Beyond the afterlife

"normal talk"

"normal thoughts"

"bijuu/super natural talk"

"demon/super natural thoughts"

I don't own anything, except O.C.

Few minutes before though; Orihime Inoue was pacing placidly from the 12th division to her quarters in the 4th division barracks. Happy with herself as the 12th had taken a liking to her "cooking" and oft lately had been eager to try her new recipes. However unknown to her the 12th actual interest in her was that; whenever they needed a new type of toxin, poison or plain wanted to test their mettle against the orangette 's "concoctions" she was just a call away. Some debated whether to tell her or not, but alas all of them were stopped by her friends. In hindsight both the 4th & 12th divisions had increased their knowledge of poisons and their treatments by leaps and bounds so the Captain-commander let it go.

Getting back on track said orangette was nearing her division when a strange senkaimon gate materialized before her. While she was just weirded out, few around her were freaking out as senkaimon gate weren't supposed to appear randomly inside the SS barrier. The gate in question was very weird, even in Orihime's standards. It resembled a torii gate weathered by time, the red painting darkened & cracking in some places and the woodwork somewhat crooked; yet it stood stoutly in a fashion that seemingly reminded of the past Captain-commander unwavering strength despite his age. In the gate's entrance; shimmered onto existence an all too familiar sliding doors covered in mist and several hell's butterflies fluttered aimlessly. The doors started to open with a soft sliding and as soon as they were completely open two all too familiar reiatsus flooded out and nearly choked everyone in the vicinity. Both of them awfully familiar to her, emotions runned rampant in her and she became oblivious of her fellow squad members as they fainted. A single tear made its way down her cheek.

Sure enough the owners of the nostalgic signatures busted out of the gate in a hurry. As soon as they were out, they only took a minute moment to take note of where they were. While a passing thought left them wondering why they were in SS and not on the human world; it was quickly filed away, their main priority was finding the Orangette healer. As quickly as they took notice of where they were; as soon as they saw Orihime they locked on her. The poor girls for a moment flinched as she felt like a little rabbit before two falcons. The pair shunpo'ed to her and she quickly took notice of the hurt boy on Sui-feng's arms and the other two dragged behind her wrapped up in some kido.

"Inoue! Please you gotta help us" shouted Ichigo as he neared her

"Please save my sochi! I don't know how much longer this kido can keep him stable" all but wept Sui-Feng begging Orihime. Her medic instincts flared up and unconsciously filed away all her questions. Her face became serious and just nodded; a child was in peril that's all she needed to know.

"Follow me! Prepare an emergency operation room; the four highest seats presents are to assist me, whoever is in support rotation get ready and someone get Captain Isane here!" commanded Orihime Inoue as she entered doctor mode and conducted Sui-Feng through the barracks to an ER. Few moments later four seated officer entered the room and began to prepare for operation as they were assisted by the support personnel.

"put the boy as gently as you can on the table and please leave the room" his mother did as told and very reluctantly was dragged out of the ER by her husband. Their only reassurance was the soft orange glow emanating from the Orangette.

"Soten Kisshun!" and a light orange field covered naruto's battered body as the kidos wore off. Orihime quickly began to address the severity of the wounds running a diagnostic kido and listing off the wounds out loud, while keeping up her healing field up. What she encountered made her stomach lurch; not because she wasn't used to it by now, because this type of wounds are seldom seem outside of military people or that are constantly on some sort of battlefield. This boy for all her accounts had the same battle scars and damage that an average Shinigami seated officer collected in 20 years or so. Some signs of malnutrition, massive scar tissue both outside and inside; poor child obvious child abuse signs, thank god those were the more old and had stopped.

The more urgent wounds were his ruptured spleen, various fractures all over his body from his ribs to the damn tibia; but his femur and cervical were priority, he was losing blood rapidly.

"Yoshida! Get his femur and make sure it doesn't puncture his artery; Sakamato! Runs some quick blood test and then get some blood packs, Manaka! Prepare him I'm going to extract the spleen you be ready to drain the blood & Sachi immobilize his cervical and start healing them" they all scrambled into action according to their instruction. Medical treatment had actually advance quite some in the years since the human trio had come, using both types of medical care. Turns out it much simpler; and energy wise for the healer, to do some quirugical intervention and then heal only the wounds of the operation. Trying to "boost" only the body natural healing and try to get rid of the whole problem was more time and energy consuming than it needed to be. Outside of the ER the couple could somewhat hear Orihime barking orders and as much as that was off putting they were too concerned to pay it mind at the moment. By this time both Sasuke and Gaara were already being taken care by the others members of the 4th, while both of them tried to resist they were quickly put to sleep with a simple kido and laid on beds.

Ichigo glanced around noticed only the more veteran members were withstanding his and Sui-Feng's spirit pressure. He nudged her a little and she also took notice, they were exerting too much Reiatsu on the area. She chided herself for letting her emotions get her that badly, but then again right now she was just at the border to collapse, weep, rage, kill someone and strangle her former Lieutenant, not necessarily in that order. Still they both lowered their power and received appreciative looks from all the other medics. Ichigo just mouthed a silent "sorry" but truth be told he was just as concerned as his wife just that the Minato part of him helped in curb it down somewhat, yet his powerful grip on Sui-Feng hand belied his other hand that soothingly stroked and patted her back as she leaned on his chest.

"Ichigo, I wouldn't I just wouldn't be able to take if he were to, if he were to! Not a second time, for us it could have been just a few hours ago the whole debacle with the Kyuubi!" Her breathing hitched threatening to become a weep and tears moistened her eyes. He just hugged her both with his powerful arms and his reaitsu and she calmed down somewhat. She was enveloped in his strong embrace and felt protected and safe, his spirit power permeated her skin and made it crawl as a mantle of warmth and love caressed her being and soothed her.

"Shh, shh its Okay breath and calm yourself … you know I would trust Orihime with my own life; I would trust her with yours, Kami forbid it,if it came to be. She'll heal him and give him back to us our sochi." She just sniffed and nodded knowing herself that she also trusted the orangette healer abilities just the same as her beloved, much to her chagrin; she had already saved him a number of times. She lost for a second again and sobbed and simply wept with her face buried in ichigo's chest. While his aura did calm her down, she was right now in a emotional roller coaster. She cried and wept both from the sorrow of the still fresh (for her) whole Nine Tails debacle, losing her son; regaining him, seeing him at the brink of death, realizing that she also trusted the damn woman with her son and feeling the oh so familiar reiatsu of her husband permeate her being once again. It was simply too much even for the two lifetime hardened warrior.

As it was to be expected, after the couple rather "abrupt" entrance their friends all took notice of their signatures and zeroed in on their location. When they realized they were on the 4th they all made haste as fears of they being gravely hurt surfaced. The few in all SS who knew who they were, refused to have a light of hope just to be snatched away so abruptly. In a way or another, their passing of them both had hit hard on their friends and loved ones. All of them from the Vizored still around, the old generation shinigami to their childhood friends and family wanted an explanation and this time not even Y. Batch would stand in their wake.

The first one to arrive not surprisingly were Yoruichi & Urahara both garbed in their informal clothes; as they refused to take Captaincy and liked doing the odd jobs. They were followed by the Kuchiki brother & sister Captains as they carried over Yuzu and Karin; still too much green to keep up with their shunpo. Next arrived Uryu and Chad in a frantic pace and crazy eyes who just gazed everyone else for confirmation. They all proceeded to enter the 4th as they sensed the signatures of more of their friends closing in.

"I'm sure we all came to the same conclusions when we felt it, but lets keep ourselves together before we do anything else I fell their still inside and in great emotional stress it seems" said quickly Urahara cutting off the coming questions of the more impatient ones. They all nodded and stiffened when he said the last part. As they entered all the 4th members were stunned to witness a gathering like this, after all who could claim to be able to see in one place most of the Crisis Wars Heroes at the same time. All of the stunned were promptly ignored as they walked to the two spirit signatures that mattered to all of them. They were greeted with scene that never in their wildest dreams they would imagine as they catch the sobbing voice of former Capt. of the 2nd Sui-Feng.

" … Ichigo, I wouldn't I just wouldn't be able take if he were to, if he were to! Not a second time, for us it could have been just a few hours ago the whole debacle with the Kyuubi!"

"Shh, shh its Okay breath and calm yourself … you know I would trust Orihime with my own life; I would trust her with your, Kami forbid it, if it came to be. She'll heal him and give him back to us, our sochi."

As the iron willed woman broke in front of them and sobbed and wept embracing her beloved; while the scowling master just embraced her with a loving gaze while cooing her and told her it would be alright. The one word that finished sending all of the present over the edge, was repeating itself in their heads.

"SOCHI!? They had a son?!"

While Urahara was the first to recover from the shock, it wasn't by a large margin, even he was stunned by this revelation. Glancing to the people with him it seemed more than one had actually "broken" with that piece of news. He carefully closed in to the couple followed by Youruichi and with a quick check they noticed the changes in their appearance. With a prove to their aura they were relieved; the feel of their reaitsu, the very core of their spiritual presence was the same. While it was minutely changed that which made them Kurosaki Ichigo and Sui-Feng was still there at the very deeps of their raging auras with concern and grief. Urahara for once neared Ichigo and in all seriousness put his hand on his shoulder.

"It's good to have you back Ichigo-kun" he said in all but a whisper. While Ichigo was faintly aware that his friends were arriving he simply had other priorities, so when Urahara patted him on the shoulder he was surprised mostly by the seriousness and heartfelt longing in his voice. He turned back as his beloved wife also took notice.

"Its good to be back Kisuke" responded Ichigo just as uncharacterized as Urahara with a emotion charged voice, he really was damn happy to see the Hat & Clogs idiot

"Good to see you Yoruichi-sama, you too Urahara-san" followed Sui-Feng with a faint smile as she let go of Ichigo and embraced her former teacher and lightly punched Urahara on the shoulder. Just like that; like ruptured dam they all came near and both wanted to hug and punch the Strawberry idiot. Unsurprisingly his sisters were the firsts that followed Urahara.

"ICHI-NII!"

"ICHI-NII!" Cried both Yuzu and Karin as they lunged at their beloved brother, who was completely caught off guard as he could clearly feel his sisters reiatsu but it didn't match up with the young women that were on top of him. He decided that he would catch up with whatever amount of time had passed later. He just was glad to see his sisters again and much too his amusement, he realized that as much things change they stay the same. Seeing the tearful face of Yuzu bawling herself out; and Karin trying her best to not let hers spill out and spectacularly failing to do so. He just stroked their heads like he used to do so when they were so young all those years ago. Just for a moment they were back at their old house, childs again being spoiled by their always protective big brother. Their beloved brother was again with them that's all that mattered now.

After a few moments they stood up and Ichigo could see all who had come and some new comers at the entrance of the barracks and they all were staring at the couple very intently. Couldn't help to sweatdrop as he sighted, this was gonna be a long talk. He squeezed his wife hand for support and she smiled lovingly to him; all that mattered was they were again with their people.

"I would suggest an emergency meeting but seeing all the interested parties are already here why we don't just set up some privacy kido in one of the barrack rooms. Capt. Isane?" suggested amicably Captain Commander Kyoraku Shunsui.

"O-Of course Captain" said the alluded as she conduced them to a fairly large room that they all could fit in. as they filled in Ichigo took notice of some things. Rukia was now a Captain as Renji, however Jushiro Ukitake was nowhere to be seen as with Mayuri-clown and Rose, Kensei, Yachiru and Retsu-san, Chad had a black motif garment with a similar badge to his Soul Pass but otherwise he wore casual clothes and Ichida still wore his Quincy attire but also with the Soul Pass badge. Much to his surprise he didn't saw his old man. Ichigo sighted again, too many changes to his liking.

"I'll go explain you stay Sui-chan" said Ichigo knowing she wouldn't be able to get far away fearing anything might happen and she were not there

"Well you better get comfy this will be a long story, so save the questions for the latter" said Ichigo. So he begun telling them all he could remember; from their last resort attack (not telling yetJ) to suddenly reincarnating in another world without their past life memories. How they grew up in a world filled with Shinobi, who were they and how they fell in love, up to the tragic night of the October 10th, then waking up groggily from that strange resurrection jutsu to how they got back to SS. The whole story took about 2 to 3 hours, surprisingly even Kenpachi was silent for most of the telling and while at first he was bored out of his mind. Surprisingly at the first mentions that their son was right now at Orihime's care in emergency treatment he shut up and actually listened to the whole thing. Dare Ichigo hope that THE kenpachi had a soft spot for children? Food for thought, huh.

"That's all I guess, I still haven't asked Sui-chan what happened on her end; though I had my mind elsewhere at the time"

"That's understandable Ichigo-kun, now I think that's enough for the moment if it's not too much Ichigo I'd like to have a formal meeting tomorrow after breakfast so we can discuss what to do next in more detail. I believe you should go see your boy and your friends have a lot to catch up" replied Kyoraku with a smile as he adjusted his straw hat and eyed Ichigo's friends"

"Thanks Kyoraku-san" nodded Ichigo. The captains filled out and he was just gonna tell his friends to join him with Sui-Feng when he was blindsided by dropkick courtesy of a petite ravenette in captain haori

"What the hell, shrimp!" yelled Ichigo and got up ready to strike back when said girl hugged him stopping him in his tracks and soft sobs could be heard.

"Baka! Why do you always try to have the weight of world on your shoulders" she said between sobs

"I agree Kurosaki; be more selfish damn it, kami knows you've more than earn it" responded Uryu softly despite his impassive face while he adjusted his glasses.

"I'm glad you're back Ichigo" was all that the gentle giant known as chad said while he patted his shoulder. Ichigo stared at them for a moment and smiled he just nodded and silently thanked for the chance of seeing them again.

"I'm back everyone"

"And it better stay way strawberry! Come on lets meet your boy you bastard" said Renji in his captain haori.

"Come on Ichi-nii I want to meet my new nephew!" said Yuzu while tugging him to follow. Karin on her part just froze on her place with a bewildered expression when she heard her.

"What's the matter Karin" asked Rukia

"Well damn, it just hit me that I'm now officially an aunt" Ichigo snickered while she scowled at him

"Don't let it get to you, as long you don't pull some of Goat-chin antics you'll do just fine" they all laughed at that, while Karin went livid as she had a flash of her doing a "good morning" stunt. She growled and tried to "unthink" it, but she wasn't making good progress.

Tayuya was for the lack of a better wording, fucking scared shitless right now. For all her usual bravado that scared off most wimps in sound and kept at bay her other companions; right now she couldn't muster any of it. Starting with the invasion fiasco because of the strawberry monster, seriously those black waves of energy were like staring onto death itself or worse. There was a tinge of primal hunger in them and they freaking ATE or something like that, chakra like it was candy, WTF! The sound four barrier didn't last more than five secs. When the wave passed over her; somehow, again she felt like death walking over her. Then the monster blasted the whole thing apart and before she could register lord Orochimaru being heavily wounded, she was pinned to a wall by a freaking over-sized sword of all things. One would think that things couldn't get worse when she realized she was surrounded by Konoha Jounin, dupidity dah, she was proven wrong. The freaking walking death said he was taking her, oh joy. She tried to give "hell" so to speak, that went so not great.

Then came the most nerve wracking minutes, hours, days maybe even years; she couldn't be damned sure how much time they spent in that dark corridor. She felt minuscule, worthless, like a speck of dust on the butt of world smallest ameba before the black walls of void that surrounded them. She just couldn't describe them with another word, they felt like nothing literally. An all encompassing void pulled on to her; as if inviting her to join it and become nothing with it. She shivered at the memory; however the cherry on top of it all was the moment they came out of the void corridor. She was floored and her very soul wanted to leave her body as they came out. The two monster aura crashed onto her as if just now their auras had nowhere to go; maybe the void actually fed from the living or some shit like that. The air felt heavy and she could barley breath as she was slammed to the floor. She was taken to some sort of medical ward with the Uchiha prissy and the sand boy, the fools tried to make trouble and were quickly put to sleep. Then the monster aura resided, for a second she was relieved, the next she was scared out of her life; again!

While she never was at the level of the Karin brat, she was also an Uzumaki, even if she made sure the lord didn't find out. She was thankful to him but she wasn't stupid, she went through hell with the curse seal in those cells of his. That was without the lord knowing of her lineage; it was a matter of fact she would be strapped to the operating table should he discover that. Thankfully her hair went from red to pink with her transformation. So even if secretly, she was a damned Uzumaki and she sure as hell had some sensor capabilities. So when the monstrous auras banished she was suddenly surrounded by countless auras; some big, others small, some calm, others wild and even some felt like the elements. However all auras, without fail had a tint that scared her and made the final chip in her false bravado armor; they all felt like death. So here she was the great guardian of the sound four all curled up shivering in a corner; trying her best to make herself as small as possible and not draw attention upon herself, silently crying while she was literally surrounded by death. Then she was touched gently by some warm aura.

"Hey easy there, we aren't going to hurt you" and she felt a strong hand gently pat her head. She looked up with tear filled eyes and her breathing hitched, the monster death was in front of her

"Why are you crying girl?" asked another walking death with red hair and weird tattoos on his forehead. She wanted to lash out on the girl comment but held herself.

"Baka!" yelled another one as she hit the red haired one on the side "she's technically a war prisoner! Of course she'd be scared"

"It's not that, isn't it?" said sagely the orange haired death and she nodded after a moment's pause "Then?" he asked, she hesitated a moment

"I'm surrounded... By death, you all are death walking in people disguise" Tayuya responded very softly still scared. The group of seven looked stunned for a second then realization hit them, they were spirits and shinigami to top it all, sans Uryuu.

"Well fuck, she not that far off really" said Renji and Tayuya whimpered much to her chagrin. Said idiot got slugged by the petite one from the group.

"Hey it's okay, you are a prisoner but we won't hurt you or torture you I promise you that, I won't let anyone do so" Ichigo told her reassuringly while still petting her hair very gently. Tayuya couldn't help feel safe and couldn't remember a time she felt this calm, somehow she believed him. She just nodded and enjoyed the lukewarm feeling that radiated from his hand and actually pushed her head against his hand unconsciously trying to get more attention.

"Heh, not like anyone would dare trying get past you with that scowl of yours Ichi-nii" said Karin. Ichigo scowled again but said nothing.

"I'm sorry for earlier, but I was very concerned with my son's life. Like I said, don't worry we aren't bad people and most of the time they too aren't that bad, we won't hurt you" he said with a small smile while pointing his finger at the shinigami in general at the jab. However Tayuya's focus was on Ichigo as he strokes her cheek and whipped her tears away. She nodded numbly, her fears somewhat subdued. Really she felt pathetic but well she really, really was way over her head here, they even confirmed her claims indirectly so getting a reassurance for her safety even if just verbally was a kami-send.

"Wait, did he say son? Oh shit! If the brat dies I'm frikin' death… uhh I guess, whatever, brat better make it" she panicked again as she realized she had, if indirect, endangered the life of her only protector's son. She was about to go into another crisis when she felt enveloped by a warm sensation. Then she took notice that it was coming from the orange haired man he looked at her and gave her a reassuring smile, as if saying that everything would be alright. His aura slowly wafted around her calming her down. She idly wondered why he was so trusting with her since like the ravenette rightly put, she was a war prisoner and more than likely involved in some way to the harm on his son.

"Ano… what's your name?" tayuya asked coyly Ichigo chuckled a little but answered

"Ichigo, substitute shinigami, right now there are some issues regarding my surname but you can call me Ichigo"

"I know I'm not entitled to… but… can I remain under your watch, Ichigo… -sama?" everyone just stared at her and then to Ichigo.

"Che… still going at it I see Strawberry" snickered Renji

"Seems not even reincarnation could curb that down, Kurosaki-san" commented Ishida offhandedly.

"Oy, shut it!"

"Strawberry?" Ichigo sighted heavily, in a way the idiot Renji and Uryuu were right.

"As long as you behave, I guess I can give you that peace of mind. Are you hurt anywhere, can you move around?" he answered her while pinching his nose. She nodded fervently and stood up positioning herself at his side and behind him in deference like she used to do with her lord; or past-lord really. It was kind of a big gamble but she seriously felt she was safer here; being a prisoner and all; than in sound really. Ichigo on his part really wanted to object but decided against it for now, his Minato side really curbed down most of his outbursts. They headed to her wife reiatsu signature. She looked up to them before they arrived and smiled when she saw all of Ichigo's close friends and sisters but arched an eyebrow when she noticed the girl walking behind his husband in obvious submission. Just a s she was about to voice her annoyance at the pink-haired prisoner, loving looks on her man she got a good reading on her reiatsu.

"Uzumaki, huh? Look like second or maybe third generation" she said when they were near her. The girl stiffened at the comment and Sui-Feng realized that she probably was trying to hide that fact, good move actually. "Easy there girl, I'm also an Uzumaki; kinda" Sui-Feng told her with half a smirk.

She looked at her curiously as the red death (how fitting ;9) closed in on Ichigo…-sama. It became obvious to her that they were together as she leaned in and kissed him lovingly once then one more time more chastely. She leaned on him and rested her head on his chest.

"So did you tell them all?"

"Yeah, an abridged version of sorts, still took quite some time" answered Ichigo

"I'd imagine so; still so much has happened that it's hard to wrap my mind around it" said Sui-Feng

"Even beyond the afterlife the idiot pulls out one off his ass" quipped Renji

"Oy!"

"You know I believe the new generation has taken to call it off, when someone does something like that" added the just arriving Yoruichi with a light smirk.

"Yeah they call it, to pull off a Kurosaki" complemented Karin

"Great" complained Ichigo "Now my peculiar luck it's a thing to be call off" he complained as a scowl made its way, like always. Tayuya on his part remained silent but attentive to the whole exchange somewhat entranced by the easy going atmosphere despite the obvious jabs. Unlike very much so from the Sound Four where even if said jabs weren't followed by a fight, mostly, they were part of a statement of strength. At that moment the door to the operation room opened and Inoue stepped out. As she eyed the group before her she was hit with a wave of nostalgia and teared up slightly. This was not missed by all the group who just smiled and again relished the extraordinary second chance they were given.

"Inoue, how…" begun Ichigo a little afraid to finish the obvious question.

"Stable, we had some difficulty but the worst has passed over already and he's sleeping right now. I need to tell you that the reason we had so much difficulty treating him was a combination of chronic malnutrition, badly healed injuries, and very severe signs of child abuse" she said in a serious tone. The group was stunned not quite registering the implications of that but the two parents rapidly made some quick deductions. Rage surged from both of them and their reiatsus threatened to leak again, still they managed to rein them in, ever so slightly. Tayuya had a shiver ran up her spine.

"Inoue tell us what you found" all but growled Ichigo in a tone that broke no argument, but had eyes as cold as Ice

"But you need to…"

"All. Of. It." cut in Sui-Feng with simmering rage as her blood red hair waved a little in tail-like fashion and her expression heavily darkened. A loud gulping sound was heard from all and no one in particular.

Bit by bit he began to regain consciousness, slowly but surely. At first it felt like trying to walk on mud, every step he took was hampered by a resistance that dragged him back onto the darkness. A sweet whisper told him to stop, to rest and dream. He was so tempted to do it; to just stop, so tempted, alas he kept going despite the voice. He had a nagging in the back of his head that kept pushing him to walk to wake up, why would he need to wake up being awake? Somehow he knew he had to keep walking to get to wherever he was going. He was expected to return, not sure why though.

He kept going forward and eventually the mud began to recede and thin out; now it was more of a watery resistance. His mind cleared up as the resistance lessened. Images flashed before him to fast to see them in detail but he made out a duck butt haired prick; just thinking about it made him go back just to piss him off. Another flash and the idea of a screaming pink came up; as weird as that sounds. Why does he want her attention; it's a she right? Well better than not having attention at all; he counter argued himself. Not wanting to be in front someone and not exist despite of this.

Suddenly a pair of violet eye appeared front of him and bore him with their piercing gaze unwilling to see anything but him. he was the sole focus of them like anything else was unworthy of their attention. He stared at the beautiful eyes and wished they could be there for all eternity watching him; without contempt, hate, derision, or simply outright denial of his existence.

Almost immediately after the brief eternity, in his mind, that the eyes appeared before him. he felt surrounded by a overwhelming presence. It felt like being crushed by an entire ocean, yet the ocean enveloped him and warmed him. He was pulled softly deeper in to it like it wanted to guard him and keep him safe, he sure felt like it. there was kindness beside the warm feeling and strong protectiveness, as he was pulled deeper he felt something dark and a slight edge of cold. Trying to gaze at it he thought that it was like a predator coiled up ready to pounce on his prey. He was nervous for a second but then noticed that the darkness just gazed at him, scanned him of sorts and stood "guard" of sorts around him.

Little by little he stirred up and light entered his vision. An un familiar ceiling greeted him, but a very familiar scent did make it's appearance. Heavy anesthetics and alcohol wafted through his nose. He groaned and tried to stand up, or at least right himself up. He hoped a nurse wasn't present so he could get out of their backs before they tried something. He began to look for a way out, but unfortanely a nurse, he guessed, entered in a weird black get up.

"easy there little one, just rest for now" she said with a true smile

"WHa.." was all he could muster as the girl in orange hair smiled at him with true care and compassion without any form of deceit. He always prided himself in noticing the false smiles on the people. He should know he had wore a false smile so long he wasn't sure anymore his own wasn't. Yes he had never been very keen in academics; he kinda does better in hands on learning. But seeing through that kind of deceit was always easy for him and this girl wore the kindest smile and selfless he had seen directed at him.

"You had people worried sick for you young man. You better take care of your health better now, they were worried to death for you" she said gesturing to a couple sleeping in the chairs beside the bed. The man had orange hair with the tips yellowing out and the woman; she was the woman when he was battling the sand raccoon! Both were very much asleep and had bags under their eyes, the woman seemed very close to the man as she was leaned on his shoulder. He despite being asleep was straight up against the wall with his arms crossed and steady despite someone resting against him. He was like a tower, stalwart and steady.

"You are to remain here and not overexert yourself, Am I clear!" she said raising her voice very slightly in a tome that broke no argument as she looked Naruto in the eye. He could only nod hurriedly and gulp.

"H...a… ha..i!" just then a rufle of clothes was heard beside him and he was met with electric blue eyes much like his own and a very comfortable wave of warm; and a pair of the most intense a beautiful violet eyes that seemed to focus on him and only him. The couple smiled softly at him and with an incredible amount of emotion the first word they uttered was heavy with care, kindness, a bit possessive and most importantly… love. It was so ridiculous that it was directed at him and he shivered.

"Naruto…

… my sochi"

And thats a wrap up people sorry for the ubber late updates I'm nearing vacations so i'll be able to update soon.

I'm really glad for the possitive response to the story, at fisrt it was most of a drabble but it began to grown on me and decided to post it to see how people liked it, again thank you very much for the support

now right now i'm in a conundorum i'm split wether to keep naruto from the "yondaime explanation" and leave it for latter or make Ichigo and Sui-Feng come clean with it. I got a rough story line for both situations really but can't seem to lean on one of them, care share your opinion? i'll be checking the reviews or you can PM if you like

Fr05tyNu993t : really glad you like it, here's a chomp there'll be more for sure

In a few more days i'll update my other stories, so those that are following my other works be ready ;9

Thx for the support, as always hope you like it