"Naruto is a trouble magnet, but that doesn't just affect him. It affects everyone around him." Yuki started, stern in her demeanor. "When people target Naruto, many will notice his strength, taking note of his power and some of his enemies will still try to destroy him regardless. One of those many ways...lies in targeting those he cares about."
Mio's eyes widened, that was-
"...Naruto informed me of his suggestions for everyone else in regards to training, I think you should stay behind in order to follow his suggestions. For Naruto's sake, as well as your own." Yuki finished, eyes softening to the half-devil's issue.
The red-head in question bit her lip in frustration. The hero was right...but she hated the fact that she was right.
More than that, the thought of the two traveling together alone was...unpleasant.
Then the tension in her shoulders dissipated, remembering something important.
Of course, how could she forget...maybe this was fine after all?
"Alright...fine. You're right." Mio admitted, calming herself down to speak rationally. "But please...until I get stronger...help keep my family safe."
Yuki's eyes shifted from the worried half-devil to the subject of their conversation. He was currently complaining to Issei and Asia about how they hid the training center that Rias built. Much to both of their consternation.
The young human then turned back to give her friend's sister a confident nod. "Even if you didn't ask me, I still would have done so anyways."
Mio grinned at that. "Glad to hear it."
Yuki reciprocated with a small grin of her own, at ease that the conflict was resolved.
But before the red-head could say anything more, she remembered something, causing her to frown imperceptibly. Maybe she should...
Yeah, she should.
"One last thing. You should...ah...not be too surprised later should...something happen." Mio said with a large grin.
The hero's grin faded to something more wary, that grin on her face was kind of familiar...
Before she could comment on it, Naruto walked up to the two of them. "Hey Yuki, let's head out. You ready to go?"
Yuki nodded, eyes flicking to Mio for a moment, before focusing on the blond. "Right, I'm ready."
With that, the young girl opened the car door and slipped inside, telling the driver of their destination.
Naruto's eyes turned to his sister's, locking for a moment simply to stare.
Then the staring contest ended when the blond's lips upturned slightly.
"See ya later, Mio?"
It only took a split-second for Mio to smile in return, assured that he would be alright.
"See you later, Naruto."
Both siblings threw their arms around each other, enveloping each other whole as a goodbye, only letting go once the shinobi pat his sister's back.
Naruto quickly waved goodbye to everyone else, before sliding inside the car himself so that they get get moving.
The shinobi turned back to look at everyone as they waved goodbye, smiles and grins all around.
It was only while he was gazing at all of his friends, that he noticed that someone else that wasn't a part of the group was also paying attention to his departure.
Behind the group was a tree, behind that large plant was a figure hidden in it's shadow, watching him.
Koneko was staring steadily at him, unwavering as she did so. Her pupils; unreadable.
Naruto frowned as the car revved up, preparing to depart. Why didn't she say goodbye...? Was she that upset or...?
The blond shook his head; it didn't matter. The fact was that she was here...that was all that mattered.
So he waved in her direction, blue eyes cheerful as he did so.
The young rook's eyes widened slightly at this, before hesitantly waving back, obviously not expecting that reaction.
Then, as the car began to move, he moved his mouth, mouthing out some silent words to her.
Koneko didn't say anything as the car drove away, taking the mysterious teen that changed so much in such a short time. Eyes staring at nothing as her mind raced.
The words that weren't spoken...but were conveyed.
Be strong.
The white-haired girl did nothing but stare, barely acknowledging anything else. Ignoring the other students that were arriving to face the new day, unaware of the stormy emotions underneath the young girl.
"...Be strong...huh?" she couldn't help but mutter.
The lightest upturn of her lips appeared on her face, troublemaker as always...
Mio continued to watch as the taxi took her brother to his newest 'adventure'. He never did sit still, did he...?
"...He's gone." Issei said quietly. "It's gonna be a little quieter than normal for a while, huh?"
"Yeah. It's going to be a little strange, not expecting something to happen anymore." Rias agreed, blue-green eyes also focusing on where the taxi left. "But I doubt that he'd want us to focus on that."
The other teens nodded absentmindedly, feeling somewhat awkward of the idea of a Naruto-free Kuoh.
"Buchou." Akeno reminded, nudging her. "We should start the day, we don't want the other students to question why so many of us are out here standing around."
The red-head straightened her back. "Right, come on everyone...let's go."
Mio turned slightly to watch as everyone began to leave, heading back to Kuoh Academy so that their day could begin.
But someone stayed behind.
Someone that the young half-devil didn't really notice until now.
"...Kiba-san?" Mio wondered, watching the blond teen stare into space.
The knight jerked at someone calling his name, eyes snapping to the red-head in slight surprise. "Hm? Oh...I'm sorry. I was distracted, did Naruto-san leave already?"
Pink eyes squinted slightly, slightly annoyed that he forgot to say goodbye. "...Yes. He left already."
"I see...that's too bad." Yuuto said with genuine remorse. "I was hoping to ask him something...but I suppose it doesn't matter now."
The reincarnated devil then gave the younger girl a small bow, a forced smile on his face as he did so.
"Apologies, I have been...distracted lately, I'll see you later."
With that, the blond left, moving to join the rest of the Gremory group as they headed to Kuoh Academy.
Mio said nothing, she merely moved her eyes back to the road where her brother had left. Already ill at ease now that he wasn't there to make sure everything was alright.
Nevertheless, she grit her teeth and turned away. Determined to not simply fold to whatever life threw her way, refusing to continuously be a burden for him.
Whatever happened, she would find a way.
Naruto and Yuki quickly reached their train, giving their driver the money that Rias gave them and taking their luggage with them.
The shinobi frowned for a moment...was his bag always this heavy?
"Naruto, we're going to miss the train. Hurry." Yuki urged, moving quickly to catch the train that would take them to Kyoto.
The blond quickly followed, joining her as they went through the process of admitting their tickets. Afterwards, they quickly moved to grab their seats before the inevitable flood of people came.
It was only after they got their seats and secured their baggage, that they allowed themselves to relax.
Naruto leaned his head back onto his seat, taking the time to appreciate the calm after all of the hectic movements they had to make. It was quite limiting to him with the enclosed spaces and large groups of people.
It didn't take long for the train to begin moving, starting their relatively sleep-inducing voyage to Kyoto. It shouldn't take that long, but they should get comfortable nonetheless.
"Naruto, do you mind if I ask you a question?" Yuki asked quietly, leaning back to get comfortable as well.
The blond closed his eyes, allowing the steady movement of the metallic contraption to soothe his senses. "Not at all, shoot."
The young female said nothing for a moment, searching for the right words.
"...I heard from Mio during our tutoring sessions about your...reckless vow."
A wry grin appeared on the shinobi's face. "You're gonna have to be more specific than that."
He could practically feel the hero roll her eyes.
"I'm talking about your wish to change devil culture." Yuki responded, eyes focusing for any reactions on her friend's face.
His facial features, accordingly, scrunched up slightly. "Ah...that."
Naruto opened his eyes and regarded his friend seriously, leaning in so that he could talk to her without anyone listening in.
.
.
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