Chapter Forty-Three
Too Late
Day 16
Sunday
"Stand on your toes as much as you can," Haku commanded Loona as she leaned on the railing for support.
"Is that really necessary?"
Loona felt her knees buckle as she did as the boy said. While using as much of the railing as support, it was still more strenuous than it should be. But considering she had been bedridden for about two weeks now it was not surprising.
"It is, you need to go through basic physical therapy now that you are back on your feet." Haku nodded his head while making sure he was prepared to catch the hellhound. "You had been more injured than expected from the attack, more than anyone else, and it is only through healing that we saved you from being paralyzed the waist down."
Indeed, the poor girl had been close to being stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Anything short of expensive surgery or maybe magic no one could normally get their hands on would have helped her. But Mito had plenty of healing techniques and acupuncture methods that allowed the muscles and bones to heal back to normal.
Luckily, hellbeast's naturally built muscle to fit their predetermined stature. Even a standard one like Loona will be able to gain her original figure with simple exercises and time.
"Here's a cushion to support your thighs," Haku stated as he pulled a padded half-circle arch. "I want you to do a plank for as long as you can."
Thank Lucifer, the hound silently thanked as she slowly got to her knees.
She grabbed the arch and put it under her thighs before beginning the exercise. She winced as she felt her thigh and calf muscles spasm before she settled in a comfortable static position.
Haku took the moment to begin finalizing inventory reports and what will be ordered to restock the store. They will be opening in a few days since they've pushed off the event as long as they could in the hope Naruto would be back in time. But the angels have had trouble actually finding where Naruto's true location was.
Jiraiya had to work with them and gave the known hideouts that he had found in his life but Naruto wasn't at any of them. So they've been having to travel around the mortal plane themselves to look for the rest of the hideouts. But Haku had to make sure that they had the appearance of being at optimal status otherwise it could lead to some stupid Overlord trying to take over the area.
Velvette was left to run the V Tower for Haku after Vox and Valentino were thoroughly ruined. The two men were no longer free to do as they wish; Valentino got his wings clipped so to speak and Vox had all connection to a network of technology disconnected.
Sinful Studios, the porn production subsidiary run by Valentino, has also been discontinued as Haku had grown tired of seeing and hearing about the industry. The boy knows that if Naruto still wants it up and running it will be but that was for when the blonde came back. Until then, the studio was shut down until further notice.
Ding!
"Hello?"
Haku turned to see Queen Beelzebub entering the lobby. The Sin was dressed in a shoulderless sweater and blue denim jeans. She also wore black and white Vans.
"Hello, Beelzebub-san," Haku greeted the woman. "Why are you here?"
"Just came to say hi," she said and looked down at the concentrating hellhound. "How's the puppy doing?"
"Loona is doing fine," Haku answered without batting an eye, mostly because he noticed how the hellhound tensed at being called a 'puppy'. "She is doing physical exercises to get back her definition and muscles."
"That won't be necessary," Bee waved her clawed hand at Haku. "Loona will be coming with me. I will return her when I feel the desire or Naruto returns."
Haku's eyebrows furrowed at the woman's statement and looked up at her in confusion. "I would like to ask why? Loona is still recovering and cannot go through anything too rigorous."
"You are making assumptions based on the rules of normal mortal beings, rules that dictated you in life. Hellbeasts are not the same," Bee leaned down and hooked an arm around Loona's stomach before lifting her up. "I'll see about getting Lucifer to agree to some visitations, but you won't be allowed to come as you like. See ya!"
"I- wait-," Haku stuttered as he tried to think of something to say but the Sin of Gluttony just disappeared. "I would like some answers, is that too much to ask?"
Now that he was alone, he sat in a chair and pinched his nose tiredly. He hates being around these entitled demons, mostly because of the lack of communication. Why couldn't they all just give straight answers? Like "hey, I am doing this-this" before just leaving.
Communicate what you are doing instead of just being all needlessly vague about your plans.
"Hello, Haku."
The boy looked up to see Sasuke entering the lobby, taking off his jacket and tossing it onto one of the tables. He is wearing a simple black t-shirt with a red Saint Peter's cross on the front, more meant as a cult symbol for fake modern atheists or satanists, and dark blue jeans. His jacket he took off has a grey fur inside while the outside is black tanned leather.
"Hey, Sasuke," Haku greeted back. "How was your task?"
"Eh, nothing different," the Uchiha shrugged and took a seat at the table. "The district is running smoothly, no crime worth noting that couldn't be handled immediately, and no one is really questioning Naruto's disappearance."
Haku nodded his head and sighed at the boy's questioning look. "The angels haven't returned with any news. Apparently they have some angels looking through Ninkai but they aren't able to divert too many resources without approval of the Seraphim Court."
"And they're not doing that, why?"
"The Seraphim don't want it leaking that they sent their Promised Child of God to Hell, which would lead to questions about other people wrongly sent here. So, even though they have a location and a group to tie to the location, they won't do more than absolutely necessary."
"Why doesn't God make them?"
"He isn't there, only Jesus is," Haku told the boy. "Father is gone, assumedly on vacation, and the Holy Spirit is just… doing His own thing."
Sasuke is silent for a second before sitting up. "Then why don't we go looking for him? Do we have any knowledge on the group tied to Naruto's kidnapping?"
Haku raised an eyebrow at his excitement and shook his head. "We have no way to get to the mortal world. Even if we got to someone from Akatsuki, we wouldn't be able to get to Ninkai."
"The Royal demons have their ways, otherwise how would they do their thing influencing the mortal worlds?" Sasuke's statement made Haku narrow his eyes as he thought of that bit of truth. "And we have the perfect person to interrogate; the leader of the mercenary organization. He died with me, so we just have to find him wherever they normally hold other ningen."
"Then we get a spell to take us to Ninkai and go find Naruto," Haku finished as he seriously contemplated the suggestion.
"Exactly!" Sasuke stressed and watched Haku's face closely for his answer. "It's been two and a half weeks since he's been taken, Haku. We don't have much else to do. Any longer and we may actually lose him for good."
"Why do you care, Sasuke? There is no logical reason where you are suddenly willing to do all of this for Naruto. I had supported you to an extent but not even I believe someone changes this much."
"No one seems to believe me when I say as much, I found it weird that you were defending me as you have even though you are Naruto's most staunch supporter," Sasuke sighed but there was a tired, wistful smile on his face as he spoke. "I can't tell you that I'm lying or that I have ulterior motives, because I don't. I genuinely wish for Naruto's safety, to prove to him that I am not who I was when we fought and he died."
"The day that we fought has remained a blur to this day, the emotions gone and my rationale fleeting. All I can surmise is that I did not want to kill him but something drove me to do it. It was like something took my hand that held the Chidori and drove it through the Rasengan and into Naruto's heart even though his technique should have won."
"I question if Naruto had a last second moment of pity or mercy and stopped his killing blow, giving me the opportunity to deliver mine to him. If so, I want to erase that stain on my hand, the life mercilessly took in the heat of battle, and return everything I can to him. I want not forgiveness but to no longer feel this hollow void in my chest, or the warmth of his blood on my hand."
Haku is silent as he watches and listens to the boy speak yet he could see the honesty in his dark eyes. He can see the genuine remorse and confusion as he recounted the moments that diverted the two paths, leading one to Hell and the other to suffer his actions. But he knew from his talks with Stephen that there was something more to the fight between the two former teammates. Sasuke may genuinely not have actually killed Naruto but something made that chance possible.
And he can see right here with his own eyes that Sasuke regretted his choices. There was desire to repent, to make up for his mistakes, and that is what made him trust the boy. For the moment, at least, as the true forgiveness must be given by the victim.
"Okay, Sasuke," Haku finally spoke, getting the Uchiha's attention. "If you want to do all of that, then we will go with your plan. I know where ningen go when they are first sensed and picked up by Lucifer's servants. If you know who to look for, then we will go find him."
Sasuke gave a smile and bowed his head thankfully. "Thank you for trusting me, Haku. I will not disappoint."
Day 17
Monday
"You need to do what?"
Stolas tried to keep his composure but he just couldn't believe what he was just asked to do. By Haku, the boy he knows as one of the purest under Naruto's employ, nonetheless.
"I need you to help send me and Sasuke to Hades," Haku repeated himself steadily. "The other ningen are kept there and there is one who we think knows where Naruto is being kept at."
"But the angels are looking," Stolas tried to defend his desire to deny the request.
"They've been searching for four days," Sasuke told the Goetia Prince.
"After saying that Naruto does not have much time left." Haku took a calming breath, getting a pitting look from Stolas. "I cannot afford to sit back, especially when I have a location and a suspect that can point the way."
"And when you learn where he is, you still need to get to Ninkai," Stolas said as he sat back with a slight slouch.
"I have a plan for that, I just need you to be our guide to and from Hades." Haku stared into Stolas' eyes as the man hesitated on his answer. "Please, Stolas-dono. It's a lot to ask but Naruto needs your help. Please don't turn your back when he needs you the most."
Stolas winced and hung his head for a moment before weakly nodding. "I-… okay, I'll help you. Octavia wouldn't forgive me, and I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't do what I could when I could."
Sasuke grinned and Haku gave a small appreciative smile.
"Thank you, Stolas. We will be in and out as fast as possible."
Stolas nodded his head as he summoned his book. "I assume you want to go now so I'll send you immediately. You have an hour to find what you need before I call you back."
"Thank you," Haku nodded.
"Is there anything we need to look out for while there?" Sasuke asked as the pages of the book flipped before landing on the spell.
"Hades is guarded and monitored by gargoyles, empowered stone statues. They empower the law of non-violence and also make sure that those who are there belong there. Considering you are both ningen, you may sneak under their radar but just stay out of their sight to be sure."
Sasuke nodded his head in understanding before a portal appeared to the side of the room.
"Remember, one hour," Stolas warned them one last time as they approached. "I have your signatures so I will pull you back after the hour is up. Please try not to be dead when I bring you back."
"Well, if the gargoyles impose non-violence I'm sure we will be fine." Sasuke walked through the portal with a grin.
"That rule is only for the inhabitants, they will kill you if they notice you," Stolas said as Haku went through and he closed the portal.
Haku immediately felt the difference in atmosphere the moment he exited the portal and entered the other side. No longer was there the void where God's Light should fill but now it is like living on Ninkai once more. There was a melancholy, exhaustion to the air but otherwise it was closer to life than the Pride Ring.
"Wow, this place is just dreary," Sasuke commented as he noted the grey sky and lack of light. "Reminds me of living in Orochimaru's villages."
Haku ignored the hostile tone that spat out the last statement and instead looked around the area. It was like living in a rural town, no industrial technology, so he assumed that it was made to be this way. No street lamps but the dark streets and alleys are illuminated by a moonlight-like glow from the dark sky.
His chakra is also distant in this world, restricting his access to the energy. Something must be imposing the restriction ficially on any who inhabit this area, but only on chakra. He doubted magic would be as restricted since whoever works for Lucifer that comes and maintains this place must access their own abilities.
"Who are we looking for," Haku asked Sasuke as he finished taking in their new environment.
"He went by the name Pein, posing as some god," Sasuke answered before closing his eyes to scan the area. "I wish I was a better sensor."
"The population will be enormous so trying to sense them would be pointless," Haku told the boy before walking towards the exit of the alley. "Come on, we will try looking the old fashioned way and interrogate some people if we have to."
"Great, this is going to be so long," Sasuke groaned.
"Quit your whining, this was your idea. Let's just get moving." Haku chuckled at the childish groan from the boy.
Maybe he really wasn't as bad as initially thought.
"Fuck!"
Loona growled as she crumpled to the floor from another vicious punch to her snout. Her fur is matted and covered in blood and dirt from the last twenty minutes of fighting. Despite the rigorous and intense tempo of the fighting, she was no longer even tired or aching.
"Damn, you really just love to take a hit instead of dodging," Bee remarked as she leaned her chin on one of her arms. "Have you thought of, I don't know, not getting hit? Just a suggestion."
Loona did not answer and just got to her feet. She licked her teeth in case any of them were missing or broken before wiping away the blood dripping from her nose. She couldn't even feel the hit on her face anymore, probably due to the adrenaline or the fact she is beyond her brink and was just getting on her feet through pure instinct now.
She looked up at her opponent; Vortex, Bee's bodyguard, just looked at her with mild concern. He was roped into being her trainer, and that meant he was just doing what Bee ordered him to do. He had a lot of reservations in the beginning about doing this but that was quickly dismissed by the Sin of Gluttony.
"You need a breather?" He asked softly. "There's no shame in-"
"Shut up," Loona interrupted the man before dashing forward once more. "I'll stop when I hit you!"
"Charging headfirst will only result in you get smacked back down in the dirt," Vortex warned the girl as he parried a feral, uncoordinated haymaker. "Think it through."
He delivered a vicious, precise blow to her chest, sending her flipping backwards onto the rough ground with a brutal smack. She wheezed and gasped for air as she felt it be knocked out of her lungs and tears pricked in the corner of her eyes from the pain. It was a brutal way to teach her but it is the hellbeast way to train efficiently. They were, by all rights, animals deep down and they had to be open about that fact to be better.
Vortex took a few steps back to give her some room to recover but he did not stay idle. He turned his gaze to his boss to see her watching the young girl with a soft gaze and concerned scowl. The Queen Bee was a very empathetic being to the hellbeasts she fostered into existence, even if she did not show it a majority of the time. She had long since become detached from some emotions when it came to hellbeasts as she was the Sin of Gluttony and would outlive all of them.
But she did not give him the order to stop, only watching Loona's next actions intently.
Loona gasped as she flipped onto her stomach. She grit her teeth as she got onto her hands and knees before pushing one last time to get onto her feet. She wobbled for a second before looking at Vortex with swimming vision.
He expected her to yell, to charge him again maybe, but instead she just stood there on shaking feet. Her eyes never left staring at him - no, she wasn't staring at him she was just looking in his direction. Her eyes were not focused on him at all and that concerned him deeply.
"Loona, are you-?"
His eyes widened as she immediately sprinted forward like a puppet possessed. However, unlike her previous attempts, this one was with some mild success only due to Vortex's surprise. It was not like he had expected her to suddenly be twice as fast as before all while looking completely dazed and out of it.
She sent multiple jabs for his chest and stomach, none of them connecting as he swatted them away, before nimbly jumping up and planting her two feet into his chest with a sudden jump kick. She twirled from her back onto her knees in a bestial crouch where her hands are planted on their ground like a four-legged animal. Her eyes now flashed a sickly green and a groaning growl rumbled in her throat.
Vortex grunted as he had taken the kick with very little reaction, only noting that he was sent backwards at least ten yards away. His feet, which remained planted on the ground, dug deep lines in the dirt and a small cloud followed his trail. His sternum throbbed and he ran an uneasy paw over the area to test for a break or fracture, even if the possibility was low.
He was unsure of what happened, mostly because the explanation he had in his head seemed so unlikely. It's only been a day, after all, so it was impossible for Loona to have already reached a higher rank by this time.
Beelzebub, however, was leaning forward in anticipation as she could sense what was happening on a deeper level than her bodyguard. She can sense the flurrying vibes crashing around like tidal waves in the young hellhound; some were negative, being frustration and fury, while there were more self-deprecating emotions like self-loathing and disappointment. It was nothing too far from the norm, pretty standard actually, but there was that disgusting vibe above it all.
If the vibes that were to be expected were crashing tidal waves, then this final vibe was the storm raging above that was tossing these waves around. If she had to put a finger in it, it was like witnessing Elder Azrael's powers once more. She had been traumatized when she witnessed his combat prowess during the second Heaven-Hell War.
And now she was waiting with anticipation to see if Loona will hold onto this power as she recovers from the blow… or if she will lose it and return back to a standard.
But the question on Bee's mind was what rank could she have possibly jumped to? That was much more powerful than a Centurion, the next rank to progress to. It was enough to land a blow on Vortex, even if he was not expecting it she could see the pain the kick left on him.
And how did she jump ranks when that was not supposed to be possible?
Haku had never seen himself in this situation before.
To his knowledge, which is what he's observed in the twenty-two minutes he and Sasuke had been in Hades, all ningen are divided into districts. All districts correspond to the geographical location of Ninkai, although not strictly adhering to the borders established by mortals. He was unsure how the populations were distributed, he had assumed it was either nationality, free roam, or to their location of mortal death, but he had no way of actually knowing.
It was something the two of them would have to figure out to find out the location of their target but their luck seems to have other plans. For it seems that Someone - and that's a capital S, Haku thought to himself - had decided that They would send a guide their way.
But the guide sent was someone Haku and Sasuke both knew very well. For the latter, it was a reminder of the first major mission he and his team took. But for the latter, it was seeing a father figure once more after many several long years.
The man stood the same as he was in death, not having aged or changed in the slightest. He still towered over the two with his slim muscular build, his face covered in bandages to hide the lower half of his face and neck. His dark eyes stared in stunned silence as the air remained thick between the three of them.
"Haku?"
The man's voice even remains the same, much to the ache of Haku's heart.
"Zabuza," Haku greeted the man back with a demure voice even though he was very calm.
"It's really you," the man muttered and dropped the bag of groceries he was holding in his hand before rushing to wrap the young boy in a hug.
Haku was surprised by the physical touch given by the older and taller man, biting a quivering lip as he returned to gesture. Sasuke just stood to the side awkwardly, still feeling that trepidation and fear he had as a kid upon seeing the man.
Ignore the fact that at this point the man was not as powerful in comparison to him as to when he was a child. It was still that trauma of a first few brushes with death when facing the teacher-student duo in Wave.
"I've been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been?"
Haku let the man go as he took a step back to grab his groceries. "I wasn't brought here when I died."
"Then how are you here?" His eyes looked at Sasuke with a raised eyebrow. "And with the Uchiha brat of all people. Hello again, by the way, brat."
"Hello, Zabuza," Sasuke greeted.
"We're on a tight schedule, Zabuza, and need your help finding someone. He goes by the name Pain."
"Or Nagato, from what I've heard from Jiraiya," Sasuke told them. "His real name is Nagato. He has red hair and ringed purple eyes. Might be calling himself a god."
Zabuza paused at that and he gave a narrowed stare at the two young teens. "Why are you looking for that whack job?"
"You know where he is?" Haku asked, ignoring the question. "Please show us. We need to question him. It's important."
"About what?"
"Naruto was kidnapped," Sasuke told the man. "Long story short, Naruto has been in Hell for the last three going on four years but he is apparently the son of God and the savior of all creation and existence. But there are those who wish to abuse his powers and they kidnapped him two weeks ago and we are looking for him. Nagato knows where he is being held because his mercenary group was affiliated with someone loyal to the ones that kidnapped Naruto so now we need to question him within the next thirty-five minutes or else we will be back to square one."
Zabuza stared at the boy, blinking with blank eyes before turning to look at Haku with a raised eyebrow.
"As confusing as it sounds, it's true," Haku answered simply.
Zabuza grunted before turning and waving his hand. "Alright, c'mon then. I'll take you to his building."
Haku gave an appreciative nod and he and Sasuke quickly followed the man.
It did not take long as, apparently, the true distribution of ningen was not as complex. While yes the districts correlated with Ninkai geographical locations, and ningen are admitted to a district corresponding with a few sectors where they died, it was not where they stayed. Every ningen has the freedom to move around and live in any of the districts should they desire to leave.
The major users of this are shinobi; they stick to their own in select districts as they do not want to mingle with former enemies. Since no violence is tolerated, this has been the best solution formed by the population to control tensions.
But according to Zabuza, Nagato had not left the building he was initially given when first arriving. A woman lives with him but that is all and the two keep to themselves for the most part. The former Kiri swordsman remarked that no one likes the guy as he always preaches about being a god thanks to his eyes but after a few days it finally stopped.
"Here it is," Zabuza stopped and looked at the apartment building that stayed in good shape. "He lives here."
Sasuke looked up and estimated at least four floors and at least ten rooms each floor. "Well, guess it's time to knock on each door until we find him."
"Hn," Zabuza grunted before turning to Haku. "Will you be going back to where you came from once done?"
Haku hesitated before nodding his head. "Yes. I have to find and save Naruto-kun. I cannot abandon him."
Zabuza gave a grin and nodded his head. "I understand. Tell the kid I said hi when you see him."
"I will, Zabuza," Haku agreed silently and watched as the man turned to leave.
But something did not feel right. Why did he feel so dissatisfied with this reunion with his mentor? A man he had looked up to and cares for deeply. Is he really willing to just walk away without another word?
"Zabuza!"
The man stopped and turned to look at his former student with a raised eyebrow.
"I…" Haku paused and cleared his throat when he felt choked. "Will it be alright if I come again to see you? To catch up more?"
The man did not answer with words. His lips curled into a grin and he nodded his head silently.
Haku watched the man leave around the corner before turning to face Sasuke, who stood there respectfully.
"Ready?"
Haku nodded his head. "I'm good. Let's go."
The two of them entered the apartment and started their door to door knocking. They've not met a single former shinobi - at least one they've noticed - and each one was only slightly disgruntled at being disturbed. That was until they finally reached their target.
Haku knocked on the door quickly, glancing at his watch and noting that they had twelve minutes left. Not a lot of time to convince Nagato to tell them what they wanted to know. No violence meant no interrogation, which meant no extreme means of getting the information.
The door opened a foot before a woman with purple hair looked at them. The moment her eyes locked onto Sasuke's red Sharingan she froze and just stared at the young adult.
"Ah, you really were the one Jiraiya described as being his other student," Sasuke realized the woman.
He did not really get a look at her during his fight with Nagato and his Paths so when Jiraiya asked about her he did not have much of an answer. But it seems that the one who was working with Pain was the second student, Konan.
"How did you get here?" She asked, horrified. "Violence isn't allowed here."
"We know but we have questions for Nagato," Sasuke smirked at her. "And I think that little rule can be bypassed considering the two of us aren't registered to be here. So while you can't fight back, the same can't be said about us."
That was most likely not true. Such a blatant loophole would not just be left there when there were means to get here and not be registered. It likely only left Lucifer's servants to be capable of violence since they did his work.
Konan grit her teeth before nodding and opening the door. "Come inside. Make your questions brief."
Haku glanced at Sasuke and got a shake of the head from the boy. He understood that he lied but they agreed that it was necessary to get what they needed. If Konan knew that they had no power over them then they would struggle the entire time.
The front door led down a single hallway that has five doors lining both sides. Konan entered the first left doorway and the two of them found a living room with a redhaired man just blankly sitting in. Sasuke recognized this man even though he now looked healthier and now as gaunt as he did before.
"Sasuke Uchiha," Nagato stated in surprise even as his Rinnegan eyes looks at him blankly. "Why are you here? How did you find me?"
"Not that hard, apparently everyone knows about the fool that calls himself a god," Sasuke taunted with a smirk. "As for why, we need to know the location of where you kept the Gedo Statue."
Konan tensed and Nagato simply slumped back in his seat.
"Why should I bother telling you? There's no point to it now that we're all dead."
Sasuke bit back a snarky comment at the stupid state the man now put himself in. This was the man that made his older brother scared to disobey? This is the man that nearly single handedly destroyed an entire hidden village? Not just any hidden village but inarguably the strongest in Ninkai?
"There are so many ways to describe how sad and pathetic this is to see," Sasuke stated simply even though it gained the ire and anger of the purple-haired woman. "You had gone on and on about being a god but the moment you are wrong here you are just being a sad sack of tomatoes."
"I think the correct phrasing is 'sack of potatoes'," Haku informed the Uchiha.
"I don't like potatoes," Sasuke shrugged. "But either way, we need the location. It doesn't matter if you don't see the point, that's not a factor in this equation."
"Answer why you need to know so desperately," Nagato's eyes looked up into the Sharingan as he asked the question. "How do you even know about it?"
"The how doesn't matter, but a friend of ours is being held somewhere where the statue is being kept," Sasuke told the red haired man evenly. "Naruto was kidnapped and is being held by someone still maintaining your organization."
"Madara," Konan whispered to herself and looked at her childhood friend with concerned eyes.
Nagato just sat back and looked at the wall. "So he wants to continue the plan? And he found a way to get the Kyuubi Jinchuriki back to Ninkai for extraction."
After speaking his personal thoughts, he let his head fall back in exhaustion. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before exhaling through his nose.
"The Gedo Statue is held in the underground catacombs underneath the Rain Tower. The entrance is by the south entrance of the tower marked by a purple swirl."
Haku breathed a sigh of relief at finally getting the answer before bowing his head in appreciation. "Thank you, Nagato. Let's go quickly, Sasuke."
They're never finding me.
Naruto let his head rest against his arm as he no longer had the strength to keep his head up anymore. After so long, he was finally done. Too long has he spent under the abominable mass's torture, reliving memories he left buried and forgotten. Too long has he been left to acknowledge that his friends and loved ones won't be able to find him in time to save him.
In a way, he expected this to be the case even when he went to face Mars head on. He knew that no one would be able to face these people who've taken him, besides maybe the King of Hell. But why would the greatest fallen angel do anything for a single Sinner? Daughter's friend or not.
Yet he didn't regret it. He saved Helsa and Loona, prevented their probable deaths should he have decided to not comply with these fallen gods' plans. Yet that does not change that he felt hollow at the thought of dying here.
The hope he held onto has finally flickered into an ember. The slightest change that can snuff it out.
"Hello, again, Naruto."
And there's that presence and voice again.
Naruto looked with dull eyes at the pure presence in his cell. "Why are you here, Holy Spirit?"
"I'm here to keep you company," He answered as if it was obvious.
Naruto watched as He tugged on the chains a bit before clicking His teeth in annoyance. "They're still there. Thanks for reminding me."
The Holy Spirit looked down at Naruto, his pure gaze masking Naruto shrivel but he maintained his defiant attitude. "I can leave if you want, Naruto. I'll leave you to your loneliness if that is what you wish."
Naruto cringed and recoiled as if struck in the face before shaking his head desperately. "No, please don't leave me. I'm sorry. I was just acting emotionally."
The honesty and fear in his words tugged at the Holy Spirit's heart and He ran a hand from Naruto's hair down his cheek. "You know I will not abandon you so long as you wish for me."
Naruto leaned into the touch and thought that he could spend his last moments like this. Close to the Holy Spirit, his entire being felt whole and complete. As if a fleeting feeling stuck with him now, making himself feel at peace.
That feeling was disturbed when he heard a sniffle from above him. He opened his eyes and looked up to see the Holy Spirit crying to Himself, stifling sobs even as tears ran down His cheeks. He was so caught off guard by this that he did not speak or move for the longest moments.
"I'm so sorry for my inaction, Naruto," Holy Spirit finally said with shuddering breaths.
"H-hey! There's no reason to cry for me," Naruto told Him. "I chose this path, not you. It's nothing different from how I spent my entire life, inside and outside of Hell."
The Holy Spirit gave a watery smile as he nodded. "You were made strong. So strong." His fingers trembled as they trailed down and felt the thinness of the blonde's body. "But you are still limited like any mortal."
Naruto leaned into the Holy Spirit's hug and closed his eyes even as He trembled from soundless sobs. This was the love he imagined as a parentless kid growing up in an empty apartment. The love of a parent who loved you unconditionally.
I'm satisfied, he thought with a weak smile on his lips. It wouldn't be so bad to go to sleep now.
"Naruto," the Holy Spirit softly spoke his name barely above a whisper. "Do you mind if I pray for you?"
Naruto shook his head with his body, the movement barely perceptible. "I don't mind."
The Holy Spirit tightened His trembling embrace even as He felt Naruto ease more into His arms.
"Heavenly Father, You are the Creator of all life and the giver of all grace. In this sacred moment, I place Naruto in Your loving hands. Surround him with Your endless mercy, and let him feel the warmth of Your presence. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, calm his soul and ease their journey."
Naruto couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped his lips even as he weakly leaned against the Holy Spirit. It was not that amusing, his Soul felt more at ease than ever before, yet he felt some kind of joy blossom in his chest.
"Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Good Shepherd who leads us to still waters and prepares a place for us in Your Father's house. As Naruto prepares to come home to You, grant him the comfort of Your promises and the assurance of Your unfailing love. You carried the cross for us; carry Naruto now into Your eternal embrace."
Oh that's what was so amusing. The prayer is one of those made and given by mortals. It was weird to hear coming from the Holy Spirit, and therefore God Himself, as if He was one of them. But in a way it was humbling and reassuring to hear.
The Holy Spirit kissed Naruto's head as he felt the boy's body slowly go limp in the bonds that held him captive. His breathing and voice trembled for a few moments before he finished the prayer.
"Holy Spirit, Breath of Life and Comforter, fill this room with Your peace and light. Let Your presence bring solace to Naruto and to all who love him. Wrap him in Your tender care and guide his spirit gently to the Father's arms. In God's Name we pray. Amen."
The room, which had been so dark, slowly illuminated with more pure light. The two new presences surprised even the Holy Spirit, who watched as two hands reached out for Naruto. They held onto him, basking him in their touch.
Even if They were not there physically, the Son and Father manifested enough of Their power to comfort Their dying child.
As the Holy Spirit wept and held onto the boy, noises could be heard further into the prison holding Naruto captive. The three of Them eventually left, leaving Naruto's body to its fate, but with them a smaller presence was able to escape. This one was guided and held by a larger, identical spirit.
It would only be moments before the door keeping Naruto locked inside would break open. His body will be found by those who had never given up searching for him. It would be a short-lived relief as they would find out that he was no longer alive yet they would not know that they were off by mere moments.
A few minutes of difference that could have saved him.
A few minutes before the Prophecy Child was lost.
A few minutes…
… before the true path of the Child of Prophecy has begun.