Chapter 28

Yomi, or the Japanese equivalent of Hades, was the next destination for Naruto and his group. Izanami got word of an excellent weaver in the West and ordered a garment to see if the stories were true. The Goddess of Yomi didn't mind waiting as Naruto, the weaver's name she later learned, as the gods of Japan sent in their orders first. Izanagi's former wife used to have the beauty of the living, but after death, her beauty changed to match her undead status. Izanagi was horrified by her appearance that he sealed Yomi with a giant boulder, also sealing his former wife in the Underworld.

Years went by, the elements taking a toll on the boulder allowing a small opening to appear. The residence of the Underworld discovered this opening and used it to escape. The humans fought back, but no side had an advantage over the other. The Supernatural Civil War lasted several decades before some of the yokai, Japanese demons, sought humans for romantic relations, such as kitsune and Oni. These romantic relationships prospered, giving birth to hanyous or half-demons. The human resistance began to win until the hanyou split off and formed a third faction, The Hanyou Faction. With three factions fighting, the war began to get out of control; there was no longer a clear winner as each side won a battle. The war was brutal on every side; crops and homes were destroyed until the factions called for a cease-fire, factions formed a treaty was formed. The war formally ended after twenty years of fighting.

Naruto went to bed early after returning to the Inn, knowing that tomorrow would be long and tiring. Bianca and Rachnera followed Naruto's lead as Ame-no-Uzume tired them out at the shrine. Morning came for the three, and they were discussing their plan as they ate breakfast.

"So, we're going to the Underworld today," said Bianca as she ate a rolled omelet

"Yes," answered Naruto, "unfortunate the entryway is over six hours away, so I called us a ride to get there."

"What, like a cab," asked Bianca in confusion.

"Something like that," answered Naruto finishing his eggs and wiping his mouth clean, "We'll be riding in a ghost, basically."

"Is it safe?" asked Rachnera

"Perfectly safe," answered Naruto, "we'll just have to deal with some road rage."

The three finished their breakfast and went to the edge of the road. Naruto took out a ten-yen coin and flipped it onto the streets. Instead of the coin hitting the ground on the coin's descent, it sank like it hit a puddle of water. Rachnera and Bianca felt a slight rumble before a large cart began to rise from the ground. On the front end of the cart was demonized human face with long hair.

"You called," said the demonic face.

"We're going to the entrance to Yami," answered Naruto as Bianca and Rachnera entered the cart.

"Kind of a long drive but doable," said the demonic face, "I do expect a good tip at the end."

"Of course," said Naruto as he got in, "that is common courtesy."

Barley, an hour passed before the group of three encountered their first obstacle, traffic, and their driver wasn't making it any easier.

"Is it always this noisy," asked Rachnera, not familiar with city life

"It can be," answered Naruto in a calm tone, "heavy traffic comes with living in the city."

"Traffic wasn't too bad in Italy," commented Bianca

"Yes, but you lived in the county," said Naruto, "horse-drawn carts were better on the dirt roads, opposed to the metal rims on cars."

"That makes sense," said Bianca thinking back to the nineteen-forties and their country home

"Move it or pull aside! Some of us have places to go!" yelled the cart they were riding.

"I will say that some traffic jams are better than others," commented Naruto, hearing the commotion outside

"I'm starting to prefer the quiet forest then the noisy city," said Rachnera

"The good news is the Jorogumo Village is close to Yami so that we can visit after my appointment," said Naruto, knowing that Rachnera wanted to visit the village

"That sounds wonderful," said Rachnera, happy Naruto was paying attention to her

Another hour went by, and nothing interesting happened. Naruto took out a book to read, Rachnera took out some knitting needled and began to weave some of her webbings together. At the same time, Bianca passed the time by looking out the window. It took some time, but she did get used to the differences between the time she was born and the modern era but seeing the Japanese population was still weird. Bianca saw both humans and monsters dressed in maid uniforms advertising their café while at the same time seeing monsters and humans walking together in a romantic setting. She also was other people getting into carts just like theirs, and Bianca wondered what they actually were.

What kind of yokai are we riding in any," asked Bianca

"Their names are Oboroguruma," answered Naruto, "they're the souls of deceased ox-cart drivers who were denied parking in their preferred spot."

"So, their anger was so great that they even hold onto it after they die," said Bianca

"Yep," said Naruto

"So, how far is the entrance," asked Bianca

"It's about a six-hour drive," answered Naruto.

"Couldn't we have teleported to the entrance or something," asked Bianca

"We may be involved in the supernatural," said Naruto, "but even then, there are limitations on what we can do."

"Well, that's disappointing," commented Bianca in a sad tone

"Yeah, after a while, being involved in the supernatural starts to lose its luster, and it just becomes normal or boring."

As the three occupied themselves, the occasional traffic rage from their cart, the time flew by, and Naruto started to see the stone arch that guided to Yomi.

"Well, we're here," said Naruto as he and his group exited the cart, "the entrance to Yomi is only a couple of yards away."

"That would explain this ominous feeling I'm getting," said Bianca looking at the scenery

"Yeah, most gates to the Underworld have that feeling," commented Naruto

"I'm also feeling something," said Rachnera with a warm sensation going through her body, "but I want more of it."

"And that's why I asked to control yourself," said Naruto stepping away from the spider-woman

"What's happening?" Said Bianca, trying to figure out what was going on

"The supernatural energy is acting as an aphrodisiac and putting her in a daze," answered Naruto grabbing a water bottle from his coat.

"How do we bring her out of it," asked Bianca, worrying about her safety and Naruto's

"Just splash some cold water on her, and she'll be fine," said Naruto as he splashed Rachnera with water

"Ah! Why did you do that?!" Asked an angry Rachnera

"You were going to do unspeakable things to us," answered Naruto, "especially me."

"What," asked Rachnera, until Bianca whispered what Naruto meant, "oh."

"We need to get going," said Naruto, walking to the Torii gate, "punctuality is important in business."

A few yards away from the red torii gate was a small woken shack with a white shimenawa hanging over the door.

"This is it," said Naruto, "the entrance to Yami."

"I thought it was going to be more extravagant," commented Bianca.

"Same," added Rachnera, "I didn't expect an old wooden shack."

"They built it to prevent any future erosion on the stone that Izanagi placed there centuries ago."

"Was it really necessary," asked Rachnera?

"It's meant to keep the nastier monsters out," replied Naruto, "and there are some nasty monsters in Japanese folklore."

"That makes sense," said Bianca, knowing of such legends, "Japan is truly a place of horror and amazement."

"We should get going," said Naruto starting to make his way to the shrine, "Izanami can only wait for so long."

When Naruto and company entered Yomi, the sight that greeted them was dark and cavernous, water dripping from the ceiling.

"So~, this is Yomi," commented Rachnera as she walked beside Naruto, "I thought there would be more demons and screams of pain."

"This is only the entrance," answered Naruto, pointing ahead, "what Yomi really looks like is coming up."

The screams and yells soon became noticeable as the three got closer until they got to a cliff overseeing everything. Demons of every shape and size could be seen, either being tortured or doing the torturing.

"Welcome to Yomi, the Japanese Underworld," said Naruto ignoring the screams of pain and suffering, "follow me; I was given directions to Izanami's court. Ignore the whips and screams of pain."

Rachnera was a little uncomfortable as the group of three walked. Still, the spider demon noticed that Naruto and Bianca seemed used to it or ignored it for the most part. From what she remembers, Naruto does business in the Underworld on occasions. At the same time, Bianca was the daughter of Hades, the Greek god of the Underworld, so that such things would be every day for her.

The journey took a few minutes as Yomi consisted of rocky cliffs and rivers of lava. For some reason, a railroad crossing but Bianca and Rachnera chalked it up to needing it for the deeper levels. The closer they got, the nicer the exterior, and the rocks became hardwood floors and elaborate tapestries. They stopped when they reached a large sliding door with a silhouette of a kneeling woman behind it.

"Mistress Izanami, I have arrived as promised and brought the goods you have purchased," said Naruto

"And the two women behind you," asked the Izanami.

"They are my assistants," answered Naruto, "they are new to the business, and I'm showing them the ropes."

"I see," said Izanami, "I am glad you are expanding your business. Please slide the package forward so I can inspect the clothing."

"Of course," said Naruto as he slid a large package towards the paper door, "I hope they meet your expectations."

The paper door slid open slightly, allowing a pale hand to reach out and grab the package to bring it inside; the door slid back shut after the package was inside. A few tense moments before the sound of Izanami's voice began to ring out.

"These garments are as good as the rumors say." said Izanami looking over the clothes, "I am amazed that you can do such intricate details on a grand scale."

"Thank you for the compliment," said Naruto, "it is only thanks to people like you I can acquire such skill and use them."

"Tell me more of your assistance," said Izanami turn to face the group, "one has the aura of death while one is a monster.".

"The one with the aura of death is named Bianca; she.. is the daughter of Hades, while the monster your sense is named Rachnera, a princess in the Sea of Monsters."

"What were you doing in the Sea of Monsters," asked Izanami, knowing that such a place was dangerous.

"It was for a quest to save our camp and keep the monsters from invading," answered Naruto.

"We succeeded, but we later learned that one of our own is recruiting an army to overthrow the pantheon. I fear that won't be the end; the traitor may try to overthrow the other pantheons." continued Naruto.

"That sounds concerning," said Izanami, "did your family send you to get an alliance against this threat?"

"No." said Naruto, "My grandfather is paranoid and fears that you would use the alliance to overthrow him and take his throne."

"I see," said Izanami in disappointment, "he seems like a foolish man."

"I do not judge his decisions," said Naruto, "I fear my grandfather would silence me for such defiance."

"He sounds like a foolish man, indeed," said Izanami, "You may leave; you have given me much to think of."

"You honor me with your presence," said Naruto as he and the group began to leave

"Zeus is letting his pride and paranoia is clouding his mind," said Izanami as her servants put the clothes away, "I can only hope his other family members see reason and ask for help from outside forces."