AN: Alright, this was a challenge from Lawrence Helmbain. It isn't any longer. This is a three-way crossing of Naruto, Bleach, and DxD, so be warned! Otherwise, you'll probably end up being confused like my Beta was. To be blunt: Characters from Naruto and Bleach, ideas and powers from both, in the DxD universe. So yes, completely AU!

Pairing: Naruto/Kushina/? - Note: the ? is not a spot for suggestion. I'm trying to decide between the original requested third party, a third of my own choice, or just leave it as Naru/Kushi. This story will not go beyond two women though.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, High School DxD, or Bleach.

Chapter 01:

"I can't believe Dad's doing this to me. Are you sure this thing's on right, Byakuya?"

Namikaze Naruto, fifteen year old son of Namikaze Haruo, and elder brother to Namikaze Minato, was studying his reflection again, tugging on a bow tie he was certain was absolutely wrong. The seventeen year old stood at a respectable five feet and ten inches, his golden blonde hair was wild and unruly as always, his eyes were a worried and nervous cerulean blue. He also absolutely loathed the white suit he was forced to wear. A simple pair of slacks, with a double-breasted jacket, and horrid red bow tie.

"For the last time, yes I'm sure, Naruto-sama. Please just bear with it, it won't be long til everything starts." Kuchiki Byakuya, Naruto's long-time friend and Pawn of Naruto's Peerage, stated calmly. In direct contrast to Naruto, Byakuya was a tall man, standing well above six feet, with short black hair kept in place with odd-looking white hair accessories, and he was garbed in a formal Kimono and Hakama. He was also remarkably more composed than his King.

And why should Byakuya panic? It wasn't his life about to change forever. This was a glorious evening, Namikaze Naruto would be meeting with his new fiance as agreed upon between the two family heads. The other side in the equation was unknown to Naruto, and thus his Peerage, but the blonde boy was practically up in arms over his father "highjacking his life", as he called it.

Naruto sighed, "I still don't see why Dad couldn't just tell me who the girl is, or at least her family name. it's not like I have a chance to get out if I know."

Byakuya gave the impression he shrugged, without actually moving his shoulders, "you've been complaining all week, Naruto-sama. A little more time and you'll have your answers."

The blonde waved him off, "yeah, yeah, I know already. 'Patience, Naruto, you'll learn in due time'. Considering this is my future I think I have the right to a little input. And where the hell are the rest of you? I'd have thought my Peerage would at least want front-row seats to witness the end of my bachelorhood. For shits and giggles, if nothing else."

A small grimace quirked Byakuya's face, "that is more of Kenpachi's reaction. Why you chose to resurrect that loudmouthed fool, I will never understand. Nor do I truly wish to."

Naruto's lips twitched into a tiny one-sided grin, "I know. But think about it logically, and remove his personality from the equation. He's raw power, balancing your pure skill. If you haven't noticed, Byakuya, my Peerage is made of balancing pairs... for the most part."

A tiny hum of acknowledgment was his only response. Naruto knew Byakuya either hadn't bothered to listen, or disregarded the statement. Just like he had the last fifty or so times this topic had come up. Naruto supposed Byakuya's true issue was being partnered with with his fellow Pawn, the large and loud Zaraki Kenpachi.

There was a man that made everyone feel tiny. If Kenpachi didn't reach eight feet high, Naruto was certain he couldn't be far from it. Aside from that the man almost seemed to built like brick shit house. His muscles had muscles, and those also had muscles, yet the man could wield a sword with surprising grace when the situation called for it. And Kenpachi treated his adopted daughter, a little pink-haired girl called Yachiru, with what almost seemed like kid-gloves... if kid-gloves were blood-soaked blades. The man simply had no idea what to do with a child, but she loved him anyway and followed him everywhere.

"We're right here, Naruto-sama." A soft, sweet, and very deceiving voice said from behind him. The voice belonged to his Peerage's Queen, one Unohana Retsu, a woman of medium stature, but a terrifying presence when she was annoyed. Her long black hair was in it's typical double-braid that lead into a single running down her chest, her black eyes spoke of a soft and kind nature... what liars. She had dressed in spaghetti-strapped black number that accentuated her hourglass figure beautifully, and left her back bare save for crossing straps, complete with black high-heeled shoes. And never let it be said that Unohana Retsu didn't know how to accessorize with a small black choker and tiny star-shaped earrings.

Following her was the rest of his Peerage; His Bishops, Ulquiorra Cifer and Coyote Starrk; his Knights, Tier Harribel and Soifon; his Rooks, Shihoin Yoruichi and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez; and his remaining Pawns, Zaraki Kenpachi, Hitsugaya Toushiro, and Kurosaki Ichigo. It was rather impressive that Naruto had managed to gain such a powerful Peerage already, even if he had to use all his Pieces for them. In Naruto's mind they were well worth the price.

When assembling his Peerage, Naruto had the thought of partnering his people with each other for balance. To that end he'd done his best to pair them appropriately, even if a few seemed to be a little lopsided. It was with these pairs that he typically viewed his Peerage, his personal views of them as his friends notwithstanding.

Ulquiorra Cifer was another tall man, but his pasty white skin drew attention to his emerald green eyes, which were already somewhat startling in their clarity. His black hair barely made it past his shoulders, yet he wore his pure white suit with equanimity, his face never giving so much as a twitch. Ever. His partner, Coyote Starrk, on the other hand, was practically an open book. Tall, slightly gangly, with messy brown hair and dark brown eyes, his black suit was impeccable, yet he walked with a slouch that screamed he'd rather be sleeping somewhere. If Ulquiorra was the pinnacle of swift efficiency at close range, Starrk was the lazy procrastinator of a long ranged specialist.

Tier Harribel was a striking woman, in more ways than one. She was another tall person, but her skin was a dusky mocha, that easily brought about the brightness of her green eyes and messy bright blonde hair. She wore a white version of the same dress Retsu sported, and it did absolutely nothing to hide Tier's enormous breasts. Her partner in battle was Soifon, a petite woman with no noticeable assets to speak of, but with a striking speed so deadly none dared comment on it in her presence. Her long dark hair was done in two long braids with small rings at the ends, and her equally dark eyes sported just a touch of eyeliner to draw attention to her lovely face. Her outfit was otherwise the same as her partner's. Where Tier was somewhat heavy-handed, Soifon was swift and agile.

Shihoin Yoruichi and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. Yoruichi was a medium-heght woman of dark skin, and glowing yellow eyes, her dark hair possessed a violet sheen. She had chosen an off-white Chinese cheongsam dress, complete with the appropriate footwear. She was a hand-to hand specialist, one of the reasons Naruto made her his Rook, and the long gloves on her arms accentuated the lithe muscles. Her partner, Grimmjow was a rough and surly kind of person, and his animalistic sense of self was enhanced by his bright blue hair and feral-like eyes. He sported a male version of Yoruichi's choice of clothing, looking somewhat like a traditional Chinese monk. He too preferred hand to hand combat, but of a less disciplined style than the smaller woman to his side. Skill and finesse, paired with enthusiastic brawling, the two of them were a sight to behold once they got going.

Hitsugaya Toushiro and Kurosaki Ichigo. These two were nearly polar opposites, having only swordsmanship is common. Ichigo was a tall young man, with bright orange hair that was as untamable as Naruto's own, and he wore his black suit with ill concealed disdain. His sword of preference was a large cleaver-like zanbatou. In contrast, Toushiro was definitely on the short side, though his pure white hair gave him a sense of power and seriousness that was most certainly reflected in his personality and combat skills. He wore a black western-styled suit, and his preferred daito katana was ever present across his back, held in place with a teal colored cloth. Once more, the two were a pairing of skill, and power.

Zaraki Kenpachi and Kuchiki Byakuya. Looking at these two Naruto couldn't help but snort and think of the differences in night and day. Both men of presence, their very poise screaming at you to pay attention. Both swordsmen, Byakuya approached it with skill, grace, and finesse achieved only through his many years of practice, his chosen weapon of a single katana seeing him through many a battle. Zaraki, however, went for brute force, and lived for the thrill in death matches to the point that he purposely placed a magic-draining eye-patch over his right eye and wore his hair in belled spikes. His chosen orochi katana bore the scars of his many and varied battles with the pride of any true veteran. Efficiency and grace, paired with brutal enthusiasm.

And true to his form, Zaraki had arrived in his usual frayed hakama and sleeveless kimono, eschewing footwear all together. His hair was arrayed in long spikes, with small bells hanging from the ends. He claimed he put them there so to give his opponents and advantage, thus allowing him to enjoy fighting them more. His daughter, Yachiru, rode in on his broad shoulder, her tiny form wrapped in an elaborate kimono, her short pink hair was left to sit neatly upon her head. While she wasn't an official member of Naruto's Peerage, she went practically everywhere Zaraki did, so it mattered little. The only thing she was unable to do was legally participate in Rating Games, which mattered little as NAruto was still considered to young to participate himself.

Seeing his Peerage, there were times he wondered how they hadn't killed each other yet. Then his eyes landed on his Queen, and he remembered how terrifying she could be without so much as raising her voice. Each and every member of his Peerage, himself included, held a great deal of respect for Retsu. It was through her tireless work that they all remained in good health, as she was the only medic they had. But she could also fight like a demon when the need arose, and no one dared to challenge her when she said there had been enough. It didn't even matter what that "enough" was speaking about, when the woman said it was "enough", it was enough.

Naruto remembered one incident when his father had decided to ignore her warning about having too much wine. He wasn't entirely certain what transpired, but Retsu walked out of his father's office the next day with a self-satisfied smirk on her face, and his father came out limping with an ashen countenance. Coincidentally, Namikaze Haruo hadn't touched a drop of wine since.

Ichigo smirked heavily in Naruto's direction, "for the sin of putting me in this suit, I expect you to pay with outrageous amounts of embarrassment in this meeting. Don't disappoint me, okay? King?"

"But Ichi~, Naru-tan's about to meet his future wife! Shouldn't he be more happy?" Yachiru asked in what was obviously faked innocence. Being around Naruto's Peerage, if you were still innocent like that, you were either faking the innocence, or you were faking that you knew them.

"Ah, that's true, Ya-chan! But my illustrious King is so nervous, I'm certain he'll foul something up, and I want to witness it!" Ichigo replied evilly.

'Why did I add him to my Peerage again?' Naruto wondered, and not for the first time either. 'I think it was as a favor to someone... oh yes, his father Isshin felt he would learn more among a Peerage. Note to Self: kick Isshin in the balls.'

"Alright, yuck it up while you can you two. It's almost time, then we'll have to at least try to act properly, which in Ichigo's case means not talking." Naruto said slyly.

"What was that?!"

"Gahaha! He's right, Ichigo!" Zaraki laughed loudly, obviously enjoying the tormenting of the orange-haired teen.

A soft voice cleared it's throat, "alright gentlemen, that's enough. It's time."

Silence ensued. Ah, dear Retsu. Always capable of bringing the ribbing to an early end. It must have been a gift.

Slowly the group made their way to the Main Hall of the Namikaze mansion, Naruto in the lead with Retsu directly behind and to his left, followed swiftly by Ulquiorra and Starrk, who were in turn followed by Tier and Soifon, then Grimmjow and Yoruichi, directly after them came Toushiro and Ichigo, and bringing up the rear were Byakuya and Zaraki with Yachiru.

It was time to meet his newly arranged Life Partner. He could only hope she had a sense of fun. Though he made one concession as he walked, he ripped that infernal bow tie off and tossed it away, opening the top of his shirt just enough to see a silver chain along the side of his neck.

XXXXXXXX- Break -XXXXXXXX

"I still don't see why I have to do this." a fifteen year old red-haired girl said sullenly. She was riding in a carriage bound for the Namikaze mansion, most of her Peerage was riding in the two carriages following her own. Sharing her carriage, and sitting directly across from her was her fellow redhead and great-aunt, Uzumaki-Senju Mito. Directly beside both of them sat their respective Queens. Beside Mito was her Queen, and eventual husband, Senju Hashirama. Beside Kushina, however, was someone she would never marry, even if they were the last two breeding devils in existence; Uchiha Madara, one of her great-aunt's childhood friends.

Mito was dressed in a full formal white dress kimono, with a dark red obi to hold it closed. Her hair was a darker shade than the young girl across from her, but no less vibrant for her assumed age, and put up in twin buns on top of her head, from each of those buns dangled a cord with a piece of paper. The elder woman's eyes were a dark violet, and had just the barest hint of dark eyeliner to accentuate them. She completed her look with platformed wooden sandals.

Mito sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose in exasperation, "because, Kushina, we Uzumaki bear a large debt to the Namikaze from the time of the Great War. To repay this, and tie us closerr together, Namikaze Haruo proposed an arranged marriage between his son and one of us. You are the same age as the boy in question, and you have a full Peerage, which is something any one would respect. You are the perfect choice, despite your wish to 'find true love'."

Beside the now named Kushina, Madara snorted in amusement. " 'True love'? Mito, surely you jest. There is no such thing, but you can find love when you look for it hard enough. 'True love' is a fairy tale, a myth. There is nothing that can tell you if you have found your 'One True Love'. I certainly didn't know about my marriage, and I ended up quite happy with my darling Katarina. If I could find love in an arranged marriage, surely my King can do that same?"

He finished his statement with an arched eyebrow and a look at the young girl beside him. Madara was not an overly tall man, but his presence was daunting at the best of times. His dark eyes, matched with his mane of messy black hair, gave off the impression of a hungry animal waiting to pounce. His current attire of a white suit did nothing to dissuade this, if anything it enhanced the feeling.

Kushina shrunk into herself a little. If it weren't for Great-Aunt Mito she wouldn't have the powerful Uchiha as her Queen, and even after all the years with him she wasn't certain whether to thank her, or strangle the woman. The man was insufferable, cynical, dark, and major killjoy. Unfortunately he was usually right about damn near everything, too.

"It's not that I don't like him, or anything. Underworld, I haven't even met him, but I would have liked some input into who my life partner would be." Kushina was well aware that her future husband would likely be chosen for her, however, she had held some hope that she might at least be allowed to get to know the male first!

A small, but deep chuckle sounded from Hashirama. "I know, Kushina-chan, but from everything I hear young Naruto is quite the nice boy. He has a Peerage like you do, used all of his Evil Pieces on just eleven people, and like you it isn't filled with only one gender." Seeing she wasn't convinced, he hit for his trump card. "I also hear he's something of a natural-born prankster."

Kushina's eyes lit up. If there was something the girl loved more than her family's signature magic, it was a good prank. She simply adored causing mischief, and if her new fiance could come up with some good ones, well ... maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Mito sighed and hid her eyes behind one hand, "oh no, you just had to tell her that. Now the Namikaze will think we're trying unload our problem child!"

Madara gave a short, barking laugh. "No offense, Mito, but if anything I've heard about the boy is true, what we are actually doing is marrying both families black sheep. A more unholy marriage there has never been."

The woman looked at him askance, "surely the lad cannot be as bad as that!"

Madara gave a noncommittal shrug, "I can only tell you what I've heard, and that is that one Namikaze Naruto is a prankster supposedly on the level of an Uzumaki child."

Mito moaned her distress into her hands softly. "By the Maou, not another prankster! If what you say is truth, Madara, then this may be a true Match of the Underworld."

Kushina's head snapped to her Great-Aunt in surprise. The girl had heard of the supposed mythical Match of the Underworld. It was said to be the devil equivalent of the human's concept of a "match made in Heaven." An occurrence so rare that there was a higher chance of seeing three full moons in a single month.*

Mito's face was rapidly losing color at the thought of wedding her dear niece's child to such a perfect match, she started grasping at straws. "I had heard the lad was a genius of both his mother's family magic, and his father's! Sure such a prodigy could not have the time for such elaborate traps such as we Uzumaki can create!"

It was a well-known fact that if you visited the Uzumaki home, you should prepare yourself for anything shy of having the moon fall on you. Traps and pranks were part and parcel of every Uzumaki's training regime, if they could successfully prank one of their elders they graduated to the next generation up. Kushina was the first child to achieve a successful prank on every generation by the time she was ten, and unfortunately for the family she liked it so much that she continued. It was also unfortunate for her family that even though they knew it was her, no one could prove a damn thing.

Madara let loose a full belly laugh, and Mito's face turned ashen. Uchiha Madara never laughed like that unless something was so preposterously funny that it defied common sense. That laugh alone told her that yes, the lad was just that good. He had made great strides in his magic, his studies, and still found time to prank like an Uzumaki.

Mito suddenly feared for the Underworld. Her fear doubled at the pleased and interested expression that found it's way on to Kushina's features. Maybe this was a bad idea.

It was too bad for Mito, but they had arrived at the Namikaze estate, and it was too late to back out without harming her family's reputation. Oh well, time to make the best of it, and surely Madara was just joking around. There was no possible way for this Naruto to be anywhere near Kushina's level of pranking.

Right?

XXXXXXXX- Break -XXXXXXXX

Naruto looked at the double doors that would soon open and reveal to him the form of his new fiance, all the while fidgeting nervously. He wished his mother were here, she was always able to calm him down, but Kana Ginjo-Namikaze was not present. For good reason, as she had died only a year or so prior, but that didno't stop Naruto from wishing for her calming presence. He knew his parents hadn't married for love, but rather had found something within each other they could at least respect, which turned to love over the years.

Naruto could only hope he could manage the same with whomever would come through those doors. Speaking of the doors, they were opening, revealing a rather large entourage headed by a woman with dark red hair cropped into two buns. Her formal kimono and they way she walked exuded an elegance Naruto had rarely seen. At her side was a fairly bulky man, with long black hair and wearing a traditional male yukata in red-lined black.

Naruto's face registered annoyance for only a fraction of a second when he realized the two were specifically blocking his view of she who was to be his fiance. His annoyance, though brief, was easily seen by the two elder devils, and the woman let a smirk just as brief slide onto her face. She was pranking him! Oh no, this could not stand! This must be avenged!

The sudden calculating look in his eye brought an invisible shiver to Mito's spine, proving Madara's rumor of the boy being a prankster. Now she just had to find out how good he really was. However, that would have to wait, Mito and Hashirama each slowly stepped to one side, revealing the girl directly behind them.

Naruto's reaction failed to disappoint Mito as he took his first sight of Kushina. The girl's red hair was a few shades lighter than the color the Bael family tended to sport, however she had left it to fall freely past her shoulders in a natural wave. Her eyes were a striking violet, and her cheeks had the barest dusting of a dark powder. Kushina had chosen to wear something similar to Mito, but rather than white the girl wore a dark violet to contrast her hair and match her eyes, finishing her look with a set of waraji sandals and white tabi socks.

Mito smiled as Naruto's stunned expression never seemed to leave Kushina's face. The boy was smitten and the two of them had to speak to one another. A quick glance at Kushina told the elder Uzumaki similar tale, as the girl's eyes were wide and focused utterly upon Naruto. Well, the first impressions were done, and it seemed to be smashing success.

Now to get the two of them alone, and watch the results. Mito quickly made eye contact with Haruo and they quickly made themselves inconspicuous so as to observe the coming show with ease. Though Hashirama wondered one thing as he joined them, 'Where did Namikaze-sama get the popcorn?"

A loud, relatively high-pitched laugh broke the moment, "looks like she's already got you, Nii-san!"

Namikaze Minato, Naruto's younger brother by two years, still hadn't hit puberty. Unfortunately this meant that Naruto had to put up with Minato's annoying and childish behavior that simply would not stop. Naruto loved a good joke as much as the next guy, but Minato would belabor the point LONG after it was funny. The brat was also a giant flake, and easily scared. He'd flit from one moment to the next, never really paying attention and almost killing himself in the process, because once he noticed his situation he was, invariably, freaked out.

Minato's Queen, an older teen girl named Saya, had often complained about having to save her King from all sorts of dangers and stupid stunts. The only reason she had been able to save him so often was because she was a veritable genius with air and wind magics, and considering most of Minato's hijinks dealt with high places... well, you get the idea.

Speaking of Saya, there she was, standing just behind her King, dressed in... a skimpy french maid outfit? Okay, that was new. Naruto figured that Minato had a thing for maids, considering his room was filled with figurines, but now he was getting Saya to dress like one? How did he manage that one?

Unfortunately, that was hardly the proper time to be asking such a question, and the emotion of unadulterated rage within Saya's normally golden-brown orbs was more than enough to persuade Naruto to simply leave it be. The elder of the Namikaze brothers would admit to many different moments of relative stupidity, he would not, however, allow himself to become suicidal. He left that to his dear younger brother, who would most likely be feeling Saya's keen displeasure about this situation later.

Clearing his throat, and turning away from his brother, Naruto once again faced the beautiful red haired girl. "My apologies for my brother, Miss. He's an uncultured lout, but he's also family, so we're stuck with him." Hearing a snort of mirth from the girl, and a cry of indignation from Minato, Naruto sketched a polite bow, "Namikaze Naruto, at your service, with me are the members of my Peerage, whom I'll gladly introduce to you if you wish."

The redhead kept giggling, "Oh, my Maou! I can't believe you actually said that about your brother!"

Naruto raised himself from the bow, content to listen to her laugh. It was like sweet music to his ears. A light, bell-like quality, but with a life all it's own that called to him. He officially acknowledged silently to himself, he was spellbound and thoroughly interested in this girl already, and she'd barely spoken yet!

Slowly her laughter trickled to a close, allowing the girl to reclaim control of herself. Wiping the last tears of mirth from her eye, she sketched her own bow, as it was more than a tad difficult to curtsey in a kimono. "Uzumaki Kushina, is my name. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, and I would indeed like to meet my finace's Peerage. Just as I shall introduce mine."

Naruto's brain froze. Did he hear her right? "Uzumaki"?As in those Uzumaki? His father managed to get him hitched to perhaps the fourth most eligible girl in the Underworld!

He knew of her, anyone who actually paid attention to the official rankings knew the top four; Serafall Leviathan, Rias Gremory, Sona Sitri, and Uzumaki Kushina. Though the Gremory was rumored to be in a disputed contract with Phenex, it hardly made the girl herself any less desirable until she was officially taken off the proverbial market.

Quickly catching his rather long pause, and clearing his throat yet again, he hurried to assure his new fiance that all was well. "My apologies, Kushina-san, my father refused to tell me the name of my intended, possibly as revenge for the pink dye I put in his underwear two days ago. I must admit my surprise that I am to be wed to you, as I am certain you must have more influential suitors-?"

He left the thought hanging, obviously curious as to her thoughts on the subject, to which she obliged with a small, and distinctly amused, smile. "Oh, you would be correct about that. However, none of them have the kind of close relationship our two families do, so when your father mentioned this idea, naturally we jumped on it."

"Of course. How silly of me to forget," Naruto murmured as he casually reached over to smack his once-more-chuckling brother upside the head, soliciting a small complaint from the younger blonde. Naruto then gestured behind him, "well, since we are past that, allow me to introduce my Peerage. My Queen, Unohana Retsu. My Bishops, Ulquiorra Cifer and Coyote Starrk. My Knights, Tier Harribel and Soifon. My Rooks, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and Shihoin Yoruichi. And my Pawns, Zaraki Kenpachi, Kuchiki Byakuya, Hitsugaya Toushiro, and Kurosaki Ichigo."

A sudden clearing of a throat reminded him, "Oh, yes. How could I forget Kusajishi Yachiru, Zaraki's adopted daughter."

Indicating each member with an upturned hand, the individual responded as they were wont to do. Meaning Retsu, Ulquiorra, Tier, Soifon, Byakuya and Toushiro each gave a small bow, while the others were ... less than formal. The yawn and wave from Starrk was a perfect example. Grimmjow and Zaraki simply gave grunts of acknowledgement, while Yoruichi and Ichigo gave a rendition of "Yo."

... Okay, Yoruichi went for a failed cute attempt at "Ya~hoo", while Yachiru nailed it. Being naturally small and cute has it's advantages in situations like that.

Kushina couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed her fiance's Peerage was as full of character as her own. Speaking of her Peerage...

"Well, I suppose it's time for my own introductions." She paused, and waved her own group forward, "my Queen, Uchiha Madara."

A medium height man in a black western suit stepped forward, giving a small bow. His long, messy black hair and dark eyes with serious expression daring anyone to make a joke about his position in Kushina's group. Unsurprisingly, only Zaraki laughed, and loudly at that, instantly garnering Madara's dislike.

"My Bishops, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hatake Kakashi." This time and old man wearing white and red robes and smoking a pipe stood forward with a younger man bearing silver hair and his left eye covered, the intricate golden dragon image on the patch working well with his black suit. As both of them took their own small bows, Naruto could swear he saw the light of a prankster within their eyes, and just knew that he could have fun with them.

"My Knights, Uchiha Mikoto and Momochi Zabuza." An elegant woman with the natural aura of a mother stepped forward, followed by a giant of a man, both with black hair, though hers was long and well cared for while his was short and spiked. She wore a simple, yet profoundly tempting midnight blue dress that lacked any kind of shoulder cover, and the suggestive heave of her bosom as she glanced to the man beside her told Naruto exactly for whom the display was intended. The man was in a simple Japanese hakama and sleeveless haori, baring his well-muscled chest to the world, even as he returned Mikoto's subtle looks. Naruto had the sudden feeling that if it wasn't official yet, it wouldn't be long til these two declared themselves taken.

Shaking her head, Kushina motioned to the next two in line, "my Rooks, Senju Tsunade and Inuzuka Tsume."

The two women that stepped forward... well one was practically a man's wet dream come true, with long blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and a set of mammaries that simply defied logic they were that big. Her light gray blouse was open at the top, revealing a healthy amount of cleavage, and Naruto had to force himself not to stare and possibly piss off his new fiance. To go with that blouse, this Tsunade was wearing a knee-length slit skirt in black. With the sandal-like heels she wore with it she was easily giving off the sultry teacher look, and Naruto had the sudden wish to be the bad student.

The other woman though, if he wasn't aware of each of his Peerage's situations in regards to family -namely that they didn't really have any with the exception of Ichigo- he'd have thought Grimmjow's sister was standing before him. She just gave off that same level of feral, with short and wild black hair, and dark slits for eyes, not to mention the red fang tattoos on her cheeks. Her outfit was

very masculine in the fact she was wearing a two-piece men's suit in pinstriped black with white shirt. Naruto did take notice, however, that Grimmjow and this Tsume did give looks of interest to each other.

"Last, but certainly not least, my Pawns; Maito Gai, Konan, Mitarashi Anko, and Uchiha Sasuke." Considering that even at a glance this Sasuke looked a great deal like Mikoto, Naruto was willing to bet he was either her nephew or son, though with the look of motherly pride on the woman's face he was majorly leaning toward the "son" option.

The last four people stood forward and Naruto found it once again difficult to find a safe place for his eyes. The two women were beautiful, but one with short blue hair gave the impression she's rather date a log than a man, while the other with short purple hair in a small ponytail on top of her head appeared to want kill him instead of be in his home right now. Their skin tight black pants and black shirts left almost nothing to the imagination, even if they did at least wear long coats to offer some sense of modesty... Okay, so modesty wasn't really in the Devil Dictionary, but still!

The two males were also somewhat hard to try and look at. Though both wore the typical two-piece black suits and white shirts, Maito Gai was... grinning with a thumb up? Obviously the pose meant something to the older man, but that black hair in a bowl cut with those thick eyebrows... no. Just, no.

The other was a teen boy around Naruto's age, and thus Kushina's. His hair was black, and his eyes were dark, but the haircut... was that supposed to look like a duck's ass? And why the hell was the guy glaring at him anyway? Then Sasuke's eyes shifted to Kushina for a moment and his eyes softened, allowing Naruto to make the connection. Either the guy didn't believe Naruto worthy of Kushina, or he had a giant crush on his King.

Oh well, too bad so sad, Sasuke. She's Naruto's now!

"Well, it's pleasure to meet you all. Ksuhina-san, what say you and I go and get acquainted over there, while our Peerages mingle?" Naruto held out his arm after indicating the far side of the hall where a couple benches were situated.

With a smile, Kushina accepted his arm and the two walked the distance, leaving their groups behind to stare after them. Sasuke was caught glowering at Naruto's back, however, and subsequently slapped upside the head by his great-grandfather Madara, who proceeded to verbally thrash the young man for even thinking of trying to harm their King's fiance.

This action brought a small smile from Retsu, who quickly moved over to speak with the older man. And, as if following some unseen signal, the rest of Naruto's group moved to do the same. Well, except for Ulquiorra, who really wasn't much of a conversationalist, but didn't mind talking in short sentences now and then.

Approaching the bench, Naruto allowed Kushina to sit first before joining her. They just there for a few minutes, watching their respective groups get to know each other. It was rather funny the way Madara practically had to glue his hand to Sasuke's head to get the boy to behave.

"You realize that Sasuke probably has a huge crush on you, right?" Naruto asked, his head turning just enough to see her face.

He wasn't disappointed when a look of consternation crossed her features. "I know, but he doesn't seem to understand I don't like him in that way. He's a good friend, but his personality's too dark for my tastes. Unfortunately, his father managed to get it into his head that he just needs to prove himself the strongest to get me. So I'd expect a lot of challenges from him in the future if I were you."

Naruto just sighed and turned his attention back to the large group, completely ignoring the way their respective guardians were talking about them on the other side of the room. "Yeah, I kind guessed. Ever thought of trading him for someone more tractable and less liable to take advantage of your trust in your sleep?"

Kushina hit him in the arm, "that wasn't nice, Naruto-kun. Sasuke isn't the type to take an unwilling girl. He'd be more likely to try and get me alone, and then dominate me into being with him. For obvious reasons, I've avoided being alone since I learned of his near-obsession with me. So yes, I have considered trading him, but I can't seem to find someone I'd be willing to dump him on."

Naruto snorted, "not even that pretentious asshat, Riser Phenex?"

She giggled, "okay, maybe him, but he wouldn't take Sasuke. Wrong gender."

"I don't know, put him in a dress... yuck, I need mind bleach now."

Kushina's giggles grew a little more. Hey, he was making her laugh, that was always a good sign. Now if he could just find a way for her to ditch the duck... oh, right, gotta remember that killing him isn't actually an option.

XXXXXXXX- Break -XXXXXXXX

Sasuke scowled as he watched Kushina laugh at something the retarded blonde said. "Look at that! It's sickening and ridiculous! Only I, as an Uchiha elite, deserve to have a woman as powerful as Kushina! That should be me, making her mine! No, she's already mine, i just have to find a way to make her realize it!"

A sudden harsh slap upside the head derailed his thoughts. Whirling to glare at the offender who dared... oh, it was Madara, already glowering at his great-grandson. "And just what do you think you're going to do, hm? Sasuke, she isn't your property, and she isn't your intended, she is your King. You will respect her, or so help me I'll personally rip out your sharingan and destroy them!"

That was an incredibly potent threat to any Uchiha. And coming from a man that could, would, and had done so, well it became that much more potent. An Uchiha without their sharingan eyes was considered ineligible to carry the name, and any spawn of theirs would be similarly cast from the clan. It was a two-stage death, a death of one's self, and the death of being part of the clan. It had been enough to drive Sasuke's own father, Uchiha Fugaku, to suicide in a public venue after his own attempt at forcing a woman into his bed caused him to be on the receiving end of said punishment.

"But, Great-grandfather! Just look at her! She's perfect for me! She offered to make me her Pawn just so she could keep me close to her!" Sasuke's protestation fell upon hard ears.

Madara smacked the boy upside the head again, "no, Sasuke. She made you her Pawn because Mikoto, your mother, asked her to. Or have you forgotten that we Uchiha are Extra Devils now? We lost our place among the Pillars, and as such, despite your ideas to the contrary, someone of Kushina's standing, an Uzumaki who still maintain their place among the Pillars, is far out of your league." The older Uchiha just shook his head at his descendant's stupidity. "No, Sasuke, if she truly wished to be yours, she would have said so long ago. Young Naruto, as a Namikaze, is far more suited to being Kushina's husband than you could ever be. Now cease these thoughts of forcing her to recognize you, and simply be her Pawn."

Sasuke nodded, but a defiant gleam entered his eye the moment his great-grandfather turned to talk to Unohana. The man had told him of Mikoto's request before, but once again Sasuke just shrugged it off as a fallacy to try and get him to fall in line. No, Kushina wanted him by her side, she wanted him to make her his own, and tonight, away from all the guards at the Uzumaki mansion, was the perfect opportunity. He would make Kushina his tonight, and nothing would stop him!

XXXXXXXX- Break -XXXXXXXX

"He's got majorly unfriendly vibes, you know that? That Sasuke," Naruto mused.

Kushina nodded somberly, "yes, he seems to be under the impression that I wanted him as my Pawn so as to keep him near me. As though it's one of those really cheesy love stories of forbidden romance between servant and owner. The problem lies in the fact that I'm certain in his mind, I am the servant."

"So, not only is his hair a rendition of a duck's butt, he's delusional. That's a horrible combination."

Kushina couldn't but laugh again. She had always thought that Sasuke could do with a hair-style change, but had never before known why. Now, though, she easily agreed that his hair did indeed remind her of a duck's rear end.

It felt natural to her, talking and being with Naruto like this. Laughing at his jokes, sharing a few small stories of their own sordid adventures into pranking. She even admitted to a couple of his stories that almost sounded like something she herself had pulled at one time or another. She didn't know why it felt like this, but she knew one thing: she liked it. A lot.

Kushina was a fairly honest girl, and honest with herself to top it off. She never really tried to keep secrets, aside from one, but that wasn't her secret. So, being honest with herself she readily admitted within the silence of her own mind that she was already picturing her life with Naruto. How loving he could be, how many children they would have, and so many other girlish little romances focusing on the two of them.

Maybe she was getting ahead of herself, but she could already feel an intense attraction to the blonde boy beside her. The fact he was so open with her, and trying hard to keep her entertained were making long strides in that regard. the fact he was a genuinely kind and funny boy helped a great deal as well. The fact she found him physically attractive was just a bonus in her opinion.

Wait, physical attraction.. "I may actually have someone I could trade Sasuke to.. if she's still interested."

Naruto's brow rose, signaling his interest, "oh? Anyone I might know?"

Kushina made a choppy motion with her hand, "maybe. An old acquaintance of mine from many years ago, Haruno Mebuki, has a daughter that's looking for the 'tall, dark, and broody' type."

Naruto snickered. He remembered his lessons on the Pillar families, and the Haruno were far down that ladder. They were actually only a few generations shy of being removed from the Pillars all together. They had no truly unique magic, no overly powerful artifacts, nothing but short fuses and pink hair. What they did have, however, was an enormous capacity for learning anything in theory, then finding work-arounds if they lacked something otherwise deemed necessary to the task. It was said that only the most power-intensive spells were beyond a Haruno's ability to harness, but that it hardly mattered as they'd simply take a lower-level spell and multiply it to make it almost as dangerous.

"So, if he doesn't shape up soon, you gonna give Haruno-san a call and see if her daughter's still interested?" He posed it as a question, but it was more of a statement, and Kushina's firm nod made it certain. If Sasuke didn't get the message soon, he wasn't going to be around anymore.

On two different angles, with neither angle knowing about the other, were plans to deal with Sasuke should he overstep himself. One misstep and he would be screwed in more ways than Paris Hilton on holiday.

Naruto shook his head violently to dispel any further negative thoughts, and stood up, once again offering Kushina his arm. "Well, what say I give you the grand tour, Kushina-chan?"

Giggling a little, the redhead rose as well, latching herself onto his arm. "I'd be delighted, Naruto-kun."

XXXXXXXX- Ending Notes -XXXXXXXX

Yes. I have issues with Sasuke. I don't like the pretentious asswipe, so yes I'm going to try and get rid of him. You don't like it? Go read something else. It's not even just because I'm not fond of the prick, but there are currently three Uchiha in that Peerage. That's two too many for my personal tastes, but two can be overlooked, three? Not so much.

Here are the Peerages, normally I'd leave you all in suspense, but since I've already introduced them there's no point. Once more, this is a Challenge fic, so aside from my writing style and base reputation on the line I have little to lose. And considering I have precious little in the way of reputation... you get the idea. This doesn't mean I'm going to half-ass this, but it's not going to be Priority One.

KING: Namikaze Naruto

QUEEN: Unohana Retsu

BISHOP: Ulquiorra Cifer, Coyote Starrk

KNIGHT: Tier Harribel. Soifon (actual spelling is Suì-Fēng, but that's just too much)

ROOK: Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Shihoin Yoruichi

PAWN: Zaraki Kenpachi, Kuchiki Byakuya, Hitsugaya Toushiro, Kurosaki Ichigo

KING: Kushina

QUEEN: Uchiha Madara

BISHOP: Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hatake Kakashi

KNIGHT: Uchiha Mikoto, Momochi Zabuza

ROOK: Senju Tsunade, Inuzuka Tsume

PAWN: Maito Gai, Konan, Mitarashi Anko, Uchiha Sasuke

Personal Family Power.

-Namikaze: Shikai/Bankai. They manifest the power of their souls as a weapon. This weapon becomes stronger with it's wielder.

-Ginjo: Fulbring, the ability to draw forth power from an object with which you are intimately familiar, and holds a great deal of sentimental value.

-Uzumaki: Sealing Arts/Chakra Manifestation. Sealing Arts are a specialty branch of magic the Uzumaki are well-known for. Less known is their true power to manifest Chakra in physical form. Each Manifestation is different, but they all have similarities based on what the user's power represents.

*As far as I am currently aware, it is a statistical impossibility to see three full moons in a single month. At least for us, as anime doesn't count. The Underworld, however, may not operate on the same time for revolutions of their moon, so I'm making it possible for it to happen down there... it's just about as rare as finding a dragon to be your familiar.