Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Adjusting
The sun rose over Konoha, it was unusually silent for the vibrant village hidden in the leaves, Tsunade watched the sun with a steaming cup of tea, she sighed at the silence and missed the sophisticated black haired gennin.
Danzo raged hell over the situation since the property of Konoha was let go so easily, but she countered he would never be returning, almost as if she wanted to be smug and tell the old war hawk that Naruto was in the Soul Society.
Shaking her head with a smile, the council could bitch all they wanted about Naruto, she could just shut up those high and mighty baka's with killing intent.
A chibi self of her in her mind cackled in sadistic glee, Shizune stepped into the room with more paperwork, she sweat dropped seeing the grin on her face "Tsunade-sama" she broke her of the reverie, Tsuande frowned for a moment seeing the paperwork on her desk, then smirked.
Shizune raised an eyebrow, she never acted like this "New paperwork"
Tsunade nodded making a Kage Bunshin to do the paperwork, Shizune gaped "How-"
Tsunade grinned "Naruto gave me the secret to defeating paperwork" she said smugly, Shizune just nodded, dumbfounded.
"Where is he now?"
Tsunade dropped the smile "He left" she said simply getting a shocked gasp from her apprentice "His father found him after sixteen years" she explained getting a shocked look from Shizune "Then why didn't he-"
"Say goodbye?" Tsunade finished with a raised eyebrow "There wasn't much to say goodbye to" she said quietly as her attention went back to the sunrise, Shizune was silent; she nodded softly before leaving the room to inform the Rookie 9.
"WHAT?!" Kiba Inuzuka yelled in the hospital "HE LEFT!"
Shino pushed up his sun glasses with a cool demeanor "Most unusual, what reasoning is behind this Shizune-san?" he questioned in monotone.
Shizune sighed "Naruto's family more or less, has picked him up" she said simply, understanding that Tsunade did not want to go into detail.
Hinata had a different reaction as she thought back on Naruto, he was once a nice and polite child, but antisocial a little, but after the training trip, he changed into a serious individual that seemed detached from society, she shuddered inwardly remembering a cold look that had crossed the now black haired gennin's face.
"Will he return?"
Shizune was silent at Hinata's question, that was all that was needed to confirm the question.
Soul Society, Kuchiki Clan Compound
The running stream of the Kuchki Clan compound was all that Naruto had heard, he sighed to himself at this point, he was now out of his gigai, flexing his hand for a moment, upon discovering his reatsu, he had tamed it down to a low level, but still had trouble in control.
Naruto was sitting under a sakura blossom tree, it had been only a day since Naruto had left, according to his father, the clan had known of Naruto's existence, but had questioned it when it came to his mother whom he'd be meeting later.
The young Kuchiki once again sighed, Kyuubi was actually enthusiastic on teaching Naruto, apparently he knew many high level kido from his time and infiltration of the shinigami, though Naruto opted to focus first on zanjutsu and the physical aspects before making his way up to high level kido, Naruto remembered an old saying from his training days.
"Train the body to suit the mind" he muttered with the shake of his head, Kyuubi had agreed and compromised to train Naruto in kido and zanjutsu, though controlling his reiatsu would be tough for the young Kuchiki.
Naruto looked to the clan council chambers, it had been over an hour, deciding to pass the time he opened a pocket book that had the kanji for Gotei 13 Law Book and Clan Laws
Elder Clan Chambers
A council deliberated with Byakuya on the matter of his son, most were more then willing to accept Naruto, though the Kyuubi part had sent them on a frenzy of anger, Byakuya immediately calmed them down stating that the great fox would be helping Naruto which more then dumbfounded the council members.
"…It wants to help your son?" one council member asked incredulous, drawing a nod, mesmerized whispers emanated in the chambers.
"Odd, I had thought the Kyuubi was a being of chaos" one council member murmured thoughtfully.
Byakuya shook his head "Not quite so, it was under an illusion giving it the look of a blood thirsty beast" he explained shortly drawing slow nods of understanding.
"Alright, this does clear a few points" one of the more level headed members of the council, he had black mixed with gray hairs with a single bang or two framing his forehead, his name was Saito Kuchiki, a former shinigami after an incident with a hollow ended his career, he was about in his mid forties and appeared to be wearing council robes with a black scarf around his neck that stopped at his collar bone.
"But how much potential does he show, Byakuya-sama?" Saito inquired in curiosity.
Byakuya sighed mentally, knowing that this would come up eventually "He has told me that he has high hand to hand combat, and sword specialty, but he has no other skilled areas as of yet"
Saito nodded "And what of his reiatsu levels?"
Byakuya thought for a moment "When we first took him out of his gigiai, it was skyrocketing to mid-taicho" he got bewildered looks as he continued "But eventully he suppressed it in a short amount of time to the level of a fifth seat officer"
Saito was shocked; a council member asked "Does that mean he has control?"
"Suppressed is different from control" Saito explained "But the mere fact that he does have this achievement shows that he has the potential to become a powerful shinigami"
Byakuya was mentally praising the wiser council members, until…
"So what?" an arrogant member said "That proves nothing of the sort that he has potential" he snorted at the end.
Saito looked at him "When was the last time that a Kuchiki had such accomplishments'?" he questioned "A century ago? Two?" he continued "If properly trained, he could become a powerful shinigami and clan head" he looked at Byakyua giving an apologetic look, Byakuya gave a discreet nod.
The council member sneered "He's a brat as far as I'm concerned"
Byakuya decided to ignore that comment "We shall see" he said in cool tone before turning heel and walking out of the door, leaving behind a wondering council and one disgruntled one.
As the members exited, they did not notice the dark look on the arrogant council members face, his name was Akira Kuchiki, he was one of the old traditionalist Kuchiki's that mainly focused on pure blood, however times had changed since then, people were beginning to be flexible, the reason Byakuya had married sixteen years back was because it was done under Kuchiki clan law and in a formal marriage ceremony.
Akira scowled in anger `Kuso! (Damn) I was hoping that this would not happen!' he yelled in his mind `that brat was to die the day he was born!' he clenched his fists tightly `but I can abide for some time…' a malicious grin came onto his face.
Naruto felt his eyes snap up from his book, he was trained to act on gut feeling when it came down to someone talking about him, it felt like hatred, he sighed mentally seeing council members exit, some were curious glances as he saw or slight interest, but one was of hate, though it disappeared as quick as it came.
Turning his attention back to the book, he snapped it shut with a sigh, he had finished it of course but now he was moving on to one entitled "The History of the Soul Society" he muttered as he began reading.
Byakuya shot his eyebrows up in surprise, he was actually reading a few text books as well as a few law books, he was glad internally that Naruto was taking the situation seriously, he could see Naruto was deep into his studies, the environment seemed to make him relaxed and peaceful as he could note from the sway of the trees from the gentle breeze and the calming running of the stream that went through the Kuchiki manor.
Comparing it to Konoha, his son seemed more tense and wary of his environment, but he could see from the boy's eye he kept a wary look.
Byakuya frowned mentally, most of the assassin's were captured after the incident and since then most of the Kuchiki councilors who had tried the attempt were arrested or executed as a result, he had a right to be cautious.
Now, only fourteen of the conspirators were captured and one was left, Byakuya had suspected Akira, but had no proof of leading him to the crime. He'd have to bide his time as such.
Though the academy would make many options open for Naruto, he still had to agree to it.
Walking up to Naruto, said boy looked up "Otou-san" he acknowledged, Byakuya nodded "I see your getting ready" he gazed to the small pile of books.
Naruto nodded shortly "Yes, I figured I could get a jump start before Shin'ou Academy begins" Byakuya nodded in approval "You want to do academy?" he raised an eyebrow.
Naruto returned It evenly "The alternative would be home schooling, correct?" he asked drawing a nod "Well, I'd rather not impose, me being your son would attract unwanted attention given the fact it would be viewed as favoritism"
Now that got Byakuya's attention, somewhat humble he thought "Very well, I'll set up the paperwork with the Sotaicho (Captain-Commander)"
Naruto nodded "Arigato (Thank you), by the way, is there a library in the compound?"
Byakuya nodded in confirmation, calling a servant over he asked "Byakuya-sama, what is it you need?" he did a low bow.
"Show my son to the library in the compound, it is his first time here"
The servant nodded quickly as he lead Naruto the away, Byakuya sighed to himself before picking up the appropriate paperwork.
Picking up the three page packet, he filled it out gracefully in minutes before leaving in a burst of shunpo.
In the library, Naruto was reading books, most were history books but mainly Naruto wanted techniques that Kyuubi could not teach him.
`Have to say, the Onikitsukido (Covert Ops) interests me' he thought to Kyuubi
"No kidding kit, were talking about high speed shunpo techniques here" Kyuubi replied "Though I do have to ask what division you'd be most interested in joining"
Naruto hmmed for a moment as he took out another book from the shelves `Nibantai (Second Divison) is much like shinobi lifestyle that would be familiar with me. Also from what I can tell my speed has increased since coming here. Before I was as fast as Lee without his weights because of you and sparing with him' he thought logically. 'if I was to combine my natural speed with shunpo…'
Kyuubi mentally nodded in agreement "You would a force to be reckoned with, that much is true, but what about the Gobantai?" (Fifth Divison)
Naruto was silent on that
"Kit?"
Naruto snapped back to attention `You have that feeling too, eh?' he thought opening a book that detailed the current Taicho's, Fuku-Taicho's and divisons.
He flipped to the Gobantai Fuku-Taicho, with a frown he read `Aizen Sosuke…' the nagging thing to the Kuchiki was that damn irritating smile that Aizen's photo had plastered on his face, over the years Naruto had been taught how to recognize faked emotions and smiles, this one was downright scary to him, as if a massive force was hidden behind it.
"While I admit, the guy is suspicious, but remember though, just because he smiles all the damn time doesn't mean he's up to something" Kyuubi stated
Naruto wanted to dissuade his sensei's words, he just hated the feeling of faked emotions around others.
"Naruto-sama?"
Naruto calmly looked over to the servant, he was carrying a plate that had a cup of tea "Arigato" he said before taking the cup, the servant bowed low before leaving the room
Naruto sipped the tea with a sigh as he put it on a table, returning to more literature, he took out a book `Shihouin clan, hmm?' he thought, interested before opening it up.
Sotaicho's Office
First Divison Head Quarters
Byakuya handed the paperwork over, the old man looked it over, he had a black hakama and shikkashou, he had a long grey beard and a cane with a white haori draped on his shoulders and had the kanji for one on the back.
"I assume this is it?" the old man asked
Byakuya nodded "yes, Sotaicho" he responded in his usual tone, the old man had a ghost of a smile "Has he settled in just fine?"
Byakuya mentally raised an eyebrow, only he, Naruto's mother and Yamamoto Shigekuni Genryuusai knew of the Kuchiki heir.
"He has" Byakuya stated simply.
Yamamoto sighed to himself as he changed the subject "These are serious charges you are presenting along with your son's academy application" he looked over the three names of the people who tried ruining or ending Naruto's life.
Homura
Koharu
Danzo
"I will select a taicho to retrieve these people" Yamamoto started "An appropriate punishment will be selected, now go home Kuchiki-taicho, your son begins the academy in a week" he ended with a smile.
Byakuya's lips twitched for a moment before leaving in a shunpo, Yamamoto called up his fukutaichi (Vice Captain).
"Yes Sotaicho?" the man asked, he had a western look about him, his name was Chojiiro Sasikabe.
"Send out a hell butterfly to Kon-fon, I have a matter I need to discuss with him"
Chojiro nodded quickly before leaving the room, minutes later a Man with short black hair, he looked short and petite. His hair is then tied back into two spiky ponytails. Then he had grey eyes and stood at a height of 4'11.
"Sotaicho" Kon-fon greeted with a bow, Yamamoto nodded as he was at full height
"Kon-fon, there is a question I would ask of you"
Kon-fon raised an eyebrow in surprise, but recomposed with his stony demeanor, Yamamoto asked "Are you running low on servants in the Fon clan?" he got both eyebrows raised in surprise, this was getting to be an odd day…
Kuchiki Clan Compund
Naruto snapped a book shut, it echoed in the lone library lit by a single candle, Naruto ran a hand through his hair, he had mainly gone over the Kuchiki clan history as well as the Shihouin, but the other ones he had gone over the hierarchy of the Serieti (Court of Pure Souls). The Central 46 made all decisions that would go through, they decided who lived and who died being blunt here, Naruto snorted mentally, he knew full well that the laws they put in place protected both them and the human world, but in Naruto's view, the law was full of loopholes and wasn't perfect, but they were blunt in his own opinion.
There were several instances in Soul Society's history that there were blanked parts . Naruto leaned back in his chair, observing the flickering candle before Naruto shook his head, why was this eerie feeling nagging at the back of his mind? Why did he feel as if something was wrong with the environment around him?
`I have more question's then I do answers' Naruto mused to himself `All things reveal themselves in due time …' he took a sip of tea, trying to process what he's been reading.
Kyuubi was unusually silent as well, he too had a gut feeling on what was going on after what they read…
`Kit, believe me, I have a feeling as well as to what is going on here…' Kyuubi thought to himself
Naruto leaned his head on his left fist, he sighed to himself as he took another sip of tea, he had already taken a look at the academy schedule, his first term would begin in less then a week.
Once again, the Kuchiki sighed as he strode over to the window, the sun was setting on the Soul Society leaving a trace of purple and orange in the sky, it was a lovely sight.
`It's been enough for a single day, for now, let's focus on the current situation' he turned heel and blew out the candle leaving nothing but darkness to consume the room.
Naruto saw the moon unveil itself from a cloud, he stopped and decided to take in the quiet night, he quite liked nights like these, when he was alone and the chirping of crickets accompanied him.
Seeing Byakuya out of the corner of his eyes, Byakuya walked up and spoke when he stopped "The conspirators against you in the real world are caught" he started, Naruto closed his eyes in relief "Do you wish to face them?"
Naruto was quiet for a minute "No" he stated softly "Konoha is no longer a part of my life…" he finished softly, Byakuya nodded in understanding before he turned and left.
Naruto sighed to himself
"Come on kit, though he may not show it, your Otou-san cares more for you then you realize"
Naruto mentally nodded in agreement `I suppose so' he looked at the moon `everyone has their own way of showing they care for others….'
Byakuya, almost as if he was reading Naruto's thoughts, smiled to himself before leaving in a shunpo.
Stopping at the First division, he heard shouting from inside
"You cannot do this to us!" Koharu yelled
Danzo merely scowled at their situation, Homura sneered "What crimes could we possibly haven't done to you?"
Kon-fon looked at Yamamoto, clearly questioning `should I kill them?'
Yamamoto rubbed his temples "You three have harmed a clan heir as well as attempts to end his life or make him a weapon" he scowled, Kon-fon wondered who this clan heir was, and who could be so important?
"The clan itself is a defender of the Soul Society and of the Four Noble familes"
Kon-fon's eyes widened slightly, now this was interesting, he mused to himself as he kept up his stony demeanor.
"What?!" Hmoura yelled "That "Boy" you speak of is an abomination!"
Danzo stayed silent, why he had these fools work for him, he had no idea.
Byakuya had anger but kept it down as the doors swung open, Kon-fon, putting the pieces together had his eye widen in shock for the first time in his life.
"Kuchiki-taicho" Yamamoto greeted, he got a nod "As punishment for your transgressions, you will have your reiatsu cut off and tied down as servants to the Fon clan" he directed his attention to the three elders.
The three exploded with outrage until they were sent to their knees by Byakuya's reiatsu, he looked down on them with grey eyes that held cold, unbridled fury.
It calmed down moments later, the protesting former council members were literally dragged out of the room by Onimitsukido.
Kon-fon finally found his voice "Your…heir, Kuchiki-taicho?"
Byakuya nodded, Yamamoto started "I would like it if this information was kept secret for now, he will be starting the academy a week from now, this will be announced formally amoung the taichos"
Kon-fon complied with a nod before wondering what this news would bring for Soul Society.
Meanwhile, one secretly god wanting Fuku-taicho sneezed before returning to his paperwork.
With Naruto
A giggle was heard by Naruto, he looked around the area and saw no one, then the giggle echoed again.
Naruto raised an eyebrow here…
"So, you're my wielder?" a melodious voice said his mind
'And you're my zanpakuto' Naruto concluded logically, hiding his surprise quickly.
Correct, it's been sixteen years
The giggle happened again `What is your name then?' he asked
"My name is ******"
Naruto sighed quietly, he could feel disappointment
'You haven't heard my name, and you have not seen me, yet you try to do something like this?'
Naruto mentally chuckled at the voice's pout near the end `Anything is worth a try' he thought with an amused tone.
The voice giggled Ah well, you'll have to meet ****** as well
a voice laughed before fading away.
Naruto felt his eyes widen as the voice faded `Kyuubi, did you get that?'
Kyuubi nodded "Certainly did kit, that was your zanpakuto, seems as if you have another…"
Naruto groaned to himself, why did his life have to become so unnecessarily complicated?
Kyuubi chuckled "At least you don't have any romance problems" the great fox joked trying to lighten up the situation.
Naruto chuckled softly in amusement as he began to make his way to his own room, it wasn't too complicated for him, a simple futon and a nice view of the garden if you slid the porch doors opened, he preferred a bit of nature nearby.
Naruto had heavy thoughts as he slid the door open and admired the garden, his thoughts turned to Aizen Sosuke, he frowned at the name momentarily, the man appeared to be wearing a mask to hide his true self, yet that contradicted with what the book said about his profile. Safe to say, he had an uneasy feeling around the man.
Naruto heard knocking on his door, turning to face to face with Byakuya, he spoke on his usual tone "It's time you met your mother, follow me"
Naruto was shocked the first milliseconds, he recomposed with a deep breath as he followed his father moments later, thoughts plagued his mind with questions of how his mother would view him, would she love him?
Byakuya stopped as he slid a door open, Naruto stepped in moments later, he analyzed the woman sitting in the room on her knees.
She had black hair tied into a braid that went down her chest, then she had blue eyes with a gentle face and had a black shikkashou and hakama that was worn with a white haori that had sleeves going down to the wrist and seemed to have a short nodaichi with a leather strap.
"He looks a lot like you, Byakuya-kun" she said softly with a smile on her face as she stood up, Byakuya's lips twitched upwards as if he was indicating a smile.
Byakuya introduced to the shell shocked Naruto (He didn't show it)
"Naruto, this is your mother, Unohana Retsu"