I DO NOT OWN NARUTO NOR BLEACH!

Urahara's shop was unusually quiet. The reason being Ichigo still out cold on the floor. His soul had been returned to his body, but the wound transferred, so there were lots of bandages around his chest and torso. Kisuke sat at a table chatting with Naruto about nonsensical stuff, but both souls remained on guard. Finally Ichigo's hand twitched and he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Tessai lying next to him. Ichigo screamed and kicked the man away. Kisuke whipped out his fan and chuckled.

"Now now Ichigo. He was only sharing his body heat with you."

"Body heat my foot!" Ichigo stood up and noticed Naruto sitting in the room, back in his gigai (not that Ichigo knew that) "Naruto? What are you doing here?"

Naruto waved cheerily. "Same as you Berry-chan! We're gonna rescue Rukia together." Naruto cheered.

"Rescue Rukia? But how do you know about that?"

"C'mon Ichi. It's obvious ain't it? I can see spirits and stuff too!"

"What!?" Ichigo yelled, his usual scowl on his face.

"Yup. And believe me when I say that you want be on your side."

Ichigo stared at him curiously. "I would ask what you are, but as long as you're helping Rukia I don't care." See, that right there was what made Naruto like the guy. He was extremely loyal and didn't give a crap about the little details as long as it didn't affect him. It was just like Naruto used to be. Urahara went on to explain the training he had in mind for Ichigo. Naruto kind of zoned out but the sand brought him back to attention.

'Pay attention Naruto….Remember what it is I desire and when I receive it I shall grant you a single desire in return. Any desire…'

Naruto nodded to himself and tuned back into the conversation. After Urahara's and his initial distrust of each other died down Naruto was given a chance to explain himself. Of course he didn't give anything away aside from being a hollow and friend of Ichigo's. He would dodge Kisuke's questions by reversing them onto the other man. It was amusing to watch the man get so annoyed because of that. They began to argue about rescuing Rukia and how Ichigo was just using it as an excuse to kill himself. Ichigo froze and his eyes widened at the shock of truth. Still, Naruto frowned at how harsh Kisuke was being. That was a little too far. After Ichigo had calmed down Kisuke explained that they had a month to Rescue Rukia. Naruto smiled maniacally. That would be plenty of time. After Urahara had given Ichigo some pills, that Naruto eyed untrustingly (I mean come on! It had a skull and crossbones on it!), Kisuke snapped his fan shut and shooed Ichigo away. Naruto's ever closed eyes remained on Urahara even as Ichigo stepped past him to leave.

"Oi. You coming Naruto?" Naruto jumped in surprise when Ichigo touched his shoulder. Turning to face him, Naruto saw Ichigo scowling. But in his eyes he could see worry. "I don't want to have to rescue your ass too."

Naruto smiled toothily and stood up from his seat, noticing Kisuke watch his every move. Hmph! Just cause he's a hollow doesn't mean he's evil! Naruto threw his hand up and ruffled Ichigo's hair, forcing the boy to bend down. Ichigo struggled but that only made it worse so he looked up at Naruto instead. "Don't worry berry-chan! Nothing can tame me."

Ichigo shoved off the offending hand (finally!) and snorted. "Yeah. I already know that. You're too crazy for anyone to handle you!"

Naruto's smile dropped. "Well….one person can." Then his smile came back full force. "I can introduce you to him! Sasuke will absolutely despise you at first cause you're just like me!" Naruto seemed genuinely excited and practically hopped out of the store. "C'mon Ichigo. I wanna go to the soul society!

Urahara giggled at the two from behind his fan when Ichigo scowled and stomped out, trying to hit Naruto on the head but failing. Afterwards he asked Uryuu to prepare the training room for Ichigo.

It was strange. No one seemed to remember Rukia aside from Naruto. It was as if she had never existed at all. Ichigo had wanted to ask his friends if they had remembered her but a well-placed glance from Naruto told him not too. They would probably think he was crazy if he asked anyway. It was before school ended that Orihime came up to talk to him.

"Ichigo. Why does no one remember Rukia?" She stared at Ichigo expecting an answer.

"Orihime….you remember?"

She looked at him in confusion. "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I-"

She was cut off when Naruto came running up to them and grabbed Ichigo before running away laughing. She blinked in shock. "H-huh?"

Ichigo flailed in Naruto's grip. "Naruto! What are you doing? Let go!"

Naruto smiled. "I saved ya Berry-chan. She wasn't going to stop asking you questions and you know it."

"Well yeah, but-"

"No buts! We need to get you trained for the soul society."

Ichigo only nodded and was set down when they reached Urahara's shop. Naruto grinned and shoved Ichigo through the door before turning to leave. "Oi. Where are you going?"

"Hunting. I'm hungry and need to eat." Well that wasn't entirely true. The sand was telling him to kill again.

"Hunting? That's a weird way to put it. Whatever. Just be sure to stay safe." With that Ichigo went inside to begin his training. Naruto nodded in recognition to the cat leaving Kisuke's and then vanished to where a hollow was. With Ichigo training Naruto could kill all he wanted and still protect his….friends. After successfully quenching his thirst for blood Naruto returned to watch Ichigo's training. Ichigo was actually trying to hit the little girl and not succeeding. After Ichigo managed to scratch the girl Naruto felt her aura shift. It was filled with bloodlust. Before she managed to land a kick on Ichigo, Naruto appeared in front of him and caught her ankle in his fist. A large shockwave reverberated from the contact and ruffled Naruto's blonde hair. His agitated set everyone there on edge. Before Uryuu (spelling?) could try another attack Kisuke appeared and calmed her down, while Naruto sat down at his previous seat on one of the boulders. Urahara explained that the next phase of Ichigo's training was to get his powers back, and Tessai promptly cut Ichigo's chain-of-fate before he fell down a giant hole. Ichigo landed with a loud "bang!" which caused Naruto to laugh. He walked over to the hole and bent over to peer down to where Tessai had bound Ichigo's arms.

"Hey Ichigo!" Naruto yelled.

"Yeah?"

Naruto grinned. "Don't die and hurry up. The sooner you get up here, the sooner we can have some fun in the soul society."

"You're not the one stuck in a hole! ...but I get it. Alright? Now get outta here!"

Naruto chuckled and straightened again. He turned to leave as Urahara stared at him from under his hat. "And where will you be going this time?"

"Out. Ichigo is going to be down there for a while." Naruto glided past him. "Oh! And don't kill him right away when he comes up either. I'm sure he'll be like your friends the vizards."

Naruto giggled before peaking open his eyes, much like Gin would Kisuke thought. Kisuke didn't openly show fear but inside he was nervous about the state of mind the kid had. "I know many things my dear banished captain. I will not reveal my plans to you, however…" Naruto allowed some bloodlust to seep into his reitsu and a bloodthirsty smile nearly split his face in half. "I think I can make do without you." Naruto felt his growing insanity and found it increasingly harder to keep himself in control. That is until Ichigo's voice from the hole brought him back.

"Hey! Don't spit on me. Gross!" Naruto's previous grin became smaller and his eyes closed again before he said a quick, "Tata~" and left via soneido. Kisuke stared at the spot Naruto had previously occupied before sheathing his sword. It unnerved him at how much the hollow knew about him, yet Naruto also confused him by calming down after hearing Ichigo's voice. (AN: This is NOT a IchiNaru pairing) Loyalty within a hollow….how interesting….

_Day to go to Soul Society:_

Ichigo had a scowl on his face as he listened to Kisuke explain how the sekaimon works and how much time he, and his friends, would have. Ichigo allowed one part of his brain to listen while the other thought of his friends. He couldn't believe that Chad and Orihime had spiritual powers! And Uryu was willing to help a shinigami? Then there was Naruto. Rukia had warned him to stay away from the blonde and now he knew why. Naruto had powers to, Ichigo just didn't know what kind. But that didn't matter to him. A loud poof and cloud of smoke appeared next to him out of the blue shocking Ichigo. Orihime coughed while Urahara whipped out his fan.

"How nice of you to join us Naruto."

"Hee-hee. Sorry. I got lost on the road of life."

Ichigo hit him on the head harshly and scowled. "Don't lie! You-"

"Naruto!" Orihime shouted. "You're here too? Then are you like us?" She gestured to herself and Chad.

"Sort of…" Naruto smiled at her. "I take it you have trained with Yoruichi?"

"Uh-huh. And now we're going to the soul society with Ichigo!"

The two held hands and squealed. "It's like watching two girls rather than a girl and boy." Ichigo deadpanned.

"Hm…" Chad agreed.

"Ok!" Urahra interrupted. "We have limited time."

Instantly all joking stopped and everyone adopted determined looks. Ichigo tightened his fists and stared at the gate. "Rukia. I swear we will, I will, rescue you. That's a promise."

"Is that yours?"

Ichigo looked at Naruto confuse while everyone else stepped towards the gate. The blonde was strangely serious. "My what?"

"Your promise of a lifetime. Was that yours?"

Ichigo remembered meeting Rukia, saving his family, hunting hollows, going to school, and seeing her change into a more relaxed person. He wouldn't let that all fade away. Naruto waited patiently for his answer. "Yes." Ichigo said it with the strongest conviction he had ever mustered.

Naruto smiled brightly, startling Ichigo. He had never seen the blonde with a warm smile before. Naruto started to step past him toward the gate. His hair swayed in some breeze and he gripped the sword on his back. "Then I will do everything in my power to make it true."

Ichigo stared at Naruto's back which seemed broader and stronger than before. It made him think of how much the blonde's true age showed. That was the back of a warrior who had seen hell yet still keeps on fighting. What was he fighting for? Naruto turned his head towards Ichigo. "Well? You coming?"

Ichigo snapped out of his thoughts and rushed forward. He looked at Naruto again and silently thanked him for his support.