Disclaimer: i dun own Naruto or Bleach...sry if the Ichigo part was small...people asked if i was going to include other Naruto characters, and all i have to say to that is...wait and find out. Sasu-chan might come out if everything goes as i want it too. The ero-hebi will be in hell, so no he will not grace my fic again.


TWO MONTHS LATER…

Naruto was walking down the district when he saw Renji walking towards him deep in thought. To think that it was only two months since he met and became good friends with most of the fuku-taicho's and Rukia. When Renji was near, Naruto called his name. Renji looked startled then smiled when he saw Naruto.

"Is something wrong Renji?" Naruto asked.

Renji's smile fell and he looked to the side.

"Rukia…she's going to leave on her own to the human world." Renji said.

Naruto was happy for his friend. This would be Rukia's first time going by herself on a mission. But from Renji's expression, something was wrong.

"I hear a 'but' coming along." Naruto said.

"She's not going to tell Kuchiki-taicho that she's leaving since he'll probably say something about 'wasting his time with trivial matters' and whatnot." Renji said.

"Ah sou…" Naruto looked away with a sad look in his gentle sapphire eyes.

When he heard about Byakuya's and Rukia's relationship, it hurt. Naruto knew the circumstances behind Byakuya's reasoning since the man told Naruto himself when he confronted him about it. Everything was about the Law. And it hurt because Naruto would've given anything to have a family. Naruto knew that Byakuya was protecting Rukia like Hisana asked him too; he also had a feeling that he would protect his sister even if Hisana didn't ask. But at the same time he was protecting Rukia, he was also pushing her away and Naruto could see the effect it had on the young woman.

Rukia became like Hinata whenever she was around Byakuya. She became like the Hinata before the chunin exams. The Hinata that feared yet respected and admired her Neji-nii-san. Byakuya was also like Neji in the way that he treated Rukia. He protected Rukia because it was his duty, but he was cold and distant at the same time making her feel worthless. And while Neji had hated Hinata, Naruto also believed that Byakuya hated Rukia as well but not for the same reasons as Neji did. That's where the two men differed.

While Neji hated Hinata because of whom she was and what she represented, Byakuya hated Rukia because he feared that he would feel for her as an older brother should. To Byakuya this was something he could not afford. He was already going against the rules by taking her in, and that was as far as he was going to let her into his life.

All this hurt Naruto because he never had anyone in his life.

Naruto would have given up his soul just to have someone love him.

He would've killed to have a sibling. A family.

Naruto was disturbed out of his thoughts as Renji started talking again.

"I know that I shouldn't be asking this, but could you talk to Kuchiki-taicho? He seems to be more open around you." Renji said with a slight blush of embarrassment on his face.

"Of course." I would've done so anyways.

"Arigato gozaiamasu!" Renji said with a bow.

Naruto smiled down at the man and motioned him to stand.

"Why don't we see Rukia off?"

Renji nodded and they rushed to the gate where Rukia was leaving from. She turned when she felt Renji and Naruto appear.

"What's this? I'm hurt Rukia-chan, you were going to leave without telling us?" Naruto said with a dramatic gesture and a pout.

Rukia giggled.

"Sorry, I just didn't want you guys to worry."

"Baka, by not telling us where you were going, we would've worried even more!" Renji yelled. Rukia's brow twitched. She was about to retort when the gates opened.

All three looked at the gates and Naruto looked at the young woman. He placed a hand on top of her head and gave it a light pat.

"Have fun and come back safely." Naruto said.

"Aa." Rukia replied.

"Make sure you don't die baka." Renji said gruffly.

"Oh, are you worried about me Renji?" Rukia asked with a smug grin.

Renji blushed and stuttered.

"Who the hell would be worried about you?!" he yelled pointing at her.

Rukia just smiled and waved at them for the last time before rushing through the gate. When the light faded, Renji turned to Naruto and excused himself to train.

Naruto just stood at the gate deep in thought when he felt a familiar presence behind him.

"How much time do you think has passed since my death?" Naruto asked.

"The time flow between here and the human world are by a few days. But, between here and the Hidden Continents, one year here is at least 50 years over there." A smooth seductive voice replied from directly behind his back.

Naruto could feel the warmth of the taller and stronger body behind him and leaned back as a pair of strong arms circled his waist to hold him securely against the taller body.

"250 years, I wonder how much Konoha has changed. Don't you Itachi-san?" Naruto murmured.

"Hn."

There was a moment of silence before Itachi spoke.

"Something has been bothering you for the past two months." Itachi stated.

Naruto looked up, placed a hand on Itachi's cheek, and smiled warmly when his palm was nuzzled and kissed.

"Nothing escapes you does it?" Naruto said softly.

"Hn."

Naruto was silent as he gazed into Itachi's eyes. After a minute, he spoke.

"Something is happening. I can feel it in my soul and Kyuu has been restless. It is unnerving and frustrating. I feel as though we are all part of a game that we have no control over. We are all puppets being controlled and manipulated and I hate it."

No one will be master over us… Kyuubi hissed.

Naruto agreed and unconsciously started raising his bloodlust.

Itachi raised a brow and stopped Naruto before people came to investigate. He placed a hand around Naruto's throat in a familiar gesture and stroked his pulse soothingly. Naruto clamed and relaxed as the bloodlust faded away.

"Gomen." Naruto breathed and Itachi nodded.

The hand on Itachi's cheek dropped to the arm around his waist and squeezed slightly. Itachi removed his hand around Naruto's neck and placed it on top of Naruto's.

"Do you suspect anyone?" Itachi asked.

"I get an uneasy feeling around Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tousen." Naruto said.

Itachi knew better than to disregard what Naruto said and was planning some necessary precautions when Naruto turned in his arms and clutched his front lapels. He looked down and saw wise sapphire eyes looking at him with concern and much worry.

"No one is going to come out of this unscathed whether physically or emotionally. Onegai, kiwotsukete (please, be careful)." Naruto whispered the last part.

Itachi lifted one hand and stroked Naruto's golden strands and caressed his beautifully marred face. He leaned down until their foreheads were touching and withheld the urge to kiss his blond Kitsune. Naruto's eyes were wide and there was an adorable flush on his cheeks while his lips were slightly parted to intake air.

Naruto felt his cheeks heat at the intense look in Itachi's eyes. He felt heat pool at the pit of his stomach and resisted the urge to squirm.

Raven strands intertwined with blond ones as the duo came closer. Itachi put one hand around the back of Naruto's head to lift him up for their first kiss. It was short, just a brushing of lips. Their second was more heated and passionate. Itachi invaded Naruto's moist cavern and Naruto submitted. Naruto mewled as their tongues twined and separated. Itachi left Naruto's mouth and trailed kisses down his lips to his jaws and throat. He licked and nipped the base of Naruto's neck, leaving his mark. Naruto, on the other hand, was panting and clutching Itachi's haori. He turned his head and buried his face in Itachi's hair before kissing the shell of his ear.

"Itachi…" he moaned.

Itachi shivered slightly at the throaty moan before claiming Naruto's sweet lips again. When they parted, Naruto was breathing hard and was holding onto Itachi like a lifeline. His knees were weak and he was glad that Itachi was there to hold him up. Itachi was also breathing irregularly but composed himself to help his Kitsune stabilize himself.

They looked into each other's eyes and Naruto flushed as Itachi smirked smugly. He buried his face in Itachi's neck. Itachi rubbed his back in small circles and he sighed happily.

"I love your scent." Naruto said absently as he breathed deeply.

"Hn." As I do yours. Itachi grunted and buried his nose among the golden strands.

In the human world, Rukia was talking with Urahara Kisuke about her gigai.

"Not bad, but it is still uncomfortable." Rukia said as she walked around the shop.

"You'll get used to it, now is there anything else I can do for you?" Urahara asked flicking open his fan.

"The gikongan I ordered (Artificial Soul Candy)?"

"Ah yes, we just got it in."

Rukia stared at the unwrapped package.

"This isn't what I ordered." She said.

"It was out of stock. This one is the 2nd most popular and was already hard to come by."

"…I'll take it."

Ichigo stared as Rukia dropped the PEZ dispenser in his hand. It had a duck head and feet.

"What is this?"

"A gikongan, it forces your soul from your body while the gikongan takes over to watch over and keep your body safe."

"And how does it work?"

"You squeeze the head and the pill pops out."

"It says Soul Candy." Ichigo said, turning the pill dispenser horizontally.

"I know, gikongan sounded to clinical and the women in Soul Society complained about it so it was renamed to sound cuter." Rukia said.

Ichigo stared at the object in his hands and asked.

"Why a duck?"

"Shut up! I wanted to get the bunny, Chappy but it was sold out!"

"…You wanted a rabbit?"

"Urusai!"


i would like to thank my reviewers for the encouragement...