Author's Note:
Here's a new story! This time a crossover between Bleach and Naruto. :) I actually had this chapter written up for a while now but was a bit hesitant at posting it up. Not sure if it'll meet the reader's standard of a good crossover but I'll do my best. The main characters of this fic will be Sakura and Rukia but the others will also play a huge role in this story. I want to thank . freedom. by. choice. (had to leave spaces in your penname :p) for reading through this chapter before hand. I really appreciate it. Enjoy the first chapter! Hopefully the characters aren't OOC…
~X~
Way of the Ninja
~X~
Summary: In order prepare for the battle against Aizen, Ichigo and the others were sent to a different world in order to train. But being placed in a three-man squad under an ANBU member was not what they had in mind.
Pairings: Sakura-centric / Rukia-centric
Genre: Action / Adventure / Drama
Rating: T
Disclaimer: The anime/manga Naruto and its characters belong rightfully to Masashi Kishimoto, while the anime/manga Bleach and its characters belong rightfully to Tite Kubo.
~X~
Chapter One
-Shinigami and Shinobi-
~X~
Hyuuga Neji was not a sinner. He was a person known to follow orders without questioning and without complaint but right at this moment, he really wanted to protest. Why in the world was he given a mission such as this? If he was still the thirteen year old arrogant little genin he would have blamed it all on fate. But of course, Neji no longer believed in fate and destiny anymore, not after how Uzumaki Naruto had defeated him in the first Chuunin Exam that he had taken. The said shinobi was not normally one to back down from a mission, but even so, Neji could tell that the blonde did not seemed content with this. The Hyuuga resisted the urge to sigh. Just what in the world did he do to deserve this?
"Aw, come on, baa-chan! I don't have time to take on a genin squad. I'm an ANBU. I've got a lot of other missions to do!" Naruto slammed both his palms down on the wooden desk. His sapphire-coloured eyes shone with annoyance.
Neji couldn't blame him though. If he didn't have to reputation of being a Hyuuga member and ANBU captain he would have long ago complained as well.
"Naruto, will you just shut up and let Tsunade-shishou explain." A rosette-haired kunoichi groaned and buried her face into the palm of her hand.
Sakura could tell that Tsunade was beginning to lose her patience with the blonde, seeing as how her eye began to twitch from time to time. Sakura had no intention of being anywhere near the busty blonde when she was angry. But still…Naruto had a point. As she opened her mouth to question, the final person in the room, a pale-skinned, black haired male, beat her to it.
"Shouldn't this job be more suited for an ordinary jounin, much less ANBU?" Sai inquired.
Tsunade sighed. "Normally that would be the case, but…" She paused.
"But what, baa-chan?" Naruto asked impatiently.
"…these twelve genin are somewhat…special." Tsunade crossed her fingers together.
"What do you mean by that?" Neji asked quietly.
Tsunade responded by reaching into her pocket to pull out a letter with a black butterfly imprinted on the top-right corner. She handed the piece of paper to Neji.
Neji took it from her slowly and began scanning his pearl-white eyes across the contents, widening from time to time.
Senju Tsunade,
I have a small favour to ask of you. I'm sure you still remember from our previous encounter about how we, the Shinigami of Soul Society, are about to undergo war with the three traitorous captains of Gotei 13, Tousen Kaname, Ichimaru Gin and Aizen Sousuke. I predict that the war will be held in two to three years time from now.
In order for us to prepare for this battle to come, I request that you train twelve of us in the way of the ninja.
Please consider this request of mine. The fate of Soul Society depends of your answer. We would be forever grateful if you are willing to accept.
PS: I have enclosed a copy of the twelve's information in this letter.
First Division Captain
Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni
Beneath the signature was the stamp of a chrysanthemum.
Neji finished reading and passed the letter to Naruto.
"…What! I thought Shinigami were supposed to be just myths!" Naruto spoke up after he finished reading. "They can't be real."
"Oh, they're real, all right," Tsunade said sourly. "And it looks like they need our help. The war isn't really what concerns us but after looking at the payment amount, how could I refuse?"
Naruto blinked and glanced down at the bottom-right corner of the letter. Imprinted on there was the payment amount for the mission.
"W-wh-wha-?!" Naruto's eyes threatened to bulge right out of their sockets. We'll be rich with this much ryo! Are they really that desperate?!
"Shishou, have you met this…Yamamoto Shigekuni before?" Sakura inquired, passing the letter to Sai.
Tsunade nodded. "Yeah, I have. It was during the time when I was still out of Konoha."
"I see."
"So, when are they arriving?" Sai asked after he finished reading.
"Today, as a matter of fact. Kakashi and the others have gone to greet them at the front gate."
"Ehhhhh?!" Naruto screeched. "Those Shinigami are coming today?!"
Tsunade resisted the urge to send the blonde ANBU flying out the window. Even after so many years, his personality still hadn't changed a bit; still as loud and impatient as ever.
"Naruto, this mission will be of great importance to you," she said.
Naruto crossed his arms and looked away. "Oh and why's that?" he asked hotly.
Tsunade smirked. "In order to become a great Hokage, one must first become a great teacher."
Naruto froze and turned his attention back towards the blonde woman.
"If you can't complete this simple mission, then how will you ever hope to become the Rokudaime, huh?"
Simple isn't exactly the word I'd use… Sakura thought wryly.
"You got that, Naruto?"
The straight line formed on Naruto's lips slowly began to curve up to form a grin. "Got it, baa-chan!" He gave her the thumbs-up.
"What about their living accommodations?" Neji suddenly spoke up.
Tsunade turned her attention towards the Hyuuga. Reaching into the envelope, she pulled out twelve sheets of paper and handed Neji two of them.
Neji accepted the file and read the two names on top of each of the papers.
Kuchiki Rukia.
Kuchiki Byakuya.
"I've already informed Hiashi. He says that he does not mind as long as it just these two."
"And why's that?" Neji inquired.
"These two are from the Kuchiki clan, one of the four great noble families in Soul Society. Kuchiki Byakuya is the 28th head of the clan while Kuchiki Rukia is his adoptive sister."
Neji nodded. That made a lot more sense to him now. Hiashi would never allow anyone to live in the Hyuuga compound, unless they were from a noble family or had his respect.
Turning towards Sakura, Tsunade handed her two files as well. "Sakura, you will house Inoue Orihime and Kusajishi Yachiru."
Sakura nodded. "Got it."
"Naruto you can house these two." Tsunade gave the blonde two files.
Naruto gave her a foxy grin. "You got it!" His sapphire eyes then drifted down towards the sheet. Hm…Kurosaki Ichigo and Abarai Renji, huh? I wonder if they like ramen… He mused.
Finally, the Godaime Hokage turned to the ex-Root operative and handed him just one file. "Sai, you will house Hitsugaya Toushiro."
Sai gave her a blank smile and nodded.
"Lee, who is with Kakashi at the gate, is going to house Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika. Gai, who is on a mission, will house Zaraki Kenpachi. Shikamaru, who is also with Kakashi, will house Ishida Uryuu and I personally, will house Matsumoto Rangiku," Tsunade said.
"…So, how do you want us to train them?" Sakura asked after a moment of silence.
"The eight of you are-"
"There only four of us here," Naruto stated rudely, interrupting her.
Tsunade's vein popped. "The eight of you, which includes Kakashi, Hinata, Shikamaru and Lee," she gritted out. "…Now, where was I before I got rudely interrupted-"
"Hmph!"
"-The eight of you are going to teach them the eight shinobi basics – Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu, Chakra Control, Weapons Training, Stealth, Speed and Stamina Training. Once they've got the basics down I'll split them into groups of three and from then onwards, they're going to be your new genin students."
"So, it's just like how the academy graduates get put into squad of three, led by a jounin, right?" Sakura asked.
Tsunade nodded.
"What time will they be arriving?" Sai inquired.
Tsunade sighed; too much questioning these days. Suddenly, knocking sounds could be heard at the door. The blonde Hokage smiled.
"There's your answer," she murmured. "Enter."
Slowly, the door creaked open. The four ANBU operatives turned to face the twelve, who will soon become their greatest challenge.
~X~
"Urgh…why do I have to do this?" Nara Shikamaru groaned as he walked towards the Konoha gates with no enthusiasm whatsoever. "Why do we have to greet these Shinigami anyway?" he muttered. "Isn't Kakashi-san enough as it is?"
Lee on the other hand was looking quite excited for a new challenge. "Lighten up, Shikamaru-kun. This will once in a lifetime's opportunity. To think, we would be the first ones to witness the sight of the youthful creatures known as Shinigami!" Lee hollered in excitement.
"Yeah, whatever…" Shikamaru grunted.
"I wonder what they're like," Hinata spoke up quietly from behind.
"I don't really care…I just want this over and done with and get straight back to sleep." The lazy genius yawned.
The three eventually arrived at the gates of Konoha. To their surprise, Hatake Kakashi was already present. The silver haired shinobi was leaning against the wall, reading Icha Icha Tactics.
"Yo," Kakashi greeted, without bothering to look up. "You're late."
Shikamaru grunted. "Hokage-sama only told us to meet here in the morning. She never specified what time, so technically, we're not late," he muttered.
Kakashi chuckled. "Observant as ever, I see…"
"Um…when are they arriving?" Hinata asked quietly.
"Hm…how about…now."
As soon as Kakashi said that a shoji screen appeared before them. Startled, Hinata and Lee both got into a defensive position while Shikamaru let out yet another yawn.
The screen door opened and twelve figures stepped out. The black uniform instantly extinguished the majority of them as Shinigami, save for two, who were wearing civilian type clothing.
"So this is Konoha, huh?" a bald-headed male remarked, looking unimpressed.
"It's quite artistic, if I must say so myself," came the voice of a man with strange feathers on his eye.
"Well, I'm glad you find our village interesting," Kakashi spoke up from behind them, startling a few of the Shinigami. "Now, if you'd please follow us."
Wordlessly, the twelve followed the masked-nin and the three other jounin silently.
"We will get someone to give you a tour later but for now we have to meet up with the Hokage. She is quite famous for her legendary temper, I'm afraid." As well as her fists… Kakashi shivered at the thought.
"Hokage? What's that?" a raven haired Shinigami with violet coloured eyes inquired.
Lee bounced towards her vigorously. "Allow me to explain, Shinigami-san." He cleared his throat before continuing. "A Hokage is basically the name given to the leader of our village. That person is considered to be the most powerful shinobi of our country. There are also other Kages such as the Mizukage, Kazekage, Tsuchikage and the Raikage. Our Hokage is Tsunade-sama, one of the legendary sannin. She is considered to be the most powerful kunoichi in the whole of the five shinobi countries!" Lee explained to the group.
"I guess that would mean, this…Hokage is equivalent to Sou-taichou," a snowy haired boy mused.
Kakashi nodded, not once taking his eyes away from his green book. "That is correct, Toushiro-kun."
The Tenth Division Captain narrowed his eyes slightly. How did he know my name? He thought suspiciously but shook the thought away, thinking that the Sou-taichou must have given the Hokage all their files.
Before they knew it, the twelve had arrived outside Tsunade's office in the Hokage's tower. Kakashi knocked lightly on the door and a few seconds later he heard the blonde Hokage's voice.
"Enter."
Kakashi pushed the door open and stepped inside looking slightly bored as he moved to the corner of the room to resume his reading, chuckling a few times at the contents within the book.
Tsunade shook her head at the masked-nin's lazy antics but immediately shifted her head towards the twelve unfamiliar faces. She sighed and began her talk once again. "I'm sure you've heard from Kakashi," She gestured towards the silver haired male, who in return gave a small wave without looking up from his book, "but just to clarify, I'm the Hokage of Hi no Kuni, Tsunade, which means you are obliged to follow my orders. I will not tolerate foolishness." She gave them a stern look as if she was speaking to a bunch of children.
A large man with spiked up black hair, known as the Eleventh Division Captain, scoffed. "Sure, whatever you say, woman. Now, what is it that you so-called shinobi are going to teach us anyway?" he said in a gruff tone of voice.
Tsunade's eye twitched in annoyance but she plastered a fake grin onto her face. "I see someone's eager for some action," she remarked.
Kenpachi's face broke out into a grin at this. "You got that right, woman."
Tsunade closed her eyes and smirked. "Very well, then. I guess it's time for me to tell you your training routine." She opened her hazel coloured eyes and gave the Shinigami all a calculating look. "For the first week, you will begin with the eight ninja basics – Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu, Weaponry, Stealth, Stamina, Speed and Chakra Control. These eight, right here," Tsunade gestured towards the shinobi, "Are your instructors."
The bald-headed Shinigami raised an eyebrow at this. "You mean to tell me that a bunch of kids are going to teach us?" He scoffed in disbelief.
Naruto's eyes twitched in anger. "What was that, you-"
"Enough," Tsunade said swiftly, cutting Naruto off. She didn't need another headache to deal with at the moment. She gave Ikkaku, the bald Shinigami, a stern but bemused look. "I wouldn't underestimate these eight if I were you. These guys just so happen to be the top shinobi of this village."
Naruto puff his chest out with pride at those words. "Yeah, that's right. I'm the bes-" But before he could finish, Sakura elbowed his in the guts, which sent him doubled over in pain. "Sa-Sakura-chan, why?" he croaked out in pain, holding his stomach as fake tears ran down his face.
Sakura gave him a glare that screamed the message 'Shut up or I'll murder you'. Naruto shivered at that.
The Shinigami looked slightly amused at the antics of the two shinobi.
Tsunade coughed in amusement. "Thank you, Sakura," she commented dryly before turning back to her little audience. "Now then, as I was saying, for the first week you will be going over the eight ninja basics and then after that, I will sort you into a three man squad based on your skills." She got up and walked to the front of her desk and leaned back, using the edge of the desk as support. She sighed and looked towards Kakashi, who was still in his little corner reading his porn.
"Hatake Kakashi," she called.
"Hm?" His eyes never left the page of the book.
"You will be in charge of their Ninjutsu training, am I clear?"
The book in his hand snapped shut and Kakashi stood up straight and nodded towards the leader of Konoha. "Understood," he said.
Tsunade smiled and turned towards her apprentice. "Haruno Sakura here will be in charge of your Genjutsu training. Is that alright with you, Sakura?"
Sakura nodded. "Yes, Shishou," she said firmly, making a few of the Shinigami raise an eyebrow at the honorific.
"Hyuuga Neji will be the instructor for Taijutsu, he-"
"Noooo! My eternal rival has beaten me once again!" Lee hollered, cutting Tsunade off. "Neji, you are truly a genius! I will do two hundred laps around Konoha on my hands as a punishment for my defeat!"
Okaaaay… was the thought that rang through Kuchiki Rukia's head. This guy is crazy.
I like this kid, a certain captain grinned maniacally, showing his sharp teeth.
"Hn." Neji just smirked and looked away, already used to the crazy antics of his ex-teammate.
"…Right…" Tsunade commented dryly and shook her head. "Anyway, Lee will be in charge of Speed training. I'm sure you can handle that, right Lee?"
"Yosh! You bet I can, Tsunade-sama. Why, I'm proud to say that I'm even better than Neji at anything related to speed. But of course, Gai-sensei is number one! Gai-sensei is the best!"
"I'm sure they understand the magnificence of Gai-sensei now, Lee," Neji said dryly with a hint of amusement in his tone. "But perhaps you should allow Tsunade-sama continue."
Lee immediately stopped his ranting and turned towards the Hokage and bowed deeply. "My most sincere apologies, Tsunade-sama," he said dutifully.
Tsunade nodded. "Now, where was I…oh, yes, Sai," She gestured towards the ANBU captain, "will be in charge of your Stealth training."
Sai nodded understandingly.
"Hyuuga Hinata will be teaching you the aspects of Chakra Control."
Hinata blushed slightly and gave the Shinigami and humans a small bow.
"Uzumaki Naruto will be in charge of your Stamina training."
Naruto grinned but didn't say anything, fearing the wrath of a certain rosette kunoichi.
"And finally, Nara Shikamaru will be teaching you the aspects of Weaponry."
Shikamaru yawned. "How troublesome…" he muttered, picking his ear.
Tsunade ignored the lazy shinobi and continued. "I hope you all enjoy your stay here at Konoha. If you need any assistance then feel free to ask any of the shinobi that you see in the village. Hopefully, there won't be any problems," the blonde said with a smile.
"Where will we be staying?" Rangiku inquired curiously.
"That has already been decided…"
As Tsunade talked about the housing arrangements, Rukia allowed her thoughts to drift towards the eight other shinobi in the room. Her violet eyes stopped on a certain blonde. Her lips pursed into a small smile. Loud and brash; yet, she could sense the kindness within the boy. Uzumaki Naruto had reminded her of Kurosaki Ichigo.
The rosette haired female had also caught her attention. Rukia could sense the air of dignity around Sakura as she listened carefully to her shishou's words.
What strange hair colour, Rukia mused. It reminded her a bit of Byakuya's zanpakuto, Senbonzakura, with its pastel-pink softness.
Although, I could say the same for Kusajishi-fuku-taichou's. Either way, the raven haired Shinigami had sensed that Sakura was not one to be underestimated.
"Now, if you would like, you can all head out with your assigned person and get to know each other a bit."
Rukia jolted from her thoughts. W-wha…?
"Rukia," Byakuya called out from behind with two shinobi beside him. "Let's go."
"A-alright, nii-sama," she answered, before following her adoptive brother and the two shinobi out the door. Where are we going?
As if reading her mind, the coffee haired shinobi, Hyuuga Neji, if she remembered correctly, answered. "We're heading towards the Hyuuga Manor."
"Manor?" Byakuya spoke up. "Are you of a noble family?"
This time, Hinata was the one that answered. "Yes…we are," she said softly. "Neji-nii-san and I are both apart of the Hyuuga clan."
"Are you both siblings?" Rukia inquired, noting the honorific added on Neji's name.
Hinata shook her head. "No, we're cousins."
"I see…"
The four headed towards a secluded part Konoha. Rukia observed the surrounding and noticed that they were in a more deserted part of the village with a few bits of forestry here and there as they passed by. The only people that they had come across all had extinguishing features – their pearl-white eyes.
I wonder if they are all related to these two, Rukia thought.
"We're here," Neji remarked as they arrived in front at the towering front gates of the Hyuuga Manor.
"Come," Hinata spoke up softly. "I'll take you to otou-sama. My father is the head of the Hyuuga clan."
And I guess that will make you the heiress, Rukia thought.
The jounin and ANBU lead the two Kuchiki nobles through the long hallways of the manor, passing a few Hyuuga clan members along the way. Rukia blinked in curiosity as they passed a group of members, each with a strange green mark on their foreheads. Some sort of tattoo, perhaps…
As Hinata passed by, the 'tattooed' members all bowed their heads at the heiress, reminding Rukia of how the members of the Kuchiki family would act around her and Byakuya.
The ANBU captain suddenly stopped and turned towards his cousin. "Hinata-sama, I have to go and take care of a few things. Can I leave these two in your hands?" Coming from Neji's mouth, it didn't sound like a question at all.
"O-of course, nii-san."
Neji nodded to the two Shinigami before disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Was that Shunpo? Rukia thought amazed. These shinobi sure are unpredictable.
And thus, they continued forward to meet the leader of the Hyuuga clan, each deep within their own thoughts.
~X~
"Hey, Pretty Lady, is your hair natural?" the bubbly lieutenant of the Eleventh Division asked Sakura as the three, including Orihime, headed towards the dango shop.
Sakura's mouth twitched up slightly in what seemed like amusement. "I could ask the same to you, but yes, my hair is natural," she said.
Yachiru bounced up and down in excitement. "Yay! Then that makes you my mommy!" she exclaimed.
Sakura faltered slightly and she laughed nervously. Her, a mother?! She was only eighteen, for God's sake! And this kid was like what, over a hundred years old?
"I finally found my mommy after all these years!" Yachiru cheered, oblivious to Sakura's twitching. "Now I have both parents – you and Ken-chan…or maybe Byakkun should be the daddy. He does like cherry blossoms…hm…" Yachiru, without Sakura knowing it, gave the rosette a sly look that screamed of danger.
Ken-chan, as in Zaraki Kenpachi, the ferocious captain of the Eleventh Division? Sakura tried to picture the three of them together as a happy family and shiver ran down her spine.
No. Way. In. Hell.
Her thoughts then drifted to 'Byakkun'. She's probably talking about Byakuya-san, Sakura thought. Although, I have to admit, he is quite good-looking… There was something about the Sixth Division Captain that made Sakura think. The very first second that she had laid her eyes on him, she had knew that this person was full of pride. It kind of reminded her of Uchiha Itachi and Neji combined. Yet…those cold eyes of his…it sorely reminded her of Sasuke.
"Haruno-san, are you alright?" Orihime asked in concern, noticing the blank look on Sakura's face.
"W-what?" Sakura jolted slightly and turned to see a pair of grey eyes, looking at her with confusion and concern. "Oh, I'm fine." Sakura flashed her a fake smile. Orihime didn't look convinced but decided not to comment. "Let's go have some lunch."
The orange haired female smiled. "Okay!"
"Yay, food!" Yachiru cheered, grabbing Orihime and Sakura by the hand and dashing off towards the shops.
This is going to be a looooong week, Sakura thought.
~X~
Matsumoto Rangiku swore that she had died once again and, instead of going to Soul Society, had gone to heaven…real heaven. She never thought that there would ever be a day like this where there was no paperwork, no disturbances and no grumpy little captain here to stop her from her enjoyment. It was just her, her sake and Tsunade, her new found drinking partner.
"Ah…this is the life!" Rangiku sighed in content; her cheekbones pink from all the alcohol. Kira and Hisagi are missing out big time!
The blonde Hokage made a sound which was caught between a giggle and a hiccup. "You got that right!" she slurred, clearly drunk. With an unsteady hand, Tsunade raised her bottle of sake up in the air. "To life!"
Rangiku mimicked her action. "To life!" she cheered.
Outside the office, Shizune could only sigh exasperatedly. Not only did she have to deal with one sake loving woman but instead, two.
"So much for paperwork," the black haired assistant grumbled under her breath, before walking off with Tonton in tow.
Sigh. "I hate my life."
~X~
Author's Note:
There's the first chapter! Hope you enjoyed it. Please leave a review. I really want some feedback on this. Flames are not accepted but constructive criticism is. :) Other character of Bleach may or may not appear in this fic – I'm still not a hundred percent sure yet. Anyways, thanks for reading. See you in the next chapter! Just one thing, they (the Shinigami) are all in Gigai. It will be explained why in the next chapter. :)
~X~
-Setsuna
