NarutoBleachMon 9

News that they wanted to hear. Naruto, Hinata, Ash and Angie were granted a trip home via the Soul Society's head general Yamamoto. After their brief stay in the Soul Society, Ichigo and his friends offered a place for the trainers and ninjas. Then came the attacks from a couple of Hollows and now with that accomplished, there was nothing holding their trip back to their lands. "You mean it?" an excited Ash shouted with glee. "We- We can go home?" Yamamoto fluffed a nod, confirming Ash's guess.

"I've been investigating the incident and was about to release you on your own recognizance when someone tried to break for freedom," Yamamoto reviewed. All eyes diverted to Naruto. Remembering back to the end of the second chapter, he was the one who bailed the others out with his combination of Rasengan and Shadow Clone Jutsu techniques. Did Naruto feel guilty about it?

"You wanted me to rot around instead of trying to find a way out of that place?" he questionably roared. Leave it to the toad and Angie to set him straight.

"In one word: yes!" they scolded in unison. No respect for Naruto. He snarled at the toad he summoned and the trainer he was "forced" to befriend. However, when you think about the adventure, it would've been for not should Naruto have stood by and waited for the 13-Court Squad to determine their fate. Should we praise Naruto for providing the suspense and glorious adventure or punish him for not being patient while in the holding chamber? Ash believed in the latter of the issues.

"You know what, guys," he voiced. "I had a lot of experience with ninjas, Soul Reapers and everything else in between." There's one happy customer. It was a moment that made Naruto a bit better in feeling.

"Well, that's one satisfied customer," he laughed as he swung his arm around Ash's neck. "You know, if there's a way I could bring you to my world, I'd totally introduce you to Sakura. Heck, you could pass off as an old mate of mine, Sauske." And who was Sauske? Regardless, Ash appreciated the comment.

"It never dawned on me until Naruto mentioned our missing chunin's name but now that I studied Ash, he does remind me of Sauske," Hinata chirped. With what, the raven black hair? The distinct face? The confidence factor?

"The ninja world, I wouldn't mind checking out for myself," Renji snickered. "I bet there are more foolhardy warriors to improve my strength." Rukia seemed humored at Renji's remark.

"Renji, you fool," she wishfully smirked. That's when the Hollow came forward, wanting to know something. It was because of her that Grand Fisher was defeated and sent to Hell.

"Come...home?" she wondered. All turned to the friendly Hollow...now with sad and depressing looks. Was it the fact that she was a Hollow? Was it that there was no way of reverting her back to as normal as she could be?

"Nearly forgot about her," Ichigo murmured. Ash glared at his hand. He was able to convert her mind to work for them. Unfortunately, that's all he could do.

"Can you get rid of that Hollow costume?" Naruto wondered. Ash shook his head. Was he at his limit?

"I don't have the energy within to help her anymore," he admitted. "Unless the Soul Reapers have a secret weapon..." That also made Yamamoto shake his noggin. Guess not.

"There isn't much of an option to it," he sadly mourned. A sad outcome. Ash came forward to tell of the sad news.

"I'm sorry, kid. I wish I was able to help you with this." Ash knew the only way to help her was the blade of the Soul Reaper: the zanpaktō. Rukia was quick with instructions.

"As soon as I make contact, you'll be released from your Hollow prison and move onto the afterlife," she advised. "This is the only basis of action." The Hollow sounded sad. She wanted to play around more, make friends...

"Can't...live?" she howled. It's unfortunate but with no other option, the decision was made.

"Don't you worry. Beyond the afterlife are children who've suffered similar fates and from the last I've seen them, they were happy to be making all sorts of friends among each other." It was a way to say that beyond her death, sometime in the past obviously, there are people she could meet.

"Okay." She accepted her fate. The zanpaktō was unsheathed. With one quick slash, the mask was splitting. The damage was done. The Hollow disintegrated into nothing...except for one more look from the girl, briefly emerging from the Hollow that was exercised with a smile. Finally, the area was clear.

"Oh lord," Hinata began to pray. "Please allow this soul to proceed into your arms in acceptance to Heaven. Amen." Ash removed his cap and bowed his head in a prayer of his own.

"No innocent soul should endure a torture of the forcing of a Hollow, let alone souls of children," Ichigo vowed. Now came the attention of the kids...and Pikachu and Shinx.

"Now about the way back home," Yamamoto addressed. "After doing some analysis on the equipment we've absconded from you, the technical department managed to worm up the pathways through time and space. The portals are in my chambers and will remain open for 24- I mean 23 hours and 28 minutes." So by around this time tomorrow, the portals back to their respected worlds will close up and the group will be stuck there for the rest of their lives...or they try again to open it up, whichever comes first.

"I would like to be back with my friends as soon as possible," Ash requested. He certainly didn't want to waste time in getting back to his training.

"Yeah, I know how you feel," Naruto sympathized. "I'd rather get on with more training to become Hokage." He finally approached Ash with a hand out. "Ash...well..." Come on, out with it. "I guess I should tell you to monitor that aura of yours so that when you use it, to show your enemies that you're willing to fight, Pokémon or yourself." Advice. Ash wouldn't let that advice be accepted lightly.

"I'll make sure they get a better idea when they face me." Whatever that meant, Naruto acknowledged his confidence and shook. Hinata was next.

"Ash, thank you for all you and Angie have done," she praised. That's when she kissed him on the cheek. Angie was a little upset with that little bit of loving. Well, Angie was about to get some of that loving herself. Hinata came over to her and...can we say that Hinata may be bisexual? Or is that too soon? Angie became dumbfounded faster than she got angered. She was kissed by a girl and it didn't appear normal for her.

"I don't think she deals with compassionate ladies often enough," Renji scoffed. Cleared in the minds, Ash and Naruto shook hands with the Reapers.

"Well, now that you've had your chances to offer your farewells, are you ready to go?" Yamamoto pondered. A nod from all sides meant the kids would return to the Soul Society and their voyage to their home worlds. Not quite yet for Rukia.

"Ash!" she called out. Ash jerked and spotted the raven-haired Soul Reaper approach him. "I want to tell you that we Soul Reapers could be in your world to control any evil spirits that roam." Ash knew that like Naruto and Hinata, the Soul Reapers could be trusted. "You concentrate on any upcoming battles to be a master." You don't need to tell Ash to proceed with his dreams.

"Always," he proudly huffed. The attitude scoffed Rukia. Yamamoto cleared his throat, alerting the trainers and ninjas.

"Well, then," he called. "Shall we get going home?" The kids nodded, ready to be back with their friends. Ichigo and Rukia chose to watch this event and tagged along back to the Seiretei. Inside Yamamoto's office, two portals swirled side-by-side. Which one was which?

"So...which vortex leads to where?" Ichigo wondered. Good question. That's when Angie had an idea.

"Do you guys have rope?" she requested.

"Yeah, you want me to get it from the chamber inventory?" Rukia asked. Angie bobbed a confirmation and Rukia grabbed some rope which was the same color as the collars they were forced to wear. She handed Angie the rope. What was her plan?

"Pikachu, come here." Pikachu came by Angie who stretched the rope. She tied the rope onto the bolt of Pikachu's tail, sparking Ichigo's thoughts.

"I see now," he spoke up. "In case Pikachu isn't in the right world, the rope is his lifeline and he can spring back here without fail." That seemed to be the plan. Tethered to Angie, Pikachu ran into the portal on the left. Now came the waiting game. A minute passed when the rope rose. Someone had Pikachu.

"Don't break free, Pikachu!" Angie was ready to yank the slack back when someone showed up...besides Pikachu. A taller, bustier blond in a green robe emerged...and that got Naruto to start freaking out. Ichigo, Yamamoto and Angie had their breaths taken away with the look she presented. Her breasts were a fair size bigger than Orihime's, maybe bigger.

"Are those...real?" Ichigo wondered. It did appear to be real...er, they.

"Glad Brock's not around," Angie gulped. Ash was not making any arguments.

"So, what's going on over here?" the new blond wondered. "And this mouse?" Hinata saw and bowed to her. Someone important.

"Hokage Tsunade," Hinata greeted. "What brings you to the Soul Society?" Tsunade seemed more curious than upset.

"Never in my half-century that a place like this feels better than home." Half-century? How old was Tsunade? Even Ash and Angie were befuddle from statement.

"You're right," Ash remembered Angie's tease. "Glad Brock's not around." It was for a different reason but it did make sense. Angie nodded in fluster. Tsunade stared down Ash. Was there something that attracted her eyes to him?

"Perhaps you can explain what happened, young man. You do look a little more mature than Naruto." That infuriated Naruto. Why, she didn't tease, mock or downgrade him, did she? Nevertheless, Ash was okay to tell the tale...just not alone.

"Sure thing. Uh...Hinata, Rukia, can you help fill in anything I miss?" Hinata and Rukia nodded and came over to Ash and Tsunade where they explained from the start to now. Tsunade was intrigued with the story.

"Sounds like a lot for all of you to live through. I guess I should praise Uzumaki for finding that fighting spirit in you." Naruto, hearing the possible praise, scratched the back of his blond hair in nervous grace.

"Grandma, you don't have to congratulate me like so," he playfully scoffed with a laugh. All but Tsunade laughed at that.

"Anyway, we should be heading back to the Hidden Leaf Village. Ash, you be careful on your journeys. Who knows if and when me or any of the villagers will show up in your world as well as vice versa." Ash acknowledged the chance of seeing the ninjas once again.

"Well then," Rukia voiced. "You guys get going. We'll visit whenever we can and check on your progress." The groups bobbed nods before rushing into their portals. Both the ninjas and the trainers were back home.

(Months later...)

Ash and Pikachu were outside a large building, practicing for some sort of battle. Pikachu was sparring with a small shark with legs. Weird. "Okay, Gible," Ash identified. "Draco Meteor!" Gible fired a ball of orange into the sky. Was this Draco Meteor? It sailed higher and higher before... POP! The ball hit maximum height before a puff and the ball descended. It hit a lake which was close to the building. Ash huffed a sigh, not pleased with the result. "At least Piplup isn't around." Pikachu squeaked in agreement. "Well, we can't give up!" Draco Meteor wasn't a lost cause on Ash's part. That's when a raven-haired girl...Rukia? In her school uniform? She passed Ash and proceeded to Gible, still disappointed on the failed attack.

"You're not gathering enough inner strength," she advised. She turned to Ash who realized who it was.

"R-Rukia? What are you...?" What was she doing in the Pokémon World? That's when Ash had a quick thought. "Wait, did you have a Hollow or two that you needed to take care of?" Rukia shook no to that.

"I came to check up on you and Angie. Angie was back home and said that she misses you and she wanted to see you at the Tournament." That was thoughtful. Ash felt better with the reminder of a friend and promise that she'll see him again.

"Well first, I gotta earn my last badge in Sunnyshore City. I'm just taking a detour to cheer Dawn on here in the Grand Festival." If that's what you're here for, Ash, why aren't you...

"Then, why are you out here instead of cheering her on?" Thanks, Rukia.

"Today's performance stages are over and the action continues tomorrow." So, that's why. He's out here prepping for his continuation of his journey. "Besides, she's sitting comfortably in the top row of finalists. A rival of hers fell apart in his shot and didn't quite make it." Not a lot of pressure now.

"Is that so?" Ash nodded before...

"By the way, have you had a chance to meet with Naruto and Hinata?" Rukia was quick to reply to that.

"I did. It seems whatever you told Hinata in regards to Naruto have made her stick closer to him. They said that when they get some time off, they want to visit you." That was a nice gesture. Ash huffed a snicker. "So, how about we help your...Gible, was it?"

"Yeah. We're still trying to perfect Draco Meteor. He did it once but ever since..." Nothing but failures. Man, that's got to wear on the nerves. Both trainer and Soul Reaper shot looks at Gible. "Okay, Gible. Let's try once more. Gather that dragon power into one spot." Gible began to have swirling glows of orange shimmer out with one area growing in the glow. To Ash, it was time to release. "Now, Draco-"

"Not yet!" Ash was upset that Rukia told him not to release the attack. "Give it a little longer." Ash thought it was enough but not to Rukia. They waited for the energy to be stored to the point of release. How much longer? "Release the Draco Meteor!" Gible fired once more into the sky. Was it enough? KABOOM! The ball of light burst into many balls of light raining down. Ash was giddy. It worked.

"You did it, buddy!" Gible was proud of the moment...until one meteor fell onto Rukia. Ash was able to spot the wayward meteor in time and tackled Rukia away. BOOM! The meteor created a crater...but Ash and Rukia were cleared from it. Panicked, Pikachu and Gible dashed over to see if Ash and Rukia were okay. Ash was rising to dismount Rukia. "You okay?" Rukia appeared unharmed. She gazed into Ash's eyes. Uh oh... She clasped Ash's collar and yanked him to her face...and kissed him...on the lips. Did she really have feelings for Ash this whole time?

"You must love danger, don't you?" She was smiling. Ash was a little stunned about that kiss.

"I think it's the other way around. I think danger loves me." If danger loved Ash, he must have been thrown into many situations against his will. Even Rukia laughed at that notion. Ash helped Rukia get her footing before calling it a night. "I almost forgot about Ichigo."

"Don't worry. There hasn't been any activity from Aizen or other hostile forces to spring action so he's been hooked on homework." No need to worry then. Ash, Rukia and the Pokémon walked off to rest while Hinata and Naruto...they've been eavesdropping on the whole meeting.

"If you ask me, Sakura would be a better choice for Ash," Naruto mumbled, not trying to get himself noticed by the two. "It's too bad Grandma Tsunade didn't want her to join us to meet him."

"Perhaps," Hinata shrugged. "Are you implying that Angie wasn't good enough?"

"Nah, Angie would've been okay. I still believe Sakura would be better. Like I said, he reminds me so much of Sauske." Well, while the argument of who Ash should be best with rages on, at least he's happy with being back with his friends.

The End