Moooom, that's not how that's supposed to work! You're supposed to tell me I'm too young for this and pamper me!"

Venelana chuckled. "Oh, my dear son, you gave up 'pampering' when you decided to act independently."

Naruto pouted. "I regret everything."

Venelana patted his head affectionately. "As you should."

Mirajane, sensing an opportunity, turned to Grayfia with big, pleading eyes. "Grayfiaaa~ since Venelana is so nice, can't you also go easy on me?"

Grayfia's response was immediate. "No."

Mirajane gasped. "But—"

"No."

"I didn't even finish—"

"No."

Mirajane pouted. "You're the worst."

Grayfia smiled faintly, tilting her head. "As your instructor, it is my duty to ensure you suffer."

Naruto burst out laughing. "Holy crap, she's just as bad as Sirzechs!"

Sirzechs chuckled. "What can I say? We're a charming family."

Naruto turned, staring longingly at Rias and the others under the merciful shade of the tree.

Rias smirked. "You love us."

Naruto, still sore and covered in dirt, sighed. "I love you all in moderation."

Just then, Elfman attempted another graceful spin—and promptly tripped over his own feet, landing in a tangled heap on the ground.

Venelana chuckled. "Wonderful effort, dear."

Elfman groaned. "...So graceful."

Sirzechs patted Naruto's back. "Enough stalling. Let's get started."

Naruto sighed, stretching his shoulders. "This family is gonna kill me one day."

But really, he wouldn't have it any other way.

~XxX~

The Gremory Estate loomed over the landscape like a monument to wealth and power. A grand fortress of obsidian stone, adorned with flowing crimson banners, it stood as a testament to the might of one of the Underworld's most influential families. The wrought-iron gates, laced with delicate yet potent magical runes, pulsed softly—an unspoken warning that entry was not granted lightly. Beyond them, perfectly manicured gardens stretched toward the towering mansion, where enchanted fountains shimmered like liquid starlight beneath the false sky. Servants in pristine uniforms bustled about their duties, while noble guests arrived in sleek, enchanted carriages, their movements effortlessly refined, their outfits draped in the finest silks.

It was a world of grace, privilege, and status.

And right outside its gates, Kurama stood seething.

Once the Kyuubi no Yoko, the strongest of all the Tailed Beasts, her very presence had once made entire nations tremble. Now? She was a lone-tailed fox spirit in the body of a woman—and a very frustrated woman at that.

She glared up at the guard blocking her path, her arms crossed beneath her ample chest. Her long, wild crimson hair swayed as her single tail twitched in agitation. This was beneath her. To be denied entry like some commoner? After everything she had been through? Ridiculous.

"Let me through," she demanded, voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable edge.

The guard, a model of professional stoicism, remained unmoved. His polished half-plate gleamed under the soft glow of the estate's magical lighting, the Gremory insignia proudly displayed on his chestplate. He stood at full attention, a well-trained soldier accustomed to dealing with unruly nobles who thought themselves above protocol.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I cannot allow you entry without proper authorization."

Kurama's eye twitched. Did he just 'ma'am' me?

"Do you have any idea who I am?" she asked, trying her best not to snarl.

The guard met her gaze without flinching. "No."

Kurama inhaled through her nose. This is fine. I can handle this.

"Figures." She exhaled slowly, forcing patience into her voice. "Look, I have been with Naruto since the moment he was born. I've been closer to him than anyone else. I know everything about him—his struggles, his pain, his triumphs…"

She hesitated. She really didn't want to do this, but being direct seemed to work well for Naruto and his mother before him.

So, she squared her shoulders and pressed on.

"Listen, Naruto and I… we've had our differences. Sure, I wasn't always the nicest, and I may have let him down when he needed me most, but that doesn't change what we had! We were connected—bound by something deeper than you could ever comprehend!"

The guard stiffened slightly. A bead of sweat ran down his temple.

Kurama, oblivious to his reaction, continued.

"We've been through so much together! I was there with him every night. I kept him warm when he was cold. I guided him when he was lost. I comforted him when he was in pain!"

A horrified silence followed.

The guard's entire soul left his body.

A noblewoman passing by gasped so hard she nearly choked on her own breath.

A butler—an actual trained professional—fumbled his grip and shattered an expensive tea set.

A maid let out a strangled squeak and bolted, no doubt heading straight to the estate's gossip ring.

The first guard coughed loudly, stepping forward in a desperate attempt to quiet her down. "Ma'am, please lower your voice—"

But Kurama wasn't done.

"You don't understand how deep our bond runs! I was inside of him for years!"

More gasping.

The sound of porcelain shattering echoed down the street.

A shopkeeper across the road physically dropped his ledger, blinking in stunned horror.

One of the passing noblemen went pale, whispering to his wife.

The second guard, who had wisely remained silent up to this point, took a very slow step away from the scene.

The first guard looked like he wanted to die.

Kurama frowned at the sheer stunned expressions around her. "What?"

The first guard cleared his throat, his voice a shade more strained than before. "Ma'am… you are aware that Lord Naruto is thirteen years old, correct?"

Kurama blinked. "…Yes? And?"

A maid physically fainted.

The noblewoman grabbed her husband's sleeve. "We must inform Lady Gremory at once!"

The first guard was fighting for his life. "Ma'am, you are speaking as if—"

"Oh, for the love of—I was a giant fox sealed inside of him, you absolute morons!"

~XxX~

Kurama dragged her feet as she walked down the bustling street, her tail swishing behind her in slow, miserable motions. Her arms were crossed tightly, her head dipped just low enough that her long crimson hair helped obscure her burning face.

This was, without a doubt, the worst moment of her existence.

And she had lived for centuries.

Why did I say it like that?

She groaned into her hands, recalling the absolute mess she had made at the Gremory estate gates.

"I was inside of him for years."

The words echoed relentlessly in her mind, each repetition making her want to dig a hole and never come out.

She had meant to explain the depth of her connection to Naruto, how they had been inseparable, how she had been part of him in ways no one else could ever understand.

But instead? Instead, she had just sounded like some creepy, obsessed woman who thought she owned the kid.

And now there were rumors.

A group of young devil women in fine dresses walked past her, whispering behind their fans.

"—they say she's completely delusional—"

"—thinks she had some deep, hidden romance with the young master—"

"—poor thing, she must have hit her head or something—"

Kurama's eye twitched so hard she nearly gave herself a headache.

She was not some crazed stalker! She was Kurama, the Kyūbi no Yōko! She had once shaken mountains with a roar! She was feared, respected, and admired—

And now she was a laughingstock.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen…

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to focus.

Moping wouldn't fix this.

She still had a mission—get to Naruto. No matter what.

But how?

Her thoughts were interrupted when a massive screen on the side of a nearby building lit up, its speakers blaring a dramatic fanfare.

"DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO JOIN A LEGENDARY PEERAGE!?"

Kurama blinked as the screen displayed golden letters across a fiery backdrop.

An enthusiastic voice boomed across the street, drawing attention from passersby.

"Introducing the grandest event of the year—the Ceremony of Kings! Witness young devils of noble lineage claim their Evil Pieces and form peerages that will shape the future of the Underworld!"

The screen flashed images of elegantly dressed young devils standing before their families, their hands glowing with magic as they received their pieces.

Kurama scoffed. Yeah, yeah, must be nice to have everything handed to you on a silver platter.

The advertisement wasn't over.

"BUT WAIT! There's MORE!"

Kurama's ears perked up as the screen shifted, revealing a massive coliseum packed with roaring spectators.

"Have you ever dreamed of standing beside the future leaders of the Underworld? Do YOU have the strength to prove yourself worthy of a high-class devil's peerage? Then sign up for the Infernal Tournament of Champions!"

A dramatic montage played, showcasing devils and mythological beings clashing in the arena, magic and steel meeting in dazzling explosions.

Kurama stopped walking entirely.

Her mind raced.

An open tournament—one that invited all classes of devils and even mythological beings?

And the winners could be recruited into noble peerages?

Her lips slowly curled into a grin.

Oh, now this… this could work.

If she couldn't just walk up to Naruto, then she'd make herself impossible to ignore.

With her speed, her power—even weakened—she could wipe the floor with low-class and mid-class devils. If she made a big enough impression, she could force her way into Naruto's world.

Alright. Fine. If they won't let me through the front door…

She turned on her heel, heading towards the nearest sign-up station.

Then I'll just kick it down.

Of course, her victorious strut was slightly ruined when she overheard a nearby vendor sighing.

"Such a shame," the old woman murmured. "She looks so determined, but we all know she's just chasing an illusion…"

Kurama stiffened.

"Tragic," another woman whispered. "You'd think noble families would protect their children from such… obsessive types."

Kurama clenched her fists.

She took a very deep breath.

This was fine.

She was leaving this whole misunderstanding behind.

She had a new plan.

And nothing was going to stop her.

~XxX~

It was a beautiful, peaceful afternoon at the grand Gremory Estate. The kind of day where one could lounge, sip fine tea, and pretend the world was a reasonable place.

Venelana Gremory was doing exactly that, reclining in the grand sitting room with the grace and poise of a woman who had long mastered the art of ignoring bullshit. Across from her, Zeoticus was pretending to read a book but had spent the last ten minutes turning the same page.

Everything was calm. Everything was fine.

And then Maria, one of their most enthusiastic maids, burst into the room like a banshee with a juicy secret.

"LORD AND LADY GREMORY! HAVE YOU HEARD?!"

Venelana, completely unfazed, delicately sipped her tea. "Maria, dear, inside voice, please."

Zeoticus, however, perked up instantly. "Oho! Gossip? Please, do tell! Is Sirzechs finally growing a spine and telling Grayfia she's in charge?"

Venelana didn't even look at him. "We both know that ship sailed years ago."

Zeoticus sighed, mournfully. "I know. I just like to pretend."

Maria bounced on her feet. "Oh, no, it's way better than that! There was a woman at the gates earlier today, demanding to see Young Master Naruto!"

Venelana raised an eyebrow. "A suitor already? My, my."

Zeoticus grinned. "Ah, my boy, already charming the ladies! Takes after his old man!"

Venelana tilted her head. "You mean the same 'old man' I had to actively pursue for months because he was too busy researching teleportation theory to notice he had a fiancée?"

Zeoticus waved her off. "Semantics."

Maria, oblivious, continued. "She was very passionate! She said she's been with him since the day he was born, that she's the only one who truly knows him, that no one else could possibly understand their bond—"

Zeoticus laughed heartily. "Oh-ho! My son, already weaving a tale of romance!"

Maria beamed. "Oh, it gets better! She said she was inside him for years."

Silence.

A deep, existential silence.

Venelana paused mid-sip.

Zeoticus's smile froze.

"…I'm sorry, what?"

The maid nodded eagerly. "She said she spent years inside him! That she knows every part of him! That he felt her more intimately than anyone else ever could—"

Zeoticus's book went flying. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE WAS INSIDE HIM?!"

Venelana exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples.

Maria, thrilled to finally be able to share all this nonsense, continued, completely oblivious to the way Zeoticus looked like he was about to have a stroke.

"Oh! And she said she wrapped around him when he needed her most, that she filled every inch of his being—"

Zeoticus turned red. "FILLED?! FILLED HOW?!"

"She held him close every night, keeping him warm, comforting him, making sure no one else ever got as close as she did—"

"I WILL KILL HER."

Venelana, ignoring her husband's breakdown, simply took another sip of tea.

Then the doors slammed open so hard they nearly flew off the hinges.

There stood Rias, red-faced and fuming.

"Mother! Father! I JUST HEARD A RUMOR THAT SOME HARLOT IS TRYING TO CLAIM MY NARUTO!"

Zeoticus wheeled around, pointing dramatically at her. "SEE?! EVEN RIAS UNDERSTANDS THE HORROR OF THIS SITUATION!"

"I KNEW IT!" Rias seethed, marching into the room like an avenging demon. "I KNEW SOME VIXEN WOULD TRY TO SINK HER CLAWS INTO HIM! AND FILLING HIM?! WARMING HIM AT NIGHT?!"

Zeoticus threw his hands up. "I KNOW! I'M HAVING A BREAKDOWN!"

"She's obviously trying to steal him away from me!" Rias ranted. "I knew I should've put a claim on him sooner! I—"

Venelana, finally at her limit, set her tea down with a quiet clink.

"Alright. Everyone, shut up."

The room froze.

Rias, mid-rant, went silent.

Zeoticus, mid-existential crisis, snapped his mouth shut.

Maria, about to add more fuel to the fire, stiffened.

Venelana exhaled slowly, looking between them all with mild, exhausted amusement.

"So, just to clarify…" she began, completely deadpan. "A random woman appeared at the gates, declared her undying attachment to Naruto, made a series of unfortunate statements that could be wildly misinterpreted, and instead of seeking clarification, my entire family decided to spiral into hysteria?"

Silence.

Then:

"SHE SAID SHE WAS INSIDE HIM." Zeoticus blurted.

Rias nodded furiously. "AND THAT NO ONE ELSE COULD HAVE HIM!"

Venelana sighed.

She needed a stronger tea. Or wine. Or booze, yes booze would do.

~XxX~

A/N: Hey everyone, long time no see!

I can't believe it's been almost four years since I last wrote for this story—time really flies, huh? To be honest, I had no idea where to take things after the last chapter, and looking back, I do regret some of my choices. Making Kurama a woman? Having her punishment be getting forgiveness from the most forgiving guy in anime? Yeah… hindsight is 20/20.

Since I wasn't sure how to move forward, I decided to just have fun with this chapter. I leaned into humor, wrote something that made me laugh, and hopefully, it gave you all a good chuckle too.

I'm not 100% sure if this will stay canon to the story—I'll have to think about it—but for now, I just wanted to show you guys that this story is very much alive. Thanks for sticking around, and I hope you all have an awesome day!