Ichigo rested his head back and let out a relaxing 'Ahh.' All the soars and aches from his terrible battle left his body as he sat in tranquility of the steaming water in the dark caves of the deep mountain. This is where he recovered when he was training to obtain Bankai and hasn't truly been back since. But he was back here now, and with good reason. To wash away and heal himself after all he'd been through. It wasn't him who was the only victim, though.
"Tsch." he scoffed, but kept the rest of his thoughts to himself 'To think all of this was done for some game.' Disgruntled as he was about it, he couldn't find himself too worked up. Not now, not as the water washed over his body, heat rising off of it to engulf his bare torso as everything below his chest was under the water. He wasn't the only one fooled after all. With nothing else to do but enjoy himself, he eased himself further against the rim of the small hot pool and gave in to the relaxation.
But that tranquility was broken by the sounds of splashing and child like giggles before him.
"Oh yeah!" one irritated voice let out before a larger slash was felt, shaking the water level causing it to splash up to Ichigo chest.
"Is that all?" Another lively, but older voice let out followed by a more aggressive splash leading to an even larger wave. It went on like that with Ichigo content with ignoring it; his only acknowledgement being grumbles as his eyes remained closed off to all of it. But when the water thrashing got so violent that it doused his in his face he could ignore no more.
Bringing his soaked head back down, he watched in stoic bemusement as Goku proceeded to battle Naruto in a splash fight. As if their actual fight wasn't enough, they had to continue it now as they heal.
Goku swiped his much larger arm across the waters edge to get Naruto who ducked his head under the water as the splash went over him only to reappear after words with puffed up cheeks and began to spit water at Goku dousing him like he was a fire.
Ichigo remained bewildered by it all.
"You know," he said aloud managing to stop it briefly as the two stopped and turned their heads over, as if forgetting he was there. "I showed you guys this place in hopes you'd calm down afterword's. The hot springs are meant for healing afterword's after all." He suddenly felt like he was a teacher at his school taking down to a student.
After the three's fierce battle had been suddenly interrupted by almost everyone they knew. Gohan, Kakashi, Rock Lee, Piccolo, Vegeta, Byakuya, Rukia, Renji, Yoruichi, Goten and Trunks had all come to stop the fighting; having done so several times at that point. And from there under the three looming toads they all resolved themselves to find out what was really going on.
And when they put all of their heads together it was clear something was going on outside of all of their control. A quick trip to King Kai by way of Goku's instant transmission, Mount Myoboku through Naruto's transportation and Squad 1 through Ichigo revealed all the same thing.
They were made fools of.
Returning to their large group, it broke off from there immediately. Enraged Vegeta flew off, determined to go home, having enough with the folly of all this. His son followed him as did Rock Lee, declaring he would have his dues. Byakuya thinking his mission done returned to his squad and Renji as his subordinate went with him. Kakashi returned to tell lady Tsunade what had happened. Piccolo naturally accompanied him as he practically had since this whole thing started and Yoruichi went along as well. Rukia tagged along with them, claiming some unfinished business in the Leaf Village. Glad it was settled and to see Ichigo and his father again, Gohan decided to take Goten home to reassure their mother and tell her all they had been through.
That left only the three of them. The Senzu beans may have hit the spot, but Ichigo offered a conciliatory place to heal their wounds. They two took him up on the offer, but it seems now that they felt better they wouldn't just leave well enough alone.
"Oh, but how can you not wanna keep going when your feeling so great?" Goku asked bringing his arms up to flex them showing off his bulging muscles and perfectly healed body right before Naruto reached an arm out to push him back into the water.
"He started it anyway." Naruto said as he held Goku down. But he suddenly burst up from beneath the water knocking Naruto off of him and into the water himself.
Goku stood triumphantly over him, now standing in the pool. Ichigo just sat there and shook his face dry grumbling even more.
"I really don't wanna get involved in all this." he muttered, but ended up being splashed again. His teeth grinding a bit more. Failing to keep his cool while sitting in the ever shaking water. It would rise up to flow over the side of the small rocky tub or get splashed out completely.
Pushing both his hands on the top of the water Naruto splashed a small wave onto Goku, drenching him. Reaching out an arm and placing a hand onto Naruto's head he dunked him completely under the water.
Ichigo had finally had enough.
Shooting up from the rounded side of the spring he leered over the sitting Goku and the bubbles from beneath his hand from Naruto.
"Will you guys knock it off!?"
Goku blinked innocently up at him.
"So you wanna get in on this too!" he said grinning, bringing his arms up to ready himself for another challengers.
"No!" Ichigo growled at him "I just-" the water suddenly burst up as Naruto sprouted from beneath it. It then fell back into the tub and settled all around him as he stood directly in front of Ichigo and beside the kneeling Goku. Though he looked different than when Goku had dunked him.
"I didn't know we offered mixed bathing here?" the sexy jutsu asked as one hand twirled the long wet ponytail and the other poked her chin up.
Ichigo's face turned red as he boiled where he was. He plastered his hands over his face covering it completely and fell back to his side of the hot spring.
He couldn't see due to his hands obstructing his face, but he heard Naruto's hysterical laughter ringing out as he fell back into the water himself, his bare leg poking up as he unsettled the water before he set his back against the rocky side.
Feeling secure enough now Ichigo opened the crease of his fingers to look out and see him sitting there beside Goku. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw the two back to sitting against it.
Taking his hands off his face, he braced them along the sides.
"Well" he thought aloud getting the twos attention again "with all this done. What could we possibly do now?" he asked aloud.
Outskirts of the Leaf Village
It was a regular day for the Village Hidden in the Leaves, despite all the rumors going around of the impending war, the end of the world and aliens invasions they were surprisingly accepting of it. The villagers talked, travelled and carried on as if there wasn't anything wrong with the world and no one could truly blame them for thinking that. But if you were to look out of the village and to the horizon you might catch glimpses of something in the distance. It was hard to make out from that distance, but up close that something was a fierce battle.
A thunderous roar so powerful that it shook the earth rang out and a large white tail snapped forward and hit three warriors.
They were all flung back and plopped onto the ground and one by one they picked themselves up. The first one up had a long red cape and an orange helmet with a green and black clothes, the next one stood up wearing something that would usual have him matching with the first man on a normal day; an orange uniform but with golden hair- something the first man could still obtain if he had to even though his potential had been unlocked.
The third up wielded a sword almost as big as he was and his hair matched the others uniforms, but wore a kimono as black as night with straps going across his chest and a white collar. Although he had only recently regained his powers, he was still more than capable of using them.
"Damn!" Ichigo exclaimed as he got up.
"You can say that again." Naruto grunted. "I've never seen a hollow this powerful."
The beast before them let out a fierce roar; as large as a Memos Grande yet much more powerful, with long sharp teeth claws, a muscular frame with a long tail and a twisted face adorned a body as white as the moon.
"Fear not my companions!" The third bellowed proudly. "We have justice on our side and justice conquers all! So say I the great Saiyaman" He raised his fists into the air and did a pose that would have made captain Ginyu proud. His two companions were more embarrassed than impressed.
For the Hollow before them, his antics didn't even register as it soon charged up a bright red Cero and fired it from its mouth.
Shooting towards them at incredible speeds the three of the jumped or flew out of the just before the earth between them got split in two. The hollow then went into a relaxed state as no signs of its enemies could be seen.
But then Naruto popped up before him as Ichigo and Saiyaman man jumped down next to him.
"Alright let's try this again." Naruto said and the other two nodded. The Great Saiyaman powered up, Naruto gathered his chakra and Ichigo gripped his sword. Saiyaman put his hands behind his back and a blue ball of energy formed between them. "Ka" he held out the word.
'C'mon." Ichigo said as he flew in the air.
"meha" Saiyaman continued.
"Right behind ya." Naruto said as he remained standing. Instead, he created two shadow clones and he stretched his right arm out to his side. Together they started to make something.
"meha!" Saiyaman let out as he flung the blue blast towards the hollow. It past over Naruto and under Ichigo illuminating them in a blue hue to match it. The blast went right towards the hollow and hit dead in the chest. A thick cloud of smoke overtook the Hollow and although it couldn't be seen by any of them they weren't going to take any chances. They were gonna hit it with everything they've got.
Ichigo flung his sword forward "Getsuga Tensho!" he cried out and a black wave was expelled from the blade and hit the hollow along with the Kamehameha. Meanwhile Naruto all the way behind Ichigo was holding something high above his head; the Rasengan.
He swung his arm forward flinging the wind ball at the Hollow combining it with his companions two attacks. It passed through they smoke and hit something and a painful shriek came from out of the smoke. The three of them were relieved for that could only mean one thing. They returned to each others side, grinning wildly with confidence.
"Well I guess that's the end of that." Naruto said with his hands now behind his head.
"That's right we did it!" The Great Saiyaman said and raised his fist in the air "Together with the power of friends-"
"Please don't finish that sentence." Ichigo snapped embarrassed as his sword rested over his shoulders.
Suddenly a deafening roar got all of their attention. They turned their heads to the wall of smoke, just as a white arm came out and swiped at them. They all jumped and flew out of the way. Just as they did a long white tail swept out and hit them all back through trees and the ground.
Grunting, the picked themselves up from dirt and branches and off of each other to stare down their opponent. The cloud of smoke had cleared away completely and unveiled the hollow who aside from deep scars and bruises on its chest was unharmed.
"Oh come on how is it still standing?!" Ichigo exclaimed.
"We hit it with everything we've got." Saiyaman said in disbelief. They were three against a monstrous new foe and they didn't know how they would get out if this. Strangely enough although they wouldn't have admitted it later, they would have each wondered what would any of their many masters have done in this situation.
"Idiots!" A woman's voice snapped at them, catching them off guard "you can't be trusted with anything!" They looked around for the source of the voice but saw nothing.
Then suddenly the Hollow towering over them was struck in the face, they didn't see by what; some kind of flash. The Hollow fell to the ground and whoever or whatever hit it disappeared.
Pounding its fists to the ground it raises its head to see a masked white haired ninja mere inches from its face.
"Hello there." he waved casually.
"Kakashi sensei!" Naruto exclaimed in shock when he saw him appear on the battlefield. The other two were as wide eyed as he was.
The hollow let out a fearsome roar at Kakashi, but he remained unfazed standing before it. The hollow pushed up from the ground and raised himself up, charging another Cero as he did.
Kakashi fiddled with something in his pocket and pulled out a book to read. He was almost finished too.
"Kakashi look out!" Naruto shouted, but it was too late because he soon disappeared in the Cero blast. "No!" Naruto screamed.
The blast desolated whatever it hit leaving a trench behind. And right where Kakashi was standing was ash.
The three looked on horrified at what just happened. The hollow itself was confident and seemed relaxed.
"Oh did you think I died?" A familiar voice asked.
"Huh?" The three let out confused. They turned around to see Kakashi standing over them just as if nothing had happened. Nonchalantly he turned a page.
"For your own good, you might wanna duck." he recommended.
Before any of them could even register what he was saying or how he was still there a bright yellow beam with a spiral around it shot over their shoulders. The three of them jumped to the ground to avoid it, but Kakashi remained standing.
"Is that?-" Ichigo asked
"It is! The Special Beam Cannon!" Saiyaman said in a much less boisterous tone.
The blast spiraled just over them and hit the hollow in and through the face. The mask snapped and cracked into pieces around the hole in the center of it's forehead. The hollow fell to it's knees as the body slowly started to disappear into black until nothing was left.
Suddenly behind Kakashi Yoruichi appeared beside Kakashi. "So what'd I miss?" she asked casually resting an arm on the ninjas shoulder. Hers was the first vice they heard and the first of these newcomers who knocked the hollow down.
"We saved the day." he responded as Piccolo touched his feet to the ground below. The younger three approached them.
"Yeah thanks for the help." Ichigo thanked them, leading to the three grilling each of them down. "Uh.. what?" he asked nervously "Is there something on my face?"
"There's something on his face." Naruto pointed snidely to Saiyaman.
"We wouldn't have had to help you if you idiots weren't holding back." Yoruichi snapped.
"Oh come on we were getting to it." the Great Saiyaman said taking off his helmet to reveal only Gohan. The reveal of his face only let him see the puzzlement on every one else's. "What?" he asked confused.
"Gohan." Piccolo let out embarrassed.
"Piccolo what is it? Is it the costume?"
"It's always the costume." Ichigo snapped
"It's certainly not appealing to look at." Yoruichi said looking to Piccolo.
"Hey," Kakashi spoke up between the two "I think his armor's kinda cool" he admitted.
"You would." Yoruichi said, but he paid her comment no mind.
"Well I recall you two in some questionable attire" Kakashi said. He turned to Piccolo first "Your pretty comfortable in weighted armor all the time." he said to Piccolo. Another detail Guy liked about him.
"Hmph." the Namekian merely grunted in response.
Yoruichi raised a finger to reply "And you in nothing at all." Kakashi said before she could. She put her hand down with only a grin on her face. Kakashi then looked up idly to the sky "Well I guess the only thing to do now is go tell the Hokage she has one less thing to worry about." he sighed before looking down to the three pupils "Have fun guys." he waved and the three of them turned to leave them behind.
"I just wanna know when you and I are going to duke it out?" Yoruichi asked Piccolo as her voice travelled over Kakashi.
"Don't get any funny ideas." he grumbled to her.
The three watched them go, but would have retorted had their stomachs not grumbled.
"I'm hungry." Naruto let out
"Me too." Gohan agreed
"How are you always hungry?!" Ichigo exclaimed.
Yakinku Q
Business sure was booming recently. Tourism was always a big boost for business. With the village needing to recover they would surely need it. And these new customers had big appetites.
"More please!" Goku requested as he shoved an entire slab of meat into his mouth and chewed. Bust as ever they served another slab to him and his group. "Thank you" he chewed some more. Now with Gohan reunited with his friends Ichigo, who Goku now viewed as a new friendly rival along with Naruto, the sentiment was shared between the three.
The three of them had gone out to face the problem of the Hollow while Goku stayed behind. There was something else he wanted to do since he got here. Though he was up for any battle, he was just as ready to devour all the foods he could find. And fulfilling his promise, sitting beside him at the table and taking up most of the room at it, transported here from Mt. Myoboku by was of Naruto was Gamatatsu. The pudgy frog drank from the bowls like they were cups slurping up everything in them.
Gohan, Ichigo and Naruto had just returned from defeating the Hollow outside the village. They recounted Goku all about it, though were vague on the criticism they received from their teachers. All to the slurping and gnawing of food.
Naruto picked up a bowl and began eating it. Sitting opposite both of them Ichigo just sat there with an estranged look on his face.
"Are you gonna eat that?" Naruto asked pointing to his food which had hardly been looked at. Bemused Ichigo just shook his head. "More for me!" Before he could reach out and grab it Goku reached over and put it before his face, letting it's contents slide into his mouth. "HEY!"
Ichigo looked over to Gohan who carried on much like the other two.
"Are you uh... full yet?" he let out.
"Wha-" Gohan gulped down some more "Did you say something?" he asked as he scarfed down even more.
"Uh.. nevermind."
"Order up!" a soft sweet voice shouted out. The four of them looked up to see their waitress lay down another slab of food. To Ichigo however, it was a more a waitress, but a familiar face.
"Orihime?!" Ichigo shouted. The other three looked at her with full mouths, but thankfully didn't spit out any food. "You work here? When?! How!?" She stood before him with a happy pleasant smile.
"Well when I heard you were in trouble, I wanted to help out anyway I can. And when I bumped into Rangiku and her new friend." she told though midway through Naruto couldn't help but grumble 'Granny' "She said this would be the best way to help out. So here I am." she waved her arms and then set them back down "They let me help out for a day. Isn't that nice?" she smiled sweetly "And look!" she pulled up a platter, filled to the brim with 'food' "They even had some of my meals put on the menu!". It may look and smell like regular food, but Ichigo knew from terrible experience it was far from it.
"Oh no." he let out grimly.
"Let's try some then!" Goku requested.
"I always thought they needed more variety here!" Naruto cheered.
"I'm just glad your okay Ichigo. I'll have some for you and your new friends right up." she jumped in the air and walked off giddily.
"Soo" Gohan leaned in slyly towards Ichigo "Got yourself a girlfriend huh?"
Ichigo's stare remained blank "What are you talking about?" he let out unamused.
"Don't play dumb." Goku joined in "You see the way she looks at you." Ichigo just sighed.
Naruto let out a mischievous chuckle too "Can't believe he's that clueless." his chuckle broke into laughter before it was silenced by another soft gentle voice.
"Naruto?" it called. Turning over at the table everyone-save Gamatatsu who kept on eating- every one saw a young girl with pupil eyes, focused in on Naruto.
"Hinata." Naruto said "what are you doing-"
"I heard all the terrible things you were going through. I was off on a mission so I couldn't be of help" she paused and averted her eyes from him when they made contact "I just wanted to make sure your ok."
"Huh?" he grunted "Why wouldn't I be? you can see I'm fine can't you?" he asked but Hinata blushed and fidgeted away from him. He starred at her confused, but across the table Ichigo now got a chance to laugh at him. Gohan and Goku soon joined in. Hearing it and feeling it was at his expense Naruto turned to them "Hey, what's so funny?"
"Nothing." Ichigo waved his hand "You probably wouldn't get it clueless." he said causing everyone else to laugh even harder.
The more they ate the less and less there was at the table to occupy them. Orihime would have to be quick about it because the other three worked on their hearty meal and soon enough there was only one small piece of meat left. All three of their eyes locked onto it protectively and then to the other's in suspicion.
Ichigo remained dumbfounded at their appetites.
The three of them reached their arms in to take in the final piece for themselves, but none of them reached it in time. The victor who had bested them all stood over their table and popped the meat into his mouth.
"This is good." Choji let out drooling "I always loved the last slice."
"Choji!" Naruto screamed "What's the big idea!"
"Yeah! That was mine!" Goku whined. He looked like he was about to burst from his seat to challenge Choji himself.
"It's alright Dad." Gohan put a hand on his father's shoulder. Just as he said that Orihime had played out a platter for each of them. What as on it, no one had a clue.
"Order up" she said as each of them forced the entire thing into their mouths "Whadda think?" she asked. With wide eyes and white faces, they forced themselves to swallow it. Ichigo looked on expecting the entire thing to fall though pretty quick.
It was Goku and Choji who answered first.
"I love it!" they declared together.
Ichigo couldn't beleive his ears. And Orihime couldn't be more delighted.
Leaf Village Hospital
It was just like Lady Tsunade had said. It wasn't long until she was good as new. And she was now.
Leaving the hospital behind everything felt different around her, though it looked just as she had left it. Looking around at the outlying streets and buildings, she tried to take it all in and see what she may have missed.
Looking ahead she saw what would be her first answer. A flash of orange running down the road. She though it was Naruto instantly- only it wasn't, for it was larger. In fact it was an adult man, in a similarly colored orange gi running down the road. Yet she heard Naruto's laughter.
Turning her head to look beside the man she saw Naruto bound ahead, but he was not alone. Close beside him on each side were two figures. One was young with orange hair, but more distinctly and even familiar to Sakura was the black robes he wore and the long sword perched on his back poking out over it. On the other side was that older and larger man who seemed to be running with them. Muscled from head to toe he seemed the opposite of the young boy with black hair and an orange uniform. Yet like them had a distinctly grin, almost giddy look on his face.
At once the two on his sides leapt into the air and began flying through it. Grumbling on the ground Naruto then leapt up to travel along beside them in the air.
"What in the world?" she said aloud. Last she saw him he was sulking, pleading for forgiveness and on the verge of doing something he considered a poor choice. Yet here he was now like nothing had happened.
"Worlds." a calm voice then seemingly corrected her. One she recognized.
"Huh?" she let out as she turned to see another trio approach her. Much like the other group of Naruto, someone she recognized was in the middle leading them. Kakashi with his hands casually tucked into his pockets. Looking taller over his left shoulder was Piccolo, stern and with arms crossed as usual. Over his right was a new figure; a dark skinned woman in an orange jacket and long purple hair. A sly grin on her face yet she seemed to fit in with the other two just as easily.
"Kakashi sensei." she said when she saw him "Piccolo sensei." she greeted him as well, but stalled silently when she saw this third figure "Miss-"
"Yoruichi." she introduced herself as Kakashi and Piccolo starred sideways at her.
"Yoruichi." Sakura repeated confirming it.
"Sensei." she quickly corrected extending a finger up "I'm not one to be lumped in with others. But I still deserve my proper title don't you think?" she winked. Kakashi rolled his eye as Piccolo huffed.
"Y-es" Sakura admitted unsure of what else to say.
"We just came to see how you were doing." Yoruichi said as she crossed her arms. Sakura looked at her strangely and then to the more familiar faces to Piccolo and Kakashi who seemed to silently confirm her statement. She opened her mouth to answer, but another voice boomed an answer.
"JUST FINE THANK YOU!" he cried out before a green clad figure landed before them. Standing up with a shining smile and flash thumbs up Might Guy, as good as new had returned "Or what else would you expect?" he asked. Beside him Yoruichi and Piccolo's eyes turned towards the center of their group to Kakashi.
"From you Guy." Kakashi sighed "Nothing else."
Grinning with confidence -and validation from that last comment-Guy then turned up to Piccolo "And you my fellow green clad friend. I hope you realize that The Leafs Noble Green Beast won't stand by and be replaced by that. Now that I'm back to full strength, you'll have to see that for yourself."
"Hm." Piccolo huffed "It's not me you need to worry about." he said before he turned his to his side. Guy followed his gaze towards Kakashi, who mimicking Piccolo then looked to his side. Following the que again Guy came to face to face with a beautiful woman.
"Ah" he let out agreeably but politely "And how are you ma'am?"
"Better since we last met." she admitted casually though Guy's face curled up in confusion. "Seems I can say the same for you."
"Last met?" he brought a hand to cradle his chin puzzled. Everyone else looked on anticipating what would happen next, though Sakura herself was just as confused as Guy. "Forgive me, but I feel I would have remembered one such as you."
"You sure?" she asked.
She said nothing else, but her smirk widened a bit. But her bright round golden eyes zeroed in one him and Guy found himself practically entranced in them. Enchanted in place he was lost in them, and the strange eerie feeling that he had indeed gazed into them before.
"Nope." he let out abruptly "Not ringing any bells."
Slyly Yoruichi looked over to Kakashi and Piccolo. "Let's get out of here." she proposed, and the other two pivoted on their feet, turning left to leave. Following the line, she did the same.
Piccolo took to the sky and Kakashi bounded after him. Crouching down Yoruichi took off as well.
"Now hold on!" Guy declared "I never forget a face." he bent down and was about to pursue them.
"Guy-sensei!" another voice cried out.
"Huh?" Sakura turned to see a miniature Guy sprinting towards them "Lee?"
Coming to a sudden halt, he stopped before his master "Guy-sensei! I am glad to have found you!" he shouted before turning to Sakura "I am sorry, but you will have to wait for now." he bowed to her, before turning back to his master.
"Ah! Lee!" Guy said boisterously "How did your mission to the Fire Temple go? Well I assume, but a shame you were left out of our other adventures."
"I have not been idle Guy-sensei. In fact it is the reason I return to you now!" he said getting his attention all over again "Though my mission to the temple was a success it is what happened after that I must tell you." he paused gravely as if each word contained a dreaded horrible truth to it, Anticipation built again. "I encountered a terrible man of royal lineage. He has besmirched your very taijutsu teachings, and he has agreed to fight me to prove it."
"Ah" Guy let out a breath "a boisterous one indeed. But he'll be no match for you Lee." he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder "I know it." he said putting his full confidence in him though he knew so little of the prince he spoke of.
"I do too Guy sensei. It is for that reason" his eyes began to swell with tears in his eyes "that I want you to be there when I am victorious." Guy now began to mimic his student.
"Oh Lee" he cried "It would be an honor. Take me to him!" he roared.
"Right away!" Lee said and he bounded off, now heading the opposite direction of where he came and Guy went right after him.
After another group left her behind and all alone Sakura could do nothing else but watch them leave. She let out a long sigh.
"It seems every one's moved on expect me." she said aloud.
"Don't think so just yet." a voice called closely to her. Like Kakashi before her, she recognized this voice, but was even more surprised by it. Turning she saw in a black robe with a sword tucked away in it under a round dark head of hair none other than Rukia Kuchiki "Hey there." she greeted happily. Sakura however was in awe.
"You-" she took a step forward.
"I'm not here to fight." she put her hands up defensively.
"Yeah," Sakura said lowering her arms and coming to a stop, speaking and moving much slower now "I know that now." she dropped her head remorsefully before picking it up with a more chipper smile. "So what are you here for?"
Rukia's smile widened "I said I'd help you if I could. Well I'm here now." she said offering a reassuring smile. Seeing that was enough to convince Sakura of her sincerity and she smiled herself.
"Alright." Sakura nodded "Where to first?"
Rukia pondered for a moment "Since everything seems to have corrected itself." she paused as she looked around. Seeing the many distinct and different groups paired and matched up here now "Why don't you get to see my side of things?"
Sakura was left confused again, but when Rukia opened a door seemingly out of nowhere to reveal a whole new world of towering buildings and barracks.
"This is Squad 6." she explained once they got there "My brothers squad."
"What happened?" Sakura asked concerned as she looked around at all the damage inside. Holes were plastered around the ceilings and the walls, the doors thrown off their hinges and the floors ripped up.
"There was some big fight throughout his barracks." Rukia told looking around "Think that teacher of yours was involved."
"He's not this destructive." Sakura said as she took it all in "But he is powerful."
"I'll say." Rukia agreed.
"Who was he fighting?" Sakura looked to her
"Yoruichi." Rukia answered.
"Huh?" Sakura let out confused. The woman he and Piccolo were with before. How did that make any sense?
Her eyes were taken off Rukia as she now looked past her to the figure at the end of the hall.
A lone figure suddenly made his way down the hall. Tall and eloquent with delicate features like glass but with a resolve of stone came the Captain of Squad 6 himself.
"Who is that?" she asked entranced by him.
"That's my brother. Byakuya." Rukia told.
Sakura said hardly above to contain the stars in her eyes as she fawned at him "He reminds me so much of Sasuke."
"Sasuke?" Rukia questioned.
"He's so dreamy."
Blushing Rukia's head dropped beside her. "Hey" she whined, grilling her intensely "What are you ogling at?"
Capsule Corp
Rock Lee looked on in awe at all of the various contraptions set up all around him. He had started this, but it seemed Bulma had fixed everything up splendidly enough for his return. He was so caught up in everything else that he could not keep up with his guide down the hall.
"And what does this do?!" he stopped and pointed towards something at random.
Stopping his walk down the hall, he turned back to see where Lee was and where pointed. Gruntling that he was so far behind he clenched his jaw tightly. "That's an ice box." Vegeta told annoyed.
"Ah." Lee gaped before swinging around to point at something else, seemingly a control panel along the wall "And this?!" That put a smile on Vegeta's face.
"You'll find out soon enough." he said before walking off towards it and Lee enthusiastically followed. The door opened vertically and they entered the dark room. Once they got inside the lights went on revealing it to be a sphere shaped room.
"And what is this for?" Lee asked as he stepped in further, but Vegeta remained behind.
"Just wait." he said turning towards the keypad Lee had pointed out before "What's merciful I wonder?" he thought aloud, though Lee didn't hear him.
"Hm? What was that?" he turned back to him.
"You already have weights on. Ten seems right." Vegeta announced setting in the specifications. He turned to Lee who still did not understand all he said "No. You'd probably like it. How about a Fifty?"
"Well I don't see what the numer- AGH" he suddenly dropped to the ground, but Vegeta somehow remained standing amongst it. The entire room went blazing red and Lee felt an oppressing weight rash down onto him. Pinned against the floor, he struggled to even look up, but even that proved too hard.
"A hundred times normal gravity." Vegeta announced as he remained unfazed by the gravity, but very amused by Lee being sprawled out over the floor. "A regular training exercise I like to subject myself to, though this is rather light." he smirked.
"Li-iight?" Lee grunted, sweat already falling off his head. Vegeta only nodded.
"Vegeta!" Bulma called his name. "Vegeta." he heard again and turned to see her peering inside the chamber "Are we going to get going?" The saiyan prince rolled his eyes. He can't remember agreeing to this, but she assured him that he in fact did.
"Yes one moment." he sighed. Bulma looked to see Rock Lee pinned against the floor by nothing but the weight of the room.
"Is he alright?" she asked concerned.
"Oh yes, he's fine." Vegeta said as he stood in the doorway. He then looked back to Lee "Well Leech, I'll be on my way now. Perhaps by the time I get back you'll be strong enough to lift a finger."
"I will do more than that!" Lee declared from the floor "I will be so accustomed to it that I will be moving around as if there was nothing at all different!"
"Hm" Vegeta smirked, admiring his tenacity and resolve "Keep telling yourself that." he egged him on before closing the door behind him, leaving the Green beast of Konoha behind.
"Remeber Lee!" Bulma called to him through the closed door "If any freaks or anyone uninvited comes to my house, you take care of em!"
"Tsh." Vegeta laughed "There's one freak already." he said looking at Lee.
"For you good lady, I shall do just that!" Lee declared as he managed to raise an arm up to prop himself up.
"Good." Bulma said. Looking through the window on the door Vegeta smirked at Lee's progress.
He then turned to his wife "Are you ready?" when his wife nodded 'yes' and he took her to their destination.
Naturally, he had told Bulma of his adventures across these two worlds. And with the testimony's from all the others, she was able to piece together what had happened. And Vegeta's anger seemed to translate to everyone else annoyance when they learned why all of these misunderstandings happened. As part of that there was a great feeling of reconciliation coming from each group. As part of that, he was invited back to one of the villages as an 'Honored Guest' and after casually bringing it up to his wife that he had absolutely no intention of going, she insisted that not only he attend to make up for his rocky introduction before, but that he take her as well. With Trunks out exploring with the other's she certainly didn't want to feel left out.
Begrudgingly he said yes.
Of course to get there would require going to the Soul Society and through the Senkaimon which he would rather not do. But there was no other way to do it.
He was once again disgruntled that the Senkaimon wasn't working properly enough to take them there as demanded, but Bulma certainly didn't mind the new view. And she apparently didn't mind speaking with the soul reaper Captain there.
"Done some growing up haven't you boy?" he grinned at the old white haired captain Jushiro, thinking back to Toshiro when he first travelled here.
"No no no" he waved his hands at him amicably "I'm Jushiro. You see it sounds an awful lot like Toshiro." he laughed though Vegeta was far from amused. Vegeta only let out a grumble at him before it got to working.
"Ah" a thin voiced slithered it's way over to them "and what do we have here?" he asked. Vegeta hardly reacted to it, other than turning his head around to view where it was coming from. Bulma however was much more horrified. Turning around she saw starring at them with a black and white face none other that Mayuri.
"Vgetea!" she cried and pointed a finger "It's him?"
"Him? Him who?" he asked turning completely now.
"That's the freak who broke into our house!"
Mayuri seemed hardly amused "Freak?" he repeated "I appreciate that you do not call me solely by my first name as we are not too familiar with each other. Though I am with your work." he admitted as he stroked his chin "Your time machine is very impressive."
Vegeta then stepped forward "Pressed as you may be, I would advise not to take any action against me. I am the one who makes sure the Senkaimon can go beyond it's natural bounds to travel to your world as you know. So if something were to happen to me, I could make sure you never get home." he threatened.
Vegeta stepped up against him and the two starred each other down.
"Hey now." Juhsiro cut in "I have it all set up for you." he spoke to Vegeta "You won't find yourself lost or stranded while I'm here he reassured him."
Hearing that Vegeta backed away from Mayuri but never broke eye contact. Bulma's eyes continued to linger on him even as Vegeta turned to go into the Senkaimon.
He stood still as his eyes watched them, unnerving her and annoying him as they passed through the Senkaimon. Once they were gone and no longer a concern to him Mayuri turned away from the Senkaimon and headed back to his barracks.
As the doors closed behind them Vegeta and Bulma found themselves in the world of the ninja's. Once they arrived Vegeta took her in his arms and they flew to their destination.
Soon enough they were over the water and a thick mist enveloped them.
"Uh Vegeta." Bulma called out to him concerned as she held onto him "Are you sure this is the right way? Where are we-"
"Don't bother" he shot back "We're on the right path". She opened to retort to him, but the tips of buildings could be seen peaking through the mist and she took his word for it. Regardless of how unforgiving this village looked.
Flying over the walls Vegeta landed before a large dome structure. No sooner had he landed had they been surrounded by a large number of men wielding weapons.
"VEGETA!?" Bulma shrieked in his arms, grabbing onto him tighter.
"Back off!" he barked "I was invited here. Or don't you recall?" he smirked particularly at the one eyed man at the head of the group. Uncomfortably he called off the troops and they all stood down. More comfortable with her surroundings, Bulma allowed Vegeta to set her on the ground. "Thanks doorman." Vegeta mocked as he walked forward with his wife "It seems you've learned your station." shoved him out of the way. Luckily he was caught by a young boy wielding a large sword. The two were then met by the much more amiable Bulma.
"Thanks guys." she smiled. The two looked to each other before looking back at Vegeta as he disappeared inside and then back to Bulma who walked passed them, ignoring whatever their confusion was.
Ascending to the highest point in the building they made themselves comfortable in the presence of their host.
"Ah!" Mei let out "Prince Vegeta. Welcome welcome." she waved him in. Vegeta for his part said nothing and Bulma continued to stare around the room taking everything in pure wonder.
Finding a seat Vegeta sat with his legs and arms crossed in a purple chair as Bulma made herself comfortable sitting next to him. Across from them the Fifth Mizukage fidgeted in her seat. Though her appearance startled Mei to some visible degree.
"And who is this?" she asked.
"My wife." Vegeta said flatly "She insisted on coming."
"It's a pleasure." Bulma said excitedly, though it was hardly reflected in the half of Mei's face visible from under her hair. "Wow." Bulma let out looking at the wide open room along with the architecture "Mei this place is remarkable." she said astonished turning to look at her.
"Wha-oh-yes,yes thank you" Mei nodded frantically "The Mist has come along way under my watch."
"Just like Capsule Corp has under mine." Bulma agreed. Vegeta remained stiff in his seat. Like a statue in a bitter repose.
"Quite." Mei agreed timidly before looking over the two before her. Bulma continued to look around fascinated by everything while Vegeta continued to pout.
'Oh' she groaned to herself 'This isn't what I had in mind.'
Squad 12
The dimly lit halls and never ending passageways didn't do much to brighten their spirits. But then again their guide made it all the more cheerful for them.
"This way! This way!" Yachiru chirped to the young group behind her "We have to go this way!" she called as her voice echoed down the hall and she sprinted to chase after it.
"A-a-are you sure about this?" Goten asked nervously looking around.
"Yep yep yep. Mayurin loves visitors! You follow me now!" she insisted before racing into the dark abyss of a hallway in this barracks. Goten and Trunks looked to each other, but another one stepped up.
"Well, I'm not afraid." Konohamaru said confidently. His team certainly was, Udon and Moegi were still waiting for them in front of the barracks. So it was up to him to brave the darkness. Creeping through the hallways, they saw a bright flickering light at the end of the tunnel.
"Over here!" they heard Yachiru's voice echo back to them. Slinking forward the three boys eventually found their way into the room and what a sight it was.
As opposed to the dark and gloomy feeling they got through the rest of the barracks, this was kinda pleasant... in a manner of speaking. It was brightly lit due to the multiple monitors adorned on the walls which was already an improvement. There were dark hallways coming from each wall, each in a cardinal point. Multiple levers and switches accompanied them, but only one desk with a keyboard and chair was in the middle of it all; reserved for it's captain.
"Up here!" Yachiru called out and they looked up high to see her swinging from a lever. "Catch me!" she said as she swung off, flicking the lover down as she fell off and causing a nearby red light to shine. Propelling off that one she grabbed another and proceeded to do the same thing. "Come on it's fun up here!" she called down and her voice echoed loudly down the hallways.
"That doesn't really look like fun." Konohamaru said warily, his confidence fading.
"Why you scared?" trunks leaned down to him.
"I didn't say that!" Konohamaru shouted at him.
"Maybe it's just cause he can't to this." Goten said. Without saying a word more, Goten and Trunks flew over her and began to flick all kinds of switches and levers with Yachiru.
"Hey!" Konohamaru shouted and the three of them stopped. Goten and Trunks' eyes went wide with fear, but Yachiru only waved and giggled. Clearly Konohamaru got his point across to the two saiyans at least. He opened his mouth to chastise them in some way, but instead froze in fear when something slide onto his shoulder.
Turning his head he saw looking down at him from behind something as white as a ghost with a black face.
He looked from him frozen in place before looking to the other children. He then saw all the flashing red light.
"WHAT?!" Mayuri screeched, his voice echoing through the halls. "What is this?! What is going on here!" The children either through laughter or fear quickly ran out of the barracks. "Bankai!" they heard echo behind them. Coming back to the light of day they saw two other children waiting for them at the gate.
"What's going on?" Moegi asked as they sprinted past her.
"RUN!" Trunks yelled as they bolted past her. The two of them were confused, but when a giant caterpillar burst from the door behind them, they quickly turned heel and ran away.
Satan Castle
Admiring himself in a nearby mirror, the 'Word's greatest savior!' marveled at himself as many had done.
Not an easy title to win, especially when you have so many championship belts lying around. As the sole occupant of his dojo at the moment, he spent his time ogling himself in the mirror. That however would change soon.
"The nerve of them." he huffed "Not inviting me. I'm the champ!" he fumed that Goku and the other's had left him behind for another adventure without even the courtesy of letting him know. He had helped them with Majin Buu after all. "Well," he put his hands on his prized belt seeing it glimmer in the reflection as he tugged and tucked on it "it turns out it was just nothin'. Can't really hold that against somebody." he eventually rationalized "Right Buu?" he asked turning over to the pink blob sitting on a stool next to him, up to his arms in sweets. He let out a laugh "I thought so myself."
A gust of air suddenly blew in and the creaking of the floorboards could be heard. This was it! Another weary traveler come to take on the champ. Perhaps he may even want an apprenticeship?
With gusto Mr. Satan spun around to view this new, potential worthy challenger. And his attitude was matched by this newcomer.. and his sword.
"AH-" he cried out before dropped to the ground and avoiding the blade that flew over him. Cowering on his floor with his hands over his eyes, he peeked through his fingers to see an enormous man standing over him in a white robe, an eyepatch over one eye, a scar on the other and a twisted grin.
"Hmm" his gravely voice let out "He said you might do that."
"What?! Who said what!? Who are you!? Why are you here?!" Satan roared from the floorboards.
The man cocked his head at him "I was told about by a man named Vegeta. Said you'd be just the kind of guy I should fight before coming to him."
"Ve-Vegeta?" he questioned. Casually, he picked himself up "Oh I see. You must've come all this was for an autograph or something right? What's you name sport?" he said filling his hand with a pen and paper.
"Kenpachi Zaraki."
"K-E-N" he sounded it out "eh.. is that right so far?"
"Not in the slightest." Kenpachi said bringing his sword up again, this time dangerously close to his neck "It means I'm the strongest of my generation and if you are the champion like you say you are, then I'm here to cut you to pieces. That's all I want."
"What-" he jumped back from the tip of the sword and tried cowering behind something that wasn't there "well see- uh look here" he said suddenly sounding confident again. "If you want a piece of me, you have to fight me prize student first?"
Kenpachi titled his head "Is he strong?" he asked, sounding surprisingly calm.
"You bet. Not as strong as me." Satan admitted "But strong. Yep" he nodded. He then turned his finger towards Buu "He's right over there." Kenpachi's eye followed.
"He doesn't seem interested." Kenpachi said. Curious Satan turned his head and let out a girlish shriek when he saw him sitting in a pile of candy with a pink haired little girl.
"Buu!" he shouted before the sword came at his face again "Help me!"
Hokage's Office
"OHH!" Rangiku squealed flailing her arms about "You look so cute!"
Kakashi stood before her casually with his hands in his pockets, but he wasn't the source of her giddiness. Standing next to him in matching attire, from the headband around his forehead to the ninja gear all he was missing was the mask. But it was enough for Toshiro to stare down at himself in some kind of intelligible stupor.
"I can't believe we had some in your size!" Rangiku exclaimed standing next to Tsuande at her desk.
"I pulled some out that we reserve for the young genin." Tsunade said. Toshiro's stupor turned to an embarrassed rage.
"I think you look pretty good." Kakashi commented as casually as his posture.
"Your not helping." Toshiro grumbled through his teeth as his fists clenched up.
"Whadda think?" Rangiku turned to Tsunade "Don't they look alike?" Tsuande peered forward eyeing the two before her. There was certainly a size difference, but with that attire and hair...
"There is a small resemblance." Tsunade admitted causing Rangiku to giggle even further. She didn't have to be given the title of 'Hokage for a day' to be able to put her captain in a position like this. But that doesn't mean she didn't enjoy it.
"Captain, I think we found your long lost father." Her Captain's face got redder from that statement, but even more so from the giggles and comments coming from everyone else. Putting one hand over the other he took the gloves off and dropped them to the ground. Then he undid the vest, slipped his arms out, rolled his shoulders and let it fall off his back to the ground. "Huh?" Rangiku let out and all the laughter suddenly died when he tossed the shoes off his feet. "Captain what are you doing?" she asked cluelessly.
"I'm taking this off." he retorted obviously.
"You can't do that!"
"And yet I am." he stated as he placed his hands to take the headband off his head.
"Captain I'm your superior here!" she insisted even though she still referred to him as Captain "So you will be on your best behavior and keep those on."
Toshiro didn't say anything back to her, his face only became redder and a sudden chill came across the room. Turning his back on all of them, he marched out of the room and down the steps.
"Is he coming back?" Kakashi asked.
Toshiro stormed out of the office tearing off more of the uniform to replace it with his more familiar Captain's one. But he wasn't out of the woods yet.
Toshiro swung his more pleasing Captain's cloak back over himself and tugged it in place as he walked down the street. Doing so he had caught the eye of two onlookers.
"PAh!" Onoki let out as he and his granddaughter watched the spectacle. "You kids these days." he crossed his arms as Toshiro tied his belt and looked at the old man dazed "You know nothing of modesty". Toshiro's nose twitched.
"Ah lay off em gramps." Kurotsuchi smacked his head and he took his eyes of Toshiro to look at her as Toshiro stormed towards them "Let him do what he wants-EH!" he shoved his way through them and continued down the hall. "HEY KID!" she shouted after him, but he didn't stop.
"Hm" Onoki grunted "You were saying?"
Toshiro got out of that office in a worse mood than when he entered and made his way into the town. Along the way he passed Shikamaru who was playing a game of shogi.
"Another win." Piccolo said moving a piece into place. Shikamaru looked at the board glumly.
"So it is." he announced. He struck another tally on a nearby board revealing Piccolo had just broken their tie to take the lead. "Ready to go again?" he asked as they already began to set up the board.
Down in the marketplace, Renji couldn't have been more lost. He was looking for Ichigo, Gohan, Sakura and Rukia, but he saw no sign of any of them. Looking down the street, he saw Captain Hitsugaya throwing his uniform over his shoulder.
"Captain Hitsugaya." Renji said "Have you see-" Toshiro didn't stop as he stormed off past him. He was in such a rush to get out of the disgruntled captain's way that in all his movement Renji bumped into someone else.
"Oh, sorry about that friend." a soft voice spoke, yet it sounded distrusting. A creepy feeling went up his spine as Renji found out who he had just bumped into. Looking at him emotionlessly behind shades so dark he couldn't see his eyes and under a hood that hung so low he could hardly see his face was none other than Shino Aburame.
Also known as the 'Bug Freak Kid'. Also known as the kid who beat him out in the forest.
"Everything alright?" he asked breaking Renji out of his trance and having him answer him, only uncomfortably.
"Uh yeah...it's...don't worry about it."
"I guess you should watch where your going." he said. A small fire was lit in Renji's eyes as he opened his mouth to retort "Then again maybe I should too."
Renji's mouth gaped open, only he had nothing to say "Uh-" he cleared his throat "Yeah.. we can both improve." A few moments of a strange awkward silence came upon them. An eerie feeling wormed it's way deeper inside Renji every time his eyes laid on him. And he was unsure of what Shino was thinking or was about to say. He felt like any time he made a move to open his mouth Shino would interrupt him even though he hadn't stirred a bit since they began talking. "Well..." he eventually let out and Shino said nothing "Take it easy." he waved uncomfortably before sidestepping him and walking off.
"Your a lieutenant correct?" Shino asked, stopping Renji cold in his tracks even after he passed. He looked back at him over his shoulder, but Shino still hadn't moved.
He gulped uncomfortably and had to force him mouth open "Yeah, yeah, that's right, that's right." he repeated himself "What about it?"
"Interesting." Shino let out turning over to him "I'm only a chunin." he admitted modestly "But I was able to defeat a lieutenant." he seemed to eye Renji with indifference and Renji became more uncomfortable the longer this ran on. "That got me to thinking.." he paused ominously and Renji felt the need to reach for his sword "How would I fare against a Captain?" he asked looking at Renji.
He stopped reaching for his sword and now looked at him confused. Then a smug grin came across his face. 'Revenge.' is the word that came into his mind.
"I could point you in the right direction." he admitted "Go find the Captain of Squad 6. My Captain; Byakuya Kuchiki."
Shino seemed to perk up at his recommendation "Would you really?" he asked.
"Yep." Renji grinned and prepared to send him on his way.
"I guess I have no choice but to take the opportunity." Shinoa said slyly.
Elsewhere in the village, just like Renji someone else founded himself disgruntled with Shino.
"Where does Shino get off like that?!" Kiba roared jealously as he stomped through the street.
"Rawf!" Akamaru barked as he strolled alongside him.
"I could've gone out and helped find Kakashi-sensei! And I could've beat that guy too!" he declared. Maybe this was how Shino felt being left out of the Sasuke retrieval mission after all these years. Akamaru let out a less than supportive bark at his statements.
"Huh?!" he snapped back at him "Whadda mean by that?" Akamaru let out a grumble "I could too!". Akamaru whimpered "You just wait!" he pointed at his companion "We'll go out and find someone right now." he about faced to turn around and prepared to explode forward "Let's go-" he was stopped short when he instead collided with something.. very soft.
He fell back onto the ground dazed while Akamaru appeared over him whimpering.
"Eh" he snarled from the ground. He certainly wasn't in the mood for anything like this. Whoever this was, was about to have a really bad day. "You outta watch where your goin'."
"Excuse me?" a serene voice said from above him. Looking up from the ground he saw a pair of golden eyes look down at him. Looking under those, he saw something even better. Entranced he didn't see the smirk and raised eyebrow she shot at him. "Well?
Kiba shook his head and looked her in the eye again "nothing-nothing I'm. uh sorry." said picking himself up and dusting himself off.
"Oh." she let out feigning appreciation, but Kiba couldn't tell the difference.
"So," he spoke up and leaned against a nearby wall "What are you doing around here?"
"Oh I'm just sightseeing." Yoruichi shrugged.
"Well you gotta watch out in times like this" he leaned in closer with suspicion in his eyes "There's a lot of strange folk passing through here nowadays. If you ask my opinion, they have no business coming here". She raised an eyebrow at him. He clearly didn't realize he was talking to one of them.
"And what would you recognize I do to rectify that?"
"Well I could give you a guided tour of this place." Kiba said confidently, moving in even closer to her. She let out a small laugh before stepping around him.
"Thanks, but I think I'll do just as well on my own."
"Wait!" Kiba turned almost falling over himself when he did. "Don't run off." he insisted though she appeared not to have heard him and continued walking. Chasing after her, he saw her turn into a dark alleyway. "Hey!" he let out and ran over, stopping before the alley "Don't go down-" he stopped when he saw no sign of her in there.
The only thing he saw was a small black cat, with Golden eyes to match the woman he'd just seen. Standing next to him Akamaru started growling. But the cat seemed undeterred by the large dog or either of them. Instead it casually hopped off the box, under his legs and continued walking down the street.
Next time: The Adventures continue. The Epilogue part 2.