OooOoOooO

"Crossroads II"

Chapter 5

"Uzumaki…" Toushiro said reluctantly as he saw that emotion again.

They were right, it's more complicated than he'd like to face.

"It's alright, please continue taicho." The blonde waved off as his voice became subdued.

But suddenly, Rukia's words came ringing back to his head in a persistent echo. He clenched his hands harder in order to stop them from trembling as he felt his heart drop at his feet so suddenly that he hadn't realized that he had stopped breathing for a moment.

"Of course and he's been visiting Nii-sama quite often nowadays."

Suddenly, it made so much sense.

"Kuchiki-taicho? What does he had anything to do with this?"

The man had never liked him for some reason and Naruto could suddenly understand why.

Kuchiki Byakuya was the Head of the Kuchiki Clan.

"I don't know but I heard from one of the servants that it has got to do with the Kuchiki Clan and your father."

The Kuchiki Clan…and his father.

And suddenly, the extremity of the Central 46 about having his head made so much damn sense. Of course, as a member of a Noble House, they couldn't have something that will stain their name in Soul Society. And Naruto had no doubt that the Kuchiki thought of his father's fate as not only a stain but dirt altogether to the name. And he being a loose cannon under their watch had just showed that the house was going lenient and lax in their laws and pride.

Something they couldn't let slip so easily since the Kuchiki Clan was the most influential of the Noble Houses.

"Naruto-kun?"

The blonde blinked as he saw teal eyes and dark eyes peering at him sharply.

He just released a heavy sigh.

"I just remembered something, please continue." He urged at them.

His captain looked unsure and was about to pursue the issue further when he saw Toushiro shake his head and the white haired man understood.

"Alright," The man cleared his throat. "That is why the Central 46 had been so close in watching you. You see, your father isn't really from inside the clan."

"What does–"

"We'll explain to you much later." Juushiro shook his head.

Toushiro stood up as he turned his back to Naruto.

"You understand that they had been monitoring your movements. That's why Ukitake and Kyouraku decided to sent you away for a while, somewhere and for something to lower your profile as we try to get a hold of them." The white haired boy informed grimly as his eyes narrowed, frustrated, and unnoticed by them.

Naruto stood up, a protest on his lips when his captain flash-stepped in front of him.

"But–"

"Naruto-kun, we have a month left to help rectify the situation. So I'm sending you in Rukia's place for the mission to patrol the Karakura Town. Get ready for anything, a month is all we need so please trust your captain on this one." Ukitake said firmly, assurance in his voice as he crouched in front of his Third Seat.

The blonde couldn't help but look away.

"You didn't have to do this taicho, this is my problem. You shouldn't do this. A lot of things could happen in a month." He replied solemnly, unable to look at the man.

"Naruto, don't burden yourself so much. Just do as I say. And that is an order." He knew the blonde wouldn't listen so he'll use his power over him as much as it pains Ukitake to do so.

Circumstances had finally led to this.

"And consider it as a request from me too." The white haired boy's soft voice reached the blonde's ears. Cerulean blue eyes had gone wide as he stared at the flapping white haori of the Tenth Division Captain as Toushiro briskly walked out of the office.

I'm sorry.

Shika, I really don't know what to say. You're the only person I could tell these things to and I know that you have been suspecting something already. You told me before the exams, right? You flat out told me that I'm dead, a spirit, or a zombie (though I did laugh at the last one, just seriously Shika?) I left so quickly but I had to, there's a threat bigger right now. And I'm needed there.

As for my loyalty, I never betrayed the Leaf – for me, anyways – since I was like this before I swore to it as a ninja. My loyalty and allegiance already belonged to people I've sworn in my whole life and soul that I would protect. This place…my family's in it so I hope you really understand.

When we were still in the Academy, you always worried for me because you saw that others were treating me differently and not in the good way, for that I thank you. Really! So I wanted you to know that I am really happy here. Of course, I will miss you guys… don't think otherwise, I came to value you all there. Thanks for being a friend. I almost gave up hope for that place.

And as a last favor from a friend, watch Ayame-neechan and Teuchi-jiji for me alright? Those two are also very important to me, the same with Hokage-jiji but he's the Hokage for a reason, ne?

Even though I wanted you to meet my friends here, I hope you don't arrive here sooner! If you do, you have to be a grandpa with lots of grandkids to tell me about, 'kay?

I'm really sorry, Shikamaru. I don't know if you'll forgive me but believe me when I tell you that it's for good reason.

Heh – I may not be of the Leaf now, but I am on your side when I can be there for you. Always.

Naruto

P.S. Maybe I'll come back someday and give you that Shougi game that I owe you.

He sighed as he tucked the letter in his pouch again.

Shikamaru had read it numerous times and felt selfish for being relieved at the words. The only confirmation he got that the letter was even authentic and true to its words was because he had already anticipated the blonde's departure.

Though he was a bit miffed that Naruto neither denied nor confirmed his theories. So he was left guessing all day if Naruto's really a spirit or if he's a ninja of another village. So many possibilities had crossed his mind. But if Naruto was indeed a spirit, do they even have a system to begin with? And he did mention about being a croaking old man first before arriving there…so was it some kind of afterlife?

His eyes then shifted to Chouji who was sitting beside him in a barbecue restaurant. Although he was glad at the company, he did feel a little guilty since the reason Chouji was even here was because of Shikamaru.

The Nara had taken the chance to back out when Gekkou Hayate announced it before the start of the Preliminaries. And Chouji had followed his example. Even though his mood had gone down the drain due to the letter, their success through the forest had only been by sheer luck. After Team Seven (minus Naruto) had disposed of the Ame Genins on their way out, it was revealed that they had a heaven scroll – a partner to their lone earth scroll.

Team Ten had encountered a team from Oto and a fellow Konoha Team. They hadn't gotten out of those conflicts unscathed and Shikamaru had long since become tired of it all.

Ino had gone forward to the Preliminaries but had been matched up against Tsuchi Kin and had been soundly defeated as much as he hated to admit.

With one of his friends gone and Team Seven being disqualified due to it – the exam suddenly didn't matter as much as it did at first where a Team's pride was on the line (not that Shikamaru cared for it, really, but he wanted to see the results of his friends' hard work).

Sasuke had been a quivering mass of anger when he realized that he wouldn't be able to compete for the exam which was shared by Sakura. Though Shikamaru could see the traces of betrayal on their eyes, clouded only by disappointment on their parts.

He seriously didn't blame them. Kiba had been snappy too and Hinata was more subdued than she normally was. Chouji was also disappointed but there was a good deal of confusion on the boy. Though the Hokage's and the older ninjas' reaction was the one that left him feeling suspicious.

For a lone genin, they had started quite a fuss over it.

Shikamaru had heard from his father during one night (when Inoichi and Chouza had visited) that ANBUs had been dispatched and the available ninjas around were searching for any traces of the blonde. And it was awfully perplexing that the Sandaime hadn't announced Naruto as a missing-nin.

With his abrupt disappearance despite the legalities of his departure of the Shinobi business, Shikamaru was sure that the village could still label him as such due to the current situation and foreign entities around them.

And it didn't escape his notice that the villagers had also been jittery since the disappearance of the blonde (although some were infuriatingly happy). Not because they were worried for him or close to it, it was as if they thought it was only a joke and Naruto could pounce on them anytime. That reaction was the one that had sent his already drowning mood to sink further. Even Ino had been left speechless when he had unintentionally snapped at her.

The guilt after was quite troublesome.

Shikamaru didn't really know what connection he and Naruto shared (Naruto is his friend, but then so is Chouji) but what was different? Naruto trusted him. The image of an irate and distrustful redheaded man beside Naruto always came to mind. And he had to admit, it had been him and Chouji who always looked out for the boy back at the Academy since the teachers were keen on sabotaging Naruto's education.

Shikamaru just couldn't understand why the village seemed to hate Naruto – even Chouji and Kiba couldn't stay oblivious to it. They had spent so many times with Naruto to realize it.

He could still remember the day that he had lost his temper at Kiba.

"That – that traitor! How dare he?" Kiba shouted as he punched the nearest wall, growling while Akamaru whined at his feet.

"Kiba, just let it go. They didn't declare him as a missing-nin for a reason and we already asked the Hokage, he said that Naruto had resigned." Shikamaru drawled as he slouched on his seat. They had gone to the Academy in hopes of asking Iruka-sensei if he knew anything, none.

"But why so sudden, Shika? In the middle of the Chuunin Exams too." Chouji pointed out as he chewed on his chips contemplatively.

Kiba scoffed under his breath.

"Maybe the baka got scared and ran off."

Chouji frowned at Kiba disapprovingly.

"I don't think that's the reason. Even if Naruto was scared, he would never back down. You know that." The chubby boy emphasized to which the Inuzuka snorted at but didn't deny. "And did you hear about that corpse in the forest?"

Kiba nodded hesitantly.

"Yeah, mom told me that it was Orochimaru's body and they're keeping it on the hush-hush for now. No one knows how it got there but others think that it's only a trap. They know that there will be war." And that idiot left us, was left unsaid.

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at that information – remembering Naruto's inquiry before the first part of the exams.

"And now, Naruto is missing. You know, my dad was taking my training to the next level to be ready. He said that Naruto might not have resigned. If that body was a declaration of war of some sort then there could be a possibility that Naruto's dead." Chouji said slowly as he swallowed, as if he couldn't bring out the words.

Amusingly enough, Chouji's theory wasn't farfetched at all – just not in the same sense.

"Hah! Dead, that idiot?" Kiba growled, his eyes consumed with rage and denial. "What's there to be suspicious about! He could have only joined the enemy or something! This village doesn't like him, remember?" He asked snidely, his fangs showing threateningly.

Chouji froze as his eyes widened at the Inuzuka while Shikamaru felt something in him snapped.

"Kiba, would you just shut up." Shikamaru spoke coldly as his eyes narrowed dangerously at Kiba.

"And what are you gonna do if I don't, huh Nara?" He challenged.

Before the Inuzuka could even react or blink, a shadow had already crept around his form and closed tightly around his neck menacingly. His eyes widened in surprise and a little bit of fear as Akamaru barked and bit on Shikamaru's shin. But the Nara just held the hand seal as his eyes narrowed angrily.

"Naruto is my friend. If you think so lowly of him like that, could you also say the same?" He asked calmly, an undertone of scorn in his voice.

Kiba looked away in shame, the anger dying down within him. He felt the shadow release him and recede back. And he simply collapsed on the floor and gave it one hard punch for good measure.

Though they'll never know it, the same questions they've been asking themselves had always plagued Shikamaru during sleepless nights.

'Still troublesome as ever, that blonde idiot.' He mused as he idly listened to Chouji as they ate their meals.

But Shikamaru would wait.

And see.

"There, does it still hurt?"

Naruto twisted his torso and even bended forward.

"It still aches a little but not as bad as a while ago." He commented lightly. "Thanks! You're really great, Hana!" The blonde grinned and gave his friend a thumbs-up.

Yamada Hanatarou simply smiled and blushed slightly at the compliment.

"It's nothing, Naruto-kun. I just did what I normally do." The dark haired boy replied modestly, fiddling with his sleeves almost self-consciously.

"Hana, don't sell yourself so short! I'm only telling the truth." Naruto encouraged his friend as he stood up, doing light stretches as he did so to prove his point.

He and Hanatarou were friends way back in the Academy. Though not really prodigies, they were excellent at things they specialized in. Naruto in Hakuda and Zanjutsu and Hanatarou in Kidos and healing arts.

They graduated together with Karin (a redheaded girl who was the fifth seat of the Eight Division). And they made it a point to bring Hanatarou out of his shell. Though Karin had a short temper that might have had disrupted that progress.

But Naruto knew that Karin meant well and he understood. They're both from the Elemental Nations and Naruto had discovered that Karin had died when the small village she resided in was burnt down to the ground during a war.

It didn't help that Hanatarou felt left out between the three of them. But Karin had rectified that by always visiting the Fourth Division when there's nothing to do and would sometimes pull Naruto along before he had left for his mission to the Shinobi Realm. And it was always the redheaded girl who defended the dark haired boy from the ruthless members of the Eleventh Division so the blonde knew that his friend was in safe hands.

"Thanks." Hanatarou smiled. "Karin's been looking for you yesterday but she was sent out to a mission in Rukongai. It's been a while." The boy commented happily as he looked at the smaller boy.

"Yeah, I'm glad that I was so missed back here!" Naruto laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "Though I have to leave for another mission tomorrow. A patrol duty mission to be precise." The blonde sighed at that.

Hanatarou's brows furrowed.

"What? So soon?"

"Yeah, Ukitake-taicho had to send me away…" Naruto explained awkwardly as he scratched the back of his head.

The dark haired boy looked around for a second before settling his gaze on his blonde friend.

"It's about those rumors, isn't it?" Hanatarou asked as he pursed his lips.

Naruto sighed tiredly at that.

"Yeah and I'm in a lot of trouble than I expected." He relayed almost exasperatedly.

"So we've heard, Naruto-kun."

Hanatarou and Naruto jumped at the new voice. They turned to the doorway just to see someone Naruto wasn't expecting in the least. It just felt like yesterday since he last met this person.

"Haku!" The blonde exclaimed in surprise.

"Haku-san." Hanatarou slightly bowed politely.

The other boy still looked a little effeminate as before though Naruto raised an eyebrow at the short almost untamed manner of Haku's hair (it almost looked spiky). He always thought that the other liked it long. He was also wearing the black Shihakushō all Shinigami were required to wear and a zanpakutō was strapped to his right hip – a normal katana with the hilt a dark blue, a white guard and black sheath.

"You're a Shinigami!" Naruto pointed an accusing finger at the brunette boy.

Haku just smiled at him.

"I've been here for the past thirteen years, Zabuza-san and I. You didn't tell us about the time rift though, we were almost worried that you had been gone for so long." He informed him subtly what he wanted to know.

"I forgot?" The blonde reasoned lamely, pouting at Haku's raised eyebrow. "So how have you two been?" He asked instead, stirring them away from the topic.

If Haku's smile was any indication, he had noticed it.

"He's our current Fifth Seat officer." Hanatarou piped in shyly as he ducked his head.

"Really?" Naruto's eyes had widened considerably.

"Yes, and Zabuza-san is the current Seventh Seat of the Eleventh Division. It was Ukitake-taicho who found us at the 27th district of Rukongai."

Naruto made a note mentally to thank his captain later.

"Although," Haku chuckled suddenly. "Kusajishi-fukutaicho seemed to have taken a great liking to him when he said that he knows you and tried to kill you when you first met." He said with a curious lilt in his tone.

"Yachiru…? He wanted to see me…" He muttered to himself with dread. Then he turned to his amused companions. "Of course, I think that's my indirect revenge then? Yachiru could annoy all kinds of people. Eyebrowless freak must be having the time of his life." He stated gleefully, his grin widening.

Though he had to watch his back for those words.

"I don't know if you're being serious or not." Haku observed with a blank face.

Naruto just shrugged.

"Believe it or not, I suddenly felt like thanking Yachiru though I'll never say it. Where's that guy anyways?"

"They were supposed to screen some new recruits for their division." Haku answered with a smile.

The blonde released a sigh of relief at that.

"So what happened to your hair?" He asked with interest.

Haku's smile froze as the temperature in the room dropped several degrees.

"Some mishap in Zanjutsu back in the Academy."

The lack of details was what told Naruto that Haku didn't want to talk about it.

"There ya are lil' guy!" They all turned towards the entrance of the room just to see the wide grin of Ichimaru Gin.

"Gin!" The blonde called excitedly as he ran up to the man.

Hanatarou and Haku instantly bowed at the man, both looking uneasy at the presence of the man for some reason.

"Ichimaru-taicho."

"Oh, non' of that. If yo'r friends of Naru here, then it's fine." The silver haired man waved off as he attempted to ruffle the blonde's hair but the kid just slapped his hand away.

"Here to see me too?" Naruto inquired slyly as he grinned at the man.

Gin chuckled at that.

"Ya could say that." The Third Division Captain said before scooping up the yelping boy in the process and hefted him over his shoulder. He then turned towards the uncomfortable officers of the Fourth Division, his grin widening. "I need to bring this lil' fella somewhere. So see y'all later." He saluted before walking out of the room.

Hanatarou could only look on, dumfounded, while Haku gaped.

"Put me down, Gin! Put me down!" The blonde screamed as he fervently tried to squirm out of the man's hold. But Gin had trapped his hands to his sides timely awhile ago with an arm as the other arm secured his legs so he wouldn't kick the man.

"No can do, Naru!" The silver haired man chirped cheerfully as he tightened his hold, ignoring the other Shinigamis eyeing them oddly.

"I swear," The blonde stated darkly as he tried to at least pull his arms free. "If I free my arms, either I'm going to fry your ass with Kido or I'm going to slash the hell out of you with my zanpakutō!" Naruto threatened, not even caring it was a captain, blushing as he grew embarrassed at being manhandled like this.

In public no less!

"Ohh, scary!" The man feigned fear as he strengthened his hold. "Though with ya firing off threats, that's just makes me sure to not let it happen, eh?" The blonde could hear the smug tone as the man whistled brightly on the way.

"Gin!" Naruto screamed angrily, squirming more relentlessly.

"Yare, yare. Yer' awfully worked up, Naru." Gin pouted as they passed by Hisagi Shuuhei who gaped at them with wide eyes as they entered the Ninth Division headquarters.

"You're embarrassing me!" The blonde admitted, his voice panicked.

"It's fun." Gin shrugged nonchalantly.

"For you that is! Let me go, damnit!"

"Don't worry, we're close so you'll be free soon!" The man retorted happily.

Gin had to admit, aside from pulling pranks with the kid, it was also fun to mess with him.

As they entered the captain's office, Gin gasped in mock surprise as he grinned at Kaname Tousen who was situated behind a table at the center of the room – a tray with cups of steaming tea on it. Though the man didn't really react, the muscle of his cheek twitched to indicate his annoyance.

When Naruto saw this, he slumped defeatedly in the Third Division Captain's hold, humiliated than he'd like to admit.

"What are you doing, Gin?" Tousen inquired with a little bit of snide.

"Why entering ya' office with Naru here, of course!" He declared merrily as he approached the Ninth Division Captain.

Tousen sighed almost exasperatedly.

"Then why are you here with him?" The blind man instead opted to ask, not even mentioning the fact on how the silver haired man had dragged the blonde.

Gin tilted his head.

"To have tea! Lil' Naru here just came back from that long term mission and I miss him!" The silver haired man answered with a pout as he squeezed the blonde in his hold.

"What? Gin!" Naruto whispered urgently.

"I see." Tousen simply answered. "Then Uzumaki-san shall join us for tea then."

Gin practically skipped to the empty seats and unceremoniously dumped the blonde. And he knew that he wouldn't have to worry about the other escaping since both of them knew that Gin had just trapped themselves in here the moment Tousen said those words.

Naruto felt like crying.

If there was something he disliked, it was spending time with Kaname-taicho inside his office. Sure, the man was cool, but every time they had tea, it was just so boring. And he could never bring himself to be rude to the man at all.

And Gin knew this. He did this before.

Sometimes, he really hated the silver haired man.

"Oi, what's up with you?" Renji questioned confusedly as he looked at the sluggish blonde boy beside him.

"Gin dragged me off." Naruto answered dryly, slumping as he did so.

The redheaded man scratched his head, puzzled and a little uneasy. It's not that he disliked the Third Division Captain, but there was just this aura that made him wary and alert of the man. As if Ichimaru Gin's presence were making his instincts flare to life.

"So? You used to hang out with him." Renji shrugged at him.

"Gin dragged me off…" The blonde repeated. "…to have tea with Kaname-taicho."

Renji winced in sympathy. He could remember the time he had accompanied Shuuhei to one of his captain's invitation for tea. At first, Renji had been thrilled to be associating with another captain, until he realized that all they did was sipped the tea and make small if not clipped talks. It was awfully boring and his head had hurt by the end of the day from the long hours of lack of inactivity since he was never one to stay still for so long.

From then on, the redhead learned to decline politely whenever he was invited to whatever things other captains' asked him to.

There was that time Kyouraku-taicho called him in for sake, which ended for him doing the captain's load of paperwork.

"So, where are you off to now?"

Naruto sighed and looked at the sky. It was already dark. After spending time in the Ninth Division, Gin then had dragged him off to his own division. Izuru Kira had been bemused about his captain's sudden departure of the job and had reprimanded Gin about finishing his paperwork. So Naruto had then been sent out and left to his own devices. It was only luck that he had bumped into Renji on his way to the Thirteenth Division.

Gin had just thanked Naruto for his time. Naruto would make sure that he would get some kind of revenge on the man.

"I have to leave tonight for that mission," And the blonde wasn't even surprised when Renji didn't look the least bit fazed. Rukia probably already told him.

"Karakura Town, right?"

Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, so, are you going to see me off?" Cerulean blue eyes blinked at the older man.

Renji grinned sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.

"I can't, I have to go to the Sixth Division."

"What? Why?" The blonde boy inquired, befuddled.

If anything, Renji's grin widened.

"That's a secret!"

Naruto pouted but it was fine. He'll know eventually as soon as he got back.

It was just patrol duty anyways.

AN: I'm going to post these two new chapters or maybe three because I might be gone for a while (not sure but just in case) so please review and enjoy.