Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Bleach
This story is in response to the challenge from 'Naruto Bael'.
Please Note: All REVIEWS will be answered on my facebook page after a 24-hour period. You can also find an image of what Naruto looks like in the story on my fb page.
Betad by: HaretaSora

Moonless Night – Chapter 3

Shinōreijutsuin, or more commonly known as Shin'ō Academy. Founded by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto some 2,000 years ago, it was originally known as Genji School before he proceeded to create the Shinigami organization known today as the Gotei 13and was renamed to Shinōreijutsuin. Alongside the Royal Guard, it is the only institute in Soul Society that doesn't fall under the direct control of the Central 46.

Within the Soul Society, souls hopeful for becoming Shinigami are all required to go through the institute first and complete a six-year curriculum before they can proceed to become members of Gotei 13.

And that of course includes the nobles.

Now granted, the Four Great Noble Clans have enough influence to bypass the academy and proceed directly to become Shinigami; in order to keep up the tradition of Seireitei, it has been an unspoken agreement within the four great families to always have their children go through the institute first; while it was a must for the lower noble clans to proceed through the academy.

However, among the children from the Four Great Noble Families there have been those who are known to have cleared the six-year curriculum within two-to-three years with even those who have completed the entire course within a single year.

Such were the thoughts that ran through the head of the now fourteen years old Naruto Kuchiki as he stood before the gates of Shin'ō Academy.

He was dressed in the traditional academy uniform which consisted of a blue shitagi, a white kosode with blue stripes, blue hakama pants, with white socks and sandals. There was also a circular symbol on both breasts of the outer shirt – which appeared to be the emblem of the Academy. Over the uniform, Naruto wore the crimson-red scarf he got from the Soul King along with the jade crystal necklace hanging around his neck. Lastly, he wore fingerless black tekkō that covered the back of his hand and looped up to attach at the base of his fingers.

Being the youngest son of two of the Four Great Noble Families, it was, of course, expected of Naruto to also clear the six-year course in a similar manner. However, unlike those that came before him, Naruto's situation was a bit unique.

Due to his abnormal Reiryoku even by the standards of the Four Great Noble Clans, Naruto has always had a bit more attention than most. Even while growing up, he has always been told by the Kuchiki clan elders that the clan had high hopes for him and though his family had never told him as such so to not pressure him, he knew that they also had high hopes from him and especially so after being gifted from the Soul King.

However, it wasn't just his family. Amongst all the candidates that have entered the Shin'ō Academy this year, Naruto was the one the Gotei 13had their eyes on the most.

So as such, he knew that he had to clear the Academy within a year, and anything less was unacceptable. Not that he was worried though.

He can take whatever the academy dishes out on him!

"Naru-chan."

He was broken out of his musing by his mother calling him before he turned to face his family who had come to see him off on his first day of the Academy.

Isshin, looking around and taking notice of the fact that they were the only ones around the gates, turned to Naruto and grinned broadly. "This late at your first day of the academy! Clearly I have taught you well!" Isshin exclaimed dramatically before hugging Naruto while crying what appeared to be tears of joy, "I'm so proud!"

The others, used to Isshin's antics by now weren't even fazed, though they did found it amusing.

Asanoha though, was less than amused. Stepping forward, she grabbed Isshin's ear before prying him off of Naruto.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! That hurts Nee-chan!"

Paying Isshin no mind, Asanoha turned and smiled at her son. "About that," She started to say, referring to his lateness, "We have already informed the academy about your… special condition so you don't have to worry about it."

Naruto nodded in acceptance. Honestly, while he couldn't care any less about nobility and despite how stuffy it can get at times, he was sometimes glad to be a noble. If only because he could get away with causing trouble or doing whatever he wants.

"Now remember Naru-chan," Asanoha began to say once more without letting go of Isshin, "Always pay attention to what your professor says and be extra careful with your Kidō and combat classes. Even the slightest mistakes can have unpleasant consequences."

"I don't think we have to worry about Naruto messing up– OW!" Isshin began to say but was cut off when Asanoha pinched his ear harder.

Still not paying her brother any mind, she continued to smile sweetly at Naruto, "Be sure to also make some friends Naru-chan. You don't need many; just a few wonderful ones are enough."

Isshin suddenly perked up at that and grinned suggestively at Naruto. "Also be sure to befriend some cute girls Narut–ahhOW!" He began to say once more while stressing the word 'befriend' when he was once more cut off by Asanoha who pinched his ear extra hard this time before turning her attention to him.

"My son will do no such thing!" Asanoha firmly stated before she began to berate Isshin for even suggesting something like that to her baby-boy, Naru-chan.

Naruto for his part merely sweat-dropped. You would have thought that by now his uncle would have learned to not anger his mother, but surprisingly not. Although, he didn't exactly see any problem with befriending a girl. But he didn't say that out loud.

Chuckling lightly Sōjun averted his attention from his wife berating her brother and onto Naruto. "In any case, just keep a level head and take it easy Naruto. You shouldn't have any trouble getting through." He stated, smiling at his son before turning to the others, "Now I believe we have stalled Naruto enough. He is late as it is, we don't want to stall him anymore."

Though the statement was said to them all, it was mostly pointed to his wife and brother-in-law.

"I agree." Byakuya choose that moment to step forward. He had to be by the 1st Division barracks for some reports and a Shinigami can never be late when meeting with the Captain-Commander.
Turning to Naruto, he offered him a small smile, "I would wish you luck Naruto but I believe you have no need for something like that."

Naruto returned his smile and nodded before something struck him as he watched Byakuya prepare to leave. A mischievous grin broke on his face before he decided to mess with his brother, "Say Hi to Hisana Nee-chan for me!"

Byakuya froze at those words with his back turned to the others.

"Hisana!?"

The heads of everyone present snapped to Byakuya, even Asanoha stopped berating Isshin whose face broke into something that could only be described as a shit-eating grin.

Meanwhile, Byakuya mentally cursed his younger brother. Although, he would not say that he hadn't expected this, in fact, it surprised him that it took Naruto seven years to say something about Hisana before their family – his timing couldn't have been any worse. He couldn't deal with this right now.

And so Byakuya did the only thing that seemed to be the most effective action to take.

He flash-stepped the hell outta there.

Naruto laughed out when he saw his Nii-chan actually running away.

"Ah! He fled!" Exclaiming, Isshin jumped to his feet before immediately a grin broke on his face and he prepared to give chase. "But try as he might, that punk is a 100 years too early to out-run me!"

"Wait!" Before Isshin could take off after Byakuya, he was stopped by Asanoha.

"But Nee-chan! You can't really let him get away with this!" he exclaimed, turning to his big sister. After all the attempts had had made to corrupt his eldest nephew but had failed at every single one of them, there was no way he was going to let him get away without answers after learning that he was apparently involved with someone!

"Oh trust me, I won't." She stated with certainty while giving him a look. As if she was going to let her son get away without answers with a matter like this.

Despite how much he wanted to just go and hunt down Byakuya before beating some answers out of him, he had to relent after his sister gave him a look telling him to drop it.

"Leaving Byakuya aside for now, I believe we have wasted Naruto's time enough." Ginrei who had been silent up to that point began, effectively putting a stop to the commotion before he turned to address Naruto, "Naruto, I want you to know that this is the point beyond which you will come in terms with your power."

Naruto immediately stood attentively in front of Ginrei as his grandfather began to speak and waited patiently for him to continue. His grandfather's words were always to heed and learn from.

Even the other three were also silently listening to Ginrei.

"Now I am sure you are aware of this Naruto, but you have been blessed with a great deal of power." Ginrei stated as he stared right into Naruto's eyes who stared right back with an unwavering gaze, "For the past eight years, we have been training you in strength and making sure that your body is prepared to handle that very power, to make sure that you were prepared for this very point and beyond."

Ginrei then stepped forward and placed a hand over Naruto's head. "Remember to always have a strong heart that will keep you away from becoming overconfident." Ginrei finished as he gave Naruto a small smile which Naruto returned before he turned to leave but not before addressing Isshin, "Come along Isshin, it is time you and I are on our way."

Isshin nodded along. They did have a captain's meeting today in regards to this year's graduates. Turning to Naruto, he grinned and ruffled his hair. "Before I go Naruto," He leaned forward and whispered into Naruto's ear, "The academy classes other than practice and combat are boring and tedious, so make sure you have something to do! I would personally recommend sleeping through them – that's what I did!"

After saying his piece, Isshin immediately jumped back to where Ginrei stood to avoid his sister's anger. No doubt, she had heard him telling Naruto to basically slack off during the academy. He then grinned and gave a wave. "We're off so take care Naruto!"

Ginrei also nodded in agreement before he and Isshin disappeared.

Naruto in the meanwhile, couldn't help but find his uncle to be awesome. From the way he spoke, it was obvious that Isshin hadn't paid any attention to his classes and had mostly just slept through them and yet he had not only graduated from the academy within a single year but had also made captain within a little over a decade of joining the Gotei 13.

"Do not heed what he just told you Naruto." He turned to look at his mother to find her shaking her head in exasperation.

Sighing, Asanoha turned to Naruto and smiled before going and giving him a hug which he gladly returned. "Just be careful and make sure to come home immediately afterwards alright?" She couldn't help but fuss as she tightened her hold on his frame before letting go and kissing him on the forehead.

Naruto nodded before stepping back and prepared to go but not before turning to his parents and grinning at them. "Tou-chan, Kaa-chan. I'm off now!" He waved at them, getting smiles from them both before he turned and walked into the Academy gates.

"Is something the matter?" Sōjun asked his wife as he turned to her and found her looking at Naruto's retreating back with a small and perhaps a little sad smile on her lips.

"I just find it ironic is all," She began to say as she rested her head on her husband's shoulder when she felt him take her hand in his, "For souls like us, time is of no essence. We don't age. We don't grow old. Our outward appearances are but manifestations of our mind and spirit. And yet…" She trailed off and squeezed her husband's hand tightly as she watched son's form disappear from view, "I can't help but feel that both Byakuya and Naruto… they are growing up too fast."

Kissing her gently on the head, he whispered. "I know."

Walking along with empty corridors of the Academy, Naruto couldn't help but feel that maybe he was lost. He has been walking for a while now but has yet to find his classroom. He shrugged the thought away though. The place was just too damn big and he should be reaching his classroom soon. With that, he continued on.

A bit of more walking and a couple of turns later, Naruto finally found his classroom. Class #1, the special accelerated program.

Wasting no time, Naruto went and slid the door open before entering.

Upon his entrance the first thing that Naruto took notice of was the large bald man standing at the front of the class who turned to look at him the moment he entered.

"Ah, you must be Naruto Kuchiki." The man said, addressing Naruto while both of them ignored the murmurs that began once the man called Naruto's full name, "I am Gengorō Ōnabara, the Head Teacher of Class 1."

He merely nodded in response before walking over to the man. "I hope I'm not late." He said to the teacher before taking a look around the classroom.

It was fairly small compared to the other classes with large desks that can be used by up to four people. The class consisted of only about 20 students, most of which were from the lower nobles clans, he could make out.

"Oh no. The calls has yet to begin." When Naruto raised an eyebrow at him, Gengorō elaborated, "I had just finished giving the welcome speech so I would say that you are on time; also considering the fact that you are a special case." After saying this Gengorō gestured towards the class. "Now why don't you take a seat and we can begin the class. Take any seat you want."

He nodded one last time before starting to make his way to the back of the class all the while ignoring the gazes that followed his every move. Finally, he stopped by a desk right at back of the class that was occupied by three people. All three appeared to be around his age and amongst the entire class, were the only ones whose Reiryoku came closest to his own.

The first one, sitting at the other end of the desk was a girl with short black hair styled in a hime-cut and gray eyes. Naruto noted that she appeared to have a slightly shy demeanor.

The second one, sitting in the middle was a boy with short, spiked, white hair and turquoise eyes. He seemed to have a cold aura around him. Wait, no, it's not that he had a cold aura but rather his Reiryoku itself was cold. However, his cold spirit energy aside, he seemed to have a detached demeanor. He was also on the short side.

The third and last one was another boy with unusual silver hair, very sharp features and was quite thin. He also had his eyes narrowed to slits along with a wide, mocking smile playing on his lips which seemed to give him a rather unnerving air but Naruto couldn't sense any negative emotions coming off of him so he guessed it was fine.

"Hey, you don't mind if I sit here do you?" Naruto asked as he grinned at the three.

The response he got was two of them – the girl and the white-haired kid – looking at him like he just grew a second head while the silver-haired one didn't seem to be affected at all.

Naruto guessed that the reaction from the first two was to be expected as it must have come off as weird for a noble and someone from two of the Four Great Noble Clans and with a family like his to actually be polite and ask and not just be seating himself.

However, they must not know that he came from a house that had Lady Asanoha Kuchiki as the matriarch. While she could be much more lenient towards fooling around with family and close friends, she was intolerant towards impoliteness anywhere else. So she had enforced some manners into both Naruto and Byakuya.

Although, he did found the reaction of the third one to be curious. He didn't seem to find it one bit odd and just continued to smile.

"Oh on, go right ahead." The silver-head said with his smile present all along.

"Thanks, I'm Naruto by the way, Naruto Kuchiki." He introduced himself as he took a seat beside the silver-haired kid, at the right end of the desk.

"I'm Gin. Gin Ichimaru." He introduced without even the slight change coming in his demeanor.

Naruto nodded before turning towards the other two.

"Tōshirō Hitsugaya." The white-haired kid introduced simply before turning his attention towards the front.

"Shaolin Fēng." The girl introduced herself as she gave a short bow.

Naruto grinned at all three. "Cool, it's nice to meet you!"

Before anything else could be said, Gengorō called out for attention, "Alright, settle down everyone. It's time to begin the class. You can all talk afterwards but for now just listen here."

Hearing those words, he turned his attention to the front as the teacher began with the class.

'Man Ji-chan wasn't kidding when he said these classes are tedious and boring!' Thought Naruto as he got up from his sitting position and stretched.

Although it has been interesting to study about Reiryoku and its different types, Naruto couldn't believe he had been sitting at the same spot for hours! He had never sat at a single spot for this long before and couldn't be any gladder that the lunch break started when it did or he just might have gone crazy from being unable to move while the teacher donned on and on about Reiatsu, Reiryoku and Reishi.

Heaving a relieved sigh before turning to his three seatmates to find them also preparing to go eat lunch, he suddenly grinned as a thought struck him.

"Hey I know!" Naruto suddenly started causing the other three to turn to him, "Why don't we go have lunch together?" He proposed while grinning at them.

Gin, seeing no reason to deny, just shrugged in acceptance.

Shaolin also saw no reason to deny and nodded her head.

Tōshirō though, seemed about to deny when Naruto didn't give him the chance.

"Great! Then let's go and have lunch!" He said cheerfully before starting to move out of the class followed by the others.

"Hey wait a minute! I never said–" Tōshirō began to protest when he was cut off by Naruto.

"Don't worry about it. Lunch is much more fun when you have someone to eat it with!" He commented as he draped an arm around the shorter boy's shoulder and started to all but drag him out of the class.

"Like I said –"

"Now where should we have lunch?"

"Would you even –"

"I guess a under a nice tree will do!"

"Listen to what –"

The other two watched in amusement as Tōshirō tried but failed to argue as the stubborn Kuchiki didn't even give him the chance to finish as all four made their way towards a place to eat lunch.

"You know, pouting like that makes you appear more like a kid than you already do." Naruto commented off-handedly to Tōshirō as he started unwrap his rather large, dual compartment, black bento with golden designs decorating it that was prepared for him by his Kaa-chan.

He, along with his three new friends (to Naruto anyways), were currently sitting under a fairly large tree at a more secluded part of the academy.

Once they had settled themselves under a tree, Naruto had offered to share his bento with Gin once he had noticed that he only had dried persimmons for lunch that he had been happily munching on while ignoring everything else. Naruto's proposal had earned him a confused look from Gin who had for the first time lost his smile before once more shrugging and chalking it off as one of the weird Kuchiki's weird quirks.

"I am not a kid!" Tōshirō snapped heatedly.

"Oh right, forgive me. You're not just a kid," He was about to sigh at that being over with when Naruto continued, "You're a short kid with hair like an old man." Naruto once more commented off-handedly as he lifted the lid of his bento.

"That's not what I meant!" Tōshirō once more snapped with tick-marks appearing all over his forehead.

Naruto though, payed Tōshirō no mind as he brought out two pairs of chopsticks, courtesy of his mother.

After handing one compartment over to Gin, he dug into his lunch with new-found vigor.

They all ate their lunch in silence after that.

It didn't take long for Naruto to finish his lunch before stretching and leaning back against the tree. Looking at the three, he decided to ask something that was on his mind.

"So tell me, why did you guys decided to become Shinigami?" The Kuchiki asked, catching their attention as they seem to think it over for a bit.

"Why I decided to become a Shinigami?" Gin asked to himself as he put his chopsticks on his chin in thought. "Oh right, I decided to become Shinigami to change things." No one but Naruto noticed the slight twitch that came to his smile as he said those words.

He did raise an eye-brow though, when he felt a strange yet familiar negative emotion coming off of silver-head. It wasn't directed at any of them though but it was directed at someone. He didn't get to ponder on the thought more though as Tōshirō spoke up at that moment.

"It's not like I have a particular goal or anything in mind for wanting to become a Shinigami," He trailed off as his hold on the bento tightened slightly, "I decided to become one to control this power of mine from hurting those around me."

Naruto understood what he meant. He didn't need his advanced sensing power to feel the clumsy control that Tōshirō had demonstrated so far and honestly, if he didn't have the great level of Reiryoku – much greater than Tōshirō's – then he was sure he too would have been affected by the cold spirit energy.

Finally, he turned his head to Shaolin who fidgeted slightly before answering.

"I… had no choice really," She started to say, looking down at her bento, "I'm from the Fēng Clan, and it is tradition for every member of our clan to all make it to the Onmitsukidō and anyone who fails is exiled from the clan."

Ah yes, the Fēng Clan! He of course knew of them. They were a lower noble clan that was affiliated to the Shihōin Clan and served directly under the Clan Head, which just so happened to be Yoruichi. All the members of the Fēng Clan were part of Onmitsukidō's Executive Militia.

"What about you?" Naruto turned to Tōshirō who had just spoken, "Why did you decide to become a Shinigami?"

"Who me?" Naruto started before a grin broke on his face, "Well I decided to become a Shinigami so I can become the strongest to protect my precious people!" He stated proudly.

"That's… an odd reason for wanting to become a Shinigami." Shaolin commented as she stared at Naruto a bit weirdly along with Tōshirō. They had not expected that to be the Kuchiki's reason for wanting to become a soul reaper but then again, Naruto had proven to be quite weird from the short time they have known him. He didn't act anything like a Noble of the Four Great Noble Clans would.

"You think so?" Naruto asked before shrugging. "But for me, I have always believed that a person is truly strong when they have something or someone precious to protect."

Hearing his response, Shaolin and Tōshirō looked at each other before pondering on it.

While this was happening, no one noticed that Gin had lost his smile at Naruto's response and even had his eyes open, revealing two sky-blue orbs that stared at the raven-head unreadably.

Suddenly feeling sleepy, Naruto stretched before giving a yawn.

"I think I'm gonna go ahead and take a nap. Wake me up when the break is over." He said, closing his eyes before getting comfortable against the tree and instantly falling asleep.

When Naruto opened his eyes again, he didn't know where he was but what he did know was that he certainly was not within the Shin'ō Academy anymore or even the Soul Society for that matter.

Looking around and studying the… world that he suddenly found himself. The first thing that he noticed was that it was night-time and he clearly remember falling asleep during mid-day. Looking up, he saw that the night-sky was an infinite kaleidoscope of colors with a crescent blood-red moon and not even a single star along with the outlines of uniquely shaped and rather tall hills extending over the sky.

Turning his gaze around him, Naruto noticed through the fog that wherever he looked, thick forests were all he could see but what he found strange was that despite trees covering the lands, the ground underneath his feet was solid concrete. Actually, now that he took a closer look, he could make out the ruins of civilizations everywhere.

He looked at the ruins strangely and couldn't help the strange feeling with a twinge of sadness that came over him, before turning his head to the weirdest thing of all.

There, right in front of Naruto was the strangest building he had ever seen. It appeared to be some kind of castle and was extremely large. Covered in shadows of the night, it appeared to be quite ominous.

He gulped. He was really afraid of ghosts (Never mind the fact that he himself was a soul but souls and ghosts were different! He reasoned.) and this weird mansion appeared to be the very definition of haunted.

However, Naruto knew that he had no choice other than going over to the structure because as far as he could sense, there wasn't anyone else in this whole world aside from him and the presence he could feel from within those walls. And he didn't know how to describe it but he felt this… tug from within him that wanted him to go to whoever this Reiryoku.

Gulping once, Naruto began to make his way towards the building.

As he continued on with his walk, he looked around and took notice of even more rubble littered around and when he made it out of the forest and into the clearing right in front of the towering structure, Naruto froze.

All around him and the castle was the most number of ruins and it didn't just show a fallen civilization but also beared signs of war. War that brought about the end of the people. However, it wasn't the aftermaths of war that froze Naruto in his place. No, it was the otherworldly Reiatsu that drowned the immediate area.

This close, he could almost make out the visible image of the pitch black spirit energy that covered the stone entity like a blanket. Naruto had never felt anything like this. This spiritual pressure was so dense and powerful those of even his family couldn't compare to.

He felt like he was having trouble breathing from the heaviness that the Reiatsu was causing to the air.

However, what Naruto found odd was that the Reiryoku was strikingly similar to his own. In fact, it almost felt like they were one in the same but... not.

He gulped again with beads of sweat tickling down his forehead and with shaky steps he started towards the entrance.

After just a short walk, Naruto found himself standing in front of the large front doors.

He clenched and unclenched his fists and pondered on what to do but didn't get the time to come to a decision when the double-doors opened on their own.

Seeing that whoever was inside was basically inviting him in, he decided he had no choice but to enter, and enter he did.

Walking inside, Naruto came upon what appeared to be a very large living room with one side completely made out of glass windows and at the center of the room was a very large table with many chairs lined up on both sides.

However, he couldn't concern himself with any of that because right before him was the very source of the abnormally powerful Reiryoku.

There, at the other end of the table and directly in front of Naruto was what appeared to be a throne with a single figure sitting on it. Both the figure and most of the throne were covered in shadows so he couldn't exactly make anything out except for the eyes. Two blood-red orbs that were the same shade of red as the moon outside stared right back at Naruto with an emotionless gaze.

"So, you have come." Naruto felt chills run up and down his spine when the figure spoke for the first time after a long moment of silence. His voice so emotionless yet laced with raw power.

"W-who are you?" Gathering his nerves enough, he asked of the man, judging from the voice.

"I am ****" Naruto blinked and stared at the seated figure as a single thought ran through his head, 'I couldn't hear him.'

"Um… sorry but could you repeat that?" He asked a bit nervously.

"I said, my name is ****" Once more, Naruto could hear every word except for the name.

"I… I couldn't hear you again." He asked but instead of replying the figure simply stared at Naruto before closing his eyes in what he guessed was resignation. He couldn't help but feel annoyed that the man was disappointed in him for not hearing his name. It's not like it was his fault that he couldn't hear the stupid name.

"I see," The figure began to say, breaking Naruto from his thoughts as he opened his eyes and stared at the Kuchiki, "You came too early." Just as he said those words – leaving Naruto confused as to what he meant – the shadows along the walls and the floor began to stretch and wrap themselves around Naruto.

He would have screamed and tried to break free if he could but the moment the shadows started to wrap themselves around him, he was completely paralyzed. Just before the shadows completely consumed Naruto and everything went blank, he heard the figure speak one last time.

"Go, and come back when you are ready to hear my name."

Naruto jerked awake, sweating all over as his eyes darted everywhere as if expecting to still be within the strange and mysterious world but only found himself back at the academy.

"Are you alright?"

Hearing the concerned voice, Naruto turned his head to come face to face with Shaolin who was sitting beside him on her knees with a hand gently resting on his shoulder as she looked at him with a worried gaze.

"Shao… lin?" Naruto asked, more to himself though as he looked around again and noticed that Gin and Tōshirō were also looking at him a bit weirdly.

"Yes." She said while gently rubbing his shoulder to ease some of his tension, "You appeared to be having a bad dream and also the class is about to start so I thought I should wake you up."

"A dream?" Naruto said to himself after hearing Shaolin's words. He turned his gaze to the ground and thought about what he had just been through. He had no idea what had happened. That was the only thing he knew. However, thinking back on it, he was certain that what he had just experienced was NOT a dream. It felt too real.

That power, that figure concealed in the shadows, that scenery of the fallen civilization, that sky, that moon, everything! It felt all too real to be a dream.

He racked up his brain to come up with a possible explanation for what could all of that have been about but came on empty.

"Are you done daydreaming?" Breaking out of his thoughts by the sudden voice, Naruto looked up to find Tōshirō looking at him a bit annoyed. "If so then we have to get back to class. The lunch break is long over with." He said before turning and starting to walk away.

Naruto sighed and decided to put it out of his mind for now. He still had class so he couldn't keep thinking about it.

With that thought he got up and started to follow Tōshirō along with Shaolin and Gin as the four made their way back to the classroom.

As they walked along the corridors of the academy and towards their class, the images of what had transpired while he slept played through Naruto's head and just like that, he felt tired and wanted the academy to just end already so he could go home and rest. He didn't feel like dealing with the academy anymore.

Later that day, right after getting off of the academy and saying good-bye to his three new friends, Naruto had made his way straight home.

Walking into the Kuchiki Clan compound while waving off the guards that bowed to him, Naruto couldn't help the sense of relief that washed over him as he came to a stop within the clan gardens. Closing his eyes, he smiled slightly as the evening air caressed his face before breathing in deeply and then sighing heavily as the feeling of tiredness still hanged upon him.

Naruto really wasn't used to feeling this way. He also didn't understood why exactly he was feeling this exhausted; never in his life had he felt this tired before. And it's not like he had been doing anything particularly taxing but after his encounter with that strange man within that strange world, Naruto had been feeling more and more tired.

He had asked the teacher about it and had found out that apparently when souls were subjected to more Reiatsu than they could handle, the souls tend to subconsciously exhaust their own Reiryoku to not only withstand but also keep themselves form disappearing and though it made some sense to Naruto seeing as how the Reiatsu he had been subjected to was humongous – for a lack of better word – and Naruto did feel suffocated during the encounter, he still couldn't shake the feeling that that wasn't the case or at least not entirely.

He didn't know why or how but he felt a strange familiarity to the Reiryoku and not to mention the man himself. The energy itself was just far too similar to his own and as for that man, Naruto felt that he should know him but no matter how much Naruto thought it over, he just couldn't figure out exactly from where or how. He felt that he just should know him.

Shaking his head to get rid of these tiring thoughts, Naruto decided to just leave them be. He wasn't getting anywhere by constantly thinking about it and got the feeling that he won't get anywhere even if he did keep thinking about it. Perhaps, he will ask someone from his family later about it but for now, he decided to just go and take a nice long soak and then go get some sleep.

Although a part of him felt like he should stay away from sleeping so to not end up in that place again, he couldn't help but think that he wasn't going to end up there again anytime soon if that man's words were any indication.

Once more shaking his head to clear the thoughts, he made his way into the mansion.

"I'm home!" Naruto called out as he slid the fusuma shut behind him.

"Welcome home, Naruto!"

Turning his head to the side, Naruto saw his uncle flying at him with his arms wide open ready to tackle him to the ground. However, right before Isshin could tackle Naruto, he suddenly felt two arms wrap around him out of nowhere before he felt himself get pulled back with his head landing on something plump and soft.

Looking up, Naruto came face to face with a grinning Yoruichi. He also chose to ignore Isshin who crashed into the floor.

"Yoruichi-san?" He inquired a little confused.

"How many times do I have to tell you to just call me Yoruichi?" She shook her head in exasperation before another grin overtook her face. "But never mind that! What's this about a Hisana I've been hearing about?" Yoruichi asked excitedly.

Naruto blinked before turning to his still crashed-into-the-floor uncle who was twitching while muttering something about dodged well. He wasn't surprised in the least that his uncle had most likely told Yoruichi about Hisana. The two did enjoy annoying the hell out of Byakuya.

He opened his mouth to speak when he was cut off by fusuma right in front of them opening and in came his parents along with Byakuya. His mother had a hold of Byakuya's arm who appeared to be composed but he could make out the slight twitch in his face.

Seeing the three walk in, Yoruichi let go of Naruto while Isshin got up from the floor before the three made their way over to the others and met them at the center of the room.

Letting go of Byakuya's arm, Asanoha smiled before giving Naruto a hug which he gladly returned. "Welcome home, Naru-chan." Letting go of Naruto she looked him over for a bit. "How was your first day of the academy?"

"It was… interesting I suppose." Naruto answered because in all honesty his encounter with the strange man aside, the academy had been for the most part, interesting.

Asanoha looked at her youngest for a bit longer, knowing that he was holding something back but she decided to not press further – for now.

"In any case, I believe we all would like some answers from you two." Asanoha addressed her two sons. "But first, why don't we all sit down?" She offered, getting nods from everyone present as she went over to the table within the room with herself, Byakuya and Sōjun sitting on one side and Yoruichi, Naruto and Isshin the other.

"Alright you two," Asanoha started once more after all of them were seated, "Now why don't you explain from the beginning?"

The two brothers looked at each other for a bit as if deciding who should be the one to explain before Byakuya gave a subtle nod, telling Naruto that he can explain.

The youngest Kuchiki sighed before he started explaining about Hisana. How they had first met her seven years ago when they had saved her from a near death condition. How they had taken a liking to her. How they would visit her tea house quite often just to spend some time with her. And how with each passing day the affections between Byakuya and Hisana continued to grow. Though, he made sure to keep out the details about Hisana's situation with her younger sister. Who, she has yet to find.

When Naruto finished his tale, there was silence around the table as the adults seemed to be thinking about it.

"Hm, so it's that pretty one from the tea house." Isshin said, more to himself, after a while as he stroked his chin while Yoruichi and Sōjun nodded along, both remembering the nice girl who has served them tea when they had stopped by.

Asanoha looked at the other three curiously before asking, "You three know this girl?"

"Yes." Sōjun nodded at his wife's question as he turned to her, "She is this girl that serves tea at that tea house by the border."

Asanoha nodded as she did recall that nice little tea house owned by that nice old couple from her own days as a Shinigami.

"Still," Yoruichi began to say as she looked over at Byakuya, "I wouldn't have thought that it was that Hisana all along."

"I know right!" Isshin exclaimed as he turned to Yoruichi, "A girl like that is far too good for a punk like him!" He stated while pointing at Byakuya.

Yoruichi nodded along at his response, Sōjun laughed and Asanoha merely raised an eyebrow while Byakuya's eyebrow twitched violently.

"I don't know." Naruto shrugged, catching all their attention. "I think they look quite good together. Nii-chan is just too big of a wimp to confess his feeling for her."

Byakuya frowned at Naruto. "You know that's not why Naruto."

"Of course it is!" Naruto exclaimed as he pointed a finger at his brother. "You've held feeling for her for past seven years! You would go visit her the same as me. You would sit with her, talk with her, drink tea with her. You even treat her more gently than you treat anyone else and yet after all these years you haven't even made a move to confess your feelings to her!"

Byakuya's frown deepened. "You know as well as I do that I can't just address them. It will only burden her."

"Like hell it will!" Naruto snapped as he slammed his fist on the table. "She clearly returns your feelings!"

"That's not what I meant." Byakuya said calmly, "Just because she reciprocates my feeling does not means she will accept them."

Naruto opened his mouth to argue when Yoruichi interfered.

"Ok, Ok, Ok! Now hold on! Clearly there is more going on than what you have told us!" She said to Naruto before tuning to Byakuya, "Why don't you explain exactly why you would burden her by addressing your feeling to her?"

Byakuya frowned at her for a long moment before explaining Hisana's situation with her younger sister.

"So, let me get this straight." Yoruichi started after hearing his reasons, "So you believe that by courting her you will not only burden her but also be a hindrance to her search for her younger sister?"

"Yes."

There was silence once more as they all pondered on what they had just learned.

"Alright." Asanoha began to say, catching their attention, "We will leave it up to Byakuya for when he decides to court Hisana. But for now, I believe I would like to meet this girl for myself."

Although Byakuya was grateful that his mother wasn't going to force him into anything, he really should have expected for her to still want to meet her.

"Wait? Now?" Naruto asked as he looked around to see the others getting ready to get going.

"Yes." Asanoha said as she regarded Naruto, "Is there a problem?"

"Um… can we have the visit some other day?" Naruto said while scratching the back of his head, "I'm really tired right now and just want to take a bath and then go to sleep."

When the others heard Naruto say that he was actually tired, they knew something wasn't right. 'Naruto' and 'Tired' are two words that none of them would use in the same sentence. He has always had far too much energy going for him and never once had he ever complained about being tired.

"Are you alright?" Asanoha asked in worry.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Like I said, I'm just," Naruto paused as he gave a yawn, "…tired"

"Very well then." Asanoha stated, turning to the others, "We will go meet her some other day." The others nodded in agreement before she once more turned to Naruto. "I will have the bath prepared for you so go and get changed first."

"Un." Naruto nodded as he got up from his sitting position and stretched before turning to the others. "I'll see you guys later." He said one last time before not even waiting for their responses, he left the room.

(Midnight)

Sitting by the veranda right in front of his room, Naruto gazed up at the moon. Its shape the same crescent as the blood-red one he had seen in that weird world earlier today.

As he kept gazing at the celestial body, Naruto couldn't help but find it to be truly beautiful. It was strange really, that despite how much it affects him with restlessness and sleeplessness, Naruto could never bring himself to despise the moon.

In that silent calm, Naruto lost track of time and continued to just admire its unmatched beauty for a long while.

"Naru-chan."

Blinking as he was broken from his trance, Naruto turned his head to find his mother taking a seat right beside him before she reached out and gently took him into her embrace and stroked his hair.

Naruto immediately relaxed and sighed contently.

"Did something happen today?"

He blinked before a smile played on his lips. Of course, his mother would be able to tell that something was bothering him. Sighing, he recalled the strange experience to her.

While Naruto was finishing his tale, he failed to notice the slight pause his mother gave.

'He… had an encounter with his Zanpakutō Spirit this early?' Asanoha thought to herself as she looked at Naruto in astonishment. 'I have heard of Shinigami having visions while they were still kids before, in fact, Isshin himself had started having those visions when he was younger than even Naruto but to actually have an encounter with ones Zanpakutō Spirit in one's own inner world while still lacking the Asauchi is unheard of!'

'However, because he didn't have an Asauchi to form the bridge between himself and his inner world and Zanpakutō, he had to utilize his own Reiryoku to temporarily form a temporary connection which left him completely worn out.' Asanoha blinked as she was broken out of her thoughts by Naruto calling her name, she looked down to see him looking at her questioningly. She smiled reassuringly.

"Kaa-chan, what do you think that was about?" Naruto asked after his mother once she turned her attention to him again.

"I cannot tell Naru-chan. The only one who can is the man you encountered." She couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips when Naruto wrinkled his nose in skepticism.

"That guy?" Naruto asked his mother unsurely, "But he didn't look too friendly."

"I know the first encounters can be a bit unnerving Naru-chan. But trust me when I say that that man has nothing but your best intentions in mind." She flicked his nose when she told him this.

"How can you tell anyway? Do you know this guy?" Naruto asked as he rubbed his nose a little.

"Of course I do. I know you after all." She laughed lightly to herself when he shot her a weird look. And before the two returned to their moon-gazing, she told him one last thing.

"Just be patient Naru-chan, and everything will be clear when the times is right."

To be Continued…

AN: Before you guys begin, know that the only thing that is not taught at the academy or by the Divisions is about the Zanpakutō. As said by Kisuke that they can only teach you how to handle a sword, not how to use your Zanpakutō and the only one who can is the Zanpakutō itself. The academy will hand you an Asauchi and leave the rest entirely up to you. You have to figure out everything about the Zanpakutō yourself.

Also, Shaolin Fēng is Soi-Fon's given name that she discarded after joining the Onmitsukidō.

I also know that it is a bit early for Tōshirō to be attending the academy and that he attended the academy about 60-70 years from this point but the challenger wanted me to bring him in the story earlier.

So, Naruto finally enters the Shin'ō Academy! I won't be dragging out the Academy Arc though, I think I'll wrap it all up within the next 2 – 3 chapters. I really don't want to sit and write about training and there isn't much for me to write with regarding the academy.

Anyways, Naruto had his very first encounter with his Zanpakutō Spirit but was unable to hear his name! Can you guys make any guesses? Still, don't expect to hear the name anytime soon. Maybe around the 10th chapter you'll find out the name and maybe get to see some of his Zanpakutō abilities but you won't be finding out about the true power of his Zanpakutō till Aizen strikes!

Also, you can find an image of what Naruto looks like as well as what Naruto's inner-world looks like on my fb page. You can find the answers to review of the previous chapter there too – if you haven't seen them already!

So anyways, don't forget to leave a nice long REVIEW to let me know your thoughts and also keep telling me your thoughts about the pairing. So far you guys have been a great help! Now I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I was going to post this about two days ago but felt lazy at first and then lost my internet connection.

Well, Ciao!

- El Emperador