Previously…
Naruto sighed in relief; now he could think… relax after the whole situation with his mother Gaia.
"So the benevolent Phoenix… I am Zekram… Present."
Naruto turned around, looking at a man he recognized as Zekram Bael, an elderly demon with an imposing presence, long white hair combed back, cold blue-gray eyes, and pale skin. Tall and slender, he dressed elegantly in dark tones, exuding authority and nobility. His aura was heavy and truly intimidating.
But despite all those remarkable traits, Naruto didn't really feel pressure. He didn't feel fear or panic… very different from when he first met his mother, when his survival instinct was at its limit, and he really wanted to escape from her.
Naruto sighed.
Unlike Naruto, Zekram analyzed him from top to bottom. The boy who holds the position of heir to the renowned house by Lucifer himself, the Phoenix who even surpasses them, the Bael—whether in wealth, status, prestige… all of it for the sacrifice of one of the few original creators of their houses. He had heard the story, but that wasn't the case here… This boy had strayed down a truly dangerous path, showing interest in the lower class, in servants.
Zekram simply didn't understand it. If it came from an adult, he might accept it… but this child? He has his own ideas, and behind him always appears his mother as support, which clearly confirms that kindness doesn't come from Lady Phoenix, nor anyone else… only from the child. A child who shouldn't have such cunning at his age, and it truly intrigued him.
Naruto: Hello? – he finally asked after so long of staring at each other without a word.
Zekram smiled and turned his attention back to the boy.
Zekram: I am Zekram Bael, a pleasure, young man… I have heard a lot about you… - he said with a soft, elegant, and perfect smile.
Naruto: Shit… - he thought. He was perceptive, but who could save him now? He wasn't afraid of the old man, but he feared what he could discover by starting a conversation… Zekram seemed very experienced in that.
"Brother, come… I have to introduce you to my friends."
A voice interrupted the conversation that was just beginning, in the greeting stage.
Azula appeared with a smile and a bow, took Naruto's arm, and began walking him away, Naruto apologizing nervously.
Zekram grimaced in his mind. With the boy's apology, he couldn't stop him, nor make the girl's behavior look bad… but… that young man hesitated to greet him for a second. Very interesting.
Azula pushed her way through the sea of people, her happy expression turning into one of annoyance and disgust… she felt her idiot brother burn her hand as a sign of help, a small spell they both possessed and understood that if activated, they must seek out and assist the other in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.
After losing sight of his neck, Azula let go of Naruto's hand and disappeared into the crowd.
Naruto sweated at being left alone again and decided to go out to the balcony.
He made his way through the crowd and stepped onto the somewhat deserted balcony, sighing in relief. That crowd looked like animals.
"H…h…hello…"
Naruto groaned mentally and turned to look, only to see a girl no older than him in height and facial shape.
Naruto smiled; at least she wasn't an adult.
Naruto: Hello, I'm Naruto Phoenix… - he greeted her with a smile.
"H..hi, I'm Misla Vapula, w…do you want to be my friend?"
The girl now known as Misla began to play with the sleeves of her dress. Her parents had ordered her to make friends like the heirs of other houses, to foster relationships. She tried… she really did, but they ignored her—until she looked at this boy.
Naruto smiled.
Naruto: Sure, let's be friends… - he said with a smile, and Misla couldn't contain her excitement. She jumped and hugged him, her first friend… fulfilling her parents' demands.
Naruto blinked but hugged her back.
Misla: Thank you very much, thank you… - she said with a big smile, and Naruto nodded.
Naruto: No problem… - he replied with a smile, and the duo began chatting while the party continued without much happening.
Time passed, and slowly, those present left one by one to return to their homes.
Phoenix Territory – Phoenix Castle – Interior
A magic circle with the Phoenix clan logo appeared on the ground, from which Lady Phoenix emerged along with Naruto and Azula, the latter two yawning.
Azula: Good night… - the black-haired girl said quickly, both because her father wasn't around, Lady Phoenix hated her, and she was sleepy.
Naruto: Good night… - he said, sighing.
Naruto: I'm going to my room, mother… - he said softly, also sleepy and exhausted from everything that had happened that day, but at least he had met two interesting people.
Marianne, who followed Azula with her gaze, recovered and smiled, grabbing her beloved son by the shoulder.
Marianne: Today you will sleep with me, darling… I haven't seen you for a week and I miss you… - she said with all the sweetness in the world, the kind no one else had seen from the always-cold Phoenix matriarch, and much less Lord Phoenix, since she herself discovered the fruit of her infidelity embodied in Azula. She was not a devil to forgive something like that, her pride would never allow it… especially behind her back and without her permission.
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
Naruto: Mother? - he asked curiously, turning to look at her.
Marianne raised an eyebrow.
Naruto: And father? Besides, I'm already big… - he said, internally groaning a little; he had been sleeping on top of Gaia for a week… his neck hurt a little.
Marianne waved her hands as they disappeared and reappeared in her room.
Lady Phoenix's room.
Marianne: Don't worry, darling, we haven't shared a bed since Azula arrived... even if he comes back from wherever he went, his room is on the other side of the castle... - she answered sincerely with Naruto sweating, his mother is tenacious.
Naruto quickly noticed that his father's items and photos disappeared from the room, replacing ones of him as a baby and others with his mother holding him.
Naruto: Fine, but I'm not going to take a bath now... I'm sleepy... - he said calmly to his mother while taking off his shoes.
Marianne smiled and shook her head, her little boy is so proud and serious, like her... he's doing very well, even Venezuelan chose him although it was a bit much and more so with his proposal if she has a daughter... he wants to marry her off to one of his sons if she has more, which isn't really happening at the moment.
Marianne denied by undoing the closure of her dress, it fell to the floor revealing her sexy black lace that barely contains her attributes, and she sighed in relief when the warm cold wind coming through the window enveloped her.
Marianne watched her baby climb into bed and followed him into the bed, the light from outside providing enough illumination for the room.
Marianne lifted the covers and approached her baby who raised an eyebrow to her amusement before hugging him and pulling him towards her… he smelled so good, although a little like sweat and perfume but overall good for both of them not having taken a bath before sleeping.
Naruto gulped at his mother's strong feminine scent. It wasn't that it was bad, but he was at an age where the female sex caused him curiosity and strange reactions, which wasn't the case before, and...
Naruto couldn't think anymore when the air was cut off by his mother's soft and pleasant breasts that after a second let him out of them.
Marianne smiled looking at her baby.
Marianne: I missed you, darling... I couldn't be teleporting back and forth as a precaution... the fallen are intercepting some magic circles with something strange... they are whispers but sometimes it's better to be cautious and besides with Lucifer-sama now in the underworld there's nothing to fear... - he explained the reason for his absence and simply didn't come and go every day.
Naruto nodded silently, slightly blushing at his mother's closeness... their breaths could be felt, his mother's gaze fixed on him still under the sheet and the warmth of her heat.
Marianne blinked before a smile returned to her face and she slowly approached her son's face.
Naruto noticed it but didn't move away until their noses touched, their lips just centimeters away... their gazes more intense than ever and it happened... slowly but gently, Marianne pressed her lips to Naruto's who opened his eyes surprised at the softness and warmth of his mother's lips.
But just as it began it ended with Marianne looking gently at her beloved son.
Marianne: This is my gift and you will give it to me whenever I come back after having days without seeing you, darling... - she whispered with the warmth of her breath hitting Naruto's lips, who felt his heart beat like crazy... his mother.
Marianne smiled and hugged Naruto again, taking a bite of his scent and closing her eyes… they could finally rest from the common aristocracy.
Naruto sighed, calming his heartbeat, placed his right hand around his mother's waist, and closed his eyes with the lingering image and warmth of his mother's lips on his.
New day – Tomorrow.
*Tim*.
An alarm sounded alerting the two phoenixes in the room who opened their eyes before moaning, they were in the best moment of their sleep.
Naruto sighed and lifted his head from his mother's breasts, at some point changing position.
Naruto looked out the window and contemplated, very different from the human world, if they didn't have an alarm they wouldn't really take the issue of time into account... animals sleep at night and are active during the day.
Marianne sighed and looked down at her son after yawning only to feel small, soft lips on hers.
Naruto gently pulled back and smiled as he sat on his mother's abdomen.
Naruto: Good morning mother… - he said with a smile to the surprised Marianne who then smiled and nodded.
Marianne: Good morning, darling... - she responded when Naruto began to get off his mother's abdomen and the bed.
Marianne: What are you doing today, darling?... – she asked her son curiously as she moved to the edge of the bed, sitting down, her attributes very visible to Naruto, who observed his mother's figure for a second.
Marianne didn't flinch at her son's gaze; he's hers, so there's no problem with him looking at her, although... she'll have to read more about this age group for children.
Naruto recovered quickly.
Naruto: In fact, mother wanted you to look at the lands that father bought, we are far from the center of the underworld and from any possible attack, our position is good... I want to increase the population of servants under us... - he explained his idea to his mother.
Marianne tilted her head curiously, an analytical glint crossing her eyes.
Marianne: Why? – I ask her curiously.
Naruto: Power... some servants and low-class demons have potential, potential that we can nurture will serve us... Letting them become someone and they will slowly integrate into the power structures of the underworld, you explained to me that Zekram is slowly but surely trying to do the same... We don't have their limitation, we have the support of the maous, we should do the same but with more aggressiveness... - he said calmly to his mother.
Marianne hummed. She had already explained many things to her baby, so she wasn't bothered by his behavior and ideas. In fact, she liked that her baby was so capable, worthy of being her son.
Marianne: But... we would have more mouths to feed and even though we are one of the richest clans... - she said rolling her eyes to avoid saying the words that Naruto clearly understood.
Naruto: I have everything thought out, mother, trust me... - he answered softly, approaching and taking his mother's hands, with Marianne smiling at her son's cunning.
Marianne: Fine, I trust you and I will help you... just don't screw it up... I don't want you to enter adulthood with nothing because you ruined us... - she said with a giggle, she trusts her son and if he can't, she can easily maneuver a house to disappear and be liquidated but she will trust her baby and his revolutionary ideas.
Naruto nodded quickly with a smile.
Second later.
Marianne: Well, let's clean up... we stink a little and we have to have breakfast... - she said standing up and stretching a little.
Naruto agreed.
The duo called the maids who did not hesitate to enter.
Gremory Territory – Gremory Castle – Dining Hall
In this location, the Gremory family of three had breakfast peacefully.
Venelana: So, you met Naruto Phoenix. Anything to comment on? - she asked her son with curiosity, while Lord Gremory listened attentively. That Phoenix boy is something.
Sirzechs nodded with a smile.
Sirzechs: He's kind of dumb but has charisma, a bit reckless, but with revolutionary ideas… Serafall also seems to like him a bit and decided to be our friend… - he calmly explained his views on Naruto to his mother.
Venelana and Zeoticus exchanged sidelong glances. This meant the ideas were Naruto's, but the mastermind to act belonged to Marianne Phoenix.
Zeoticus nodded to Venelana; after all, she is his friend, but the Gremorys still need influence and growth.
Venelana understood but left it for later, returning her attention to the conversation.
Venelana: So, Serafall likes him, you don't like Serafall? - she asked her son curiously.
Sirzechs looked at his mother with an expression of horror at what she had just said.
Sirzechs: Of course I don't like her. Her inexhaustible activity would kill me… she's my friend, but she's… no… - he simply answered, without even imagining further.
Venelana snorted.
Zeoticus laughed and shook his head.
The family of three continued chatting among themselves.
Phoenix Territory – Phoenix Castle – Dining Room
At breakfast, a "family" of three could be seen: Naruto, Marianne, and Azula, eating in silence with the sound of utensils being the only noise.
Naruto took some time to play when he felt a chill run down his neck.
"Honey, come here… I have a surprise for you."
Naruto heard Gaia's unmistakable voice with curiosity but decided it was better to obey her order until he got a sense of her general behavior.
Naruto quickly finished the remains of his food and stood next to his mother, who raised an eyebrow.
Azula, across the table, also looked at him curiously.
Naruto: I remembered I have something to do… Mother, can you take care of what we talked about? - he said, and before Marianne could ask what happened, Naruto kissed her cheek and disappeared through a magic circle.
Marianne: You already know how to use magic circles? - she looked at him curiously. It seems her son has his own agenda, very capable.
Azula gulped at being left alone.
Azula: That damn… - she growled, moving her chair gently and ducking quickly to run away… at least she had also finished her breakfast, but she knew she shouldn't leave the table unless Naruto or that mischievous woman did first.
Marianne silently watched the boy crouching away but said nothing… he was of no interest to her, and as long as he served her son, he wouldn't harm her personally.
Marianne took her glass and sipped some wine while contemplating her plans for the day.
Marianne: I think I should create burial sites with the approach of war… many will die, and the bodies simply cannot disappear there… well, for the middle class at a good price… charge them every year… hmmm… - she thought contemplatively. Supporting her son's first idea and profiting from it, her thrifty appetite disappeared; now she was more creative and daring, which brought her many benefits and, clearly, money.
Human World – Unknown Place
Following the faint trail she could now feel from her mother, Naruto appeared in a strange forest, only to feel the sensation of being pressed against soft, warm breasts again.
"I missed you."
Gaia almost screamed excitedly, hugging her beloved son and inhaling his scent.
Naruto sweated but let his mother hug him until she let him go a few minutes later.
Naruto: So mother? This surprise? - he asked curiously.
Gaia hummed and nodded.
Gaia: Right, I've already weakened that seal… touch it, and your surprise will open… - she said, pointing to a kind of giant rock covered in weeds and trees.
Naruto felt uneasy but trusted his mother and approached the strange rock, touching it, feeling the softness of nature's dew.
Suddenly, the rock opened with a thunderous noise that lasted for a few seconds.
A shallow pit appeared in the ground, inside which a black-haired girl crouched, hugging her knees.
She was small, dressed in ragged black clothes, her long, silky black hair spread over the ground, resembling a solitary lily.
Feeling the flow of air and the slight warmth of the day, she shivered slightly and slowly raised her head.
"Crimson… deep crimson."
That was what Naruto saw: a girl no taller than him, seemingly at least 12 years old.
Naruto stepped forward with a kind smile.
Naruto: Hello… - he didn't finish when he was thrown back, spitting saliva and clutching his stomach.
Gaia floated away as a barrier rose.
Gaia: This is your surprise. My friend told me she would train you; she is strong… - she said with a smile. She herself did not know how to train, but following her friend's advice, she had found someone who could teach her son.
Gaia proudly thrust her chest forward.
A throbbing vein appeared on Naruto's forehead, but before he could yell at his mother, the girl appeared in view.
Naruto gathered fire in his palm, so intense that the wet vegetation began to smoke… the distinctive yellow of the Phoenix turned almost crimson-orange, and without hesitation, Naruto directed his palm forward.
Naruto looked seriously at the stranger walking toward him and, without hesitation, shot.
A torrent of fire headed toward the girl, destroying everything in its path, the earth itself turning into magma.
Naruto, continuing his attack, opened his eyes wide when a pale hand came through the fire and grabbed his hair before his face collided with another.
"Glash…"
Naruto fell backward, his broken nose bleeding.
Gaia: Ah… I forgot, she is immune to fire, darling! - she shouted from the sky to Naruto, who tried to fix his nose.
Naruto: Shit! - he shouted as the girl charged forward, her life in danger because of her mother's crazy plan.
.
.
.
TO BE CONTINUED.