Naruto: Holy freakin cow! We're shinigami!
Sasuke: This is nice...I like it.
Kasumi: How about who we got as captains and vice-captains! I love Momo-chan!
Tenten: That's nothing! I get to be with the cutest shinigami in the story! Yachiru-chan is the best!
Hinata and Haku: We love Captain Retsu!!!!!
Ino: I think Captain Komamura is like a big stuffed animal...so kawaii!!!
Chouji: I was made for 11th Division!
Neji:...
Neokenshin: Hey, why's Neji so quiet?
Naruto: I think Soifon already started to wear off on him.
Haku: Or maybe it's the other way around!
Neji: Whatever.
Neokenshin: Well it seems that this will be a good spinoff. I think a lot of people will like it.
Kasumi: We all do!
Neokenshin: Well then let's continue with the story. But first I have to give a big shout of thanks to one of my loyal readers...RasenganFin, if it wasn't for you're idea of a "Fanfic within a Fanfic" I never would have come up with this idea. Thanks a ton man! For that, I have something special planned to thank you.
Naruto: Ok ok, just so everyone knows, Neokenshin doesn't own Naruto and Bleach, but he does own Kasumi and the Illumina Concept.
Chapter 2: Everyday life as a shinigami.
"Well ladies, I'd like to welcome you to your new home for the time being." Retsu said to Hinata and Haku. "I think you'll be very happy here in 4th division." The three entered the building and noticed it was a lot like a hospital.
"This looks like the hospital back in Konoha." Haku said.
"Well, being healing specialist, this is more fitting wouldn't you say?" Retsu said.
"So normally 4th Division is the support team? Do you ever do any fighting?" Hinata asked.
"We don't specialize in combat, per se. Usually 4th Division is picked on as being the weakest Division because of what we do." Retsu said. "We really get picked on the most from 11th Division, since they're pure combat specialists."
"If they only knew that a good support allows combat to go as long as possible." Haku said.
"I like the way you think. Plus I have a feeling that with you two, 11th Division will think twice before saying 4th Division is weak. From what I remember after reading your backgrounds, you were both very accomplished shinobi." Retsu replied.
"Well, we weren't really that good. We were only genin before we died." Haku said.
"Haku, one's power isn't measured by how much they have, but how they can use it." Retsu said. "Besides having two combat medical shinigami will be very good on the field. The two of you can help give so much to our division."
"It's too bad we don't have our bloodlines anymore." Haku said. "Then we'd really have an edge."
"Oh yes, I remember that. Haku, you had control over water and ice, while Hinata had the Byakugan, or all seeing eye." Retsu said.
"You must know a lot about us." Hinata said.
"I like to read up on all of the members in my Division. It gives a warmer atmosphere when you know about your family." Retsu said. "That's how we bond so close."
"You know, I think Kasumi talked just like that when I first met her." Hinata said.
"Well, she is your sister, right?" Retsu said.
"Yeah, you could say that." Hinata replied.
"Come on, let's introduce you to everyone and get you settled into your room." Retsu said. She led Hinata and Haku through the busy rooms of the 4th Division to her office. Her Vice-captain was finishing some paperwork, so she was able to meet the new members.
"Hinata, Haku, I'd like you to meet my Vice-captain, Isane Kotetsu." Retsu said. "Isane, please meet the two newest members of 4th Division, Hinata Hyuuga and Haku Uzumaki."
"Hi welcome to 4th Division." Isane said. "You will really like it here. Captain Retsu is one of the best captains to be under."
"Isane, no need for flattery." Retsu said.
"See, she's modest too!" Isane said.
"Hinata, I think we're really going to like it here." Haku said.
"Too bad Naruto-kun and Neji-kun couldn't be here." Hinata said.
"I take it those are your best friends?" Isane said.
"More like boyfriends." Retsu said, causing Hinata and Haku to blush. "Don't worry, we may work hard here, but we also take time out to relax and rest. Isane could you get their schedules ready, then show them to their room?"
"Right away Captain Retsu." Isane said.
"Take care girls. I look forward to seeing good things from you." Retsu said
"Thank you Captain Retsu, we won't let you down." Hinata replied.
"Ok, let me see here." Isane said, looking through some files. "Here we go. There's an empty room on the third floor. Room 341…hey you guys get to stay on my floor!"
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Haku asked.
"It depends on what night it is." Isane said. "Tonight we have shinigami pillow dueling."
"Sounds like fun." Hinata said.
"It's a blast." Isane replied. She found two more documents containing the schedules for the girls, and proceeded to lead them out of the office.
"So we get two days off a week, and we get paid monthly." Haku said.
"Yes. After your first 5 years, you get a one week vacation, and every 10 years after you can earn an extra week up to 4 weeks paid vacation." Isane said.
"So how long have you been in 4th Division?" Hinata asked.
"This will be my 450th year." Isane replied.
"450!!! But you look like you're our age!" Haku asked.
"Oh, that. You didn't know that you could use your reiatsu to change your age?" Isane said. "That's why Captain Hitsugaya looks so young. And you've obviously never seen Yachiru-chan!"
"Who's that?" Hinata asked.
"She's the Vice-captain of 11th Division. Right now she holds the title of "Cutest Shinigami" based on the rankings from the Shinigami Women's Association." Isane replied. "Trust me, you'll understand why when you meet her."
"Nice. We'll have to try that." Hinata said, before someone crashed into her.
"Oh, forgive me! I'm so sorry!" said the young shinigami.
"Hanataro, you have to watch where you're going." Isane said, helping Hanataro up.
"Vice-captain! I'm sorry! I was trying to get these papers to Captain Retsu and I wasn't looking." Hanataro said. He then noticed Hinata was still on the ground, so he helped her up. "I'm really sorry miss, I didn't mean to run in to you like that."
"It's ok. You're not hurt are you?" Hinata asked.
"No, I'm usually this clumsy." Hanataro said. "By the way, my name is Hanataro Yamada. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Hinata Hyuuga. This is my sister Haku Uzumaki. We just joined 4th Division today." Hinata replied. She slowly noticed Hanataro was blushing when he looked at her.
"Really! That's great! You'll like being here." Hanataro said, growing more red faced.
"Hanataro, are you blushing?" Isane said.
"Well, I…um…well" Hanataro stuttered. Hinata just laughed.
"It's ok. I was the same way before I met my sister Kasumi." Hinata replied. "I hope we get to work together Hanataro."
"Me too." Hanataro said, before remembering what time it was. "Sorry, I gotta go. Nice meeting you two!" With that he ran off in search of Captain Retsu.
"He's kind of a nobody isn't he?" Hinata asked.
"Unfortunately yeah. He's got a big heart though." Isane said.
"And I think he might have though Hinata was cute too!" Haku said. "Looks like she might have a secret admirer!"
"Haku-chan! I have a boyfriend, remember!" Hinata said. "But I see a lot of potential in him. With a little time…and a little help from Kasumi, I bet we can make him well known."
"Captain Retsu was right. You two will fit in perfectly here." Isane said. With that, she led them to their room and helped them get moved in. Isane had finished up her work for the day, so she took the girls around and showed them the common areas of the Seireitei.
"You know, I haven't seen too many female shinigami around." Kasumi asked.
"Well, most of them are in the 12th Division or the 4th Division. A lot of them go in for research or healing." Momo replied.
"So what does the 5th Division do?" Kasumi asked.
"We're mostly into reconnaissance. Normally we work with the 10th Division for various missions where we need to gather lots of information. We usually plan the strategies, while 10th Division focuses on the stealth needed to accomplish the mission." Momo said.
"Really! That means I get to work with Naruto and Sasuke!" Kasumi said.
"I take it those two mean a lot to you?" Momo said.
"Well, Naruto's been with me forever. He's been the best brother I could ever have." Kasumi said. "And Sasuke, well, he's just…"
"I take it he's your childhood love." Momo said.
"Yeah, he is." Kasumi said. "What about you Vice-Captain Hinamori?"
"Please, call me Momo." Momo said. "I guess you could say I like Shiro-chan."
"Shiro-chan…you mean Captain Hitsugaya!" Kasumi said.
"Yeah, we grew up together in the Rukongai district before we became shinigami." Momo said. "He's been my best friend and he even risked his life for me during Captain Aizen's betrayal."
"Speaking of him, how did you take it?" Kasumi asked.
"Well, Captain Aizen was someone I greatly admired, because he knew so much about everything." Momo said. "When I became his Vice-captain, I was so happy because I knew I had made him proud."
"Why would he betray everyone like he did?" Kasumi asked.
"He had reached the limits of his power. Captain Aizen excelled in all forms of shinigami combat, and wanted to become stronger." Momo said. "That's what caused him to turn on everyone…and nearly kill me."
"Momo, I'm so sorry!" Kasumi said.
"It's ok Kasumi. I realized that I relied on him way too much after I became a Vice-Captain." Momo said. "After that incident I realized that I couldn't always rely on someone for help. I have to be able to stand on my own feet."
"Momo, standing on your own feet is good, but it never hurts to have a friend there for you when you need them." Kasumi said.
"You know, I bet all the other captains are hating me for choosing you. Well except for Captain Retsu." Momo said.
"You know, I'm wondering about something. When Aizen left, you took over as Captain, right?" Kasumi said.
"Kind of. You see, I fill in and take over the tasks at hand that a Captain would do. However I haven't been promoted to Captain rank yet because I can't perform Tobiume's Bankai." Momo said.
"Tobiume, that's your zanpakuto." Kasumi asked.
"It is." Momo said. "But I'm trying as hard as I can to perform Bankai, but it's just been so difficult."
"How long have you been at it?" Kasumi said.
"About 5 years." Momo said.
"That long!" Kasumi said. "Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me if I'm going to become the future captain of the 14th Division."
"That's another reason why I chose you." Momo said. "I'm going to help you in every way I can to make sure you become the best captain you can be."
"Only if I can help you do the same." Kasumi replied.
"Then it looks like we have a lot of work to do." Momo said. "And now the Vice-captain's room can be taken."
"But isn't that your room?" Kasumi said.
"Ever since Captain Aizen left, I moved into his old room. So my room is vacant, and you can move in."
"Sounds like a plan." Kasumi said.
"So I take it you like combat Captain Zaraki?" Tenten asked.
"That I do. It's been a while since I've seen two shinigami with sword skills as your own." Kenpachi said.
"You've obviously never saw Tenten as a kid!" Chouji said. "The girl could hit 100 targets dead on in a row!"
"Oh really?" Kenpachi said, pulling a small knife from his pocket. "Ok then, see that poster on the wall over there? Hit it with this."
"You're kidding, right?" Tenten said.
"Not in the least." Kenpachi said, tossing the knife to Tenten. The instant she caught it, she did a slight spin and threw the knife, hitting the poster dead center."
"Told ya she was good." Chouji said.
"That you did." Kenpachi said. "Come on you two, time to meet the rest of the grunts."
Kenpachi led Chouji and Tenten into the 11th Division where everyone was in the common area. It seemed like they were having a party or something.
"Whoa, is it always like this?" Chouji said.
"Of course. They're all busy anyway, 'cept for Yumichika over there doing paperwork." Kenpachi said.
"Wait…you call having fun being busy, and doing paperwork as doing nothing?" Tenten said.
"Why not. Work can get done at any time, but fun comes first." Kenpachi said. "Now to shut these guys up for a bit. HEY YOU FREAKS LISTEN UP!" With that the entire division turned to see their captain. All you could hear was cheering to show the level of respect they had for Kenpachi.
"Took ya long enough to get back." Ikkaku replied.
"I had to go get some new recruits, Ikkaku." Kenpachi said. "Listen up, we got fresh meat here! Chouji and Tenten, straight out of the academy."
"So you got us a meat tank and a…girl???" Ikkaku said, before he got bit in the head by a young shinigami with pink hair. "Yaa! Vice-captain Yachiru!"
"Hey baldy, what was that about a girl?" Yachiru said, jumping onto Kenpachi's back. "So Ken-chan, these are the new members?"
"Absolutely Yachiru. Trust me, I've seen them fight, and they'll fit in just fine here." Kenpachi said.
"Good. Chub-chub can go with Pachinko-head here, and Ten-chan stays with me." Yachiru said.
"Good idea Yachiru. Alright guys, make 'em feel at home." Kenpachi said. Ikkaku took Chouji and introduced him to the rest of the guys while Yachiru took Tenten back to her room.
"Yeesh, they're all a bunch of goofs." Yachiru said. "Well, least we got another girl in here."
"Another? You mean you're the only girl in 11th Division?" Tenten asked.
"You bet. And I'm the Vice-captain too." Yachiru said.
"No kidding!" Tenten said. "Well you rock then!"
"Don't mention it. Besides, I may have this cute demeanor all the time, but hanging around all these guys gets kinda lonely. That's why you're gonna move in with me." Yachiru said.
"But is it fair that I live with the Vice-captain?" Tenten said.
"Would you rather be stuck taking baths with all those guys?" Yachiru said. "At least here you have a private bathroom."
"You make a very good point Vice-captain." Tenten said.
"Ten-chan, one more thing. As your Vice-captain, I order you NEVER to call me that again! It really makes me unhappy." Yachiru said. "And Ken-chan doesn't like it when I'm unhappy!"
"Well, what should I call you?" Tenten said.
"Make something up?" Yachiru said.
"How about…Chiru-chan?" Tenten said.
"Chiru-chan? Ok that works." Yachiru said. "Oh and one more thing, you're now an official member of the Shinigami Women's Association."
"Sure thing Chiru-chan…I guess." Tenten said, her eye slightly twitching.
As for Chouji, everyone had already gotten him into an 11th Division tradition…the new recruit eating contest. Normally they would have the new guy eat as much ramen as he could to see how he would stack up to the rest of the squad. Currently no one had beaten the reigning champion Kenpachi, who held it at 75 bowls of ramen, but the way Chouji was going…he'd beat that record in a heartbeat. He even got a new nickname just from being there for 10 minutes!
"Keep going Meat Tank!" said one of the other shinigami.
"Captain Zaraki, where did you find this guy! He's a freaking animal!" Ikkaku said, watching Chouji take down another bowl of ramen. "He's only been here for 10 minutes and he's already taken down 50 bowls!"
"That's what I'm talking about! He's got a bottomless stomach and I bet he can take out 50 hollows just to eat again!" Kenpachi said.
"Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna bring more food!!!" Chouji screamed.
"Yumichika, get this guy more food!" Kenpachi said.
"Right away Captain!" Yumichika said.
"11th Division for life!" Chouji screamed, enjoying his new home.
"You got that right! HOO RAH!" everyone else screamed.
"Captain Komamura, can I ask you a question?" Ino asked.
"What is it, Ino?" Komamura replied.
"Why do you have that bamboo helmet on?" Ino asked. "I mean are you hiding something?" She then noticed he looked fairly nervous at her question.
"That's nothing you should be concerned with." Komamura said.
"Oh really?" Ino replied. "Come on, whatever it is, it can't be that bad."
"Why is it that you wish to know so badly?" Komamura replied.
"Trust me, I was the most superficial girl in Konoha. My looks were everything!" Ino said. "I did everything I could to try to impress Sasuke Uchiha, and it still didn't work! But eventually I learned something."
"What would that be?" Komamura replied.
"I learned that true beauty is found on the inside, not the outside." Ino said. "I learned that the hard way after being rejected countless times. So now will you tell me what's under that helmet?"
"You have quite an eye for things Ino." Komamura said. "Very well, I will show you." Komamura removed his helmet to reveal he definitely wasn't human.
"That's it?" Ino said. "You had me thinking you looked like some weird freaky looking demon thing."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Komamura said.
"My best friends are Kitsune Hanyou. Plus I've seen a guy turn into some freaky demonic brute thing with orange skin. That and Orochimaru was bad enough! That snake freak was the worst!" Ino replied.
"So it doesn't bother you that I am not a human?" Komamura asked.
"You kidding? Actually, I think you're kinda cute. You're like a big fluffy stuffed animal." Ino said with a smile. That one easily threw off Komamura.
"Uhh, well, thank you for your compliments." Komamura said, slightly blushing. "I had removed this helmet before, but after the betrayal I suffered, I wore it once again to hide my shame."
"Who betrayed you?" Ino asked.
"It was one of the former captains, Kaname Tousen." Komamura said. "I learned of it when Aizen caused the Soul Society to go into chaos. He was one of the first people I became friends with."
"But why would he betray you?" Ino asked.
"He said it was his way of justice. To this day I still refuse to believe him." Komamura said.
"What would you do if you ever met him again? Would you kill him if you had to?" Ino asked.
"That question runs through my mind day and night." Komamura said. "A part of me wants revenge, but a part also wants to see him repent for his actions and return to the Gotei 13."
"Well I think that you should keep the helmet off and always try stay positive. That's what me and my friends did when Sasuke turned on us." Ino said.
"So you felt the sting of betrayal as well." Komamura said.
"We all did. Though it wasn't Sasuke's own doing that caused him to turn against us." Ino said. "If Orochimaru never put that cursed seal on him, then he never would have turned. But the fight against Sasuke wasn't easy."
"Interesting. Please continue." Komamura said.
"You see, Orochimaru's seal drove Sasuke to try and gain more power. It really messed with his head, and nearly caused him to kill all of us. If it wasn't for Naruto and Kasumi, then we would have been worse off." Ino replied. "But even though we knew it wasn't Sasuke's fault, we still believed that he would return to us."
"You're positive thinking is quite remarkable. I commend you on that." Komamura said. "I have a feeling you and I can learn much together."
"I'll probably be the one doing most of the learning." Ino said.
"Not really. Sometimes even an old dog can learn a new trick." Komamura said.
As for Neji and his new captain Soifon…they pretty much walked back to the 2nd Division building in silence, though Neji did hear her say one thing.
"I expect good things from you, Hyuuga. Strangely enough…you remind me of someone. But I will see if that expectation is true." Soifon said.
"Of course Captain Soifon, you will get nothing but the best from me." Neji replied.
"Good." Soifon replied.
"Look at this, we're dead and we still rock as a team Sasuke!" Naruto said.
"Yeah and who would have though we'd end up in this Division!" Sasuke said.
"Let's just say I kept an eye on all of you while you were in the Academy." Hitsugaya said. "From what I learned about you two, you were the best in team fighting when you were alive."
"Oh you shoulda seen some of the stuff we did together." Naruto said. "Our Rasengan/Chidori combo was evil! And what about our Vortex Flare Illumina Combo!"
"Nice. Then I'm sure you guys will fit in just fine here." Hitsugaya said. "One question though, do you two ever wish you still had your abilities that you had when you were still alive?"
"I know Sasuke does." Naruto said.
"What's that supposed to mean? What about you, dobe!" Sasuke replied.
"Ok I take that as a yes. Now tell me, what kind of skills did you two have?" Hitsugaya said.
"Well, as for our normal ninja skills, those consisted of clones, replacement techniques, transformations. Those were the basics." Naruto said. "But for custom skills, I had my family jutsu, the Rasengan."
"As for me, I had a jutsu called Chidori, and my bloodline limit, the Sharingan." Sasuke said.
"Bloodline limit? Ok, now what exactly is that?" Hitsugaya asked.
"Well, certain clans have specific abilities that only members of their family can use. Hinata and Neji's family had an ability called the Byakugan, which enhanced their vision immensely. Haku had an ability that gave her complete control over ice. Ino's family specialized in mental manipulation. Chouji's family had the ability to increase their body size." Sasuke said. "As for me, my Sharingan allowed me to easily copy certain techniques used by my opponents, and it gave me the ability to create powerful illusions."
"Seems like advanced level kido to me." Hitsugaya said.
"You could say that. You know, now that I think of it…shinigami skills are just like ninja skills." Naruto said. "Kido is like ninjutsu, and shunpo and hand to hand are like taijutsu."
"Heh too bad there's nothing like genjutsu. A good illusion always comes in handy." Sasuke said.
"Actually it depends on your zanpakuto." Hitsugaya said. "I can tell you I know from experience."
"There's a zanpakuto that creates illusions?" Naruto said.
"Actually I only know of one. Kyoka Suigetsu…Sousuke Aizen's zanpakuto." Hitsugaya said.
"No way!" Naruto replied.
"I'm serious. Though it didn't create illusions. It simply placed whoever saw it in a state of complete hypnosis. Every single sense would be altered to his will. He could make a swamp look like a field of flowers, and you'd never know the difference until he released the hypnosis." Hitsugaya replied. "That's how he was easily able to place the entire Soul Society into chaos."
"Why would he even go so far to do that?" Naruto said.
"Naruto, even you should know this one." Sasuke said. "He's just like Orochimaru…he has a lust for power."
"Sasuke's right. Aizen pushed himself to learn everything a shinigami can, and once he reached his limit, he couldn't go any further." Hitsugaya said. "His lust to become stronger pushed him to find ways of increasing his power…and he found it."
"How?" Sasuke asked.
"He couldn't get stronger though shinigami power, so he decided on the next best thing…hollow powers." Hitsugaya said. "Only there was one problem. It's impossible for hollow power and shinigami power to mix…or so we thought."
"What did he do?" Naruto asked.
"He found the one thing that could pursue his dream…the Hougyoku (Orb of Distortion)." Hitsugaya replied. "With it he could dissolve the barrier between shinigami and hollow and access the powers of both. It's also how he was able to create so many arrancar."
"Heh well it's a good thing he never met Orochimaru. If those two came in contact, there's no telling how bad things could get." Naruto said.
"Yeah you said it. We'd be in for the fight of our dead lives if that happened." Sasuke said.
"That may be true, but from what I can tell, we've got nine of the best shinigami for the job now. Aizen won't know what he's in for once you all achieve Bankai." Hitsugaya said. "Well enough about all this talk. Let's get you two settled in."
Back in Hueco Mundo…
"So how is our new arrancar coming, Aizen-sama?" Ichimaru asked.
"Quite nicely. Being sealed in that human for so long weakened him greatly, but in time he will be back up to top form." Aizen said. "What's even better is the fact that he already has a zanpakuto…namely one of the ten legendary Illumina Zanpakuto."
"So you mean we have a Vasto Lorde class arrancar…with a legendary zanpakuto!" Ichimaru replied.
"That we do. Once he has healed and has had time to master his zanpakuto…we shall finally strike and destroy the Soul Society once and for all." Aizen replied. "For now, I need you prepare a team of arrancar."
"For what Aizen-sama?" Ichimaru asked.
"I need them to find out what happened to the other nine Illumina Zanpakuto. But do not send them out for another 20 years." Aizen replied.
"Why wait that long?" Ichimaru asked.
"That will give whoever possesses the zanpakuto time to unlock their Shikai, and if we're lucky…even their Bankai. That will make finding them even easier.
"As you wish Aizen-sama." Ichimaru said, leaving the room.
"Now now…why don't we take time to get to know each other…Orochimaru." Aizen said.
And pretty much the team begins their every day life as shinigami. The next chapter will shoot some years forward, giving everyone time to learn their Shikai. Also thanks to an idea from Dragon Man 180, I have though of having the a few of the shinigami on a normal mission finding a child that is just about to go hollow. In an attempt to stop the transformation, they perform the konso, but it seems that even after being sent to the Soul Society, the child still goes under a hollow transformation. But it one strange twist...and due to a combined effect from the nine zanpakuto...the soul society gets their own Vizard/Arrancar. I will probably implement that in a later chapter.
As for the zanpakuto, I have them all for the nine Illumina Shinigami...however...I have decided that I will let RasenganFin come up with the name for any one of the nine that he wants, to thank him for the idea of this story. So have at it man...it's all yours, whoever you choose will get their zanpakuto renamed to whatever you want. both for their Shikai and Bankai forms.