Leaf Village Hospital, 3rd floor
Propped up in a hospital bed Sakura sat up, resting her back against the pillow, and bed frame with her arms slumped by her sides. Her head bowed deep in thought though she didn't have any silence to accompany it. From all sides she was bombarded by questions from Naruto who sat by her side. He wanted to know everything. What happened? How it happened? Why it happened? How again, and perhaps most importantly how sorry he was.
"Don't be." she consoled him as he tried his best to do to her.
"But-" he jolted up from his seat, grinding his teeth "everything that happened, this is call because of me, it-"
"You weren't there Naruto." she cut him off, but her voice wasn't angry or dismissive. It was full of a calm understanding, and he went silent "I was out there. I was careless." her eyes dropped from him to her hands in her lap "I picked the fight." she said quietly, but all Naruto heard was remorse. He starred at her in silence for a few moments before she picked her head up and continued on "It seemed like the right thing to do, but..." she paused as her hands gripped each other tighter "She didn't do anything to make me fight her, not really." she admitted. "Strange as it may sound.. I think she forgave me" her eyes rolled back up to Naruto. "I hope she's alright where ever she is out there."
Naruto was mulling over her odd choice of words as she starred what appeared to him aimlessly, but she was actually deep in thought. "Huh?" he let out "What are you talking about Sakura?" he asked cluelessly. She just let out a sigh, but retained a smile.
'I guess you just don't get it' she thought of saying, but realized that would probably hurt him even more to hear that. Instead, she decided to change the subject "Have you seen Guy-Sensei? How's he doing?"
"Ah, he's as looney as ever!" Naruto exclaimed dismissively, falling back into his chair. After she had been frozen by Rukia it was Guy who rescued her, but from what she heard they were both ended up being carried back to the village.
"That's sort of a relief." she smiled.
"Pssh." Naruto snorted "That's not even the weirdest thing to happen. Have you met Kakashi-sensei's old buddy? Piccolo-sensei!"
"Yeesh." she let out disgusted, her face twisting into a sneer, but she quickly corrected it "I mean he seems nice enough." she admitted thinking back to when he visited her alongside Kakashi.
"I've know plenty of strong warriors." Piccolo told as she picked up her head. "I'd gladly consider you among them." he consoled her. His visit with Kakashi from before had done a lot to build up her spirits as she reflected on her fight with Rukia.
Thinking of Piccolo now that Naruto had brought him up, he certainly was strange, but it was more than his appearance. Strange that he had never been brought up to them until now though, when all of this is going on. But that strange appearance as well as his demeanor got her thinking or rather reminiscing. "Believe it or not," she began "he reminds me a lot of Sas-" the door opening distracted both of them so she couldn't continue her sentence, which perhaps at this time was a good thing given who she was about to bring up. Standing in the doorway was Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade!" Sakura greeted as she walked into the room.
"Hey Granny." Naruto said and he was instantly reprimanded for it with a 'light' pat on the head that sent him down through the floor and all the way down to the bottom lobby entrance of the hospital.
"Sakura." Tsunade said stopping before her bed "You're looking much better now." she stopped to prop a hand on her hip, looking her up and down.
"I feel an awful lot better." she admitted cheerfully.
"Well, you didn't have it as rough as the others. But your just as strong, you're my student after all." she boasted proudly.
"How could I forget?" Sakura smiled. From behind them Naruto popped his head up through the gaping whole in the floor. "When can I be released? I'll like to be out as soon as possible." 'And be as big of a help as I can.' Another bit she decided not to say.
"Soon enough." Tsunade answered. Seeing as how Tsunade had treated both Sakura and Guy, it was no wonder she was feeling as good as new, even so soon after. "What you need is rest right now. Something every one seems intent on ignoring." she pouted as she crossed her arms, pushing her chest up. She paused for a moment mulling on the others who hadn't taken her advice. Sakura now, Guy when she saw him and one other person. A young newcomer who left the village rather recently. She thought back to him with amusement, but recalled his abrupt exit as strange, no different than his entrance. Thinking of it long enough she turned down to Sakura again "But when I'm done I'll come check on you and by then you should be good."
"Great." she smiled. A few moments of cheerful silence passed over them until Tsunade cut into that.
"Ice?" she suddenly questioned aloud.
"Hm?" Sakura let out confused.
"Ice." Tsunade said again "The wounds you had were from ice as I recall."
"Yes," Sakura nodded "They were."
"And your opponent.." she paused, thinking on it more herself "Wielded a weapon correct? A sword." Again Sakura nodded, faster to react to the question this time "You're sure it was a woman?" Tsunade asked raising an eyebrow.
The more questions that came the more puzzled Sakura became, as did Naruto behind her.
"Hey, what's that mean?" he asked stepping closer to them from behind, but his question was ignored.
"Yes. I'm sure of it." Sakura nodded "I'd like to go out and find her when this is all done." Naruto still didn't seem to understand what she meant by that, but Tsunade possibly did.
"I think we could arrange that" she suggested, a knowing smirk on her face that Sakura didn't understand why she had it. But perhaps she will later ",but for now rest." Tsunade said, and pushed Sakura back easing her onto the bed before turning heel and walking out. But Naruto and Sakura would not remain alone for long.
"Oh sorry! Excuse us, Lady Tsunade!" another girl's voice let out at the door. Rushing by and replacing Tsuande were three new people.
"Tenten! Shino! Ino!" Naruto let out, but they had no time for him it seemed.
"Get out of the way!" Ino pushed him aside. "Sakura!" she dived towards the hospital bed "What happened?! How are you feeling?!" they all asked. The bombardment from the two girls was so loud that Naruto did not hear the pleasant greeting he received from Shino.
"Hey listen-" Sakura spoke up, and they all went silent as soon as she opened her mouth "It's just a mission, just like all the others." she assured them.
"That's not what I heard." Ino said raising a finger "Have you heard what Tenten went through?" she moved to and pointed over to the new girl in question who didn't seem to appreciate being put on a pedestal no more than Sakura had.
Looking to her Sakura realized she hadn't heard anything about anyone else. Just that Guy saved her at great cost to himself, and that they had subdued another one like Rukia.
'Maybe the one she was looking for?' Sakura thought.
"Tell her Tenten!" Ino ordered at Tenten.
"In truth." a soft voice spoke up and every one turned to Shino standing stiffly amongst the group, his hands and head tucked away into his coat "I'd be more interested to hear what Sakura went through."
"We already kno-"
"With her own words." he cemented before turning to her "I think I have something that may be just as interesting for you to hear." Every one looked from Shino to Sakura. They leaned in with anticipation, waiting for an answer. Ready to tell her side of the story she opened her mouth and began.
Leaving them behind and walking across the Leaf village Tsunade pondered over the situation, not only of her pupil, but she herself had gotten into. Taking a queue from a previous encounter, she had left Shizune back at the office to do some of the work. She had important things to discuss elsewhere anyway. And not just at the hospital.
"Ice huh?" she pondered aloud as she stopped before the door. She raised a hand to touch it, but stopped a moment before moving to open it. "Hm." she scoffed "Probably not the best one." she pushed it open and walked inside, letting it close behind her.
The bright, beautiful sunshine was cut off from her now as darkness surrounded her. Dim light showed the way down a winding stair. Her footsteps echoed down the empty hallways as she braved the corridor without hesitation.
Faint voices could be heard deeper into the hallway.
"Someone has to be accountable for all this." the voice said. She recognized it as Kakashi's voice; her successor if certain people had their way. He sounded calm and cool as he usually did. "I know it's not us and after all this, I don't think it's you either.." he took a brief pause, and it made her wonder who she was speaking to. Though judging by the intel she heard she already had an idea "but there's got to be something here working against us. Both of us even. Pulling the strings."
That's exactly what she was here to find out. There were more and more talks of a band of strangers running through the borders of the great ninja nations. The Mist and Stone had nothing new to report, but the Sand Village was all too chatty. And perhaps most interesting of all, a large party was moving through the land of lightning was reportedly seen on their own borders. But who? And Why?
There was a seemingly deadly silence now as she came closer to the door. When they finally spoke up again, they were clearer, only this time it was a voice she didn't recognize.
"That's what you think huh?" a deep voice grumbled.
"I thought I said it plainly before" she heard Kakashi again. He paused as Tsunade reached for the doorknob "..don't you?" he asked. Tsunade pushed forward and opened it as all went silent like before, giving no time to answer that question. Opening the door, she saw all eyes fixated on her. She recognized three of them instantly. The fourth was foreign to her and not only in appearance.
"Lady Tsunade." Anko said respectfully, and the three ninja acted obediently as she came forward to join the group. The one outsider of the group- who certainly felt like that given the conversation they were just having- remained completely silent. Though he wouldn't before long. "We've been waiting for you." she said before flashing to the green giant overshadowing all of them.
"I stopped at the hospital before coming here." she said "A little recon of my own." she smirked. Now her eyes looked at the odd man out from the side. Her head soon followed. He remained rigidly in place, but his eyes did move to meet hers. The two regarded each other for a few silent moments as every one else looked on.
"So. You're Kakashi's old sparring partner huh?" she asked inquisitively as she eyed him up and down. Trailing from his feet to stop at his face. He was certainly an imposing figure. Piccolo looked down to her as well. He had been told of Tsunade by Kakashi already, and he recognized her face from the side of the mountain he saw when he first entered the Leaf Village. The two knew of the other by reputation, but here they were meeting for the first time now.
"You could say that." Piccolo responded coldly, though it wasn't meant to be so. It was something every felt they could do less with.
"Show her some respect!" Ibiki shouted out. Clearly the two of them had gotten off to the wrong start, though neither were willing to fix it.
"I've done nothing to show disrespect." Piccolo retorted "If you'd like to see, I'll be happy to show you." he unlocked his arms from each other and lowered them to his sides.
"Enough, all of you!" Tsunade snapped and all tension died within the group. She didn't know what had happened, but it wasn't going to continue while she was here. "I'll admit I find it curious to have you down here." she looked to Piccolo, the tallest in the room towered over everyone else.
"I can't help, but feel the same way." he said turning back to her; disapproval of something was evident in his voice. It was certainly a strange predicament. This entire thing was strange. But she had no time to wonder how all this came to be. She was here to act, and that's what she was going to do, without delay.
"I've no time for assessments." she told sternly "If Kakashi's vouched for you, that'll do for now." she looked over to the Jonin, and he nodded.
"Don't I feel privileged." Piccolo let out annoyed. Ibiki's face flared up in anger, but Tsunade spoke before another confrontation could break out.
"Then let's move." she said, and the group parted for her as she walked past them. They soon fell in behind her to make their way through the halls together. That was except for Piccolo who lingered behind them. No one paid him any mind, except for the very person who brought him here.
Walking casually with his hands in his pockets Kakashi felt the group was incomplete. Slowing he steps Kakashi stopped to see him standing back where they had left him.
"Coming?" he stopped and turned back. The other three stopped a few paces ahead of him and turned back to watch the situation unfold.
Piccolo didn't look at them at first. Instead, his eyes drilled holes into the walls, the intensity of his stare matching the feeling that hung in the air between him and the group. An uneasy silence dragged on as they watched him. Then he stirred. Moving his legs, he took a step forward and pivoted on his heels to face them, his cape coming undone and flapping around the room as he made his way towards the group.
Seeing him move to follow Tsunade then turned and continued on as Ibiki and Anko followed close behind her. Kakashi faltered, waiting for Piccolo to catch up. And once he did he moved himself as he and Piccolo stood shoulder to shoulder walking together, at a noticeable distance behind them.
It was quiet as only their steps were heard echoing through the halls. Until Kakashi leaned his head over to Piccolo.
"You know you could be a little more grateful." he whispered over to him, but even those seemed to echo through these halls. "You have quite the reputation here." Piccolo's eyes rolled down to him "It's a good one, I promise." Kakashi assured him, though his insistence didn't seem to comfort him "Would you rather wait outside? I'm sure Naruto would like to get to know you more."
"I'll get to know him more when this is all over." he said. "I just hope my first impression of him doesn't change as well."
Kakashi let out a sigh "Let's just get this over with. It'll be quick."
"I hope so." Ahead of them Tsunade had opened a door and the three of them poured in. It was so dark they couldn't see what was waiting inside. But they already knew what it was. Even if they didn't, they could sense something inside. Not Chi or chakra.. but something similar to it.
The two closed in on the door before stopping before the door.
"You know, it's a good thing your so much taller than me" Kakashi commented "Or else these would be poking me in the head." he joked pointing up to his shoulder guards, but Piccolo was far from amused. "Not one for jokes I guess." he rubbed the back of his head. Piccolo shot another glare down at him "Just trying to lighten the mood" he lowered his hand "After you." he waved him in with the same hand.
Silently Piccolo made his way through the door, making Kakashi the last one to join them. He closed the door behind him, and the second he did the room became illuminated revealing everyone under a light. Standing in a circle around the room was Anko on his left and Ibiki on his right. Piccolo had gone off to the darkest part of the room behind them. Lady Tsunade stood opposite of Kakashi, but there was some one in between the four of them. For the interrogators their latest victim would no doubt double as they're most unique.
Strapped, tied, bound, locked and completely immobilized in between them all was the man encountered in the woods. Shino said his name was 'Renji'. He was bound to a chair in the middle of the room, both unconscious and unresponsive; the same state he had arrived in after he had been deprived of his energy. His head was dangling off his body and his clothes were loose, revealing a bare chest which was tattooed just like his head. His sword had been confiscated and as far away as possible.
"Think it's time for a wake up call?" Ibiki asked as they all looked down to him.
"I'll volunteer for that." Anko said walking up to him in the chair and wrapped her arms around Renji like a snake's coils "If there's any more, I wouldn't mind if they all looked like him." Anko said running her tongue across his face as he hands ran along his exposed chest.
Kakashi glanced over to Piccolo to try, and gauge his reaction to all this so far. From the darkness hiding him, and his usual scowl present it was hard to make out, but he was certain he didn't like it any more than when he entered the room. He didn't think he'd end up trying anything. He certainly hoped he didn't.
A small groan took him away from his thought on Piccolo and to the center of the room.
"Ah" Anko purred "I have the magic touch, what'd I say!" she took a step back as Renji started coming back to them. He fidgeted and groaned in his chair. Tsunade came around him and placed herself before him. The first thing he would see when he came back in the world would be her. She stood patiently before him; her arms crossed which pressed her chest up even more.
His head flopped around, bobbing from one side of the other until he straightened out. He blinked a few times and leaned in to focus on what was before him. And what he saw was Tsunade's chest level with his head.
"hmmm...uhh.. thanks for coming to see me Rangiku.." he mumbled. Every one shared puzzled looks around the room. All but two; Piccolo who abstained from the entire process and Tsunade. She was more surprised at what he had said.
'Did he just mention..' she thought shocked.
"He's delusional." Ibiki spoke up "Let's just get some one from the Yamanaka clan in here to take of this." Kakashi looked to Piccolo who would probably be able to solve this with his own skills, that was if had felt generous enough to let them use them.
"No." Tsuande rejected calmly "No that's not necessary." she leaned down to get a better look at Renji. The interrogation unit had their uses, but as it turned out Tsunade was the most qualified to deal with this situation and not only because she was Hokage. The robes, the swords, she knew something about this one was familiar to her. "Hey" she leaned in ".. you up?" she asked.
He let out another inaudible groan as he looked around the room. He lifted up his arm- or rather tried to, but when it didn't rise for him he finally started to realize where exactly he was- or rather where he wasn't.
"What-Hey!" he let out as he looked around the room to all the strange, menacing and unfamiliar faces. Ibiki placed a foot forward, but Tsunade raised an arm to stop him. "Who're you!?"
"Stop shouting." Tsunade ordered and he surprisingly complied. "Do you know where you are?" he shook his head "Do you know why you're here?". He seemed to have to ponder than question hard.
"I may have ended up on the wrong end of the ass kicking." he answered defiantly.
"That's about right." she said.
She then proceeded to ask him questions based on what she's heard from Sakura, Shino, Guy and Tenten. They were simple questions, and she received simple answers. But there was one that was still running around in her mind. He knew nothing of Sakura and Guy, but had plenty to say about Tenten and Shino.
"So you were lost?" Tsunade asked.
"So was she."
"This Rukia?" Tsunade asked. She didn't see Kakashi perk up at the sound of that name. But he had nothing to say about what she went through, or where she was.
Renji grumbled "And Tenten." "And you have to let me out of here." Renji barked, his voice rising "I have to find her!"
Tsunade nodded to him. It seemed his story lined up with what she'd been told before. At least his half. Sakura, Rukia. Who knew all of those details now. But there was another question running through her mind. Based on the first thing he said.
"That name you mentioned, when you first woke up. What was that about?" Tsunade inquired. Renji's demeanor changed as he blushed and gritted his teeth.
"That" he cleared his throat "That was a-uh-" his eyes travelled downward on her body "eh-an accident.." he said looking down her shirt and then away.
"Rangiku Matsumoto. Is that who you meant?" Renji was shocked. Anko and Ibiki were confused, while Kakashi and Piccolo were stoic. Tsunade was expecting an answer.
"Yeah." he said surprised snapping his head back to her "How do you-"
"She passed through with her Captain shortly before you showed up. They were pleasant company. I'm waiting for them to come back." she paused to take in Renji's reaction "You on the other hand are in a calamitous situation."
"The Captain and Lieutenant-what happened?" now concerned for their safety just as much as his. "Don't tell me they're gone too!"
"We will be-" Ibiki was calmly silenced again by Tsunade.
"Captain Hitsugaya had gotten into a fight right here." she told him, perhaps a bit too casually for some in the room. "He barley managed to defeat his opponents, but he did. Afterword's I healed him, and he took them back to the Soul Society". Pouring into Renji's mind was some slithering character like Shino.
His eyes focused onto Tsunade. No longer embarrassed or amused he was deathly serious again "Who were they?"
"Two young boys." Tsunade answered. Suddenly in the corner of the room Piccolo stirred in the darkness, his white eyes widened at the sound of that; something only Kakashi noticed. "Around his age, height. Much more on the immature side, though." Tsunade continued to explain, but each new description caused struck a cord with Piccolo as his jaw dropped. "I can't seem to recall their names." she said thinking back "But they could change their hair and even combined into one being."
"Goten and Trunks!" a deep voice bellowed from the darkness. Every one turned to see Piccolo emerge from the shadows; rage showing everywhere on his face, his fists clenched at his sides. All of them were surprised to see him engage, but none more so than Renji.
"AH! What is that?!" he let out and tried to get out of the seat "A giant bug?!". His eyes rolled to Renji who cowered in his seat. He shot his head around trying to find Shino, but he wasn't there no matter where he looked.
Piccolo's glare then traveled back to Tsunade. He stormed over, and stood directly in front of her. She stood under him in his shadow, but she wouldn't yield, not even as he bore down on her.
"Those boys." he said grimly "Where are they? What happened to them?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow to him "They snuck into the town and caused a ruckus. It built up to a confrontation." she said. "Captain Hitsugaya didn't know them and they were from no village I know of.." she paused as she looked to the rage in Piccolo's eye "They're with you weren't they?" she surmised. Piccolo nodded. She looked him over curiously. From behind them Anko and Ibiki tensed up, but Kakashi remained in place; to him it seemed as if his assumption was true. That these soul reapers were the enemy, and now Piccolo may have come around to thinking the same. But Lady Tsunade's thoughts... "As I said" she paused putting her hands on her hips "Captain Hitsugaya left, and he took them with him."
"Where?" Piccolo said instantly.
"The Soul Society". Piccolo looked around over his shoulder to Renji who shook and rattled the chair.
"Is that where you're from?" he asked. Renji stopped shaking beneath him. Whatever he was he wasn't Shino's, his bugs didn't talk. Warily he nodded. "Good." Piccolo turned around to view him fully, towering over him as he just did Tsunade "Then your going to take me there." he ordered.
"He's under interrogation from us." Ibiki spoke up, but he was ignored by Piccolo.
"I'll do no such thing." Renji said defiantly. Piccolo reached his arm down and grabbed Renji by the collar. Then he lifted him up, ripping him out of the restraints and brought him up to his face. Dangling in the air, he was forced to meet the Namekians gaze.
"You're going to take me there." he growled.
"I thought you didn't like interrogation." Kakashi spoke up from behind them.
"This isn't an interrogation." Piccolo answered. Ibki and Anko made a move towards Piccolo. Renji grabbed ahold of the arm that held him up.
Kakashi seeing where this could go took a step forward and joined the group.
"If I can suggest." he cut in before it could continue further. All eyes went to him. Piccolo looked over his shoulder, Renji past Piccolo to him. Ibiki and Anko turned their heads to him as Tsunade watched from behind "Maybe we can make a deal."
Land of Fire
"WEEE!" Yachiru echoed as she propelled herself up off of Kenpachi's shoulder and high into the air. Flinging herself up into the clouds, she found herself among the other two members of their party. "Gogo!" she shouted as she saw Goku and his son flying in the sky with her in the middle. She reached out to grab ahold of his back and then pulled herself onto it. Together two let out an innocent laugh as she straddled him as the flew.
Gohan looking over at the two of them couldn't help but think 'No wonder he's so good with kids. He's like one himself.' before looking down to see Kenpachi ripping through the forest below them as he ran 'But he does have the habit of brining unwanted attention to himself.' Though thankfully Zaraki wasn't like Cell or Mayuri, even if he was rougher than the two of them which surprised Gohan given his appearance. But given the reaction he had when Gohan first joined up with them he surmised the less of Ichigo he knew the better. He then looked back to his father.
"Dad." he said aloud and Goku looked over him as Yachiru held onto his hair like reigns and kicked his sides as if he were a horse. "Are you sure this is the right way?"
Goku nodded and then looked ahead in determination "I'm sure of it." he said with a voice to match. "The longer I stay in here the more clearer things become. I'm starting to tell the difference between the energies I sense here. From Zaraki, to me and everyone else. That's how I found you." Goku paused and Gohan looked at him wondering what he was sensing over there. Being here for longer than himself it was easy to believe him even if it meant he had to rely on him "And now.." Goku began again "I can sense something up ahead."
"Hm?" Gohan perked up "Something? Something like what? A tailed beast?"
Goku shook his head "No." he said definitively a smile gracing his face "Something more familiar."
Gohan took that as a good sign, and allowed another thought to enter his mind. "Hey!" Gohan let out "Do you think you can sense my friend?" Goku turned back to Gohan "His energies would be like Kenpachi's"
Goku nodded "I'll give it a try." he turned to do just that. In truth he sensed something similar to Kenpachi's energy not too far away, likely in this very forest. Much to Goku's delight it was even stronger than Kenpachi's. "Oh!" he let out. He then turned his head back to him getting his sons attention "You never told me who your friend was. Who is he? What's his name?"
"Well he's a Soul Reaper or a substitute technically." Gohan answered confusing Goku a little. Looking down he saw Kenpachi was still barreling through the forest ahead. "His name is-"
"Less talking more getting Gogo!" Yachiru squirmed above him and started slapping her hands onto his head "Get there faster!" she demanded childishly before she jumped over and on to Gohan's back. "Hehe faster! faster!" she repeated as she landed and began pulling his hair.
"Ah-stop- Yachiru" Gohan squirmed underneath her. Not even Goten was this much of a handful! His hands flailed above his head as he flew, all in vain as Yachiru evaded him each time.
"This is fun." she giggled. Gohan then reached his arms back to snatch her before he brought her in front of his face.
"Now, Yachiru" he spoke down to her softly "That's not nice. You have to learn to play not as rou-" Yachiru suddenly planted her feet into his face and propelled herself out of his grip and forward into the the sky, farther ahead of the group.
"Aaheheh" Gohan's muffled groans let out as he brought his hands to touch his face. Meanwhile Yachiru and her giggle disappeared into the horizon.
Soaring across the sky, she waved and giggled at the shrinking dots of the two Saiyans in the air behind her, oblivious and unconcerned of being separated or lost from them. Or even if she crossed paths with something else.
"Hey whatthe-" Wach out!" a flurry of voices let out in the air as she soared towards them. Yachiru reached her hands out for the closest thing available. Which just so happened to be the legs of one of their pants.
Far behind where she left them Gohan and Goku remained in the sky.
"Come here." Goku said trying to get a look at Gohan's face "I bet it's not that bad." she said reassuringly despite the faint pair of small feet parks left in his son's face.
A sudden blood curling scream was let out far ahead of them, and they couldn't hear Yachiru's laughter any more. Their heads darted away to the distance and Gohan forget what ever pain he was in.
"She's in trouble." He said. Goku looked down to Kenpachi who stopped dead in his tracks, the smoke trail from his rampage stopped as he looked up to them and they down to him. With a silent acknowledgment they all bursts forward as fast as they could to her aid.
Goku soared across the sky as Gohan kept with him while Kenpachi went forward on the ground. But the sound of another scream made him go even faster and he went so fast that he left two of them behind.
The first to arrive at the scene Goku sized up the scene and tried to comprehend what was going on.
Needless to say the situation was not as dire as they initially thought-for Yachiru at least.
There she was dangling in the air from the pants leg of a familiar little boy. His pants were all the way down to his feet as he tried to cover himself up, embarrassed by the whole situation. But his hands were too small to cover everything, he left his bare backside completely exposed.
"Somebody help me!" Goten sobbed "There's a breeze up here!" he shivered as Yachiru had been swinging on his pant leg. Trunks flew circles around the two wondering what was the best way to handle the situation; to die laughing or to eventually help out.
"Boys!" Goku exclaimed. The two's boys eyes went to the man who called them, and were happy to finally have found a very familiar face.
"DAD!" Goten let out. He swung his legs and managed to rid himself of the prying Yachiru. Letting go of him she was flung across the air and into Goku's arms.
"There you go." he said as he caught her.
"Again! Again!" she cheered. Goku laughed and then looked to see the his son pull up his pants and dive towards him.
"Whoa!" Goku let out as he opened his arms, and caught him too.
"Dad-" Goten buried his head into his fathers chest, curling up beside him.
"Oh it's alright." Goku consoled him warmly as he gripped him tighter. All of a sudden Goten shot his head up towards his father.
"Where have you been-where did you go?!" she said without a breath.
"I guess Shenron thought it would be better if split up." he chuckled, helping to alleviate any more distress "What have you been up to?" he asked curiously.
"We've all kinds of adventures-AH!" Goten exclaimed as he threw his arms up in the air. Yachiru reached over and began trying to tug at his hair. Goku just widened his arms and the distance between them, but that didn't seem to stop her. Gohan suddenly came up, and joined the group.
"Goten! Trunks!" he let out just as surprised as his father to see them. Turning around to seeing him Goten jumped from his father's arms into his brothers. The two embraced as Goku every one else looked on in the air. Trunks, in particular watched them, though with a glum expression on his face. Feeling very much like an outsider in this family reunion.
"hey.." he crept up to them quietly. Hearing a familiar, but downtrodden voice Goku looked from the reunion of his two sons, to see Trunks floating in the air beside him "Did you.. happen to see my dad anywhere?" he asked looking to the ground.
Looking at only the top of his head since his face could not be seen Goku could still hear the worry and loneliness in his voice.
"No." he answered honestly. Trunks shot his head up to him now, his eyes wide with concern and fear, but Goku was quick to come to him, putting a hand on his shoulder "But don't worry about him. If we all managed to bump into each other, I know we'll find him too. " he said with a reassuring smile, and it had the desired effect when Trunk's spirit lifted.
The kind display was interrupted by a battle cry from below; a voice Goku recognized as Kenpachi's. With wide eyes they all looked down to see a tree get knocked over and a giant dust cloud form.
"Sooo" Trunks dragged out the word "Did you guys bump into anyone else?"
"Yep." Goku answered.
"Yeah!" Yachiru let out "Kenny's playing too!". They wasted no time in descending to the ground where they found Kenpachi with his sword drawn against a young green clad boy. Despite the size and ferociousness of Kenpachi, he didn't seem afraid.
"C'mon! Fight me!" he demanded he slashed the sword through the air as an intimidation.
"I'm afraid we are just two wary travelers, succumbed to be victims of circumstance." the boy declared "But my fight is not with you." That did not sit well with Kenpachi.
"It is now!" he bellowed. He raised his arm to strike down with his sword.
"Hold it there!" Goku suddenly appeared before him, grabbing the sword and stopping him in the middle of his swing.
"What's this then?" Kenpachi asked bemused. A wide grin then came across his face "You wanna get in on this too?" his tongue ran across his teeth.
"No, not yet." Goku said releasing the sword and it dropped to it's wielders side.
"Kenny." Yachiru let out hopping onto his shoulder and clung tightly to his shoulder. Feeling secure enough that Kenpachi wouldn't try anything Goku turned to the boy he was about to fight. As he turned the other three dropped fell in around them.
"Hey, there" he greeted cheerily. The boy's posture loosened, and he became less tense. "You don't have to worry" he said though it seemed like he still needed reassurances. An introduction might just do the trick "My name's Goku."
The boy at the sound of that eased out of his fighting stance and took a more respectful one to return to him.
"Please to meet your acquaintance. My name is Rock Lee." he put a thumb to his chest.
"Nice name." Goku complimented.
"Wow!" Goten let out. "I guess this guy was right." Goku turned around to see Trunks and Goten talking to each other.
"I mean we found your dad, not mine." Trunks grumbled with his arms crossed.
Goku perked up at that information and turned back to Lee. "Were you traveling with my son Goten?"
Surprise flashed over Lee "Goten?" Lee asked and Goku nodded "Why yes, as a matter of fact I was." he nodded. It seems that just how Kenpachi had joined their group, Goten and Trunks had made new friends as well.
"Great!" Goku erupted before settling back down "Thank you for bringing him back to me."
"It is you I should thank good sir." Lee said, his voice just as thankful "For now I have redeemed myself, and found his father." he proclaimed proudly "But perhaps, now you can help me with something."
"Anything." Goku nodded "You name it!" he shot him a thumbs up.
"There is some one else I am looking for, and If you are this boys father then I believe you all may know him just as they do." Goku looked on intrigued " He is the father of that boy, as well." he pointed to Trunks. His name is-" a violent gust of wind picked up and swarmed around them.
"Kakarot!" an irritated voice rang out. All eyes went up to the sky to see a familiar face. Plunging down from the sky, Vegeta landed hard in the middle of the group shaking the trees and leaves from the force of his power and the ground shook when he landed. He was hunched as his boots buried into the ground, but quickly picked himself up and instantly turned to Goku.
"Hey Vegeta!" Goku let out ecstatically "It's great to see you!" he cheered "In fact we were just talking about you!"
"Spare me, Kakarot!" Vegeta snapped and slashed his arm through the air "I've no time for your foolish pleasantries. So far I've found nothing of substance in this primitive, pitiful place. This whole thing is a farce! Not a blade or beast to be had. So much for your precious warning!" he ranted.
"Ahem." a voice beckoned behind him. Irritated enough already, Vegeta turned and was prepared to let loose a power no one had ever experienced with just the rage spewing from his mouth. He turned opening his mouth to unleash it, but found himself short of words for only a moment.
For standing behind him was Rock Lee.
He had his arm extended before him and feet planted firmly in the ground. He had the same stance and look as the last time Vegeta saw him when they met along the road. Vegeta's agitation was still palpable, but upon seeing Lee there it seemed to give way to feigned amusement. He stood up himself now and looked to Lee with a smug grin he wore the last time Lee saw him.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" Vegeta said now amused instead of infuriated. "It seems you've managed to surprise me." he let out a malicious chuckle " You even managed to make it here before me it seems." he said looking around to the present company they were now in.
"Hey is this you were looking for?" Goku called to Lee over Vegeta as he pointed to his fellow Saiyan.
"Yes, it is." Lee said not taking his eyes from Vegeta. "I've found you yet again." he said to the prince "Now." he said in a hard voice "let's fight as you proposed. I will not be mislead twice."
"Hm." Vegeta let out as he took a stance of his own "Let it not be said I'm not a man of my word."
"If there's a fight," a third voice let out "I'll be having my fair share of it" a giant now put himself between the two and unsheathed a sword. Vegeta's eyes narrowed in on that.
"What-Kakarot it's-"
"Hey, don't worry about it" Goku said as his arm fell across Vegeta. "Kenpachi's on our side. Trust me. Really he just wants the same thing we want; a good challenge." Vegeta eyed him suspiciously as Kenpachi looked down at him waiting for him to make a move.
"What's the matter?" Kenpachi asked "Too afraid to fight now?" Vegeta turned towards Kenpachi, prepared to make a move to go against him much to Kenpachi's delight.
"Don't forget about me!" Lee proclaimed as he advanced towards them. "I'm going to fight him first!"
"Hold on there guys!" Goku suddenly put himself in between the three of them "If there's any one who wants to fight a strong opponent, you bet I'll be there." he said as he rotated his head to all three as he stood between them "But why don't we get our bearings for a second?" The three glanced from one to the other waiting to see which one would make the fatal mistake of pressing the fight.
It wasn't going to be Lee who agreed with Goku, but Vegeta and Kenpachi remained deadlocked against each other.
"Come on, Vegeta." Gohan said stepping up. The judgement filled eyes of every one else around him contrasted with his instinct to put this insolent swine into the ground... but ultimately he found the power to fight his urges. He crossed his arms and remained tense in the group. Disappointed Kenpachi rested his sword against the groove of his neck.
"I knew you'd do it Vegeta." Goku congratulated him.
"Dad!" Trunks let out as he slammed into Vegeta wrapping his arm around him.
"Son." Vegeta greeted back putting an arm around his entire body. Goku looked on approvingly of the two of them together. With the two reunited along with him and his own sons, and the new friends they made, or enemies in Vegeta's case it was time to decide on what to do next. The Z warriors were still not complete after all. "Alright." he turned to look at Goku with his son still in his arms "I've done what you asked. Now let's get down to this."
All sides then took they're turns explaining in either great details(Gohan), little details(Vegeta), exaggerations (Goten and Trunks), disinterest(Kenpachi) or pure wonder(Goku). The ending to their stories brought them here. And now the question was what to do next?
"I think we should try to find the others." Gohan suggested. Not taking a liking to them doing it in the first pace even though he wasn't there for it. Perhaps if he was things would have turned out differently. That was his line of thinking that brought him all this way after all. He was careful to omit Ichigo's name during his retelling to avoid the wrath of Kenpachi. He didn't know it since Goten and Trunks version of the story had hardly mention Ichigo in a recognizable way; painting him as another villain in their daring escape of the Soul Society. So he still had no idea where he was. Or Piccolo.
"Easy for you to say." Vegeta scoffed "Did you feel so left out that you had to chase us all the way here? Tell me boy, if your here now then who is back home guarding my family from any one like that wretched clown?!" No one blamed him for becoming infuriated at the very sound of some one like Mayuri.
"Maybe it is time we get back there." Goku pondered aloud before looking at all the possible candidates "What about you Vegeta?" Goku said looking to him.
"What-get serious." aghast at the proposal "Have your boy do it. He's the one who left his post!" he pointed over to Gohan.
"Well think, about it. Who better to guard the earth than you while I'm out here?"
"If your so concerned go back yourself." he said dismissively "I am tired of this worthless backpedaling with nothing to show for it!"
"But what if some one goes back to Capsule Corps? What then?" he asked egging Vegeta on. His brow furrowed and his scowl deepened with every word thrown at him. It didn't take long before he got the answer he wanted.
"Fine." Vegeta spat "I'll succeed where your boy has failed." he eventually rationalized himself. "There'll be more to be done at home than here."
"I don't think we have to worry about it guys." Gohan spoke up "My new friends are back there anyway." he said still unaware only one soul reaper was present back home; one he hadn't met and couldn't vouch for.
"I trust your friends as much as I trust you at this point." Vegeta spat with disappointment
"Where he goes I go!" Lee proclaimed raising a fist. "I will have what was promised to me."
"Persistent aren't you." Vegeta smirked "Very well, you may tag along as my royal cupbearer. Just stay out of my when any of the fight starts." he said already certain something would happen. The look Lee gave him made every one think one would break out now. "
"The first fight you have shall be with me." he reminded him with a fire in his eyes.
"And don't worry. I'll have you home before bed time." Vegeta waved his hand in the air.
Gohan had been silent since Vegeta's outburst at him. He had indeed accomplished what he came out here to do. To find his father. But Piccolo was still nowhere to be found and who knows where Ichigo was as well. Maybe they weren't here at all in this world on Ninja's. Maybe they were somewhere else.
"I'll go too." Gohan said stepping up surprising many.
Irritation came over Vegeta's face again "If your going then what's the point of-"
"It's not home I want to go." Gohan said "Not yet, at least." his statement confused many who were there "It's the Soul Society I want to return to first. Maybe by going back I can find -" he was about to name him only to see Kenpachi glaring down at him and reaching for his sword. He remembered that saying a name might not be the best thing around him "mm-my friend whose lost." he ended up saying and Kenpachi calmed down "Or another way to find our own." he added "who knows, maybe Piccolo's there?" If not he was sure he would be able to get more help to find him.
"If that's what you want." Goku nodded giving his approval "I'll stay here, and try to regroup with Piccolo.. maybe I'll even find what I came here for." he clenched his fist.
"An awful lot of talk." Vegeta mocked "But I still haven't figured out how we'll be getting home. Don't you remember why we left Gohan back in the first place?" he asked.
"Here you go" Goten spoke up and held up the one star Dragon Ball for all to see.
"Wait!" Gohan shouted "Goten where did you get this?" he ogled the ball. The very one Ichigo had found and held onto. If it was here, then what happened to them.
"Some thief was trying to steal it, but we got it back!" Goten cheered.
"Thief?!" Gohan let out.
"Goten you idiot!" Trunks nagged "We still have to find the other six-wait? Does this world have dragon balls?" he turned to Lee.
"I have never heard of such a thing." he said. Vegeta snatched the ball from Goten's hand. For safe keeping. At that moment Yachiru pounced off of Kenpachi's shoulder and down onto Trunk's head pulling his hair shouting it was the same as hers.
"Even if it does, we won't need it." Gohan said cutting through the conversation of everyone else. Everyone was confused by his statement so he elaborated further "Because we have him." he pointed to Kenpachi. All eyes went to him in confusion while he looked back with indifference.
"Whattya expect me to do?"
"You can take them back home through the Soul Society. They can use the Senkaimon and they can go home from there." Everyone was having a hard time following what Gohan was proposing, even Goku who knew Kenpachi the longest of them here. He however understood what Gohan was asking. But that didn't mean he agreed to it.
"Forget it." he spat "I have no interest in that." he turned his head away from the group.
"Aw come on" Goku nagged stepping forward, but Kenpachi wouldn't budge. "Please. I would really be helping us out a lot." he put his hands together and begged, but it did just as much good as before. It was clear this would require a change in tactics. "Fine then, I guess we'll all have to stay here."
"Then it's settles." the Captain grumbled and turned his back to them "Then let's keep going. There's been too much talking and not enough carving."
"Fine." Goku feigned interest "But you know it'll be hard to move with an even bigger group. If we split up we'd have less to worry about." Kenpachi looked over his shoulder back to the Saiyan "And less people to hog all the fun."
Kenpachi let breath out through gritted teeth "Fine." he said picking up his sword "I'll thin the herd, but don't you go anywhere." he pointed it towards Goku. "When I get back, we can continue this hunt together."
"You bet." Goku nodded in agreement.
"And I'll expect to get one from all three of you" he said as Lee fell in with Vegeta.
The process of opening the door intrigued most of them, save Gohan who had seen it before. The door opened, and though there was clearly nothing behind it, it lead to an entirely different realm.
"Come on then," Kenpachi said to them "I'll probably get my head chewed off for this." he muttered to himself. He lead the way through the door, ducking his head under before emerging on the other side. Behind him Vegeta, Gohan, and Lee shuffled into formation. Goten and Trunks stayed behind with Goku.
"You two go too." Goku encouraged them. They both looked up to him. Goten did so with wide eyes "don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
The two boys looked to the door "I don't wanna go back there." Goten said shakily.
"Don't worry." Goku said "You're with Gohan now, you'll be alright." With a few more reassuring words the two followed the others to return to the Soul Society once again.
The door closed behind them leaving Goku all by himself, but he didn't feel lonely. He knew they would be alright. He was content to wait right there where they left him.
In the Soul Society the group arrived clustered into one form on the city street. A mix of emotion overtook the group. For Kenpachi it was a chore to be back right now, for Gohan it was refreshing, Goten and Trunks were both nervous and excited. Vegeta shared no such sentiments while Rock Lee was in astonishment.
"Alright where to now?" Vegeta asked aloud though Kenpachi didn't answer as he lumbered on ahead of them "I'm talking to you! Your the tour guide right?!"
"Hm." he grumbled as he looked back to them "I'd much rather be rid of you in other ways." he admitted "But I have no time to gut you at the moment." he called back "Follow me or get left behind" he began marching forward.
"I'll find my own way." Gohan said breaking of from the group. His business was separate from theirs. "Come on guys!" he said eagerly to Goten and Trunks "You got to see this!"Goten followed him without hesitation. Trunks looked to his father, wondering if they had been separated all this time what would happen now.
"It's alright son." Vegeta said to him "Go with them." Relieved with the permission Trunks split off to go with him, leaving potentially the three least agreeable of them together.
The three of them marched together; the only one pleasant about the whole thing was Yachiru hanging off of her Captain's shoulder, and Lee who exchanged courteous greetings to every one they passed, though it only confused most of them and he never got any in return. Needless to say the sight of strangers like this turned more than a few heads as they walked. Most of them remembering what happened during the Ryoka invasion. Captain Zaraki was used to getting a wide berth from every one, and their curiosity certainly wouldn't be getting the better of them this time.
The only ones who dared approach them were high ranking members of the Squads; the highest of them were waiting at the gate.
"Captain Zaraki." Toshiro greeted him tiredly as he leaned against the Senkaimon "I hadn't expected to see you so soon. Nor did I hear you return at all."
"This isn't a meeting, so I'm not obliged to answer your questions" he bellowed down at the young captain "Now open this thing so I can be along my way." Toshiro's eyes glanced down at the two by his side.
"You and your new friends there?" he asked looking at strange company he's keeping.
"Just for them. I wanna be right back where I started when I go through." Kenpachi told.
Toshiro looked from the amiable as ever Captain Zaraki, and his hyperactive lieutenant before his new 'friends'. The boy was bobbing up and down on his legs while the other one stood rigidly in place with his arms crossed. He didn't look pleased to be here, and the look he gave Toshiro wasn't a friendly one.
"If you have children manning your stations, you must be worse off than I thought." Vegeta mocked.
Toshiro let out a sigh and closed his eyes "Typical old men. Impatient and impractical" Vegeta irked when he said that "It's up to my judgement who passes through here or not." Toshiro explained "and if you want to get anywhere you'd best learn to say things like 'please' and 'thank you'."
"Why you little-" Vegeta stepped forward ready to strangle this annoying little kid.
"He raises a very good point." Lee agreed "Where would we be without common courtesy?" he asked though his two companions lacked them.
"Shut up." Vegeta snapped to him. Lee however, kept his gaze on Toshiro.
"Excuse me little boy, but we are in a very big hurry" Lee said politely, but that didn't seem to help the situation as Toshiro began to turn red and it noticeably became colder around them.
"Are you gonna open this thing or not?" Kenpachi asked standing over all of them.
Toshiro began to turn to a normal shade again, and warmth returned to the area. "Whatever rids me of you sooner." he sighed. He turned around and soon enough the door was opened for them revealing a world all to familiar to Vegeta. In the distance he could see West City; specifically the round Capsule Corps building he called home. Large buildings and bridges were erected all around it. Tall mountains could be seen in the distance along with a bright blue lake under a just as blue sky.
"Incredible!" Lee said in awe steeping forward. Vegeta walked forward and stood at his side leaving Kenpachi behind them.
"Hm. This is merely a mean to an end." he said "When we get to my world you'll certainly see something impressive." Toshiro seemed to be the only one to see Kenpachi raise his leg behind them.
"Then it's a race!" Lee declared.
"Please" Vegeta scoffed "There's no way you can-AHHH" both of them were suddenly sent hurling through the giant door with only the sound of a dark hysterical laughter around them.
Lee plummeted instantly. Falling out and down from the door, the sky and landed hard to the ground below. Vegeta managed to stop his descent and looked back to see Kenpachi laughing at them from the doorway.
"Why you!" he gurgled as he flew back up to the now closing doors to get the last shot in. But the closer he got the narrower his window was as Kenpachi's face disappeared and the door with it. The only thing left was the sky where it once was as Vegeta's punch passed through it.
On the other side of the closed door Kenpachi let out a hardy laugh at Vegeta and Rock Lee's expense. "Alright." Kenpachi said standing before the closed doors, a new surge of energy going through him. "Now take me back. I don't want to waste a second." he said to Toshiro.
"Hold up there, Captain." a new voice let out as he felt a tug on his Captain's coat. He turned to see the Captain's of Squad 8 and 13 standing behind him; Shunsui had his coat in his hands. "There's something we want to ask you about? How come you haven't been sending back any reports?"
"Uh oh" Yachiru popped up "You're in trouble Kenny." she teased, but he only grumbled.
Next time: We meet at last. The fateful meeting. Goku and Naruto!