A/N: Apologies, not in the best shape today;
Long story short, I had to get a massive swathe of skin on my side cut off the other day because my doctors are concerned and checking for cancer...T_T
And when I say cut, I mean CUT as in with several scalpels at once, leaving me in horrendous pain. Now I may need to go back to the hospital and get yet more "pieces" removed which has me stressed out even more. Don't get me started about bleeding through the bandages. Painkillers aren't helping, writing distracts me from the pain, if only just.
Sorry if this chapter is lacking in its usual humor and shenanigans; I'm really not in a good mental place at the moment.
Once again, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Not a wit or one.
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. I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time. Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that. In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
As always, I'll keep the updated list of Naruto's "Demon Lords" up here. Remember, the ranks are fluid. They change constantly.
Remember, the closer to ten you get, the stronger the Demon is:
(1) Daki/Gyutaro~!
(2) Kyogai~!
(3) Tamayo~!
(4) Mukago~!
(5) Susamaru~!
(6) Not Yet Revealed~! (Pardon the error~!)
(7) Sukuna~!
(8) Akaza~!
(9) Not Yet Revealed~!
(10) Hinted, But Not Yet Revealed~!
Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a one! they're merely tributes to legends far greater than me.
Now, then! I do hope you're ready; because this chapter's downright vicious; such that I hesitated to post it.
Heck, there's even an Overlord reference or two in here. The slayers are not prepared.
Hopefully it doesn't put people off. Here we go~! Now, then. Who else survived?
Was it Tanjiro's mother (Kie) or his other sister (Hanako)?
Read and see.
"A smile is a valuable tool, my dear. It inspires your friends, keeps your enemies guessing,
...and ensures that no matter what comes your way...
...you're the one in control."
~A future scene.
Smile (Interlude)
"Who is this adorable little creature?! We're keeping her! Tell me we're keeping her!"
Naruto fought down a small smile as Tamayo absolutely gushed over their newest arrival.
It was to expected of course; after all, it wasn't every day he brought a newborn demon home.
Hanako had swiftly become was soon the talk of the family-from the moment she first clung to his hand stubbornly, never once letting go-everyone seemed to genuinely delight in having her added to their ranks. It was something he'd hoped for, prayed for, wished for, but he hadn't expected it to go quite so smoothly. Yet it had and the Family seemed better for it. Now if he could just figure out who the traitor was. If they were here today, they were doing a fine job at hiding their true colors; everyone seemed keen to meet the new arrival and while there were a few baffled looks, none had voiced their discontent as of yet.
.
..
...
"Ha? What's a brat doing here? This ain't no place for a kid."
...perhaps he'd spoke too soon. Probably jinxed himself with that last bit, frankly.
He plastered a smile to his face and palmed the little one off to a flummoxed Daki as he faced the sole voice of dissent.
"Is there a problem, Sukuna?"
Always smile. Always keep your guard up. Always leave them guessing.
The demon in question pushed himself off the nearby wall, refusing to take his seat in a subtle display of defiance. "Of course there's a problem. She's weak."
Akaza rolled his eyes and clasped both hands behind his head in his seat. "Here we go...
A goblet bounced off his skull. "Quiet, you dirty snack stealer. You stole my meal."
Susamaru scoffed at them. "Not his fault you played with your Hashira."
An eye slid her way. "What was that, four arms...?"
She crooked a finger his way. "Did I stutter?"
"Cheeky brat. And here I thought you didn't have a death wish...
"You wanna go?!"
"Now, now...
Naruto let them bleed their squabbles out for a moment and stood by as Tamayo gently interposed herself between them, taking the chance to get his bearings.
Sukuna had ever been a rabble rouser, even a hundred years ago. Really, the only reason he wasn't up there with the big three was because he simply didn't care to try. Everyone knew he was one of the strongest among the ranks. What need had he to prove himself? His constant desire to antagonize or troll others was a slightly worrying mindset, but he'd rather have him with them than against them. Better the devil you knew that the one you didn't, as the saying went.
"You didn't object like this when I brought Daki and Gyutaro in."
He felt, rather than heard the duo preen a little behind him. Not so Sukuna.
"Because they had potential." the man's retort -and his smile- was just as sharp. "What can this one do?"
"Hey!" Daki handed Hanako's off to Tamayo and shot a glare his way. "Don't be rude, she's just a kid. Even you were young once-
"Silence." a single word had her cowering where she sat, then Gyuutaro with her. "Your betters are speaking."
"You're mean."
All eyes turned to Hanako, surprised to find her glaring bloody red daggers at the disaster demon. stuck her tongue out
"Ho?" Sukuna leaned down to consider her. "You have nerves of steel, I'll give you that." Multiple eyes slid Naruto's way, skewering him where he stood. "Are you saying she's strong after all, then?"
"She's freshly turned, so yes."
Sukuna stepped forward to leer at him. How strong, exactly?"
"Strong enough to survive being buried alive and tear a chunk out of me."
"Interesting." Sukuna thumbed his chin, considering. "But maybe you've just gotten weaker."
He frowned down at him. "That sounds like a challenge. Is it?"
"Maybe."
Tamayo sighed and stood, drawing Hanko up with her. "I'll just go get Lilith then, shall I? Before you two break everyting.
Sukuna sneered. "Go ahead, get the horned bitch. I don't care.
And in a flash of realization, Naruto understood.
Aha, there it was.
He'd gotten bored. Small wonder he was stirring up shit. Probably hadn't had a good fight in ages; his emotions were an open book to him. Insolent, yes, but not treacherous.
Well, that eliminated Sukuna as the traitor. The bastard didn't care enough about anything to try and interfere...although he had thrashed Akaza for taking his prey. He'd met and turned him so long ago that he forgot sometimes. He ate whenever he liked, tormented those he found interesting, and above all...
.
..
...he loved to fight.
"If you think I'm so weak, then fight me for leadership again." he crooked a finger his way. "Unless you're afraid...?"
Akaza sprang out his seat. "Oi, oi, oi! Let us get out of the way first!"
A grin split Sukuna's face. "Ha! Bring it on!"
Naruto twisted to the right, pivoted, and drove a fist into his comrade's ribs.
Sukuna took the jab with a grunt and rocketed backward through a wall. Then another. Three more now.
Naruto lowered his still-steaming fist and looked toward the Sukuna-shaped hole. "Had enough?"
An insane cackle was his only warning before the rubble stirred. "Not even close!"
Rather than retreat, he opened his arms and let Sukuna barrel into him.
Their world dissolved into a scarlet slurry of blood.
A/N: Aaaand scene. Next time: By Three They Come.
Well? Are you not entertained? Should this remain a story? Yay or nay! Gotta let me know for the update schedule, ya know. As ever, the Embers Rule Persists; if folks don't like this tale, then... I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something folks don't like, and working two jobs on a near back-to-back basis leaves my energy at an all time low. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard!
Reviews are the fuel that sustain me and my team in these darkened times.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review, Would You Kindly?
No previews. I haven't the heart for them.
I'm so very tried these days...
...no, I'll still try.
I HAVE to try.
(PREVIEWS!)
They say good things come in threes...
...the funny thing is...
...they're right.
"You think to warn me? You dare...?"
"This ain't a warning." he tossed the torch over his shoulder.
It struck the tarp and burned it away. Sunlight snarled through. "This is a war."
"You're soft on them."
"Perhaps." Naruto ran a palm over one of her many horns. "But tough love isn't always the best. Sometimes you have to let the chicks leave the nest.
She scowled at him, wings twitching at her side. "You doubt my methods? After all I've done? All I have given you?"
"Not so much the methods as the...lets say intent. What do you hope to gain from this?"
She turned stern eyes on him. "You know full well. I want that which was denied me."
"And you'll have it." he took her hand a kiss on her knuckles. "I keep my word."
Her expression softened. Just a touch. "You have so far."
"Oh ye of little faith...
Mukago blinked. "A slayer...?"
Zennitsu blinked back. "A d-d-demon?!"
An ominous silence stretched between the two cowards.
And then the screaming began.
Zennitsu screamed. "A DEEEEEMOOOOOON?!"
Mukago screamed right back. "A HUUUMAAAAAN?!"
"You must be Tanjiro. Its so nice to finally meet you. There's someone here who dearly wants to meet you...
"Hey, old man! I have a pet!"
"Daki, that is a human. Not a pet.
"Nah, she's mine. I saved her, she swore herself to me. Makes her mine. You gonna make her a demon or what?"
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this little tale. Sad to say, but if folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, I'll lose the drive to continue it! I'm working two jobs these days so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me.
Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
Looking forward to chatting with you all later~!
R&R~!