A/N: Murcielago is back and we're hoping right into the Excalibur arc with this. So let's get right into this.
I own nothing but the plot line of this story. All rights of proper owner ship go to the ones who make money off of the original products.
(Ranbu No Melody)
After the incident within the Youkai Faction, Naruto and his group returned to their home in the Isle's. They had been resting for quite some time, simply wandering around the place. Naruto would help Velvet with cooking while also looking after Miyuki. While they did that, Mizore trained with Esdeath. This led to the two getting along a bit too well for Naruto's tastes, fearing that Mizore may pick up some of Esdeath's habits.
As we find them now, Naruto was currently practicing with Ravel, trying to work on strengthening the power behind her attacks.
"Try again." He stated calmly as his bishop launched a fireball at multiple trees.
The object of this training was to only burn certain trees while using flames at a stronger heat. The stronger the flame, the harder it is to control. When the fire faded after colliding with the trees, Naruto shook his head as he noticed multiple burn marks on trees.
"Your not focusing hard enough." He said, giving some advice as she glared at him. "You need to find the perfect blend between strength and control." He continued as he walked to stand in front of her.
Looking at the burnt trees, Naruto turned around and stared Ravel in the eye, his blue and green meeting her blue.
"What are you doing?" She asked, panting from the non stop training they started hours ago.
"You want to try and control your flames so that they won't hurt those you care about while in combat. Launching multiple fireballs is good, but if you have no control over them, then your more of a flight risk as it's possible you'll hit those on your side." Naruto explained before he raised his hand and pointed towards her.
A Cero formed on his fingertip before it fired towards the girl, curving slightly so that it went around her and struck the trees behind her, reducing them to ash.
"As you can see, by using you as an example, I was able to curve my Cero to the point where it missed you but still hit what I was aiming for." He said before he lowered his hand. "Now do what I just did." He urged as Ravel's eyes widened.
"What?" She asked, surprised at his sudden request.
"Fire your strongest attack at me, but maintain control and force it to bend around me. You have control over your flames, yet you want to maintain your control to the point where you can restart your flames using just embers. As such, I will stand in your path and give you a simple target. The tree behind me is what you are aiming for." Naruto said as he blankly stared her down. "If your worried about me, do not forget that I can just heal the wounds with my regeneration." He added as Ravel raised her hand to the sky.
Just as a fireball formed, Kurama appeared in the side of the clearing. The little fuzzball's appearance distracted the two as he stared at the two devils with his head titled slightly. A note shown to be tied to the collar around his neck. Walking over to him, Naruto gently took the note from the fox before handing him to Ravel, who instantly pampered the fox while Naruto looked over the note.
'We are having some visitors within the next few days. Church affiliates. Please return and watch over them.'
After reading the note, Naruto folded it up and placed it within one of his pockets before he started to walk back home, Ravel staring at his back in confusion.
"Where are you going?" She asked with a hilt tilt that Kurama mimicked.
"We are going home. Then back to Kuoh. It seems we are needed there." Naruto explained as his mind traveled elsewhere.
(In Kuoh Hours later )
Three people, two wearing black cloaks, had just gotten off of their flight and arrived in Japan. After that, they instantly made their way towards the small town of Kuoh, their mission lingering within their minds as they took in the sights.
"This place..." The tallest of the three said as he looked around the town.
"It brings back memories." Another, with chestnut brown hair that fell out of the hood they were wearing said.
"What do you think Xenovia? Is the boy here?" The tallest asked as he turned to the other figure who removed her hood revealing her blue hair with a dyed green fringe to the world.
"I'm not too sure." She said looking around as the figure with brown hair took off her hood.
"You need to take me to the orphanage here Xenovia. I wanna see it." She almost begged as the man laughed.
"We can visit the lass' old home afterwards Irina. For now I think we should focus more on our mission." The man said as the two girls nodded.
"Yes Father Anderson." Xenovia said with a firm nod as Irina sighed.
The group of three church members walked away from their position only for Anderson to stop. He sniffed the air, getting strange looks from those around him.
"It seems as though there are some stray lambs around. As devote followers off our lord and savior, I believe that we should cleanse the heathens." Anderson muttered as he started walking away, the two girls with him, following after him quickly.
They followed the tall man all around the town until they eventually found themselves standing outside a small destroyed warehouse. Though, when they arrived they were greeted to the sight of Rias and her peerage standing outside the doors ready to enter.
"Exorcists?" She questioned as she stared at the group of three.
Her questioned was interrupted when the roof to the warehouse was broken as a body came flying out, landing a small bit away. Looking towards the body, they saw what seemed to be a bipedal wolf wearing human clothes, one of it's arms missing as most of it's fur was coated in blood. The doors to the warehouse opened as the ground quickly froze over, making a deadline straight towards the wolf who tried to run only to trip. The ice quickly covered the lower half of it's body, immobilizing it. Anderson seeing this went to approach the demon over to be stopped by the sound of footsteps slowly making their way out of the the warehouse. Rias' eyes narrowed as a familiar and rage inducing face walked out. Her demon arm in plain view, Velvet stepped into the clearing as the wolf shattered the ice covering it with a large howl.
The wolf charged forward only to be pierced by two large icicles in the stomach before a static boom appeared to it's side. The wolf turned only for a foot to collide with it's face. It's body flew towards the exorcists, two of which were in shock only for Irina to bring them out.
"It's coming!" She called as she reached for her bicep only to stop as the static boom happened and Naruto appeared from where he kicked the wolf. Grabbing it by the throat, he pushed it into the ground and pinned it down with his foot. Turning his head slightly, his lone green locked with Xenovia's gold before he felt himself lose balance. The wolf had torn through his leg completely and lobbed the leg off, causing the blonde to falter and for it to get up and distance itself. Before the wolf could move to attack as Naruto fell towards the ground, it roared in pain as a small explosion of fire went off in it's eyes. Hitting the ground, Naruto looked towards Ravel who was pointing towards the wolf before she clicked her fingers, seemingly igniting the air and causing an explosion surrounding the wolf.
'Pin point accuracy while holding the much power.' Naruto thought to himself as he pushed himself up so that he was kneeling on his good leg. 'She's a genius that one.'
Pointing towards the now charred wolf, Naruto charged up one of his deadliest attacks on his fingertips before firing. The cero flew through the air before it swallowed the wolf and reduced it to nothing. Placing a hand on the ground, Naruto tried to stand only for Xenovia to rush over and help him up. She leaned Naruto against him as he raised a brow in confusion.
"Your leg is missing. We need to get it fixed." She panicked as Naruto let a small smile grace his face as he pushed off her.
She expected to see him fall only to be surprised when he was standing on two feet once more.
"How?" She asked plainly.
"A lot of things have happened." He simply said as his blank mask covered his face as he turned to anderson. "I am Naruto Uzumaki, the Queen of Grayfia Lucifuge. I'll be your supervisor while you enjoy your stay here in Kuoh." Naruto said with a bow as Velvet turned her attention to Rias.
A look of anger was directed towards her, which she countered with smug cockiness.
"Didn't expect to see you again so soon Red." Velvet started as Rias turned her attention away from the Therion and towards Naruto.
Velvet noticed that she was being ignored and while she knew where Rias' gaze was, she already knew the girl had absolutely no chance of ever getting the blondes heart. Not while she still breathed. Turning her attention towards Naruto, she watched as he was patted on the head by the older blonde of the group before the three disappeared. Though the blue haired one stayed a bit longer and gave him a smile before leaving and following her friends. Naruto turned around and walked over to the two groups, his hands placed within his pockets.
Stopping in front of Rias, Naruto seemed to be as calm and collected as he always was, yet something strange seemed to be happening with Rias. A small red blush came across her face as Naruto stared her dead in the eye. Closing his eyes, he brushed past her, ignoring the hand that reached out at his waist and seemingly grasped nothing. Velvet watched as he chatted with the others within Rias' peerage, catching the stares that Akeno was giving the blonde before he turned his attention to his group. Akeno and the others watched as the rest of his peerage came out of the warehouse before they followed him as he walked back towards town.
"The church members will be arriving at Kuoh academy tomorrow in order to discuss their terms and explain as to why they are here Rias. I expect you to behave as someone befitting your status and hear them out." He said as Velvet's gazed towards the red-head who nodded without turning around to meet their face.
"Must be embarrassed." Velvet muttered to herself as she followed her king to their place of temporary stay.
(An Hour Later, Uzumaki house)
Naruto and his peerage arrived at the apartment to find it seemingly unlocked. Entering, they were greeted to Ophis, sitting in the corner in her younger form with a pair of headphones on. Her eyes closed as she allowed herself to happily ignore everything. Though one thing that made Naruto raise a brow was the black kitten that was taking a nap next to her. Crouching over her, he tapped the dragon god on the shoulder, causing her to open her eyes and lazily gaze at him.
"Welcome home." She said her gaze went to the peerage members behind him. "They seem...strong." She complimented as Naruto nodded.
"Strong enough to help me." He replied as Ophis nodded. "This is the place in which we will be staying. I know it's smaller than our home in Berseria but it'll get the job done." He said as he sat against the wall next to Ophis only to see Moka step in front of him.
"Why did you make me and Mizore stand back in that fight?" She questioned as Naruto stared her down.
"I wanted for you to see the state of teamwork that we have already established." He said as Moka raised a brow.
"You made us stand back just so that we can see what you guys currently have going?" She asked as he nodded. "What about Kurome?" She asked pointing towards the black haired girl who was sitting opposite her king.
"I sat out because there was no need." Kurome cut in as Moka turned to her. "I've seen Velvet when she's close to a breaking point and I'm confident to say that if she and Naruto work together, there is nothing to worry about. Though if she ever turned against us..." Kurome trailed off as Moka turned her attention to the woman who took the spot next to Naruto.
"It's as Kurome says Moka. I want to work on the teamwork between us." Naruto said as his gaze went to the ground.
"But why?" She asked.
"Trust." Naruto answered calmly. "With your fellow Peerage members, I want you to trust them to have your back when focusing on other targets. As such, I wanted to show you the teamwork we have developed at this current point." He added as Moka fell silent for a moment as her gaze went across the peerage.
"We're a strange group, that is for sure. But I think we could at least try and make it work." Velvet said from her spot as Moka pondered her words.
"On the next extermination, I wanna pair up with you Naruto." Moka said as she stared at the blonde.
"That is fine. We'll also have some more training to do then. But for now, we must rest. Tomorrow comes the meeting and trying to get all of you into school." Naruto said before Esdeath looked towards him.
"We could try to play off being transfer students." She offered as Naruto looked at her from the corner of his eye.
"That would work out most of us. But what about you?" He countered as Esdeath laughed.
"Oh my dear king you mock me. I would instead aim for a teaching position."
Everyone in the room bar the sleeping cat stared at the woman with a look that made her retract her idea.
"We don't need everyone to get into the school. Myself and you should be enough." Velvet said as Naruto nodded slowly.
"Your right. Bringing in my peerage at this moment would be too fishy and might be seen as a threat to the church goers." He theorized as Velvet nodded.
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow, I'll accompany you to school and we will handle the meeting there." Velvet summed up as the others shrugged their shoulders and sat down. Each getting into their own positions for the night.
(The next day)
After everyone got rested, Naruto opened a Garganta for them to return to the Isle's through while he and Velvet handled the meeting. Looking at his wardrobe, Naruto found his old school uniform, which made him think to the days before he became a member of Rias' peerage. Despite his looks, he was ignored by many. The girls found him to be a bit too far for them considering his 'bright' outlook while the boy's labeled him as a pretty boy. Though, once he started hanging out with Kiba, the girls opened up and started comparing the two. And the hatred the boys had for him already, grew more when he spent more time with Akeno and Rias.
Thinking of the red head now left the boy feeling...nothing. Before, the sting he felt when he first awakened his power was something he held onto constantly, but now...he couldn't bring himself to care. Maybe it was because of the people he surrounded himself, but in the end, he couldn't find it in himself to truly care anymore. Pulling out the uniform and getting changed into it, Naruto found himself standing in front of a mirror he had.
Looking at the mirror, Naruto found himself staring at a black haired version of himself. This black haired version had two green eyes instead of Naruto's singular.
"What do you want?" He asked the mirror version, whose lips didn't mimic the actions of the original.
"Are you gonna abandon your despair?" It asked as Naruto closed his eyes.
"That word...thinking of it at this point is useless." He responded as his counter part looked surprised.
"What do you mean?" It asked as Naruto turned towards the door.
"If I held onto my despair...I'd be too focused in the past. Too focused on the mistakes I've made. Yes it's something that rears it's head constantly. But I will not let it define me." Naruto continued as he opened the door. 'Not anymore.' He added as an afterthought as the fake faded away.
Walking out of his room, Naruto was greeted to the sight of Velvet dressed in her more casual and less revealing attire.
"What's with the uniform?" She asked as Naruto looked himself over.
"Just kinda felt like it you know." He answered.
"You never do things based on feelings." Velvet brought up as she noticed him pull a coat out and place it over the shirt.
"Let's just go." He said as he hurried out of the building with Velvet following.
The two wandered around town for a bit until they came across Xenovia, who was wandering the town with her friend.
"What are you two doing out here?" He asked as Irina looked towards the two.
"I could ask you the same. What are you doing out here in broad daylight?" She asked as Velvet groaned.
"We're not vampires you idiot." She groaned as Irina felt insulted at her words.
The two exchanged barbs as Naruto and Xenovia stood to the side and watched.
"So what are you two doing out here?" He asked as Xenovia never let Irina and Velvet leave her sight.
"We were planning on visiting mother back at the orphanage. Is it still in the same place?" She asked as Naruto nodded.
"I'll take you there. I used to do a passing glance when I lived here." He said as she nodded.
The two started walking off as Velvet and Irina noticed them walking away. The two glared at each other before following after, easily catching up as the other two were taking there time. The group of four found themselves standing outside a large orphanage as Naruto sat down on the steps. Irina followed a happy Xenovia inside as Velvet sat down next to her king who had a solemn smile on his face.
"What is this place?" She asked as Naruto looked at her.
"This is the place I grew up. This is my old home." He said calmly.
While the two devil's had their small talk outside, the two young exorcists found themselves chatting happily with the children inside. The chats ranged from the girls asking how Xenovia and Irina got so pretty while the boys wanted to know who they got so strong. Irina responded that constant prayer and undying loyalty with the lord above would grant them any desire that they had. Meanwhile, Xenovia was busy chatting away with the woman who raised both her and Naruto in their early childhood.
"It's great to see you again mother." Xenovia started as the nun, Nono smiled.
"It's been far too long since I last saw you. I was right to say that you would grow into a beautiful woman." She complimented as Xenovia blushed slightly.
"Thank you mother." Xenovia shyly replied as Nono giggled.
"What happened to the strong Xenovia that would drag the blonde haired boy where ever she went?" Nono teased as Xenovia giggled.
"She grew up, left the next and got stronger I guess. Meanwhile, he's...changed." Xenovia said slowly...seemingly upset at how Naruto acts.
"If only he was around. I would love to see him once again." Nono calmly said as Xenovia perked up.
"He's outside right now. We kinda met up with each other on our way here and he escorted us here." Xenovia brought up as Nono stood to her feet.
"Then let's go see him. Besides I wanna meet his guest." She brought up with a smile as Xenovia raised a brow.
"How did you know?" Xenovia asked as Nono took off the glasses she was wearing. Grabbing the small eye patch she wore, Xenovia watched as Nono removed it and saw a familiar green eye staring at her.
"When Naruto left the orphanage. Or was forcibly removed, he gave me the gift of his own eye. Over the years, I've noticed that when I close my eyes, I can see through his eyes. It doesn't always work, but I'm just happy to see that he's still around." Nono explained as she walked towards the door with Xenovia following.
The Two devils sitting on the stairs turned slightly when they noticed the doors open and Naruto's gaze was turned towards the ground.
"You've grown into a fine man it seems." Nono started as she walked down the steps.
"I've grown into something. I'm not sure a man is what I'd call myself." Naruto replied as she turned her attention to Velvet.
"Well, it would have to be something quite interesting to get such a wonderful lady to stay by your side." She said as she walked over and grabbed Velvet's non-bandaged hand. "I'm Nono Yakushi." She introduced herself calmly as Velvet gave a awkward smile.
"Velvet Crow. It's nice meeting Naruto's mother." Velvet introduced herself as the woman simply gave the group a small smile.
The small family reunion was nice. Though a bit on the strange side given everything. A mother, reuniting with her own child. A discovery of ones self, and the realization of trust between a large group. It seems life for Naruto can either go two ways. Both contain a large amount of chaos, but only one has a happier end.
(Chapter End)
Now this was one of my crappier chapters for Despair's Onslaught, but don't worry. This is just me working off the rust with this story. And the rust is quite large. So anyway, sorry that the quality for this chapter is very poor compared to my other stories, especially my latest ones, but I will build it up as much as I can as I still believe this is one of my better stories. Anyway, see you guys later.