From the west to the east

A/N: This third chapter will be the continuation of the previous chapter, hence the name 2B. Now, I would like to say thanks to those who supported in any ways, favorites, views or even reading this. But please do be reminded that my main aim is not for viewing purpose but it's for practice. I need criticism, a constructive one.

That's all from me and enjoy.

"Eh… hello, dattebayo…?"

She blinked.

A thin and lithe hand threatened to reach for the sword on her back. He saw this but was not quick to stop her from charging with her sword drawn. He yelped when he was forced to dodge a clean and dangerous cut to the head by bending his body backwards. But his shinobi skills does not go undone, he disappeared from her view causing her to briefly widen her eyes. She felt a pricking sensation right at the nape of her neck and she dodge out of pure instinct.

THUNK

A kunai was embed to a nearby tree. She turned her body swiftly, not finding her swords holding her from moving in a paced manner. She saw another two knives launched at her at similar speed, her eyes narrowed just briefly. She charged in a speed that is so fast that it made the boy's eyes go wide. He blinked when he saw the girl with the silver hair SLICE his kunais as if they were butter, just like that. And she's coming for him.

Yelping, the boy chose this chance to retreat to the back by drawing a huge space between him and the girl. He has a feeling that this girl is way more accurate in using a blade than he is, as if the swords aren't obvious enough.

He jumped backwards, throwing five pronged ninja stars at her direction. But still, the girl with the swords can cut through those shuriken like butters. Then he has no choice for a huge back up. His fingers crossed into a familiar handseal, shouting aloud. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!" two clones appeared at his side, white smoke as their entrance. The clone on the right charged in with kunai drawn. He launched at maximum speed, exchanging blades with the swordswoman. But no matter how one would look at it, the girl is doing a far greater job at using blades.

Seeing him making two copies of himself isn't a surprising fact for her. She could do it herself too but she didn't bring Myon here. Her hands that is currently holding to her katana parries a knife that was aiming for her face, she was impressed that one was doing so well with only a small blade. Her skills did not go undone, the girl launched her various attacks. A horizontal slash from the silver haired girl nearly slice his chest open, then another attack was launched just after the first one.

Naruto and his other clone went rushing in, a small ball colored in light blue is spinning at the palm of his hands. The girl flinched when she felt that her body can't move, the she looked at her feet. Wires? Why so thin? The clone in front of her smirk then disappears into a huge plum of smoke revealing two blonde haired boys with a sphere that is growing larger and larger as it was aiming for her abdomen.

She can't move. This is it, she's losing. She braced herself, waiting for a slightest feel of pain.

Then, he stopped. The spinning orb in his hand disappeared into a small gust of wind, along with the clone next to him. The girl opened her eyes, looking confused that nothing happened. Instead of seeing the face of an angry person, she came eye to eye with smile. The boy's bright blue eyes sparkles in the morning sun of Hakugyokurou, his Adonis blonde hair ruffled as a gentle wind breezed their way to them. He jabs a thumb to his chest, declaring.

"That was a good fight, dattebayo! I'm Naruto, what's your name?"

Youmu Konpaku blinked, but finding herself answering his request. "Y-Youmu Konpaku…" she was slightly surprised that her own voice came out the way it did. Maybe she's just surprised that she was beaten in a matter of time by the smiling boy in front of her.

The boy's smile turned into a grin, a rather large one at that. He rubs the back of his head, looking embarrassed. Then he looked at her again saying, "Well, uh… I know that we just fought but can I ask you a question, Youmu-chan?"

Wait, chan?

He scratched his whiskered cheeks, asking. "Where am I?"

Youmu blinked for the third time that day, in confusion.

Naruto has always been afraid of ghost, there's nothing else that's so obvious other than that fact alone. When he was young, he always thought that a ghost will eat him if he ever saw one, so yeah his childhood memories hasn't been the best of things. The reason why he's afraid? Simply because they're a part of the unknown, and comes in many different shapes, sizes and even forms and so… so creepy.

When he went to that mission with Tenten and Neji, he had nightmares the next day he went to sleep, he's not going to remember it again.

But now… now is… now is…

"Are you… okay?" Youmu asked, looking at the shaking man opposite of her. She saw him acting like this ever since they've entered the room. Myon is right beside her, floating around like the air anomaly she is. Looking at the tea cup that she offered him, she noticed that he has yet to touch it. Maybe he prefers green tea instead?

"Me?! I mean, Me? Yeah, I'm fine… no-nothing to worry about.." he's smiling so that's fine? Thing is, learning that the girl in front of him has a ghost flying so close to her is really unnerving. His trauma over ghosts is just too high. Maybe not trauma, phobia, yeah. Even if he's feeling uneasy, his eyes can't help but stare at the creature for too long.

He gulped down hard, forming his ever so bright smile. "So, where am I right now?" he asked the girl.

"You're in Hakugyokurou, the place where the dead resides." Just like that, she went back on drinking her tea. The ghost anomaly that is her floats around.

Shocked, he can only utter. "D-Dead?"

Nodding, Youmu replied. "Yes, you are dead." She then takes a closer look. "Though it confuses me… why aren't you a spirit?"

The boy looked around his body, seeing for anything that isn't him. He's afraid that he might turn into a small wispy ghostly thingy just like the one that is floating beside the girl. "What do you mean? I'm… dead? But I don't remember…"

Answering, Youmu said. "It's normal. Some aren't meant to remember their death. But if you still have your physical form… than that means…"

Before she could continue, the sliding door to the room opened up. An older looking woman that stood just a little but shorter than Naruto enters, a fan with a spiral symbol covering her mouth. Adorned in clothing that is blue and pink, she has long wavy pink hair that attracts the boy. Her green jaded emerald eyes hold a gentle look. Facing the two that is currently sitting down, she said. "Hello~ I am Yuyuko Saigyouji, the owner of the mansion here in Hakugyokurou." She smiled underneath that fan. "You must be Naruto-kun."

Of course, his reaction is. "Eh…? Do I know you…?" the gardener is just as confused as he is. Then something hits her.

Smiling, she discarded the fan. "Youmu, can you please make me a cup of tea?" she asked the half ghost half human.

"H-Hai." She excused herself to make tea in the kitchen. After waiting for the ghost girl to leave, Yuyuko takes her seat, just right where Youmu sat earlier. She smiled as she looked at the boy opposite of her.

"Yes, we… we have met before. But it seems that you have forgotten." If anything is inside that tone of hers that would be sadness. Naruto doesn't get it, why is this woman speaking like this? He hasn't seen a woman that is similar to her in any way… Yuyuko smiled. "Perhaps this will recover some lost memories."

He watched as she pulls out a small tiny locket from her sleeves. A simple metallic locket colored in gold, nothing too fancy, shaped in an oval and has a chain securing it in place. Is she trying to show him something? She opens the locket to reveal a picture of herself smiling but without the hat on.

Still confused, he asked. "I...I still can't remember anything… sorry." Apologizing, but still confused, Naruto has no idea on what's going on. First, Youmu told him that he was dead and now a woman is telling him that they've met before.

There was a frown on Yuyuko's face. "I see… then please, forget that I've showed you anything." Her smile returned. "Now, the reason as to why you're here is because… well, we've met and I called you here."

Called? "Called? What do you mean?"

Giggling, the ghost princess answered. "I can invite people to Hakugyokurou, and you, Naruto Uzumaki-kun, are a special case."

The boy looked even more confused. "How… so?"

Smiling, Yuyuko said. "Well… a long time ago, a boy no older than ten told me that wishes can come true if one were to make it under a cherry blossom tree. And you know what? It did."

How is that even related?

Continuing, she said. "And so, I wished for the boy to have a good and long life. But then, the boy never comes to visit again. So I waited under that cherry blossom tree, not returning home and never leaving. Waiting for him to come so that we can play and laugh together."

Blinking, the blonde haired male asked. "Is… that boy, me?"

"Fufufu… it took you this far to notice? Yes, that boy was you, Naruto-kun." She said so with a small nod.

"But I don't remember meeting you, nor do I remember of hanging out with somebody under a cherry blossom tree… all I want to know is… why, why am I dead?"

Yuyuko sadly said. "It's… It's complicated. I may not know what has happened in your life, but I can tell that you are not too happy with it." a pause of silence. "You're sad because you are lonely, after all, that's what you said to me."

Again, another thing that he can't recall. He's trying very hard to recall any memories, but it seems that he can't. He can't remember a single flash of thought or memory, no matter how hard he try he can't.

"But I was happy! I have friends, I was acknowledge, and I brought peace! I was… happy." The realization dawned upon him. There's nothing he could do anymore, his time has passed. He did accomplish his dreams and there's nothing more he could do. Tightening his fists, he could only grit his teeth and stare annoyingly at his reflection on the tea. "So… this is it for me?"

Yuyuko nodded. "Yes… and I provide a place for you, instead of going to heaven or hell, you'll be saying here with me." Her bubbly attitude returns, smiling once more.

There's nothing he could do… not any more. He's dead, dead. As in never going to see Konoha, Sakura-chan or even that Uchiha-teme… no more playing with Konohamaru and no more running away from fangirls again. It's… it's… sudden. Hell, he didn't even know the cause of his own death! he's history. He completed his part in life and now he's dead. No more.

This is cruel… for him… this is cruel. But he's thankful for Yuyuko to do this for him. providing a place in her house for him to live. He has a lot to take in, but no use in wallowing over the past.

So, he said.

"Fine… I'll… I'll stay here."

Yuyuko hugged him instantly, pressing her womanly assets on his face. The boy was blown back due to the woman's weight on his face, she hugged him so tight that his face has gone blue. "Yaaay~ Naruto-kun is staying here!"

Funny, he thought that he's going to die… again.

"Hey Youmu, how you doing?" Naruto has a grin on his face as he asked the girl. The gardener of Hakugyokurou sighed when she felt her peace was disturbed the presence of one male. Not that she finds the guy really annoying, but he'll just come and talk to her when he himself could do something else.

Answering, she answered in her usual stoic monotone like voice. "I'm sharpening my swords, Naruto." That answer of hers is always straightforward and bland, it somehow suites her appearance which is something he finds very normal.

"Hehehe… nothing, just bored… there's nothing to do anymore. I guess I'll go and train in the back." Before he was about to go and do his routine, a question from Youmu stopped him.

"Hah? You train?" even if it's a simple question, the impact was so hard that the blonde nearly fell.

Eyes watering twin waterfall, the ex ninja asked. "Why are you surprised?! Didn't I prove myself enough?" looking at his pitiful and helpless expression is annoying too, not to mention that she hates loud people. "You're so cruel Youmu… Uuu…"

Making a grim expression, the gardener commented. "Don't do that, you're not Remilia." Warning him is like speaking to a rock, he won't listen until he's done it for himself. But there are certain times where he's serious but she has yet to see him being one. Something in her gut told her that seeing a serious Naruto is the last thing that she wants to see.

After quitting on the fake crying, he sat near the gardener to join her by looking at the morning sky of Hakugyokurou. Glancing, a pair of blue eyes, he secretly stares at the girl beside him. if anything, Youmu is like a female version of a less asshole-y Sasuke. She's cold, but there's a sense of loyalty in her. Eyes looking back to where he was looking before, the blonde turned his vision skyward.

"Heh… funny, the clouds here are much more than the ones back when I'm still alive." Muttering to himself, he grinned. Clapping his palms together, he said out loud. "Yosh! I'm going to train again," turning to the Samurai gardener, he asked. "Want to join?"

"No."

"Geh… you're so selfish Youmu…"

Sighing, the ghost girl gave the taller male a look. "I swear that Yuyuko-sama's attitude I slowly rubbing on you, and not that it's a bad thing, but at least try to know when someone is busy." With a final look, the girl continues on sharpening her swords.

Shrugging, he said. "Meh, suit yourself. Just come if you feel like seeing me train."

The blonde walks lazily towards the backyard of the mansion, looking at where he was before, the girl realized that it's about time for her master to have tea. Stopping what she's doing, she stands. Better prepare the tea now…

Months later...

"Dattebayo! I'll show you not to mess with the great Naruto Uzumaki-sama, Youmu-chan!"

"Hn. Enough with the foolishness. Roukanken!"

Five minutes later…

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" kneeling on the ground, the so called great Naruto Uzumaki-sama is bowing his head towards the gardener who had victoriously emerged as the winner to their duel. His jacket nearly shreds, the man is close to crying when apologizing. He didn't know that Danmaku can hurt like hell, even if he's not what he was before, he never thought that rasengan has gotten so weak that it would vaporized into air when collided with a bullet.

"Hmph, serves you right for taking me lightly." The swordswoman let out a satisfied grunt. She sheaths her blades properly, peeking down on the man, she gazed with an uncanny smirk. "Now, as promised…."

"I WON'T SUBMIT TO A CUTE LITTLE GIR- GAH!"

A hit with the edge of her blade is all that it takes to make him squirm on the ground again, her eyebrow constantly twitching, Youmu was this close on stabbing him. Instead of exploding, she keeps a calm composure. "You promised, Naruto… don't tell me that you'll go back on your word?"

That's it.

"GYAAAAH!" Surprised, the man launched himself from the ground planning to seize the girl up. Youmu was so surprised that she instinctively discards her weapon away and screams like a little girl.

"Kyaaaah!" their fight has turned into a game of chase with Naruto trying to catch Youmu. Laughing like a man on the garden, the male roared with laughter. "Gyahahahaha! You're too naïve little girl, I am a man to rival demons that are way huger than me and mountains! My name will make you drop your knees… SWEATY MANLY ATTACK!" yes, it's not jutsu but it's working too well.

"Kyaaaah! Get away from me you freak, Yuyuko-sama heeeelp!" so she goes on being chased by the man, desperate on not getting hit or hugged by his so called sweaty manly attack. And seriously, he's too sweaty to be even close to her. But soon, their chase turns into a fun one, with both participants laughing as they make jokes about each other.

Before they knew it, it's night already.

"Haaah… that was fun wasn't it Youmu?"

"Fufufu… I guess you could say that…"

Sitting under a tree, the two gazed upon the star filled sky of Hakugyokurou. Though Naruto has never exited Hakugyokurou before, he heard from Youmu that it's peaceful and quiet beautiful out there, ignoring the random Youkai attacks. And Youkais… basically, Youkais are demons like creatures. Some took humanoid forms to be more approachable which is good for him, he's not planning to talk to a mountain sized golem guy or something.

They're sitting side by side, and it's getting colder too. The boy took this chance to open his jacket and offered it to the girl. "Here, take this… it's getting cold here and I'm sure that Yuyuko-san doesn't want her favorite Youmu-chan to get cold, right?" his cheerful grin glowed brighter than the stars themselves. The girl stood frozen shock, then she glowed a pretty pink coloer while accepting the jacket.

"Thanks…" she took it from him, but not wearing it. Still shocked from his act of kindness, the girl can only stare at the male but her mind snapped itself out of trance, taking back her usual expression. "Ahem…" she hid her embarrassment with a cough, something that boy fails to catch.

If one thing Youmu's thankful for, it's that Naruto is a very… very dense person. He's slow to react in certain situation but can be highly efficient in other situations. In fights for example. It's amazing to see a carefree and smile free idiot turning into a hard cold veteran in a blink of an eye, it really is. But her grandfather did say that a man's true face can be hidden beneath another. So… yeah.

"Youmu…"

"Hm?" turning her head slightly, she was addressed by the male. "What is it?"

"Tell me…" it's a first hearing him calling her without the usual honorific, so it caught her utmost attention. "Am I… am I a bother here for you and Yuyuko-san?"

"Eh?" not expecting a question like that, Youmu can't exactly answer instantly. She saw him expressing an honest expression, the kind where doubt and insecurity is present. "What do you mean?"

Rubbing the back of his head, the male gave Youmu an awkward grin. He then spoke. "C'mon, let's be honest here. I'm clearly freeloading, and even if I help around, it's not enough to serve my entire… well, puns aside, lifetime here in this place. And I clearly know that you're not enjoying me he-"

SLAP

What… the… heck…?

The boy was stopped in his ramblings, a hot searing mark of palm print was left on his cheek. Blinking, the man uttered a shock, "Y-Youmu-chan…?" she slapped him? What did he say?

Oh no… her eyes… they're crying. He made her cry? Oh shit, this is bad…

"How could you…?" the girl started. Small amount of tears are pouring down her face, but despite that, she's not making an expression of a person who is upset. She keeps her neutral expression on, but this time accompanied by the presence of her tears. Then, she smiled as if to hurt him even more.

"W-Wait Youmu, I can explain!"

She dashed away, not looking back. The boy could only helplessly look at the direction where his friend had run off to, with guilt piling up. Cursing to himself, he chase for the girl. "Dammit Youmu, wait up!"

Later…

"Haaah… Haah… Youmu wait!"

Breath ragged, the boy had been chasing the gardener across the huge garden of Hakugyokurou. Running through the fields where thousands of cherry blossom trees are blooming isn't something normal. But then again, he was a ninja. Now catching up to the girl, he's sure that she's close by.

"I can explain! Let me- WOW!" Dodging, he nearly let an invisible gust of wind took him straight on. Let's jus say that Youmu's way more lethal without danmaku, and he'll be surprised to see how quick the girl is with her hands and swords combined. "That nearly got me- GAH stop it already!" dodging yet another bullet, the man snapped angrily.

The girl is just a few feet away, in front, of him. her being pressed to the bark of a cherry blossom tree. Features shadowed by her hair, the gardener and her ghost half are quiet. Naruto gulped hard in this one. approaching slowly, he tried reasoning. "Youmu-chan listen I don't know what I did but I'm sorry… I wasn't- AH!" unlike before, this time the hit actually connects. He's forced back on the ground with a bullet mark on his chest.

Struggling on the ground, he pulls himself back on his feet. Staring at the girl, it looks like his idiocy has gotten the best of him. raising his hands in surrender, he tries to speak again. "Youmu please, I'm sorry! Talk to me… please." He pleaded with the girl. It seems to be working since she lowers her sword, he tried approaching her and it seems that it's going to be a fine ending.

"WHOAH!"

But Youmu launched herself on the man, hugging his form and pinning him on the ground. Startled, he yelped out. "Gah! Youmu wait! I-I can't breathe! Let go!" he struggles but soon stopped.

"Idiot…" a soft muttering. Stopping his struggle to break free, he listened in to what the girl is trying to say. Instead of hearing a direct answer, he was hugged tighter by the girl. "Idiot.. Idiot idiot idiot idiot! I hate you! how can you be so insensitive?! I-I want you here!"

"Eh-Eh? Youmu…?"

"I swear that I'll be nicer to you from now on! I'll never ignore you again, I'll help you train and we'll do chores together! Just don't… Please…" she's sobbing… why? "Please just don't say that..." her hug tightens. "I… I heard about what your childhood was like from Yuyuko-sama… you met her when you were young but you don't remember…" muffled voice is what he's hearing. "I'm sorry… I'm a bad partner- no I'm not your partner from the start- but I'm sorry…"

Why…? Why it's like this? He don't even-

Sobbing, she speaks once more. "Please Naruto… don't ever think like that again. Yuyuko-sama wants you here, and I want you here… so please…" her words are cut short, her sobbing finding itself overcoming her statement. Now crying, the girl used his shoulder to cry her eyes out, not even bothering to cover up on this one.

He didn't know what's wrong, but he just made a girl cry. That's all it is. And for that, he'll hate himself even more.

A year later…

"Youmu-chan! I'm back!"

"Naruto… welcome back."

Entering the kitchen, the blonde was greeted by the sight of Youmu cooking dinner. She's wearing her usual apron and is currently stirring a soup. It might not look much, but Youmu's soup is as good as ramen. Smiling, he dashed towards the girl surprising her in a hug. "H-Hey! I'm still cooking, watch it!" the troubled girl is hugged from the back by the way taller male, she is no longer holding the ladle she's using before.

"Hehehe! I've got Youmu-chwan all to myself for now… hmm… Youmu-chwan is soooo soft…" he rubbed his sweaty cheeks on hers, feeling the familiar soft texture. The girl gets a little bit embarrassed, but she's even more annoyed. But it turns into downright fury when she felt his hands sneaking on her shoulders down to her arms. "Hehehehe-OW! WHA'T THAT FOR?"

His exclamation was ended when he saw the murderous look on Youmu's face. Her look is different… way different. Eyes are gleaming red, she holds the aura of an Oni instead of a half ghost. Myon's also showing aggression towards the pervert. "No dinner for perverts." That's final.

"Aww… Hey, Youmu-chan, I was just kidding, hey Youmu!"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please my cutest, sweetest and ever beautiful Youmu-chwan?"

"…No."

"Sniff…"

Later, he got dinner anyway. But now…

"Are you okay or do you want me to stop?"

"Fwaah… hah… hah… No… Don't stop…"

"Hehehe… okay, sure."

"Hyah!"

Let it be known that Youmu is ticklish in her ears. Cleaning Youmu's ears is like… heaven. He gets to enjoy the cute sounds and expression she's making while he's cleaning her ears. Sometimes, he would playfully blow on her ears just for the sake of seeing her expression. Now having the cute girl in a lap pillow, he's handling the cotton buds pretty well. Then, a playful grin makes it way to his face.

Whispering in an ear's length, he breathes softly on the girl's ears. "Youmu… do you want to continue?"

"Hya! D-D-Don't do that, I'm sensitive there!" the girl is now trying to escape.

"HWOOOH! Youmu-chwan you're so cute! I-I-I-I-I CAN'T HOLD IT ANYMORE!"

"CEASE!"

But his action is stopped.

…

…

…

The sliding door opens to reveal the ghost princess herself. There's an aura of death covering her, which causes the two young'uns to shiver. Then, she raised her head. "YOU WON'T BE DEFILING YOUMU ALONE, NARUTO-KUN!"

"Kyaaah! YUYUKO-SAMA! NARUTO!"

One thing Youmu learned is that living in your master's house with your husband is not a good idea.

END of Youmu's route

A/N: Well… that's the first route… so, what do you guys think? I know that it's kind of rushed, but I promised that the other routes will be even much longer and has more story values in it. don't worry, I don't planning on abandoning this project.

Next route: Remilia Scarlet