Today took a turn. Naruto had not expected this.
He had adjusted to the daily work cycle, when there was a job, and adjusted to it. It was pretty relaxed most days.
Blitzo was always making some impulsive decisions, especially with his spontaneous spending, or taking an odd job. And he meant strange by the standards of Hell. Where did he find these clients? And he accepted everything!
Didn't matter who the target was. That was driven home when he flat-out killed that kid on the day he joined IMP.
Yet, Naruto couldn't complain. When he was much younger, he would have interjected at such immorality. He fought against such actions for the longest time and tried to reason with the denizens of Heaven and Hell—even this universe's humanity.
It was why Lucifer was drawn to him and brought him in. Naruto was... Different than most here, and he tried to shield him from the rest. Tried to find him a way home...
He almost had to laugh. Of all the people to show him kindness, it was the ruler of Hell. Ironic, but he saw firsthand how Hell wore on a good soul. And how his depression weighed heavily on his soul.
It eroded them, left them hollow in various ways... If only they could protect Charlie from such a fate. A fate eerily similar to his own.
"Okay, we've got a job!" Blitzo kicked open the door to his office, startling Millie and Moxxie as they sat conversing in the break room.
Loona didn't even budge as she lounged at the desk.
Naruto perked his head up, pushing off the wall he was leaning on. He had been carefully listening, having heard Blitzo's phone ring earlier.
If Blitzo was talking to whom he thought, this could be interesting...
"Whose the target?" Naruto asked.
"Not really a target this time." Blitzo sighed and shook his head. "Stolas called and asked for a... Favor."
"Ah, explains the book," Naruto knowingly tilted his head to the side.
"You don't know the half of it," Blitzo scoffed and turned to Millie and Moxixie. "So, here's the skinny: we were asked to be Stolas's bodyguards. Apparently, he wants to take his daughter to Loo Loo Land."
"Loo Loo Land! That place is so fun!" Millie energetically beamed, bouncing wildly in place.
"Ah, yeah, whatever," Blitzo raised his brow at Millie. He followed with an eye roll. "I want everyone to..."
As the door opened, Blitzo was unable to discuss the plan with his team. A young, pale sinner stepped into the office nervously, her brilliant pink hair parting from two horns that poked out from the top of her head.
"Uh... Is this, ah, Immediate Murder Professionals?" The young sinner stumbled over her words, barely able to get them out.
"Brilliant deduction, genius! What'd ya want? We don't do freebies." Blitzo glowered at the young, measuring the young Sinner.
"Sir, we have done several jobs for free." Moxxie corrected his boss, much to Blitzo's agitation, before addressing the young Sinner. "What's your name, little girl?"
"And why are you here?" Naruto added, his stomach flipped uneasily.
This was a little girl who must have just died. What could she have done not to be accepted from above? And more importantly...
Who did she want dead?
"I'm Kae... My name is Lucy. And I... I..." The girl tripped over her words. However, this time it was easily caught; she was using an alias.
Something was amiss with this girl.
"Want you to kill the kids who murdered me and my dog."
[ X ]
"Are you okay?"
Loona's voice barely registered to Naruto. In their human disguises, they strolled the streets of the bustling city. The school where her murder took place was across the street.
Naruto observed the jovial expressions of students filing into the school and the relaxed demeanor of the parents as they dropped their kids off. Things weren't adding up.
Everyone was proceeding with their days as if a murder hadn't taken place. It was as if they were covering the incident up.
"No," Naruto snarled, crumpling a newspaper into a ball and tossing it into a nearby bin. "I don't handle the murder of children well... And these people are treating her as if she weren't missing."
"Yeah, I get that," Loona nodded, her gaze tracing the paper Naruto had thrown. "So why are we here instead of in there? We know who did it from what Lucy told us."
"There's more going on here than just a simple murder." Naruto caught several people who seemed to be teachers and staff awkwardly staring at the two of them. Acting as if he didn't notice, he motioned for Loona to follow. "We're gonna have to be careful. We've already attracted attention."
Loona traced Naruto's sight and caught the people observing them as well. She repressed the urge to growl and walked in stride with him. "They're covering it up... Might have to add a few to the list."
"My list is ever-growing." Naruto's eyes sparkled, noticing a pair of police officers at a nearby donut shop. A wide grin crossed his lips and gauged Loona carefully.
"Uh, what?" Loona skittishly winced at Naruto's gaze. It was a little much...
Did he like her human form that much?
"I might have an idea to get free access," Naruto wildly grinned and jabbed his thumb toward the police. "Think you can distract and lure them away?"
Blinking owlishly, a smirk appeared on Loona's features. She scoffed before confidently swaying her hips as she took point. "Heh, just watch me. I'll bring 'em over there. Just make sure to deal with them. ...I don't like getting my paws dirty."
"You do your job, I'll do mine," Naruto acknowledged Loona, watching as she made her move.
But before he slunk over to the alley she pointed to, he wavered. His eyes caught on her hips...
Naruto caught himself gawking and scoffed. Slinking into the alleyway, he awaited his chance to pounce. But in the back of his mind, Loona's image flashed.
Naruto grinned while shaking his head. "I've gotta admit, whether she's in her human disguise or not..."
"She's gotta nice ass."
[ X ]
"Are you sure this is going to work? What if they recognize us?" Loona whispered, fidgeting with the creases of her stolen uniform as they stood before the school entrance.
It was a little snug on her chest and didn't conform to her figure.
"There's always a chance it doesn't. We'll improvise when that happens." Naruto observed his surroundings, noticing the camera at the front door. And where there was one, there was always more.
"When?" Loona kept her voice low but raised her brow as they were granted entrance through the electronic door. "Don't you mean if?"
"This place is heavily monitored. It is a matter of when, not if." Naruto had Loona trace his eyes, noting the cameras set up and the security system.
"It's going to be a challenge to investigate and much harder to get the little bastard's alone," Loona growled.
"Just follow the plan," Naruto smirked, flashing his badge to those he assumed to be the principal and secretary as they greeted them in the main hall. "Sorry to bother ya! We're investigating the disappearance of one Kaede Nyu."
"Hello officers," A balding man in a blue suit barely nodded, his beady eyes carefully observing their every movement. "I am surprised to see you. I was sure we gave all the evidence we could provide."
"You did at the time. We received new information that brought us back." Naruto explained before his features darkened. "Quite a disturbing report, I'm afraid."
"We've received reports that Kaede was being bullied by her peers," Loona added, unable to retrain her snarl.
"In our school, preposterous! Our children are little angels!" The buxom lady retorted, offended by the mere notion, pushing her massive presence forward.
Almost as if she were trying to bump them away physically.
"Mrs. Merriweather, I understand your concerns. Alas, we should allow the officers to do their job," The principal, looking exhausted, shielded them from Mrs. Merriweather's belligerence. "We have nothing to hide and they realize these claims are baseless."
"I did not mean to offend. We are simply investigating the only lead we have to find young Ms. Nyu," Naruto added his platitude to calm the woman, his gaze shifting to the other halls. "And if you wouldn't mind, since there is no evidence of where she is, could I investigate the premises while my partner interviews the children? There is a real chance she is hiding in a secluded spot on the premises."
Naruto could feel the scathing daggers Loona sent at him. It didn't bother him.
They had a job to do.
"I suppose that makes sense. I will accompany you," the principal nodded and turned to Mrs. Merriweather. Please show the officer to my office and cooperate with her by bringing everyone she requests."
"I want to clear our school of all possible blame for Ms. Nyu's disappearance."
[ X ]
"I do apologize for Mrs. Merriweather." The principal sighed, escorting Naruto through the halls. "She is quite protective of our children."
"It's understandable. This is a tense time." Naruto feigned sincerity, observing every detail of the school, watching the children in the classrooms as they passed.
All without a care in the world that one of their peers was murdered within the school last night.
Naruto seethed. It didn't seem as if a person alive cared.
"What do you know about Kaede?" Naruto stopped, pressing the man for whatever he knew. "I know, as the principal, you don't know the students as well as the teachers, but every scrap of information you have could be critical. Typically, if a child isn't found in the first forty-eight hours... The odds aren't great as I'm sure you are aware."
The man flinched, his figure deflating. A genuine sorrow seemingly overtook him as he hung his head. "I know... I'm just sorry I don't know much about Ms. Nyu."
"She's an orphan without a foster family. She is ferried on the bus every morning." The principal sighed, glancing into one of the nearby classrooms and watching the children within. "Kaede... Is a bit different. She wears a hat every day to hide a deformity on her head. Still, the kids poke fun at her for it..."
"So the reports are accurate," Naruto scowled. "And you allowed this to happen?"
"I... Nothing I did worked." The man's gaze watered. "Detention, suspension, changing her home room... The children picked on her because she was different. Unusual... Dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Naruto raised his brow.
"Ms. Nyu had a violent temper when she was pushed too far. Severely beat several other children to a pulp before she could be stopped. ... Can't say I blame her." The principal bit his lip. "Her only friend is a dog that waits for her here every day and walks home with her. It usually waits at the entrance all day... I haven't seen him today, and that bothers me."
Naruto didn't say a word. He allowed the man to pause and compose himself. He had confirmed Lucy's story. Now it was time to carry out the contract...
His gaze focused on the janitor's closet. A familiar whiff was in the air, coming from the closet.
Lucy's scent.
Naruto didn't hesitate and crossed the distance before kicking the door open. It was a relatively small room with typical janitorial equipment... Including a mop bucket smeared with blood, and a set of stairs that led further down.
And her scent grew stronger.
"What are you doing?" The principal raised his voice in alarm, chasing behind Naruto before he stopped at the door. A lump grew in his throat as he stumbled. "This can't be..."
"Call for back-up. I'm going in." A growl emanated from Naruto's throat, sweeping down the stairs.
To find a garbage bag in a familiar shape lying on the floor while the furnace was expelling plumes of smoke. Someone was hiding evidence.
Naruto caught the click of a shotgun being cocked from nearly behind him. Someone must have hidden underneath the stairs after being alerted by the door being smashed open.
And they didn't hesitate to fire.
The buckshot shredded through the uniform he had stolen. Wispy smoke billowed from where Naruto had stood as the force of the shot blasted away the uniform.
And the janitor emerging from the shadows looked confused, cocking his shotgun again prepping another round, scanning the room frantically. "Huh? What da hell? Are you some kind of ninja or something?"
A bone-chilling laughter echoed from all around, causing the man to shiver. He then jumped and wildly fired behind him as his hand ran down the crook of his neck.
"Long ago I was..." Naruto laughed as he stalked his prey through the shadows. Watching the man wildly try to load his double-barrel pump-action, his eyes burned crimson as he blindly fired several shots, missing every one.
Naruto finally revealed himself, his demonic body burning an astral gold as he gripped the shotgun and ripped it out of the man's hand, knocking him down to the ground in the process. "Lucy says hello!"
"No, no!" The man screamed, frantically attempting to scuttle away while begging for forgiveness. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Mrs. Merriweather paid me! I swear! She just wanted that weirdo kid gone... So I left the doors open last night and left treats out to lure the dog in..."
Naruto's eyes slitted, tossing the shotgun into the furnace. So she was involved.
She would get what was coming to her... But first.
"Weirdo?" Naruto snarled, his body flickering heatedly, morphing into a glowing fox head bearing its fangs. Alarms flared and light flashed. The principal must have set them off to evacuate the children, fearing what would be found.
Good.
Everyone needed to see what kind of monsters were contained in these walls.
"That weirdo was a child, you monster!" Naruto hissed, his fangs nipping at the heels of the janitor as he wildly tried to find an escape. "A child without friends beside a dog! A dog that's head was bashed in by those little fucks!"
"I'm sorry!" The man screamed, trying to scramble up the stairs. A golden tendril wrapped around his legs and tripped him, forcing him to gaze back in horror.
"I am a demon, and you are more of a monster than I!" Naruto's roar resonated, his maw opening wide. "Hell have mercy on you, for I will not!"
With a flicker of golden light, the astral fox head lunged forward, chomping onto the janitor. Thrashing him side to side, blood splattering as limbs flung off. And with a flip into the air, and one last chomp.
The janitor's blood bathed the basement as Naruto swallowed.
[ X ]
Fuck Satan...
Children were annoying! Of course, they were going to deny they did anything!
...Even as they made fun of Lucy for being different...
Loona exhaled, repressing the urge to rip them apart. She had to wait for the signal before she could strike...
"Well," Mrs. Merriweather puffed up, preening over the bossy children. "Are you satisfied? My little angels would never do such horrible actions. They are perfect in every way."
"I'm sure they are." Loona sarcastically responded, repressing the urge to roll her eyes.
These kids were devils. They would fit right in at hell. Fulfilling the contract would be a mercy on those who had a chance to enter Heaven. Or at least give a chance.
"Harley, angel. Could you shut the door for me?" Loona's eyes sharpened as Mrs. Merriweather spoke, meeting her arrogant gaze as she twitched, hearing the door to the administration office slam open.
"Yes, Mrs. Merriweather!" The boy named Harley followed his vice-principal's order, closing and locking the door as the alarms blared and the Principal's voice nervously announced over the intercom.
"This is not a drill! Students, stay in your assigned rooms. Teachers, lock the doors until further notice..."
"Wonderful, he knows," Mrs. Merriweather clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. "I'll have to take care of that later."
Loona tensed. She knew something was amiss, but repressed the urge to lash out. She hid back a snarl and flatly stared at Mrs. Merriweather. "What do you think you are doing?"
"Hun, my husband is the chief of police. I know you or your friend is not on the force." Mrs. Merriweather's warm and dotting expression faded, replaced by a sinister smile. "I don't know who you are or what you think you are doing, but you and your friend aren't leaving these premises alive, deary."
"I knew it," Loona snarled, her eyes slitting, barely able to keep in disguise, her eyes shifting between Merriweather and the children, all drawing small pocket knives.
"You know what to do, sweethearts." Merriweather pedantically waved toward Loona.
"So that's how this is?" Loona growled, watching the woman nonchalantly lean back in the principal's chair and gazing at her nails as the children descended upon her.
The light began to flicker before the room darkened, leaving only the shallow light from the windows blocked by the curtains to shine. Her sclera bled red, her body shifting from her human disguise. And with a swipe of a single paw, the children scream as blood jutted from the child's jugular.
They screamed and leapt away, gathering and cowering behind Mrs. Merriweather as the wretches behold the glory of her HellHound form.
"A... A demon!" Merriweather stumbled over her words, and the children, backing away, searching for an exit as she attempted to protect them. "Ah, don't hurt my angels! Please!"
"Don't take this persona, it's just a contract. Kaede sends her regards, kids." Loona descended upon them, fangs bared, her gaze intently focused on Merriweather. "As for you, I'll gladly send a bitch such as you below. ...You'll fit right in."
Merriweather's grew disproportionately to the point they should have popped from her head.
She didn't hesitate to push the children out of her way, attempting to run for the door, forcing them to fight for their lives by themselves, fruitlessly swinging their petty knives at Loona.
Yet the world rippled a tear sliced through it, an astral golden hand grasping around the fat woman's skull. "And where do you think you're going?!?"
"You've got a first row ticket to hell with your name on it and I'm the conductor!" Naruto's roar and the woman's body began to combust with hellish flames as she was dragged into the tear.
And vanished into the void as the blood child pooled on the floor.
Loona groaned, staring at the stains on her fur, checking each of the bodies to ensure there weren't any survivors. Pulling out the spellbook, a portal opened. "Asshole..."
"Left me to deal with the kids while he got all the fun."
[ X ]
"Oh, thank you so much!" Lucy beamed, tightly embracing Naruto's hip. "I can't even begin to repay you."
"Your payment is enough," Loona grunted, leaning back in her chair. She sent Naruto a nasty glare before her expression warmed as Lucy released Naruto and turned her attention to Loona. Her tail swished behind her before she rolled her eyes and brought up her magazine. "But your smile is appreciated. Now get out of here."
Naruto smiled. There was just something about the girl that was so precious... Almost as if...
She still had her innocence.
"You're right, I have something to do," Lucy's expression darkened, and her teeth gnarled. Four pink hand-shaped tendrils emerged from her back and began to buzz behind her frenetically. "When I find them... Ah!"
Lucy's scream jolted Loona from her seat, forcing her onto all fours. All four of her tendrils flopped to the floor, wildly spasming and thrashing as they disintegrated from intense heat. Her eyes focused on Naruto, who loomed menacingly before a panicked Lucy.
"What are you doing?" Loona cried, stunned, unsure how to act.
Sure, their job with her was done. They didn't have a reason to serve her any further... But this was a bit much.
But as Lucy cowered before Naruto. However, he simply knelt before her and sternly met her gaze. "Your debt with them... Has been paid. Your debt toward me... Has just begun."
"Come, I have a place to show you."
[ X ]
"Uncle Naruto?"
Charlie stood stunned at the counter, having conversed with Vaggie and some sort of cat demon who seemed to be running the front desk.
"Damn, this place looks nice. Keeping the Radio Demon here may have its perks after all." Naruto whistled, glancing around the hellish hotel, impressed. With a chuckle in his throat, he approached Charlie. "I've got a favor to ask of you..."
"I heard that and will accept that compliment as a formal apology!" Alastor's voice resonated as if it were on an intercom.
Naruto shrugged his shoulders. He would accept Alastor's place here. But if he stepped a foot out of line...
"A favor?" Charlie ecstatically jumped at the chance. "You never ask for anything! I will help to the best of my ability!"
Naruto chuckled, tilting his head to a nervous Lucy beside him, clutching his hand. "You see, I ran into a job... And well, I need someone to look after this girl."
"Really?" Vaggie stepped beside Charlie, her arms crossed. She glanced toward Lucy, scrutinizing the young Sinner before exhaling. "Well, she doesn't look too bad..."
"She really isn't." Naruto shook his head, pushing Lucy forward to meet Charlie. "She can be violent, and she did hire a hit on those who killed her... But I think she can be saved... She's just a lonely girl wanting a friend that she was always denied."
"A friend..." Charlie looked surprised before turning her gaze toward a hesitant Lucy, kneeling before her and offering her hand to ease the tension. "Well, I'm sure with some work, we can help you with that! Welcome..."
"Ahem!" Alastor suddenly appeared and interjected, slipping between and pushing Charlie and Vaggie aside, standing directly before Lucy. With his smile ever present, he extended his hand toward Lucy. "As the Host..."
"We welcome you and hope you enjoy your stay at the wonderful Hazbin Hotel!"