Two Hearts, New Soul: Going Solo
Rukia sighed as she was being summoned into Lieutant Lee's office. She was even shocked a bit by being summoned to see him after all today was the one day that he and Kimiko usually took off. Rukia was more afraid that this was something a lot worst than a friendly chat.
'I hope this isn't a transfer order. I know Byakuya hasn't been happy with my performance lately.' Rukia thought as she entered Lee's office.
"Ah, Rukia please come in." Lee motioned for Rukia to take a seat.
"Um, Lee sir if this transfer order has anything to do with my performance on my last few missions. I apologize greatly and I hope you and Captain will reconsidered transferring me." Rukia started.
"Who said anything about a transfer order Rukia?" Lee looked at her with concern. "Captain Ukitake chose you to go on a long term mission."
"A long term mission?!" Rukia questioned her Lieutant.
"Hm there seems to be an eco in here." Lee commented causing Rukia to smile. "Don't worry it is only for a month in the world of the living. Although this time you will be going alone so there shouldn't be any problems."
Rukia bit down on her lip at the subtle mention of her last mission to earth with Kiyone and Sentaro. "Um, about that…I mean this time will be better. Wait that's not what I meant."
"Its okay Rukia no one here blames you for that dreadful mission." Lee laughed as he continued, "Like I said it's a simple month long mission to earth to maintain the flow of souls and exterminate hollows. Your area…"
"You area will be a one spirit ri, six mile diameter circle in Karaka town." The two looked at the door to fine their Captain walking into the room.
"Captain Ukitake!" Rukia quickly bowed her head down at him as he smiled at her.
"How are you feeling Captain?" Lee asked him.
"Much better now, so I decided to see Rukia off on her first solo mission." Ukitake informed him causing Rukia to smile.
"Thank you very much Captain. I won't disappoint you." Rukia bowed again.
"Shouldn't you be on your wait to tell Captain Kuchiki about your mission, Rukia?" Lee asked her.
"Yes, I…well actually Sir I think this is too trivial to bother him with." Rukia said as she stood up glancing at the floor.
"If you want I can inform Byakuya about your mission for you Rukia." Ukitake offered.
"No that's alright. I will tell him myself." Rukia shook her head and headed for the door.
-Meanwhile in the squad six barracks-
"Renji Abarai fourth seat member of squad six is here by promoted to Lieutant of squad six." Momo said proudly as she presented Renji with his Lieutant badge. "Congratulations Renji!"
Renji sat there staring at the badge for a while before he picked it up, "Thank you Lieutant Hinamori."
"Please Renji stop being so formal!" Momo glared at him, "How many times must I tell you its Momo?"
"It will be at least twice more." The third Lieutant finally spoke up, "Congratulations Renji."
"Thanks Izuru." Renji thanked the blonde haired Lieutant as two shadowy figures advanced on him.
"Get the hell off of me!" The ground muffled Renji's voice as the fourth seat member of squad 11 tackled him.
"Let him up you Loser." The other soul reaper scoffed as Renji pulled himself out from underneath Naruto.
"Shut it Teme, besides Renji here has beaten us both." Naruto shot back at Sasuke.
"By the way you better hurry, Renji if you are going to tell Rukia about this." Sasuke pointed out.
"I think I'll surprise her when she gets back after all Rukia's mission is only for a month." Renji told him as he shook his head.
"Heck I'm still surprised that Lee and Kimiko are both working today." Naruto huffed causing the others to laugh.
"Are you still mad that they won't tell you what happened on this day?" Izuru asked.
"Of course I am! After all I have known them longer than any of you soul reapers!" Naruto huffed, "Oops that didn't come out right did it?"
Sasuke and Izuru just sighed as Momo and Renji laughed again. "Hey Naruto do you have some free time today?" Renji asked the spiky blonde as he walked away.
Naruto turned to face the red head showing off his scared up right arm, "Only if you want to do some more training."
"What else would I want to do?" Renji smirked at him.
"Good then I'll see you later." Naruto gave Renji his familiar grin as he flash stepped away.
"I better be getting back otherwise Captain Ichimaru will scold me again." Izuru left as well leaving Sasuke, Renji, and Momo.
"I should be on my way to report in my new position next to Captain Kuchiki." Renji left as well.
"Sasuke?" Momo quietly called out to the former ninja.
"What is it Momo?" Sasuke looked down at the girl.
"Why is Naruto determined to reach bankai?" Momo asked him.
"Only to fill a vow he made to the girl who was closest to his heart." Sasuke told her.
"He and Renji are a lot alike, but still something doesn't feel right to me." Momo sighed as Sasuke left her pondering in her thoughts.
"Don't tell me to drop it Sasuke!" Naruto yelled at his old friend, "I know you were the one that sent squad 11 out there on that mission!"
Momo gasped at the sight of her two friends from squad 11. Both Renji and Naruto were blood soaked in their own blood. Sakura had also joined her to find out what was going on.
"Yes I sent you on that mission only because I thought squad 11 could handle it, but I guess I was wrong seeing that you lost one squad member." Sasuke coldly answered.
About that time Momo and Sakura saw Rika lying on the ground behind Naruto and Sasuke.
"Oh no, Rika…" Momo gasped.
Rika's whole left arm and torso was gone. No member of squad four not even their captain could have saved Rika from death.
"Oh Naruto is this all because of that night? Do you really wish to fight Captain Azien over him stopping your outrage on Sasuke? Why haven't you two started talking again like old times?" Momo asked the silence of the room.
