Hey guy! It's good to be back! :)
And thanks for your supporting reviews and helpful criticisms. Without anything else to say, here's the next chapter-
Chapter-14- Revelations!
"Ah…home sweet home!" Naruto's eyebrows lifted in delight as he smiled brightly at the shinigami ramen chef who had just entered through the rip.
"So how's it going you two?" Teuchi asked with a smile making Naruto grin at him while Rangiku had a confused expression on her face as she stared at something behind Teuchi, into the white glowing rip.
"Ah…you must have already sensed another one huh? Well let me introduce you to a close friend of mine," Teuchi verbalized with a smile as a figure stepped in, the rip now closing behind him.
"Meet Urahara Kisuke, he spoke making Matsumoto's eyes widen in shock as the blonde haired man smiled at the duo, his eyes being shadowed by his hat, a cane in his right hand.
"Ah, I'm flattered you think so highly of me Teuchi," Kisuke chuckled as he lifted his head, smiling at the duo.
"It's nice to meet you Matsumoto-san, Uzumaki-san."
Naruto stared at the pale blonde haired man in front of him, an awkward expression on his face when Teuchi stepped on his left foot.
"Ow!" the whiskered blonde exclaimed as he glared at Teuchi who laughed threateningly at him.
"Now now Naruto...you don't have to stare at our guest like that," the ramen chef spoke making the blonde grumble as he turned his head to smile at Kisuke.
"Um...it's nice to meet you Urahara-san," he uttered with a light bow making Kisuke smile at him. Rangiku however, had a frown on her face as she gazed at the man in front of her.
"Teuchi-san, don't you know who this man is?" she asked in a hostile tone making Naruto look at her in confusion while Kisuke's expression suddenly became serious.
"Of course he knows Matsumoto-san. I am the Urahara Kisuke, exiled former captain of twelfth division as well as the founder of Shinigami Research and Development Institute," Urahara muttered behind his fan, covering his face up mysteriously with his bucket hat shadowing his eyes. Naruto however was shocked upon hearing this.
"C-Captain...a former captain? Why were you exiled?" he asked when Rangiku answered in a solemn tone.
"He was responsible for illegally experimenting on his fellow shinigami to achieve hollowfication," the blonde lieutenant verbalized making his eyes widen.
"That's enough Rangiku-san!" Teuchi intervened with a stern voice making Matsumoto look at him in mild surprise.
"What you were told in Seireitei was what they thought was the truth, what Yamamoto and the central 46 were made to think."
"Made to think?" Rangiku asked, raising her eyebrow while Naruto just stayed quiet along with Urahara, who currently was staring at the guardian shinigami standing a little distance away from the group in curiosity.
"I'll explain to you later Rangiku-san. But for now, just know that Kisuke here was framed and he was not the one responsible for those experiments. Besides, this dimension does not come under the jurisdiction of Soul Society, so I'd advise you not to bring the matters of Soul Society here. Isn't that right shinigami-san?" Teuchi said, turning to the hooded shinigami standing away from them.
"Finally noticed me huh Ichiraku-san? Well anyway, I don't have any business in your personal matters. I just came here to relay an important message from the Spirit Society," the unknown shinigami spoke making Teuchi nod while Kisuke turned around to close the dimensional gate.
"I see...Naruto, Rangiku-san, you two go up there and wait for us," the Ichiraku articulated making Naruto nod while Rangiku was still uncomfortable around Kisuke.
"Let's go Rangiku-chan," the jinchuriki mumbled as he turned around to leave, grabbing Matsumoto's hand to pull her along with him.
"My my...that's a whole lot of hollow reiryoku around here, what happened?" Kisuke whistled, gazing upwards while Naruto's eyes widened as he stopped walking.
"Naruto...Rangiku-san's powers have returned to her right?" Teuchi asked with a serious expression, having sensed Matsumoto's increased reiatsu when the blonde duo nodded making him sigh.
"Well that makes our work easier...you can go now," he stated when Matsumoto flash stepped out of the arena along with Naruto.
Ichiraku's Apartment-With Rangiku and Naruto
"Rangiku-chan, are you alright?" Naruto asked in concern, currently bent down to Rangiku's level who was sitting on the couch. She smiled at his concerned expression, her heart warming at the fact that he had immediately sensed her discomfort- he just knew her so well.
"Well...that guy, Urahara Kisuke...I just don't trust him," she spoke with a frown when he sighed. Standing up, he went to the dining table to pick up the black glove with a white skull on it.
CRSHOOF!
"Ah...that's better!" he exclaimed quietly, swinging his arm to open up his stiff muscles. Rangiku stared at the adult Naruto in confusion, who currently was dressed in a white kimono- an indication of him no longer being a shinigami. Noticing her staring at him in confusion, he grinned sheepishly at her while rubbing the back of his head.
"Ahehe, well gigai are just so damn uncomfortable," he spoke making her chuckle to herself.
"I liked black better," Naruto commented with a sigh upon noticing his white kimono.
"Remember Teuchi-san told us that when you lose your shinigami powers given by me, he would train you to awaken your own shinigami powers?" Rangiku reminded him with a smile making him grin widely.
"Of course I do! Although I was sad the previous night that finally Haineko-chan was returning to you, still she was the one who was encouraging me to give my all when I blocked that cero," he uttered before losing his grin when he realized what he had said.
'Shit!'
"Y-You...came in contact with Haineko?" Matsumoto asked in disbelief making him sweat bullets.
"Uh...um..." no words came out of his mouth when she narrowed her eyes.
"Since when?" she asked, her voice having a certain edge to it making him sigh. Well, there was no use hiding it anymore.
"Almost a week ago when I was training in my shinigami form," he answered making Rangiku's scowl deepen.
"Why didn't you tell me that you could contact it?"she asked with a serious expression making him sigh.
"I...I thought you would freak out or something. I was not supposed to contact a foreign zanpakutou spirit in the first place, and somehow it just happened. Moreover, I didn't want to burde-"
"Naruto..." she called making him look at her, surprised for she rarely used his name without the honorific.
"We've been staying with each other for a month, sharing all of our secrets and life events with each other...why couldn't you tell me? Do you not trust me enough? Were you afraid that I would think that kyuubi was influencing you and start fearing you or something?" at this, Naruto's eyes widened a bit making her sigh.
"So you were thinking like this huh?" she asked, her tone holding sadness making Naruto's lips curl downwards.
"Rangiku-chan..." his voice trailed when she turned to him, a hurt expression on her face. Just when she was about to say something, the door to the bedroom opened as Teuchi and Kisuke came out, the guardian shinigami not present. Teuchi however had a concerned expression on his face.
"Ayame-chan...what happened to her that she had to exhaust so much of her reiryoku?" the old shinigami asked as Rangiku was staring at the floor, still sitting on the couch when Naruto spoke with a sigh, knowing that he would have to tell the Ichiraku sooner or later.
"Well...I'll just tell you as to what happened yesterday Oji-san."
Several Minutes Later
"Hmm...this is not good, definitely not good," Kisuke spoke with a grave expression, surprising Naruto that how quickly he could turn from jovial to a serious person.
"These events...this rarely happens. Hollows in that quantity, it is extremely rare in this dimension. What is going on in Hueco Mundo?" Teuchi mumbled to himself making Naruto's eyes widen, currently sitting on the couch with Rangiku while the Ichiraku and Kisuke were sitting around the table.
"Rare? You said rare...does this mean that this has happened before?" the whiskered blonde asked making Kisuke sigh.
"Well, a similar event took place during the second great shinobi war. During wars, it is normal for some strong hollows to slip in here in this dimension due to them sensing large amount of spiritual energy. And as you know, shinobi during wars use chakra, lots of it. To use chakra, they build lots of chakra obviously, meaning increasing their reiryoku levels along with physical energy. This happens on a massive scale and hence hollows of considerable strength are easily attracted towards this dimension. That's where guardian shinigami come in and kill them," Teuchi paused when realization dawned on Naruto's face.
"And I presume during the second shinobi war, lots of hollows similar to yesterday came crashing through the air gates?" the blonde asked making Teuchi nod while Kisuke had a somewhat bored expression on his face. Matsumoto however seemed to be out of the conversation, lost in her own thoughts.
"How do you know all this oji-san? Were you amongst those guardian shinigami, fighting off those hollows?" Naruto asked as more of a statement making Teuchi grin lightly.
"Yep, I was one of them. Though I only fought around Konoha, making sure that those hollows wouldn't enter the village," he spoke making the whiskered blonde grin back at him.
"That's pretty awesome oji-san! I hope I can protect Konoha just like you!" he exclaimed making Teuchi's grin widen.
"But before that, we have to make sure that you awaken your shinigami powers, ne Naruto?" he asked in amusement making the blonde nod enthusiastically when suddenly Rangiku stood up, surprising them somewhat.
"Excuse me Teuchi-san, I'll be taking my leave now. It's just that I'm tired after barely having any sleep the previous night," she bowed a bit making the Ichiraku nod in understanding.
"I understand Rangiku-san, you can go if you want. Naruto will tell you what's discussed between us later," he said making her nod when she suddenly flash stepped out, not so much as glancing at the blonde who was sitting beside her.
"Something's wrong with her, right Naruto?" Teuchi asked with a serious expression making the former shinigami sigh as he put his face in his palms.
"Yeah, I'll have to talk to her," he mumbled, drawing a deep breath in.
"Naruto, the reason I brought Kisuke here is to awaken your shinigami powers," this made the jinchuriki's eyes widen as he turned his head towards Kisuke only to sweatdrop.
"Um...are you sure he's the right man for the job," Teuchi became confused as Naruto pointed behind him. Turning back in his chair, a vein popped on his forehead upon seeing Kisuke sleeping on the table, snoring lightly with a silly smile on his face. His face began to heat up in anger while Naruto struggled to control his laughter.
"WAKE THE HELL UP URAHARA!"
BONK!
"Itai Itai! What happened Teuchi?" Kisuke asked lazily, a yawn escaping his lips as he sat there with a lump on his head before noticing Naruto staring at him in amusement.
"Well anyway..." sighing in exasperation, the Ichiraku continued, "Kisuke here will help me bring your shinigami powers back."
Now seeing the lazy smile on the bucket hat's face, Naruto was seriously doubting if Teuchi had picked the right man.
"Don't worry Naruto-san, I'm much more capable than what you've judged me as so far," Kisuke spoke seriously, again creeping Naruto with how quickly his tone had changed.
"But, why him? Couldn't you and Ayame-chan do it yourself oji-san?" he asked making the Ichiraku shake his head.
"You'll see tomorrow just why we need an extra expert here Naruto," Teuchi uttered making the whiskered blonde sigh, before he smiled at Urahara.
"Oh well, if oji-san trusts you, then I trust you too Urahara-san. And I'm sorry for the way Rangiku-chan behaved," he verbalized apologetically making Kisuke smile at him lightly.
"Not to worry Uzumaki-san...in fact, the moment I saw her, vice captain of tenth division of Seireitei, I was expecting her to attack me," he spoke honestly making Naruto's eyes widen.
'That would mean he was ready to defend himself against any form of attack...and he didn't even have any zanpakutou. This man really must be very strong if oji-san brought him here from another dimension,' the blonde jinchuriki thought in realization.
"Listen Naruto...from now on, Anko being an exception, no matter what the case...you are not to tell about yourself or the shinigami to anyone else," Teuchi articulated with a grim expression making him nod in confusion.
"That guardian shinigami just now, we'll be working with him from now on. Meaning, he will be around Konoha constantly. In this dimension, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Spirit Society, no human is to know about the things that are tied to the spiritual world," the Ichiraku continued, further increasing Naruto's confusion.
"Then what about me, aren't I a human too? And Ayame-chan is a part human too right?" he questioned.
"You being a jinchuriki combined with your high reiryoku reserves makes you special Naruto. Ayame-chan however, is a part shinigami too, so she's allowed to be in this with me. Anko however is a human and as such we've broken the rules by deliberately telling her about the shinigami and hollows," Teuchi explained, pausing in between while Naruto glanced warily at Kisuke at being called a jinchuriki in front of him.
"Don't worry Uzumaki-san, you're secret is safe with me. I wouldn't tell anybody else," Urahara articulated with a sincere smile making the blonde smile gratefully.
"And I'll tell Anko not to meet us when that guardian shinigami is around. We have to remain on our toes from now on. If that shinigami gets to know of this, most likely he's gonna straightaway report to the Spirit Society and the spirit king will take some...actions. And I don't want to imagine the consequences of those actions, and believe me Naruto...neither would you," the Ichiraku spoke in a grave tone making Naruto gulp in nervousness while Kisuke almost laughed at seeing that expression.
"You keep saying Spirit Society. What's this Spirit Society? Does it exists in the spirit king's realm?" he questioned in curiosity making Teuchi facepalm himself while Kisuke chuckled to himself in amusement.
"I totally forgot to tell you about this earlier," the ramen chef muttered to himself before sighing quietly.
"Remember a month ago, the night when you became a shinigami, when you presumed that your parents were in soul society now?" he asked making Naruto's eyes soften as he mumbled a quiet 'Hai'.
"Well, you were wrong. You see, things here in the elemental nations work differently. While civilians here, with normal spiritual energy, die and go to Soul Society just like in Kisuke's dimension here, but what about the shinobi here? All the ninja here above the chunin level possess a high amount of reiryoku and hence are easily capable of becoming seated officers, vice captains and captains of Seireitei. All of the kage level and elite jounins in fact could make captains just because of the amount of reiryoku they possess, which would grow to frightening levels as they train more for some years. Where do you think guardian shinigami come from?," Teuchi spoke, pausing in between with a look of anticipation in his eyes while staring at Naruto, whose eyes suddenly widened in realization.
"So you mean to say that because of so many ninja possessing such high levels of spiritual energy, all of them, when they die, go to this place called Spirit Society which is linked to this dimension?" he asked in surprise making the old chef nod.
'Hm...this kid is fast,' Kisuke thought with an impressed look in his eyes.
"But what about the genins? I mean, they too possess higher reiryoku than normal right? There has to be limit of reiryoku a person possesses, which would decide where he will go, Soul Society or Spirit Society right?" he asked with a gleam in his eyes making Urahara grin.
"Exactly Uzumaki-san! And that limit, which is called as the guardian limit,is set by the spirit king, he's the supreme ruler of the spiritual world after all," the bucket hat uttered with a smile when Naruto's eyes widened.
"What about Shiroi-chan? She was a normal civilian! Then she has most probably gone to Soul Society right?" he asked making Teuchi shake his head while Kisuke looked on in confusion.
"Shiroi-san, when she died, had normal reiryoku reserves. But being in your presence for a week...and later in our presence too, her reiryoku reserves had increased exponentially. I can't say if her reiryoku levels had crossed that limit, hence we can't say for sure where she went...whether Soul Society or Spirit Society," the Ichiraku muttered.
"But I couldn't sense any reiatsu from her," the blonde argued with a frown.
"That's because your own reiatsu clouded hers all the time, that's why you couldn't sense it. But don't worry, even if she has went to Spirit Society, she will receive training for becoming a shinigami there. And who knows, one day, you might be able to meet her again. Even if she wouldn't remember anything regarding her real life here in the material world, at least you have a chance of seeing her here again," the old chef offered with a smile while a bright grin took birth on Naruto's face.
"Really? Awesome! I do remember her reiatsu signature, so I might be able to meet her someday! But..." his ecstatic expression soon turned down as he sighed to himself.
"To become as strong as these guardian shinigami, she would have to train for years to reach the required level. I don't want to wait that much," he murmured to himself in a depressed tone when Kisuke laughed lightly.
"But there's one more thing that Ichiraku-san here forgot to tell you Uzumaki-san!" he uttered cheerfully making Teuchi's left eye twitch at the 'Ichiraku-san' jab.
"Huh? What would that be?" the whiskered blonde asked with a ray of hope.
"It's the time Uzumaki-san. The time in the Spirit Society flies reaaal fast as compared to all the other dimensions including this one," Kisuke wagged his index finger playfully, his voice full of amusement while Naruto's eyebrows lifted in surprise at the revelation.
"H-How much fast?" in response, Kisuke seemed to think with his index finger holding his chin, further building the suspense while Teuchi just sighed at his long term friend's antics.
"Let's say by a factor oooof...a hundred most probably," he answered making the blonde's breathing hitch in his throat
"A hundred? Meaning one day here is equal to hundred days there...four days here easily over a year there..." he mumbled to himself in shock before a light grin took birth on his face.
"Meaning I have a chance of meeting Shiroi-chan in the near future huh?" he verbalized giddily.
"IF she went to Spirit Society that is...she also could've gone to Soul Society you know," Teuchi corrected the ecstatic blonde who just ignored him and continued to grin as he stood up.
"Meh! I trust the effects of my presence...I can easily say that her reiatsu must have crossed the guardian limit!" a stupid grin on his face making Teuchi smile at the boy's positive attitude when Kisuke spoke.
"One more thing I wanted to inform you about Uzumaki-san, a few days ago in my dimension, a human...similar to you became a shinigami, just like the way you did," this made the blonde snap his head to look at him in shock.
"What? Another human became a shinigami? And you said like me? Does he have high reiatsu like me too?" he asked making Kisuke nod with a bright smile.
"Yep! But there's a difference...the zanpakutou he gained after activating his shinigami powers was his own, meaning...the manifestation of his own soul. In your case however, aside from receiving Matsumoto-san's shinigami powers, you also received her zanpakutou along with its spirit...which should be impossible to say the least," Kisuke's face was now serious while Naruto mentally agreed with him.
'He's right, Rangiku-chan's zanpakutou spirit Haineko-chan was also transferred to me. That's the reason I could talk to her. But how did this happen? Was this because of the kyuubi?' he thought when Urahara continued.
"And that was a dangerous thing Uzumaki-san. Only one shinigami can be the owner of a zanpakutou spirit at a time. If by chance, Matsumoto-san's zanpakutou spirit would've chosen you as its new owner..." he trailed while Naruto did not like where this was going, where the situation could've gone in his case.
"Then?" he asked tentatively as Kisuke stared at him seriously.
"Then she would've lost her powers forever. She would've been forced to live as an ordinary soul...no, Seireitei would have executed her," the bomb shell being dropped, Naruto's eyes widened in mind numbing shock.
"It's a good thing that her powers along with her zanpakutou spirit returned to her last night, meaning her zanpakutou spirit still considered her as its rightful owner," Teuchi uttered as the blonde still found himself paralyzed with the news. They had taken such a big risk? What if Rangiku really had lost all of her powers? She would've been dead, and she transferred her powers to save him in the first place!
Just the thought of her dying...
'It...hurts so much...' he thought, bringing his hand upto his heart while Teuchi, sensing the boy's discomfort, spoke in a comforting tone.
"Don't worry Naruto, nothing like that would happen now. She's safe now. The fact that her powers returned before Soul Society could know about her transferring her powers to a human indicates that she's safe. She can safely return to her life back at Seireitei now," this constricted the blonde's heart even more now.
"S-She would be going?" he asked, stuttering in between making Teuchi nod in sadness.
"Of course Naruto. She belongs to Soul Society, she's a vice captain there, a high ranking officer who can't just ignore her duties for long. Now that her powers have returned, she will have to resume her duties and report back to Soul Society where her friends and her captain are most probably still worried for her," the Ichiraku spoke in a solemn tone making him lower his head, a look of hurt and pain crossing his shadowed eyes.
"I think you should return to your apartment and rest Naruto, you're not fully healed yet," Teuchi said making the blonde nod when Kisuke mumbled .
"Oh, and Uzumaki-san...be ready. Tomorrow we awaken your original shinigami powers," a mysterious smile on his face while Naruto's eyes widened at this.
"So soon? I mean, not that I'm complaining...but I would've expected you to do some preparations for this and take some time," Naruto spoke in surprise.
"The sooner it's done, the better it is. Right now, Konoha needs as much help as we can get. And we cannot always rely on shinobi helping us to fight those hollows. Repeatedly using Kakeisoushinki on humans can be harmful. So, you getting your shinigami powers will be helpful to us. Besides, didn't you say you wanted to protect Konoha? Even though you did just that the previous night, what about the future? The next time, we can expect an attack of even larger scale than yesterday," Teuchi answered with a grim expression making Naruto nod seriously.
"I see...well then, I'll come by tomorrow morning then. I also have to meet jiji today about the schedule for team placements. But I'm confused. What if I hadn't lost Rangiku-chan's powers the previous night? Would you two have waited for me to lose those powers first then?" the whiskered blonde questioned when Kisuke readjusted his hat, a grave expression on the former captain's face.
"Then we would've been forced to destroy your Saketsu(Binding Chain) Uzumaki-san," this made Naruto's breathing hitch in shock. He knew what Saketsu was, Teuchi had already told him about that. The Saketsu on a Shinigami was just as important as the Chain of Fate was on a Plus. While there was no chain per se connected to a Shinigami, the area where the Chain of Fate was originally situated was still just as important as when the Shinigami was a simple soul.
In a Shinigami, the Saketsu acted as a boost to the spiritual power-commonly considered as a pressure point. If this was pierced, it would seal up this spiritual power, and the Shinigami would lose all their power. The Shinigami who experienced this could never be a Shinigami again.
"S-Saketsu...are you serious?" he stuttered when Teuchi spoke with a sigh.
"Relax Naruto, not that it's gonna happen now. Even if we had to do it, the damage wouldn't have been permanent. The Saketsu would've been healed when you awakened your own powers. So just chill and go to your apartment. Kisuke and I have some important matters to discuss."
Grumbling to himself, the blonde turned around when he was called.
"And you're going to go like that. You should use your gigai," the Ichiraku uttered with a smirk.
"Well no one is gonna see me anyway...and these gigai's are not comfortable. They really slow me down," he muttered while waving his hand off handily before turning around.
"I'll be here tomorrow then...be ready you guys," he said before shunpo'ing out of the apartment, surprising Kisuke.
"Oh...so the boy can already use shunpo huh? Impressive Teuchi, I guess you took training for this boy seriously huh?" Kisuke asked with a small laugh while the ramen chef was lost in his own thoughts.
'It's you who needs to be ready for tomorrow Naruto.'
Naruto's Apartment- Several Minutes Later
Appearing in the living room of his apartment, Naruto stretched his arms with a smile.
"Ah...home sweet home," he said to himself when he noticed the silence in the apartment.
'Huh? I wonder where Rangiku-chan is?' he thought when suddenly he realized something. Teuchi had spoken that she was going to leave soon...this strained his heart as he closed his eyes, the news hurting him deeply.
'Calm down Naruto...it wasn't like she was going to stay here forever. You knew all along that she was going to depart someday...as soon as she got her powers back that is. She is a shinigami of soul society, a vice captain of her division, she has duties to do, she has her own life to live there. I can't ask her to stay here just because of my selfish reasons...just because I like her company...just because I like her smile...' his clutched his heart, now gazing at the floor in sadness.
'Just because I...' his thoughts trailed as a wave of sadness overtook his body. First Shiroi, and now it was Rangiku. Why did they have to leave? It just wasn't fair. All his life he earned for people who would acknowledge his existence...no, not only acknowledge his existence. Deep down he wanted them to like his presence, for them to be his friends, for them to...maybe love him?
But Shiroi did love him! No...she DOES love him! She was still alive in his heart, and would always be. Besides, he had chances of meeting her in the future. So he couldn't give up. But still, Rangiku...she was special too. Without her, his life was incomplete. He had become addicted to her presence over the month, become addicted to her warm and loving smile, to her teasing, to her mischievous antics and her jovial personality. He just had become to addicted to...the beautiful person that was Rangiku Matsumoto.
"Ah well...cheer up Naruto! This time I wouldn't cry. I will give her a proper farewell with a smile on my face. I will not act like a sissy like I did in front of Shiroi-chan!" he muttered to himself, involuntarily thinking it was strange that he started talking to himself. Wiping the moisture from his eyes, he smiled to himself before going towards the bedroom, having sensed Rangiku's reiatsu.
"Hey Rangiku-chan! I've some great news for ya!" he exclaimed with a grin, opening the door to see her standing in front of the window, gazing outside. She didn't respond or even visibly reacted, making him think that she might be deep in some thought.
"Oji-san told me that I have a chance of meeting Shiroi-chan in the near future! Isn't that great? I will be able to meet her again!" a grin on his face which slowly faded when she didn't respond.
"Rangiku-chan, is something wrong?" he asked with a concerned expression, now walking towards her.
"No...nothing's wrong Naru-kun," she responded softly, her tone containing sadness which Naruto did not fail to notice.
"Are you still moody over the fact that I didn't tell you about me being able to talk with Haineko-chan?" he asked with a sigh when she turned around while he was a bit taken aback upon noticing her sharp eyes, anger in them. Never had he seen Rangiku like that over the month.
"Moody?" she asked with narrowed eyes, a frown on her face.
"You're calling me moody? I'm just sad that you're still hiding things from me Naru-kun!" she spoke a bit loudly making his eyes widen in surprise.
"Why are you getting so worked up over a simple matter Rangiku-chan? I already told you that I did not want you to think less of me...I didn't know if it's normal for a shinigami to talk to his zanpakutou," he spoke making her lips curl downwards now.
"I didn't think any less of you when I was told about the kyuubi being sealed inside you...why did you think such a simple matter would make me think any less of you? Is it because you do not trust me enough? I'm tired of you keeping secrets from me," her voice got soft in the end, her frown being replaced by a poignant look on her face while Naruto stood there in surprise over her acting like this.
"You didn't tell me about you training secretly at night...I would've helped you gladly, you didn't tell me about Anko knowing the truth...and now, you didn't tell me this. How many secrets are you actually keeping from me Naruto? I told every single one of mine. I told you my whole life...I told you everything. I told you about my friends, Gin, my life, soul society, stuff which was forbidden to tell an outsider due to the rules of Soul Society, I told you everything. I didn't hide a single thing from you," she mumbled, gazing at the floor while seeing the hurt look on her face, it was breaking Naruto's heart.
"It's like you don't trust me with your secrets. It's like...you can't trust me. I thought you trusted me with everything Naru-kun. But every week I come to know a new secret about you...why can't you trust me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper while moisture again gathered in the whiskered blonde's eyes.
"I...I don't want to burden you with my problems," his voice hoarse as he controlled the quivering in his voice, stating in a stern tone. Rangiku however lifted her head to stare at him in surprise.
"Then do you mean to say that I burdened you with my problems when I told you everything about me? Is that how you think Naruto?" she was staring at him right in the eye, anger building up inside her while his eyes widened slowly, stunned at her accusation.
"N-No Rangiku-chan! It's not like that. It's just that...well, soon you would be returning to Soul Society, so I just wanted to make sure you leave with happy memories of this place, not thinking over my problems," he muttered while Matsumoto clenched her fists, her eyes widened a bit before they softened.
"Then what if I don't go to Soul Society? What if I choose to stay here for the rest of my life? Would you trust me then?" she asked in a soft voice, now staring at his widened eyes in anticipation.
"But you can't Rangiku-chan! You have your own life! You can't just stay here and leave all your comrades, your friends, your captain and everything behind like that!" he exclaimed when the blonde lieutenant spoke immediately.
"And what about you? Would I able to leave you so easily?" her voice a bit loud making Naruto's eyes widen in shock at her question. What was she saying? Did she realize what she was saying?
"Rangiku-chan...what are you talking about? Of course you would be able to leave me easily. We have only known each other for a month while you've been living in soul society for years, you have your whole life there," he stated with a soft expression while tears gathered in her eyes as she bit her bottom lip.
"Is that what you think of u-us? That we have just known e-each other for a month now? Nothing m-more than that?" she asked with a bit of stutter, her vision getting foggy while Naruto became shocked at noticing her eyes getting glossy.
Rangiku was hurt, deeply so. When she had earlier told that guardian shinigami about her being a former vice captain of Soul Society, it was for a reason. She had decided during the previous night, while taking care of Naruto that she was going to stay with him in this dimension. She had resolved herself to be ready to face all difficulties, to go against everything, to leave her former life just for him. And here, he wanted her to go back? Didn't he want her in his life? Was she wrong in interpreting that he possibly had feelings for her? He was just treating her like a friend. So he really thought of her only as a friend, so easily ready to say her 'good bye'.
"Wha-What are you ta-"
"I-If you want me to leave, then I will," she took a deep breath to speak clearly, trying to push back her tears as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Naruto stood there shocked, not knowing what was going on with her as she quietly wiped her cheek. Rangiku did not say anything else as she started to walk around him, intent on being alone for a while when she found her right hand being grabbed.
Surprised, she looked back to notice him looking at her in what seemed to be confusion, which was slowly changing, his expression changing from a perplexed one to that of being determined.
Rangiku stared at him quietly, a look of longing in her eyes, her heart beating frantically in her chest when he smiled at her, that warm smile which always made butterflies churn in her belly. Pulling her gently towards him, he took her in a warm hug. His arms were wrapped her neck, his face buried in her shoulder while Rangiku stood there in surprise, her eyes wide before they slowly softened.
'I don't know why she's acting like that...but...but I'll just tell her everything. I will tell her what I want...I wouldn't hide anything from her,' he thought decisively while Matsumoto wrapped her arms around his torso, feeling herself melting in the hug. This was the first time Naruto had hugged her. Usually she was the one to hug him, and they were always playful but this...this was a sensual act of affection.
Both stood there silently, not saying a word while Rangiku closed her eyes as she hugged him tighter to her. It made her feel at peace...he made her feel at peace.
"Rangiku-chan...gomenasai. I never meant to hurt you, you are very precious to me," god this was embarrassing! Thank Kami his face was buried in her shoulder, his cheeks were heating right now. But for her, he had to say it!
"I...I really want you to stay with me...forever. When I heard from oji-san today that you would be leaving soon, I was shocked. Not from the fact that you would be leaving, but from the sudden realization that how much I wanted you to be in my life. That how my life was incomplete without you. This past month, with you, was the most awesome time of my life. I...I can't describe the amount of happiness I felt staying with you. I cherish every moment of it," tears started to stream down Rangiku's eyes as she stood in his embrace wide eyed, her heart swelling with unexplainable emotions.
"I don't want you to go anywhere, I want you to stay with me, here...in this small apartment. I want to share all of my secrets with you...everything. Whenever I think of you leaving me, it hurts...it hurts so much that I almost wish that I never find a precious person ever again because...the misery of your most important people in the world leaving you forever...is...is just unbearable," a few tears now escaped the confines of Naruto's eyelids as he hugged her tighter. Matsumoto however was stunned into further silence, awed at intensity of his feelings that he was pouring out to her.
"But please, don't get angry at me. Don't get hurt...I never wanted to hurt you. Whatever I did, I'm sorry. You know I'm an idiot. Please don't cry...Rangiku-chan. I can't bear to see you in so much pain," his voice now choked as he pulled her body against him tightly, himself unsure of the feelings that were sprouting inside him.
Matsumoto was touched. She didn't knew he felt that way. Of course she had an idea that he really cared for her, but to this extent? Her tears continue to fell off her chin as she pulled herself back gently.
Naruto, reluctant to leave the hug, not wanting her to see him cry like that, had his head lowered as he wiped his tears quickly.
"Na-Naruto..." she spoke in a trembling voice, a teary smile on her face as she waited for him to lift his head. Wiping his cheeks dry, the whiskered blonde lifted his head as he smiled at her, a light shade of red dusting his cheeks in embarrassment.
His hazy vision clearing, he was taken aback by the bright smile on her face, her vibrant sky blue eyes, the warmth and love in them.
"S-Sorry I got carried away," he spoke with small smile when Rangiku took his right hand in hers. He looked at her in confusion, but with the same amount of warmth in his oceanic blue eyes. His eyes though widened when she started to lean closer, her eyes half lidded as Matsumoto slowly closed the gap between them.
Naruto found himself unable to move, enchanted by the warmth and love in her hazy eyes as she continued to lean forward- her heart thumping against her chest. Her moist pink lips, which were slightly parted were an enticing sight all the more. His heart started to beat faster, his breathing momentarily coming to a pause when something swelled inside of him.
'Can't...resist it.'
He did something that shocked both of them.
Leaning forward, he captured her soft lips in his making her eyes widen in surprise.
Both stood there in a lip lock as Rangiku's eyes slowly closed, finding herself melting in the kiss, his warm and soft lips sending bolts of pleasure down her spine. Wanting to feel more of him, she pressed her lips harder against his as Matsumoto wrapped her arms around his neck while Naruto, on instinct encircled his arms around her slim back. She rubbed her lips against his, moaning throatily at the pleasurable sensation while Naruto too was blown away. Both of their minds were currently blank as they enjoyed their first kiss.
Rangiku however, pressed her body against his more as she deepened the kiss further while Naruto could not believe how good the kiss felt. Her hands were gently sifting through the blonde locks on his back head while he was rubbing the small of her back. Rangiku, sensing the bed behind her, pulled him towards her as both of them slowly fell on the soft bed.
Naruto, currently on top of her, was now eagerly kissing her back...although gently, his eyes closed in pleasure. The kiss was gentle and passionate, both of them lost in this sensual act of intimacy when Naruto slowly pulled back in need of oxygen.
Eventually opening her eyes, she gazed into his eyes as both of stared at each other softly.
"Naruto..." she mumbled with a smile, cupping his cheek. Right now, she felt SO happy! It was...it was like a dream come true! They both had kissed! And it was so beautiful, so passionate, such tenderness, it blew her away, it made her want more!
Naruto too, for some odd reason, felt ecstatic and excited. Now seeing her beautiful face, her lovely sky blue orbs, her flawless skin...it made him want to do more. He wanted more of this.
"T-That was my first kiss," she spoke softly with a gently smile, a light shade of pink tinting her cheeks while he smiled back.
"Mine too...Rangiku-chan," he muttered. Gazing into his oceanic blue orbs, she found herself loving him more. He still had that innocent look in his eyes...that sweet innocence, that warmth, love and care for her, he was just so beautiful to her.
Naruto's eyes however, saddened a bit when he remembered Shiroi. He felt like he had betrayed her...she said she loved him, and he kissed Rangiku.
The blonde lieutenant, sensing his discomfort, cupped his cheek gently again.
"Thinking about Shiroi-chan?" she asked making his eyes widen in shock. How did she know? Rangiku giggled at his silly face as she playfully encircled her arms around his neck.
"Shiroi-chan said she loved me...I felt like I..." his voice trailed as he averted his gaze. Matsumoto smiled warmly at him as she continued to gently cup his cheek.
'He's just so sweet...so irresistible. Caring for Shiroi-chan's feelings even now,' she thought, a beautiful smile on her face.
"You have to move on Naruto. It's good that you respect her feelings. But keep in mind that she loved you, which means that she only wants your happiness. If just because of her, you cannot move on in your life, then that will make her sad," Rangiku said making him look at her in surprise. He never thought of it this way.
"True love is selfless Naruto. Shiroi-chan loved you with every fiber of her being. She would want you to move on, to go for what you want and not back off just because of her," she paused while the blonde seemed to be in thought over her words.
'She's right. If Shiroi-chan would be sad to see me with someone else, she would be even sadder if I don't stay happy. Shiroi-chan once said that my happiness was all that mattered to her...if that is the case...' he thought, now looking at Rangiku.
"And I know that you want me, so Shiroi-chan would be happy if you take me," she teased him with a smirk, winking at him sexily leading to a furious blush on Naruto's face as he understood what she as talking about.
"W-What are you talking about you pervert!" he exclaimed, damn this woman always teased him mercilessly. Trying to get off in embarrassment, Rangiku pulled him towards her hard, a giggle escaping her lips.
"Relax Naruto, just stay here with me okay?" she asked with a pout, a cute expression on her face which, by standards of a normal human, he couldn't resist.
"Fine..." he muttered with a sigh, grumbling under his breath about 'her always having her way with him'...something which made Rangiku blush at the double meaning of the sentence when a perverted smile took birth on her face, now hugging him close to her.
'Well I wouldn't mind that either Naru-kun~'
So next chapter, we enter 'Trials of the Shattered Shaft'- TBD version lol- meaning, we would be entering the part where Naruto awakens his shinigami powers. :D
So in this chapter, we came to know about an important element of the story- the Spirit Society and the possibility of Naruto meeting up with Shiroi in the future. ;) We also get to know that in Kisuke's dimension, Ichigo gained his powers just now WHEN in ch 3, it was mentioned that Soul Society had sent Rukia to Karakura Town a week later after Rangiku's disappearance, so this means that Ichigo should've gained his powers a month ago right? Can anybody guess what happened here? :)
Naruto somewhat realizes his feelings for Rangiku, but oh boy...Ayame-chan wouldn't be happy. :D
Another important fact- Naruto was able to contact Haineko since some point of time during the month.
Anyway, the method I'm using for awakening Naruto's shinigami powers would be unique and in no way would it resemble canon Bleach, and that method would be logical too...not something which is used only because it is 'cool' to say- meaning it will be an important part of the plot. :)
Well, that's it I guess. And if you can...reviews would be really appreciated, just so I know your thoughts on this fic.
Also, the updates would be returning to their regular pace, though faster than before. Next update would be around upcoming 30th, I'm stating this cause I've already written the next chapter. :p
So see you next week guys, until then, take care! Hope you're enjoying the story so far. :D
Ja ne~
N6023