Forever Never Ever.

Summary – Biju are immortal, but once sealed, they die with their hosts. That is why any sealed biju will do everything in its power to keep their host alive. Even if it means defying the laws of nature. Even if it means fighting the Shinigami.

Disclaimer – I don't own Naruto or Bleach.

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Chapter 5 – Riddle Me This..

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"Riddle 1 – In the morning I walk on 4 lags, but by noon I stand on 2,
In the evening I move with 3 legs, What am I? The guess belongs to you. "

Naruto thought for a moment, before . . .

"Human's. In the morning of our life, as a baby, we crawl – walk on 4 legs.
By the middle of our lives – noon – we stand on 2.
In the evening of our lives, when we are old, we need the aid of a cane – Leg, leg, cane – 3 legs, right?"

"Did the fox give you that answer?"

Naruto looked to the floor and scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.

"Riddle 2 – What has roots that nobody sees, is taller than trees, up and up it goes, and yet never grows?"

Naruto began to laugh.

"What's so funny, brat?"

"This one's easy, Ero-sannin told me it years ago!"

"And the answer?"

"A Mountain."

"Riddle 3 –
It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,
Cannon be heard, cannot be smelt,
It lies behind stars and under hills,,
And empty holes it fills,
It comes first, and follows after,
Ends life, kills laughter."

Naruto blinked twice in succession.

"Err . . . .Air?"

"Hmm . . . air cannot be seen, but you can feel the breeze, you can hear it whistling through valleys, you cannot smell it, it doesn't lie behind stars, they are in a vacuum, but it IS under hills, provided there's a tunnel . . .it does fill empty holes, but how does air end life, or kill laughter?"

"OK, I was wrong, no need to take the piss, reaper. . . .damn, this kinda thing really isn't my area of expertise . . . .where's Shikamaru when you need . . ..wait, that's it! Shikamaru – kagemane . . ..Shadows, that's it, right?"

"Shadows can be seen . . but you are close, tell me, what are shadows made of?"

"The Dark!"

The death god just smiled, before reciting the next riddle . . .

"Riddle 4 –
This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron; bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down."

Naruto didn't even blink before answering.

"You really thing I wouldn't know this one? Kyuubi, or Demons, He eats anything and everything – birds, beasts, trees, flowers, iron, steel, stones, kings, towns (like Konoha) and mountains."

"Good, you found a wrong answer that fits all the criteria. Well done."

Naruto scratched his head again.

"Then what was it? You, Shinigami?"

"No. It was not I, or death. I'll let your answer pass, as it filled all the criteria."

"What was the true answer?"

"Time. That's all the riddles, Naruto. Test of Thought passed. What do you want?"

"Jiraiya."

"Seventh Test, begin."

There was a flash of light, and Naruto closed his eyes tight, before opening them again.

"Well, Itachi, will you teach your brother for me? I've got an important clan meeting."

"Fine. Come, brother."

Naruto looked around, before seeing a puddle on the ground. He approached it and, upon seeing his reflection, he fainted. He was Sasuke – age 8.