PA: Now to some of you this will not come as a surprise, to others yeah we're back before canon again. It happens. Also as you might have guessed, Blood Born won the poll, but I've heard from a couple of sources that they don't like me ripping down old stories to work on them so, I've just gone and made a new title, still fitting, but yeah.

Those that have been through a rewrite with me before know that things change. The general premise of the story stays the same, in this case, a strange romance between Rias and Naruto, but there will be a fair few changes in how that happens and all that going forward; I do this mainly so you're not stuck reading the exact same story again only with slightly better writing.

Enough of my mindless babbling; here I present to you the first chapter of the rewritten Blood Born, and I do hope you enjoy.

Rias Gremory looked around the cold halls. They were empty, which was different from what she was used to. The Gremory halls were nearly always filled with a servant of some kind, or family members running to and fro their daily tasks. Maybe that was just part of devil families? She wasn't too sure. Her mother had said she was going to be heading to the human world to visit a friend, and Rias tagged along thinking they were going to Japan. It turns out that they weren't. It was freezing, so cold she thought that you were worried the breath in front of you might turn solid and fall to the ground. Her mother though, she'd been pretty quiet on who they were meeting, and that left Rias in a bit of a pickle. She didn't know how to interact with whoever they were going to meet. They'd taken a carriage here and no one had used magic so far; were the people not super naturals? If so how did her mother meet them?

She looked up to her beacon of guidance and got a small, but warm, smile in return. It was clear she wasn't going to be getting any answers from her now. They continued a little further, and matching almost in time with their steps braziers came to light spreading a fast warmth through the area. Not enough to take away the entirety of the chill, but enough to make it bearable. Rias leaned up on her little toes as she walked and peered into the darkness ahead; making sure to cling tightly to her mother. There was a light coming from under the door at the end of the hall. She moved to point it out only to have a hand gently touch her face. "Shhh, I want to keep it a surprise," whispered the older Gremory.

Rias slowly nodded and did her best to move as quietly as possible. She looked up at Venelena who quickly turned away. It looked like she was trying to hold her breath so Rias did the same. This must be important for her mother if she was going to such lengths. She took a large breath in and her mother started laughing, quite loudly. Rias quickly yanked on her arm and told her to be quiet, but it didn't change much as they approached the door and it creaked open.

The other side was lit with a dim glow; one that spread warmth, but not in a blinding manner. A gloved hand came around the corner and opened the door further before a head slowly crept into view. The eyes were cold, like when her brother came back from one of his meetings. They warmed quickly before turning to Venelena.

"We were not expecting you so shortly. Please do come inside and sit. I shall gather the mistress and young master," he spoke with a stern, yet somehow still kind voice. This confused Rias, she felt both like she was being scolded and welcomed and didn't quite know how to take it, so when in doubt, curtsy and smile.

The door stretched open wider and the man appeared to have vanished out the one on the other side. She felt a small tug on her hand before her mother lead her into the room. It opened up into something that she was used to, only a lot of red, white and black with flowers everywhere. Venelena drew her towards one of the lounges and Rias felt herself near melt into its softness. "We should get chairs like this, Mama."

"Mayhaps we will, Rias."

The silence, broken only by crow call or the twinkling of a distant chime, grew ever more awkward. In the respite Rias searched the room. It was tall, much taller than most, almost like a tower, and books: hundreds, no, maybe even thousands littered the walls separated by singular pale framed faces Each face look like a doll, perfect, without blemish and their skin was the cleanest of white. She looked up, back to the tall ceiling and felt something squirm inside of her. A murder of crows sat there, watching her, with their cold blue eyes; they let out small chirps to one another, but kept a dutiful watch. Rias tugged at her mother's dress and was about to point the crows out as the door burst open. A blur of red, white and black dashed across the room and nearly tackled Venelana from the chair.

A rushed greeting was expressed between the two before the person turned to face Rias. Like the paintings her skin was pale, but her lips, oh so red, pulled into a wide smile just shy of showing off her teeth, "and this must be young Rias. My, your mother told me how beautiful you were becoming and a part of me thought she was just exaggerating again. You know how she can be." The figure gave a small giggle before taking up Rias' hands. The young Gremory nearly recoiled, she felt so cold, like touching ice on a summer's day.

Rias looked to her mother, then back to the person who was rather close now. She wasn't entirely sure of what her face displayed, though from the giggle of her mother it was likely panic.

The new person slowly pulled away before giving a tired sigh. "I guess you didn't tell her about me then? How cruel can you be! Well when she is old enough I might just have to sneak her away and tell Rias all about your college years!"

Venelena stiffed for a moment before dragging Rias a bit closer. "Dear, this is Kushina. A very close friend of mine. We went to school together. She can be somewhat excitable."

"Well excuse me for enjoying the thought of my friend coming over for the first time in years." Kushina backed off and gave a huff as she moved to the chair across from them. She looked over her shoulder down the path she came before sighing and sinking into the chair. "Sorry, I didn't think it'd take him this long to get changed."

Venelena gave a curt laugh while Rias took her confused gaze away from Kushina up to the crows once more. "I can say that I am most excited to see this son of yours. You've only spoken praise when it comes to him," Venelena added to fill the space, "Don't be afraid to speak up Rias. Kushina here hardly bites."

"Oh, that reminds me of that one time; down behind the library whe-"

"Rias doesn't need to hear that story, Kushina."

The older redhead gave a small shrug drawing Rias' attention back to her. Kushina was clad in a strange type of dress. The top of the outfit seemed to be a white frilled blouse that connected to matching arm pieces across the under arm. It came to a stop at her midriff where a coil of woven roses transitioned the white into a deep black. The black skirt highlighted just how pale she was and ran down to her bare feet; how Kushina was able to ignore the nip of the air without proper clothing was beyond Rias' mind currently. What drew the most attention though, other than the incredibly long red hair almost as vibrant as Rias' own, was her eyes; they were a shade that was between blue and purple and just continued to draw Rias towards them.

Her appreciation of her Mother's friend was cut off as said friend moved again and looked over the back of the chair, her feet kicking as she knelt with her back to them. Everything this woman was doing was completely against what her mother had taught her, yet they were friends somehow? She sent a look to her mother who was just smiling, apparently fond of the scene in front of her.

"I know the way….. No, I don't need you to show me…. It was one time," came the voice of someone still outside of her view. They sounded younger though, and male, and apparently they were talking to someone else? It didn't take much longer for a young boy to walk through the door, by his side was the servant from earlier. The young boy though, he had bright blond hair and blue eyes, almost like a Phenex. His mouth was pulled into a smile as he shook his head. "Is this one okay Mother? I can change again if you'd like." He motioned to a pair of black slacks and a deep red button up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and Rias could see a number of bracelets strung on his wrist. Some ranging from pure decoration while others appeared to be charms of a sort.

Kushina let out a nervous laugh before patting the chair. "Come, come on, take a seat with me. Kadly, can you fetch us some drinks?" She questioned before turning back to Venelena and Rias without waiting for an answer. The blond sat down next to Kushina, and quickly found himself dragged into an overly affectionate hug in which she rested her chin in the middle of his head and swung from side to side. "This is my Naruto. Ha! Admire him all you like Venelena, but he is mine!"

A moment passed, and then another with no one responding to her statement. "Mum, can you stop being so embarrassing…. And you told me to be on my best behaviour," Naruto trailed. The arms holding him in place slowly relinquished their hold and he quickly found distance from his captor.

Kushina sighed into the chair once more before quickly perking back up. "I know, how about we let the kids run off and play after their drinks? That way the adults can have our boring contests without getting them involved?"

Naruto rolled his tongue around in his mouth trying to wash the flavour from it. Of course they were meeting humans. Why weren't they ever? Still, he didn't understand why he was forced to drink tea just to fit in, the stuff tasted like garbage. He looked over his shoulder, and now he was stuck babysitting, great. What the hell was he meant to do with her? His mother had said to behave, and he was planning to, but most of the time these 'meetings' were just boring. The other kids weren't interested in training, or books, and hell he'd tried challenging one of the other kids to chess and he was pretty certain the child thought they were candies and took a bite.

Maybe this was some kind of test? Maybe his mother wanted to see how he interacted with humans his own age, but that sounded needlessly boring and cruel… so right up her alley. He stopped in his steps and turned to face the girl, Rias right? She gave him a smile that was clearly forced. Great start. Naruto tried to pull his mouth into a smile, one of those ones filled with cheer or something, apparently that was a good way to get onto the good side of people. They liked that stuff.

"So, do you have any uh, hobbies?" Smooth, real smooth. What kind of nine year old uses a word like 'hobbies'?

"I like reading?"

Wait. He stopped his internal self flagellation and turned to her with a natural smile creeping onto his face. "You like books?"

"Uh, yeah?"

Tiny Naruto's danced around in his mind, maybe this wouldn't be stupidly boring again. Well, it was a little too early to hope. Maybe she is just one of those girls that tries to please everyone. Time to prod a little further. "I like non-fiction myself, moreover fantasy. It's nice to be able to pretend to be something I'm not for a little bit, ya know?" Damned verbal tik.

"Oh, um, I'm more into mythology… at least lately."

He could run with that. He could most definitely run with that. "Want to visit the library?"

Rias looked to him for a moment before nodding her head and following him down the hall. "If you don't mind me asking, how many of you live here? The place is rather large don't you think?"

Naruto paused in his step before smiling. Now, just like we rehearsed he muttered to himself. "Normally there is a fair few more of us. But we gave them some time off because business is over with for this season. At least that's what mum says. Sorry if the empty halls are a little weird. I just try to keep myself occupied so I don't think about it too much." He looked her over for a moment, and it looked like she was buying it. Truthfully, they sent most of their servants away because they don't exactly 'look' human.

Rias nodded a couple more times before responding quietly, "It doesn't bother me much. I was just wondering. It does get a little cold here though, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess you get used to it pretty quick."

"But your Mum was running around in bare feet!"

"Yeah… she's strange like that. Sometimes I think she's the child and I'm the parent honestly."

Rias let out a small laugh and looked him over for a moment. "Maybe if you were a little taller it'd be easier to see."

Naruto looked down at her for a moment, standing nearly a foot taller. "Coming from you short stuff?"

"I am not short, at least not for my age, thank you very much!"

"Anyway, we're here, Rias," informed Naruto before knocking against a very large door. He pushed it open and led her inside where books lined the walls even more than where they had been previously. He watched as Rias spun on the spot to take it all in. "Well, where do you want to start?"

Kushina and Venelena sat across from one another. The tea untouched now, at least by the redhead. "So… Hope the husband is treating you right, or do I need to come kick his arse into gear again?"

Venelena let out a small laugh which she quickly hid behind her hand. "No, no. He is good. To be honest, I was expecting to arrive and there be no Naruto."

Kushina rolled her eyes. "I've never lied to you Val."

"You understand my confusion though."

"Oh dear, oh dear," Kushina lifted up her skirt a little as she lay down on the couch, "Did you by chance come to ask me to take you back?"

"I'm not sure if you could handle me any more."

Kushina stretched herself out and let out a very childish laugh, "I think I'd manage. I'd take you back if you wanted, but you aren't my only love. Not anymore. You'd have to fight for Naruto for that spot now. Sorry Val."

"Kushina, if you don't mind me asking… Who is his father?"

"I'm not telling. He's special though. Not something like your Power of Destruction, and Rias', but he's special in his own way. The reason I'm not saying who the daddy is though, well, to be honest; I love you Val, but your race is a bunch of shits. I don't want to have to start beating hussies off of my boy while he's still trying to figure shit out. Let alone someone trying to force him into an arranged marriage. Also, who said it had to be a father?" Kushina gave a knowing look and watched as he one time lover deflated.

"So you know about that?" Venelena's question got a small nod from Kushina. "Well is it safe to say that you're Sirzechs' new penpal?"

"One could say that," Kushina mused, kicking her legs back and forth on the couch. It was so hard to sit still these days. She had this build of energy she just wanted to let out. "He was quite disappointed you know?"

"I can imagine so. Did he mention anything else?"

"Oh, nothing too much. Just that you were running away here for a little bit to get away from your husband because of some fight and were taking Rias with you, which made him sad. You know, normal things you talk about. Oh, and also that little idea of yours," Kushina flipped up into the air and landed on Venelena's tea cup before crouching down to meet her eye level. "That's interesting, that is… I don't mind it much. But try to force it and well… We might have to break up for good Val." They stayed like that for a moment before Kushina rolled backwards; back into her seat. "From what I know, they might balance each other out."

"Oh?" Venelena prodded.

"Well, well, I'd thought you just wanted to listen to my beautiful voice! You can still talk."

Venelena narrowed her eyes, ever so slightly, at the vampire. "What do you mean Kushina?"

"You'll find out, or you won't. But you're welcome to stay. I'll just let the kiddies keep thinking that they're both human… Might be best for their interactions."

"I hardly think it is for the best," Venelena suggested.

Kushina though just shrugged. "Maybe not, but certainly more fun for me."

The night swept through and passed another day, then another and another. Soon a week had come to pass in this remote castle. Rias was beginning to think that there was a reason that they were avoiding going home. She'd started to miss her brother, just a little bit, but she felt something of a growing friendship with Naruto. She didn't so much as pester her mother about returning home, but she did make sure to mention that a letter be sent to have her anime recorded. Making new friends was nice and all, but she didn't want to fall behind.

Speaking of her new friend; he was strange, ish. Moreso when it came to food. He didn't eat much, neither of the Uzumaki did and the servants, as some had returned now, never lingered during dinner. Over the week she'd also come to notice that the sun never shined here. Mixed with the two not eating much, sometimes at all, their pale skin and how cold they were… Well she was starting to think that they might be vampires; if her mother hadn't insisted that they were meeting some one of her friends from her time in the human world… Well she would have started asking questions.

She still asked a few, some of the servants stayed very far away from her, but those that come close she'd been able to speak to a handful of times. One was quite young, maybe in her late teens with long purple hair. Rias was a little taken back, but apparently it was natural. The name was strong Japanese, like most of the people here, despite them all looking European and having rather thick accents. Still, apparently the Uzumaki family had some kind of special diet that they needed to maintain otherwise they grew incredibly tired and they just ate with them at dinner to make them feel more comfortable.

Rias could understand them not wanting to be seen as bad hosts, so she let it pass, mostly. She's been able to sit in on a few of the lessons that Naruto was taught while she was here. There were a great many teachers that drifted in and out teaching him things from History to Maths, Science and English, and some things she didn't really think needed to be learnt, at least not for humans. Then came his physical training; apparently they were something of a military family and had to stay in good shape. This meant that Kushina and Naruto started off each day with a bit of sparring between them. It got rather intense and from what she understood of fighting Naruto was quite good for his age.

It didn't take too long before she had started to join him for his classes and his training. It was interesting enough and there was a fair bit of tactics that they went over which she could use for her rating games later in life.

They'd also started to speak more after their trip to the library, and it turns out that it is pretty hard for Naruto to make friends. Something happened when he was younger so he was pulled out of school and now receives all of his schooling here; he doesn't particularly like crowds, though it is much worse when he knows the people in them, or at least of them.

This made her feel a little sorry for him. It must be hard not having people you can call a friend. Rias herself only has a tiny handful, and most of those are in the same position as herself with a lot of pressure on them to live up to the family name.

Although her mother was quite insistent that she makes sure to be on Naruto's good side, for what reason she wasn't too sure, but it didn't seem to matter. He was rather enjoyable company.

There was a knock on her door and Rias gave them permission to enter. A moment passed and the purple haired maid came in wheeling a tray of food.

"Breakfast, Milady.

Rias gave a small pout. "I keep telling you that Rias is fine Yugao."

Yugao gives a small curtsy and bows her head. "I know Milady, but I have been given orders to address you as such, also," Yugao states as she pulls out a phone and takes a quick photo, "to do this."

Rias sprung out of bed and moved to dash at the maid only to find her closing on the door.

"Yugao, come back here!"

"Forgive me Milady, but I was given orders," and with that said Yugao vanished down the hall leaving Rias alone in her room.

And there was that which she dealt with. It turned out that the Uzumaki kept in contact with her brother, no doubt he would trade state secrets for those pictures. Really people should worry about the Underworld more.

The week had certainly not be boring, and it was nice to have a human friend. She hoped he thought the same of her.

"Young Master, it is time to rise for the day."

There was a groan in response from the bed as the covers shifted and curled.

"Young Master," came the sing-song voice once again as it drew ever closer.

"Rin… If you have a camera again; I'll file for abuse," groaned Naruto as he slowly pulled the sheets away. His eyes flashed near white for a moment before they dulled back to their bright blue. He scanned the room and watched as Rin put something behind her back with a nervous smile. He crawled out of bed and pushed his magic over the surface of the skin watching as steam quickly started to raise from the rather aggressive method of bathing. "Anything important happening today, or are we still playing at being human?"

Rin let out a small hum as Naruto moved behind the changing screen. She moved out of the room and quickly came back carrying a tray of breakfast. "Lady Kushina has dinner plans tonight. She'll be speaking to some members of foreign power. You are not required to be present. Though I do believe that Lady Venelena will be attending. Perhaps you can use this time to further your bond wi-"

"With Miss Rias… correct?" Naruto drawled before striding out from behind the screen now fully clothed in his regular attire. He saw Rin give a sheepish nod towards him before moving forward with the tray and removing the lid. On it rested a blood pack and he was somewhat grateful for being allowed this privacy in his room.

"Please do try it see it from our view, Young Master. She is sort of the first person your age that you have not hated."

Naruto looked over it quickly, he was drinking Tepes again today. He paused after the first mouthful. Something tasted different, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Rin, is this fresh?"

Rin moved forward and took a small sniff before smacking the pack from his hand and giving a feral hiss in it's direction. "A thousand pardons, Young Master." She winced and pulled her stiff hand back. Naruto watched the white glove melt away from the few drops of blood that landed on it before it started to seep into her skin and turn it charcol. "It appears that someone had laced it with silver."

"Rin…"

"Yes, Young Master?"

"Give me your hand," he ordered softly.

The brunette rose a brow, "I don't think you mother would approve, Young Master."

"And I don't approve of my favourite maid burning in my room. Now give me your hand," he pressed with a much greater intent. Rin relented and offered her hand along with a deep bow. Naruto took it softly between his hands and in a bright flash her skin started reverting back to its regular unearthly paleness. "Better?"

"Much, thank you, Young Master."

Naruto gave a small nod and released her hand. He turned to the left. "Kadly, report this to mother and check the blood supplies. I fear some of the younger servants don't have Rin's keen nose."

The cold staring butler appeared in a kneeling position before giving a solid nod and vanishing once more.

Rin looked between where Kadly had been and her charge. "Is he always watching you?"

"The only time he doesn't is when mother is near. Still, this is a problem. Either someone added silver to the bag once it was sealed or the Tepes fed one of their vampires silver while draining them… and I was pretty damn hungry. Rin, sorry, but can you fetch me another?"

"My apologies, Young Master, but until I have checked all the bags you will have to settle for my blood. I do hope that it does not offend."

Naruto let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, see, I can't really control myself when I drink from others yet. It might not be the be-"

"I insist!"

"But, Rin, I cou-"

"I. Insist!"

Naruto's shoulders slumped in defeat. There wasn't any reasoning with her when she got like this. He'd tried once and it felt like speaking to a brick wall. He gingerly grabbed her wrist and brought it up to his mouth. "Just… Just let me know if it starts to hurt okay?"

"Oh course, Young Master. I only hope I shall suffice!"

Naruto opened his mouth to bite down only to have Rin's arm moved from his grasp. "Naruto," came the rather chilly voice of his mother above him. Rin was held back in her grasp behind her. "Put your fangs away, and relax. I shall find you something suitable to drink, and you, Rin. Do not think you can sate his hunger. He is much thirstier than your average pure-blood. Try to keep that in mind before he kills you."

Naruto watched as Rin looked towards him and her eyes widened in shock. He reached up and felt that his hair had become much wilder, like a lion's mane. His had grown long and he could feel his hunger stir in his chest.

"I shall pay rapt attention from now on, Milady," Rin replied.

Naruto could feel the fear creeping into her voice and he let out a huff and lay down on the bed. "I don't feel like training today."

"I was coming to let you know we wouldn't be when Kadly arrived. Rest, I'll find you something to feed on," with that Kushina turned on her feet and headed to the door, only stopping at the precipice, "Come, Rin. You'll assist me."

"Oh course Milady."

Naruto lay there listening to them walk away. He still recalled the last time. He didn't want to. Damn, what he wouldn't give to be human for a while. To not have to leave your family when you go into the sun, to not thirst for their blood every moment, and not make them afraid of you. He wanted to be normal; he wanted to be like Rias.

PA: And chapter 1 done. It was a journey I'll tell you that. Going back through all my old notes... most of them didn't make sense, but we're here and that's what matters right? Also, there will be skips in time, don't worry, I'm probably not going to write out all 10 years leading up to canon...probably, but as you may have noticed my style has changed quiet a bit; it's honestly one of the reasons I was somewhat nervous about working on anything I'd released earlier. Thus I hope you enjoyed it and look forward to the chapters coming.