"Kurosaki Ichigo!!!"
The call echoed throughout Karakura High, and for a few stretched seconds all was quiet. Then, although much softer, another voice was heard.
"Oh shit."
Activity exploded as Ichigo ran, shoving people out of his way and leaping over railings and stairs.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT." he chanted to himself. Tatsuki was mad, he didn't know why, but Tatsuki was mad, and it was being focused on him. There was only one viable course of action.
Get the hell out of Dodge.
"Ichigo-kun I..." Started Orihime
"No time Inoue! Just run!" He shouted to the eccentric girl as he ran by.
"I wonder why Kurosaki-kun is in such a hurry?"
Her answer ran by not a second later. Tatsuki gave a hurt look to Orihime as she ran by.
"We'll talk later, Orihime!" The martial arts champ shouted as she kept running.
The exit of the school was insight and Ichigo bowled over Keigo Asano as he burst through into freedom.
"Oh no you don't Kurosaki!" Came the shout.
Ichigo looked all around him, trying to find the seemingly omnipotent voice of Tatsuki.
Then he saw the shadow.
Over him.
And getting bigger.
He looked up and his eyes grew wide with fear.
Leaping from window was Tatsuki, whom a second later landed on the substitute Shinigami. Hurriedly, she put her knees over his arms so he couldn't move.
"Why didn't you tell me, Ichigo!?" She shouted.
"Tatsuki, what the hell are you talking-"
" Fuck you, Kurosaki!" She punched him in the face as hard as he could, making his head bounce off the pavement.
The panicked look was gone from Ichigo's face, replaced with one of complete seriousness.
"...What do you know, Tatsuki?" He asked quietly.
Tatsuki seemed slightly shaken by the abrupt lack of fight left in her childhood friend.
"Yoruichi told me everything...Why didn't you tell me Ichigo? I knew something was happening, and I wanted to help so bad, but no one ever let me in, so I thought maybe I was just being paranoid...but then yesterday happened, and Yoruichi told me so much...Why couldn't you just trust me!?"
She raised her fist again.
"I didn't want you getting hurt." He replied, his voice steely.
Tatsuki knew that voice. Ichigo used that voice when he was absolutely sure about something, but knew whoever heard it wouldn't like it.
She punched him in the chest.
"We're friends Ichigo...Doesn't that mean anything?"
"I didn't want you getting hurt." He repeated.
"Well guess what, shit head!? I was! Twice! I've been attacked by hollow's twice now! So good job there!"
"I'm sorry I wasn't there fast enough." Ichigo's eyes drifted to the side.
"Dammit Ichigo...that's not the point you idiot." She said.
"I know...and I'm sorry Tatsuki. Why did Yoruichi tell you this?"
Tatsuki sighed. "That's....that's a long story. Come on, let's find Inoue."
She helped him up and put her arm around him as they walked.
"Hey Ichigo?" She prompted.
"Yea?"
"Why did you let me land on you?"
"Because, stupid. I didn't want you to land on asphalt from two stories up."
"...Thanks."
Hirako Shinji looked down on the two from the classroom the two were supposed to be in. They had to get to the kid, and soon, because he knew from watching, that hollow was going to be a bitch to subdue.
1234567890-
A couple hours later...
Ichigo found it awkward that Tatsuki was the one comforting Orihime over the recent revelations.
"So...your biological parents have been around since like...the beginning of time?" the Shinigami asked.
"Pretty much."
"Have you talked to..." he struggled for the right word to use "them about it?"
Tatsuki rolled her eyes. "No. I haven't talked to them about it. That will come tonight...or tomorrow. Or maybe never."
Orihime's bawling increased in volume. Tatsuki smacked her lightly on the head.
"Orihime, if I'm not crying about it, why are you?"
"It-it-it's just so saaaaaaaaaad!"
"So what are you going to do now that Yoruichi dropped all this on you?" Ichigo asked.
"She's going to train me."
Ichigo bowed his head and pinched his nose.
"I am so, so sorry, Tatsuki."
"Ichigo I already told you, I forgive you guys for not telling me anything."
"No. Not that."
"Then what?"
"Your sister" he looked at his childhood friend in the eyes "is a total bitch when it comes to training."
Tatsuki sighed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm heading to the address Yoruichi told me to go to...some shop, The Urahara Shoten or something."
"Seeya Tatsuki, Orihime." Ichigo waved as they left his room.
"Bye, Kurosaki-kun..." Inoue hiccuped.
When Ichigo turned around, it was to the sight of Hirako Shinji leaning against his window that greeted him.
"The Goddess of Flash isn't the only one who is a harsh task mistress, Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Hirako..." Ichigo growled. "I thought I told you that you and your organization could fuck off."
Shinji tapped his zanpakuto against his shoulder, smiling widely.
"I don't think you understand, Ichigo. You either accept my invitation or....you die."
For a moment things seemed to move in slow motion as Ichigo dove for his Shinigami in a flash, Shinji had grabbed Ichigo by the neck of his shirt before the substitute Shinigami could reach his medallion. He shunpo'd them out of the room, far across the city.
"If you kill me, I'll just kick your ass harder." Ichigo threatend.
"Don't be stupid. I don't want to kill you."
"I told you, I won't join your group."
Crunch. Ichigo reeled back as Shinji punched him in the nose.
"Your two girl friends back there? Do you like them, are they really your friends?" Shinji asked, lifting Ichigo higher into the air.
"What kind of question is that!?"
"Answer."
"Of course they are!"
"Bull shit. If they were you'd be a lot more receptive to what I'm offering you. I won't kill you now, Kurosaki. I'll kill you when your Hollow takes over and devours your friends."
"Wha?"
"What? You think he's content to just try and take over when your fighting, to screw you in a fight against the Arrancar? This is a fight for your soul, and your too big of a pussy to take a stand. It'll get worse, Ichigo. And when it does, you'll seek us out."
He promptly dropped Ichigo.
"Shiiiiiiit!" Ichigo yelled as he fell to the sidewalk. "You asshole!" He shouted to the sky, but the Vizard had already left.
Ichigo sighed and looked down.
Is that what will happen if I don't accept? I need to talk to someone about this.
He continued his walk home in deep contemplation, until he noticed a pair of footsteps that had fallen in line behind him.
He stopped.
They stopped.
He turned around.
The person stared at him, then smiled brightly.
"Hiya, Ichigo" He ignored the 'Do I know you?' and continued "Are you going to see Tatsuki-chan?"
"I guess...me and her are going to the same place. How do you know Tatsuki?"
From his build...maybe he's one of the guys at the Dojo.
"Ah. I'm her dad, Uzumaki Naruto."
Ichigo looked dumbfounded for a second.
So this is that guy...thats as old as the world itself.
"Wait a sec! As in the owner of that bar dads always getting trashed at?"
"Huh. Isshin rarely gets smashed. Guess he really has you guys fooled." he ignored Ichigo's sputtering and continued. "Anyway, I saw you and Shinji a bit ago and thought I'd stop by. You are going to Kisuke's, right?"
Ichigo could only nod dumbly.
"Now. I understand you've seen my daughter, Yoruichi, naked. I want to lay down a few ground rules. Especially if you're interested in Tatsuki-chan too..."
--------------------------------------------------
1234567890-
Urahara looked up as he felt the tell tale spirit pressure of Kurosaki Ichigo approaching.
So he ignored Shinji's invitation...
"Ah, Kurosaki-kun, Uzumaki-kun! How can this humble shop keep help you gentlemen?"
"Yoruichi and Tatsuki are downstairs?" Naruto asked.
Urahara nodded, and Naruto walked into the shop.
"And you Kurosaki-kun? I assume you weren't just helping old man Uzumaki across the road."
"I heard that, asshole!" Naruto's voice rang out from the shop.
Ichigo sighed. Why did everyone have to be so damn eccentric?
"Listen...I have a problem and I need your help." The teen started.
Naruto climbed down the ladder into the massive area below.
Didn't I blow up that mountain earlier...Urahara sure works quick.
"How am I supposed to access my reiatsu if you keep hitting me!? And how does this ridiculous gear help!?"
Naruto grinned as he saw his two daughters.
"Two reasons, squirt! One. I'm you're big sister, and I have about 15 years of bullying to get in. Two. The gear actually helps you access your power easier. That it makes you look like a moron is just a bonus."
"It's so nice to see my cute little daughters bonding!" Naruto said.
His daughters eyes widened.
"Papa!" Yoruichi shouted.
Tatsuki was sure she hadn't blinked...but she must have. There was no way Yoruichi could have moved from where they were to...him that fast.
She took a deep breath as she took in her father...her real father. She didn't even know she had a fake father until just a short time ago.
She wasn't ready for this. Her breath quickened.
She was supposed to see him on her terms, dammit! Her hands clenched.
Why would he come here, knowing what he did? Her eyes narrowed.
"Who the fuck do you think you are!?" She snapped. Urahara's gear burned in the fiery reiatsu that enveloped her.
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"I think she's unlocked her power, Yoruichi-chan." He said, watching his youngest daughter rushing at him, her eyes aflame. Yoruichi nodded, grinning.
1234567890123456789
"So I need you to...get rid of it." Ichigo finished.
"No." Was the blunt reply.
"What? Listen to me, Sandal-Hat, I'm going to be eaten by what apparently is my Hollow side, then eat all my friends. What part of that don't you get?"
"I don't think you understand, Ichigo. Your Hollow is an extremely powerful force, but not unstoppable. Or rather...it's not as though you can't harness that power. Did Hirako-san really seem like a Hollow to you?"
Ichigo paused, reflecting.
"No, he didn't."
"Exactly. That's because Hirako and the others like him have learned to dominate their Hollow side. They are the absolute Kings of their soul and can wield both the power of a Shinigami and a Hollow."
"So...can you help me? Can't you make some device that will let me do it?" Ichigo asked.
"Sure can," Urahara responded brightly.
Ichigo smiled. "Great! When do we get started?"
"But I won't." Kisuke finished.
"WHAT!?"
"Go back to the Vizard. This is something inside yourself you need to face, Kurosaki-kun. The Vizard are the best prepared to help you."
Ichigo sighed and gripped his head in frustration.
"I see...So I really have no choice then." He said to himself.
Urahara nodded.
"I'm sorry...Really, Ichigo. I'm sorry I conned you into all this."
Ichigo grunted. "Well...that finishes that. I'll see you around, Sandle-Hat."
"You don't want to visit with Yoruichi-chan and Tatsuki-chan?"
Ichigo chuckled. "Thats a family reunion I want no part in."
He walked off.
1234567891`234567890
Naruto watched, almost as if in slow motion, as Tatsuki threw her first punch, fist enveloped in red reiatsu. The fist connected with a crack and Naruto stumbled back. Tatsuki pressed on her enraged assault. Another punch, another kick, Naruto endured as his youngest pummeled him with newly discovered power.
"Why didn't you keep me!?" She shouted, throwing another punch.
Naruto caught it. "Because we couldn't handle the hurt anymore."
"What about me?! Didn't I deserve to stay with you?" She threw the other fist.
A smaller, softer hand caught it, but the punch was stopped firm none the less. Long, flowing blond hair floated down to the owners shoulders as she landed. Blue eyes as striking as Naruto's stared at Tatsuki.
"It's not about that, Tatsuki-chan...Me and Naruto...we've been alive for" She paused to think. "over ten thousand years. Imagine all of our children that we've seen die. The longest you children live is one hundred years. To us...thats the blink of an eye, and then that deep bond is gone after only a blink. Yoruichi-chan is the only one to ever remember us.
"Yugito..."Naruto said softly.
Tatsuki stared at her two biological parents, mouth agape. She was trying to understand, to grasp this whole insane situation.
"Tatsuki-chan...We don't expect you to come rushing to us. The people that have raised you are good and loving people and we would never have you abandon them. If you want, after this war, you will never see us again." Yugito Nii explained.
Tatsuki's reiatsu exploded again and she broke her arms free.
"Shut up! You don't get to run away twice! You made a mistake, and now you have to make up for it, so don't try saying you'll just disappear again!" She shouted.
Naruto and Yugito smiled
12345678901234567890123456789.
The neon lights lit up The House of Spirits. Naruto walked behind the counter, flicked on the TV, and started cleaning glasses.
Tatsuki had red reiatsu...that's a first.
Barking laughter resounded in his head.
You will find that her red reiatsu is not so different from our chakra.
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
You swore not to interfere with the children after-
I swore nothing. Besides, as you can see, she did not produce the same results.
You said it's similar to our chakra. Can she use jutsu?
Kyuubi snorted. Of course not. You know as well as I do that us and the Nibi container are the last able to use chakra.
Naruto looked up as he heard the bell on the door jingle.
The man that walked in wore a black wool coat and khakis. He had brown hair that was swept back, a single bang stylishly hanging in his face. His warm brown eyes promised comfort and understanding and he had a reassuring smile adorning his face.
"Uzumaki-dono. How are you doing?"
Naruto raised an eye brow.
"Sosuke. What will you have?"
Aizen took a barstool. "I would enjoy a flaming B-52."
Naruto nodded and started mixing the necessary drinks carefully.
"Your arrancar overstepped their boundaries, Sosuke." He lit the drink on fire with a snap of his fingers.
"Oh?"
"The big one attacked innocents, specifically, my youngest was almost killed in his carelessness."
Aizen sighed. "I'm terribly sorry, Naruto. Yammi tends to get...out of hand. I promise he will be punished."
Naruto nodded. "She's started getting training. She is going to get involved in this war."
Aizen nodded this time. "She is friends with Kurosaki-kun. It is to be expected. I will order the Arrancar to restrain her in the case she interferes so as to ensure minimum harm. I believe that ought to tie up my end of our agreement?"
"You know how to get to the Spirit King, my family is safe from your war with the Shinigami."
"With exception of course. I can hardly be expected to show restraint with the Goddess of Flash on the battle field...amongst others."
"I do not like it...but I agree. What of our other agreement?"
Aizen smiled as he finished his drink.
"That brings me to why I am here, my friend. I would like your help. Your immense power would be a boon to our mutual goal."
Naruto stared into the ex-captain's eyes.
"Of course, I do not expect an immediate answer. You do know how to reach Las Noches, correct? I'm afraid I can't make it back to Karakura for quite some time."
"I'll think about it, Aizen."
"Then farewell, my friend. I hope to hear your answer soon, whatever it may be. I'll have tea ready." The powerful man laid his money on the table and walked out.
Naruto sighed.
Jiraiya...you'd kick my ass for even thinking about this.