AN: Again it's been too long. But here is a new chapter. This one hasn't been beta-ed yet so I apologize for any grammar, spelling or other funny mistakes you may find in here.
But, for now, enough talk: let's read.
Chapter 14
Repercussions
- Soul Society -
The sound of soft, almost imperceptible footsteps resounded in the empty hall. There wasn't anyone nearby or even inside the Third Division barracks except from its Captain: Ichimaru Gin.
Since that morning, Soul Society seemed to be in a deep and almost unusual calmness, most of the higher officers inside the Gotei 13 had already received a notification as to what, exactly, had happened.
Gin smirked shaking his head as he exited the squad and turned around the corner walking with an odd determination. He had a feeling from that day on Soul Society was going to be in from one hell of a change.
It didn't take him long to reach his destination. Actually, his ultimate goal was put aside the moment his eyes fell on the small, clingy figure of the Eleventh Squad fukutaichou: Kusajishi Yachiru.
The pink-haired girl was holding tight onto the wall trying to see the other side of said wall. Her head was tilted to one side and her expression was one of pure curiosity and mischievousness.
"Watcha doin', Yachiru-chan?" Yachiru turned to see Gin smiling at her, for a moment both of them just stared until the girl formed a perfect, petulant, pout.
"I'm trying to see if I can cross this thingy Byakushi put here so I can't get in." Gin nodded his head, a thoughtful expression as he put a bag of candies out of his pocket. Yachiru's eyes followed the bag with a gleam in her eyes.
Gin snickered as the girl moved faster that he could follow and took the bag from him, "Well, it is only logic he would try to stop you from going there."
"Uh? Why?" Asked Yachiru taking another mouthful of candy, then as an afterthought Yachiru continued. "I'm bored. And…and he had something in here. And I don't know where Ken-chan is, Baldy is sleeping and …" she could go on forever if Gin hadn't stopped her with his hand on her mouth.
"Nu-uh, Yachiru-chan, if you continue I can't tell you what is happening inside the Fourth Division." Yachiru's eyes narrowed as she eyed the man in front of her.
"Really?" Gin nodded his head and leant forward whispering in the girl's ear, enjoying the change her little face took with every word he shared with her.
Well, this is going to be a fun day. Thought Gin as he saw Yachiru walk away.
Kazama Arashi took another sip from the cup as he eyed Unohana-taichou with some interest. The woman was speaking about the recent treatment she had put his nephew under after they had retrieved it from the Ninja World. To his left Kuchiki Byakuya, Captain of the Sixth Division, listened just as carefully. This was the first time the man was given any and all information regarding Naruto.
At least they choose the perfect candidate for Naruto. Kuchiki would not let anything pass and Naruto would learn to behave as the future head of the clan and the Kido Corps.
"How long until the boy awaken, Unohana-taichou?" The woman looked over at Byakuya who had a mildly interested look on his face.
"It is difficult to say, this kind of process has nev…" The woman trailed off and all three Captains flinched, eyes wide open as they moved with high speed towards the sudden explosion of reiatsu bringing down the weaker members of the Fourth Squad.
Kusajishi Yachiru was well-known for her stealth abilities. They were a hazard, of course, but the girl had never cared about those little details.
The fukutaichou of the Eleventh Division smiled as her head popped up from the right side of the bed in which the boy was resting. It was just like Gin-Gin had said; this boy has whiskers like a cat. But his hair was as shiny and yellow-ish as the sun. Yachiru moved her hand up, closing her fist and leaving just one single finger out moving closer poking Naruto on his face.
She giggled and did it again. And again. And again. Finally she grew bored and decided to take off the white paper with funny writing that was all shiny over his chest. If she were to believe Gin-Gin something cool was about to happen.
The first thing he was aware of was that he didn't have a body. He was just there.
He didn't remember anything beyond the feeling of just being. But, somehow, he knew there was something important he was supposed to do.
Wherever he was, he didn't have to wait much for something to happen. Or maybe he did, but he was just getting aware of what was happening.
It all started with an unexpected pain.
It was then he realized that he did have a body and that every inch of said body was screaming out in pain. Then, there were the voices and the familiar feeling. Two deep voices, one warm the other a little colder.
Both calling a name. His name
Naruto…
And it was then, when his name has been uttered that he remembered who he was and suddenly the world become a blurry spot he was trying to focus as his mouth open with a pain-filled scream.
Yachiru jumped just in time to see the boy woke up with a loud scream. The girl's eyes grew wide as the spiritual pressure in the room rose to heights she had only felt near Ken-chan. But that wasn't all, as the boy kept on leaking reiatsu, his physical appearance was changing.
His whisker marks were getting deeper, darker and more noticeable; his eyes were changing into deep crimson ones as red light started covering his body. Yachiru's smile grew a little when she noticed tails. She was about to go to the boy when a hand stopped her firmly and other people appeared in the room.
Kazama Arashi was wearing a frown, as soon as he entered the room he made the hand signs necessary to perform the sealing, beside him two of his men were making the same hand signs surrounding Naruto.
Byakuya watched as his hand closed tightly, protectively, around Yachiru's shoulder. The Captain of the Sixth division watched closely as the three members of the Kido Corps tried to stop Naruto. Kazama stepping forward was placing his hands on the blonde's shoulders speaking to him with a firm voice. The power emanating from the boy was impressive, but power without control was something useless and Byakuya was already planning on what to do about said control.
"Naruto, look at me…breathe…" Kazama squeezed the boy's shoulders as he tried to gauge his attention. Naruto seemed distress, his blue eyes with traces of red moving wildly, chest heaving with fast breaths.
It was obvious Naruto was scared and confused, trying to adjust to the new sensations that he had been woken up to. Who the hell let Yachiru-fukutaichou get in the Fourth division barracks anyway? It was all Arashi could think while trying to get his nephew under control.
Naruto from his part was just trying to get a hold of his body, it was strange to feel again, to try and make his body to function when this body didn't feel familiar. When the atmosphere around him felt different. His mind was moving too fast for his body to keep up and Naruto made himself look into the clear eyes in front of him.
They were familiar yet strange at the same time.
"That's it, Naruto. Breath, hear my voice, focus on me…breath…" It took some effort but Naruto started doing just that. In and out went the air in his lungs, feeling his body respond slowly but surely.
"Wh-where...where I…am…" putting words together was difficult but the message was clear. His blue eyes were shining with a clear, determine light and even though his body still seemed to be accommodating and his reiatsu was still flowing out of control it was evident Naruto was struggling to get something resembling familiarity and control. "Ojii…"
Arashi looked into his nephew's eyes and for a moment his lips twitched upwards at the last word he uttered. Arashi shook his head and his hand closed gently on Naruto's shoulder.
"Welcome to Soul Society, Uzumaki Naruto."
It was another morning.
Sounds from the outside reached Naruto's ears as he lied in bed, his blue eyes glaring at the ceiling while his fist closed in frustration. For the last couple of days he had been in the same room waiting for something, anything, to happen.
The first time he had protested his uncle had scowled at him telling him patience was something he would have to learn.
Well, Naruto was beyond being patient. He want to go out there and see Soul Society, he wanted to start doing something instead of being locked up in a room doing nothing.
He certainly didn't expect this when he decided to come to Soul Society, Then again, he didn't know what to expect or what awaited him in this place. Naruto sat up looking around the room he had already memorized.
If he was honest to himself, and fair to Unohana-taichou and his uncle, he had felt the changes they talked about. For some reason at first it was rather difficult to breathe and move. Naruto wasn't really aware of his body which made it difficult to control some of his actions. It was a little worrisome until Arashi explained some of the reasons for this. Naruto didn't get half of them but the general idea was simply the change from being in the real world 'alive' to one where he was 'dead' and that work in tune with the different spiritual particles around them. Until Naruto got familiar with his new status, trying to do the usual things he would do, would take some time.
Another thing that was worrying Naruto was his lack of contact with Ryuujin and even the Kyuubi. This he didn't tell Arashi, his uncle didn't need to know about it, it was probably just another aftereffect of Naruto being 'dead'.
And of course there was the hunger. Naruto had always had a good appetite but now it was just ridiculous how much hunger he felt. The first time he had to eat every two or three hours, now it was getting better, just the necessary for a breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
As if on cue his stomach growled making Naruto sigh. He let his blue eyes wandered around the room before noticing his window was open. His lips lifted upwards in a mischievous smile as he stood up and neared the window.
"Uzumaki-san! I hope you're not trying to do what I think you're doing!" Naruto cringed scratching the back of his head with a sheepish smile.
"Good morning, Isane-chan! I was just…looking at this pretty morning!" Kotetsu Isane narrowed her eyes as she neared Naruto's bed with a tray full of food.
Naruto gulped as his eyes moved to the food and then back to the window, with a sigh of defeat the boy made his way to the tray. He was really hungry after all.
"How are you feeling today, Uzumaki-san?" Naruto tilted his head thinking over what had happened in the last few days after he woke up.
Isane knew the boy had been feeling rather frustrated at not being able to go out, to actually get to see Soul Society or meet other people that wasn't Unohana-taichou, Kazama-sama or herself. Her expression softened as the boy merely shrugged taking some of the cereal she had brought to him this time.
"I feel better; I can breathe, move and do the same boring things I've done over the last days!" He exclaimed with an exaggerated huff before taking the bowl with some kind of cereal he had never seen.
"When can I go out, Isane-chan? I wanna see Soul Society!"
The woman smiled gently at the boy who started eating enthusiastically, his appetite had increase ever since he woke up and even Naruto was surprised at how much he could eat. Too bad there wasn't any ramen around here.
"I shouldn't say this but…" Isane leant in looking around before whispering, "Unohana-taichou told me you would be release today. Kazama-sama is coming for you."
Naruto almost choked on the food he had on his mouth as he gasped in surprise. His lips moved upwards forming a huge grin.
"Really? You're not joking?" Isane smiled at him shaking her head. Before Naruto could jump and scream out loud his enthusiasm Isane put a hand on his mouth.
"Sshh! You don't want anyone finding that out, do you? Remember this is a secret, Uzumaki-san."
"Oh, right, sorry is just…" Naruto chuckled. "Finally. I was thinking I was going to spend the rest of my life in this room."
"Impatient as always." Naruto's eyes lit up as he directed a toothy grin to Kazama Arashi.
"Good morning, Arashi-ojii!" Arashi felt his right eyebrow twitched at the informal greeting.
Even through the annoyance at the informality, a part of Arashi felt warm and a little content at the fact Naruto acknowledge him as family. It was strange, mainly because so far Arashi hadn't needed these kind of 'bonds' with anyone. But, after getting to know Naruto, interact with him…Arashi discovered something that had died the moment his older brother had left: family.
Naruto was smiling at him while munching on some bread; Isane was doing a quick check-up on the blonde before directing her eyes to the Kidou Corps Captain. Arashi nodded briefly at her, the woman bowed her head before standing up.
"It seems everything is just fine." Said Isane, "I'll let Unohana-taichou know this. If you excuse me, Uzumaki-san. Kazama-sama."
"Ne, Arashi-ojii, this means I finally get to leave this room, right?" Asked Naruto with a hint of anxiousness to his voice.
"Indeed. You have been responding successfully to the process and have assimilated the changes brought by your dead." Naruto blinked a frown forming slowly as he remembered what had happened moments before he lose consciousness.
It had been strange and painful, but nothing compare to the feeling of not feeling your own body even though you know it's there. The sensations haven't vanished completely but it was as intense as it was the first days after he woke up.
"What does it mean exactly? I know you guys explain it to me…but there were way too many words and I didn't get half of them."
Arashi felt his lips twitched upwards before settling himself on a nearby chair. "Well, it is quite simple, Naruto. What I did back in the Shinobi World was 'kill' you."
Naruto crossed his arms, his head hanging as he thought over what Arashi was saying.
"For you to be able to enter Soul Society you have to be a soul, a spirit or, in more human words, a ghost." Naruto shivered lightly at the mention of the word 'ghost' but Arashi ignored it. "What we did, so we wouldn't disrupt the seal holding the demon inside you, was extract your soul from your body along with the demon residing between you and attached to your tenketsu."
Naruto placed his hand on his abdomen, the frown returning to his face while his eyes narrowed lightly. "So, the fox is still inside me?"
"That it's correct." Said Arashi who was watching Naruto closely. "It was difficult, but not impossible to re-arrange the seal for it to work directly into your soul form."
"That means if I want to go back to Konoha…"
"No one would be able to see you unless you're on a gigai."
Naruto hadn't stop holding his abdomen, this time he let his blue eyes found those of his uncle. "Why did you have to put this on me?"
For the first time since they had appeared, Naruto turned his hands upwards to show to tattoos on his wrist. Both have the same triangular pattern ending with the form of a claw in the middle of it. Arashi watched the symbols before returning his attention to Naruto.
"Your body doesn't exist anymore, that means you are more in…let's call it, in touch with your inner power." Naruto blinked in confusion, Arashi sighed leaning forward to hold Naruto's wrists.
"Chakra and reiatsu are on the surface…you could say they're more accessible when you don't have the limitations a mortal, a human body, has." Arashi let some of his reiatsu touch the tattoos, both of them reacted immediately turning a deep shade of red.
Naruto gasped feeling the sudden, overwhelming feeling in his body. The head of the Kazama clan smiled satisfied before taking his hands from Naruto. As soon as he did this the feeling stopped and Naruto went back to normal.
"Since you haven't been taught how to properly control both sources of energy inside you and since you have more reserves than someone your age should have, we need to seal it until you're capable of controlling it.
Naruto's eyes lit up so suddenly his uncle couldn't help but narrowed his own in suspicion.
"When am I going to learn to control my chakra and reiatsu again?" he lifted his face with a huge grin adorning his features. "And…And …can I use ninjutsu once I learn how to control my reiatsu and chakra in Soul Society?"
This time Arashi allowed a tiny smiled watching Naruto trying some hand signs in wonder.
"Well, you certainly aren't the only shinobi that had been in Seireitei. But, so far, there aren't any shinigami capable or willing to use ninjutsu."
"Why? I mean, jutsu can be pretty useful while fighting hollows or…or while fighting whatever else you guys fight."
"That may be true but people adapt differently to the changes." Arashi stood up and for the first time Naruto noticed a small package on his hand. "Some decided to forget what happened when they are alive, some don't have enough chakra left to keep going and some others merely decide to rely on kidou and their zanpakutou."
"Well, that's just dumb." Naruto place his fingers in his customary cross to perform the Kage bunshing. "Then I'm going to be the first shinigami to use both chakra and reiatsu! I won't let the ninja in me die out so easily!"
Kazama Arashi tensed up at those words; he kept his eyes focused on the package he just placed on the bed without looking at Naruto.
"Ooji, what is that?"
"This Naruto is a gift."
"A gift?" Naruto looked curiously at the package, his eyes gleaming with a strange light Arashi wasn't sure he liked to name. It was incredulity and wariness.
"This is for me?" Again Arashi frowned at those words. His mind remind him briefly that Naruto's childhood hadn't been easy and there had been only a handful of people who cared enough for him to give him any kind of present.
"Yes, Naruto. Now that you're here you can't go around in a simple, white, yukata." Naruto looked down at himself and smiled sheepishly at Arashi.
"I guess you're right. So, you…brought me clothes?"
Arashi nodded, "Yes, I've brought the customary shinigami attire with some arrangements we did to it especially for you. After all, you can meet Kuchiki-taichou looking like this."
Naruto blinked, tilting his head, "Kuchiki-taichou? Who is he? Why are we meeting with him?
Kazama Arashi looked at his nephew. The blonde was wearing an innocent, curious expression while his hands played with the edges of the package trying to tear it open. This part of the whole deal they hadn't discussed yet and Arashi knew he had to explain to Naruto what would happen from now on.
And yet…he felt a lump in his throat.
What would you have done, Minato? Would you have…No, you probably would have run away just the way you did the first time around. I won't let your son become a traitor like you.
"Kuchiki-taichou is the captain of the Sixth Division and the head of the noble Kuchiki Clan."
"Oh, I see…" Naruto didn't really understand but if they had to see that guy...well…
Arashi eyed Naruto before continuing, "He is also the one in charge of your education and the final witness and jury of your progress and worthiness of being part of the Gotei 13 and the Kazama clan."
There was a moment of compete silence before Naruto exclaimed, quite loudly, "What? What does it mean?"
There wasn't an easy way to say what he was about to say. However, Arashi knew Naruto deserved the truth and an explanation as to what exactly was going to happen and what could happen if the blonde didn't accomplish what needs to be done. Placing both his hands on each of Naruto's shoulders Arashi proceed to speak.
"Naruto, you have to understand our clan is one of the four principal clans in Soul Society. We are elite." By now Naruto's scowl had grown deeper than before, the blonde certainly didn't like the way this conversation was turning out to be.
"Our Clan is in charge of the Kidou secrets that help Seireitei work. The secrets we have inside the Clan can't be shared with just anyone."
"But…But I'm not just anyone…I'm your nephew, right?" Years of education and training were the only ones helping Arashi from cringing at Naruto's words. Naruto's tone of voice was something the leader of the Kazama clan didn't want to hear ever again.
"Yes, Naruto. You are family." Said Arashi choosing his words pretty carefully. "But, your father, my brother Minato, did some…horrible, unforgivable things. He is a traitor and as his son and the holder of a power many of us don't completely understand you have to prove yourself worthy."
Naruto waved Arashi's hands away taking a step backwards, his frown transforming into an angered expression, his blue eyes gleaming with anger. "So, that's it? What is going to happen to me then? Why brought me here if I'm…if you…If I'm a nuisance!"
Arashi didn't say anything, he merely watched as Naruto turned his back to him. "Then why bringing me here if I wasn't even going to be living with you? If I wasn't even going to be ….what exactly am I doing here?"
Naruto was starting to think his decision hadn't been the wisest one. Had he made a mistake? He turned around, shocked to see his uncle was now behind him. He was looking down at Naruto with an unreadable expression on his face.
"I brought you here to prove them…you are not my brother." For the first time in over twenty years Arashi allowed a single crack in his façade, a moment of weakness only his other blood relative could see.
"You're here because you are a Kazama and you certainly are not like my brother."
There was a moment of silence after that statement; Naruto stared open-mouthed at his uncle. In that moment there was a silent conversation, a silent agreement between them. Something Naruto would start comprehending as time passed by; but for now, he was just confused, hurt and angry. It felt as if he was a nuisance, as if no one really wanted him there but it was convenient to have him there.
"While it is true you can't come home with me, you can always visit and request an audience with me." Arashi smiled briefly at Naruto as he said this. "I would like it very much if I can get to know you better, Naruto. Not written reports or anything like that."
"Really? You…you would like that?"
Arashi nodded with determination, "Of course I want to. And I also want to be able to train you in the arts of our clan. However, for now, you will be under surveillance of one of the most respectable families around here."
"And what? what am I supposed to do?" mumbled Naruto crossing his arms, ready to fight whatever was going to happen with all his might.
"You will learn the costumes and rules of Soul Society; you will be instructed to behave as a future head of an important clan." Arashi turned to his nephew placing a hand on his shoulder. "And you will learn to become a shinigami. Only when you have gotten inside the Gotei 13 and had become a full fledge seat member of one of the 13 Squads can you ask, formally, to start your training as the future Captain of the Kidou Corps."
Arashi frowned the moment Naruto lowered his head evading his eyes, with a light squeezed on the blonde's shoulder Arashi turned around ready to leave the room. "I know this doesn't seem fair to you right now, Naruto. But, with time, you will understand. I know you will get past this, for your sake and mine."
This time Naruto turned sharply towards Arashi narrowing his eyes with suspicion. Arashi merely turned around, "Get dress I'll meet you outside to take you to the Kuchiki manor."
The walk down Seireitei streets was a quiet one. Naruto was fumbling with his new clothes, fixing the strap on his chest and a frown adorning his features.
Arashi watched his nephew out of the corner of his eye trying to determine how angry the boy was. It was pretty obvious Naruto hadn't forgotten their conversation and he was angry at being brought to Soul Society only to be dismissed and put into someone else home.
"Say, I was wondering," Started Naruto looking around them locating the three men following closely and the other two walking ahead of them. "Where is Ichinose? I thought I would see him once I get out of the hospital."
At the mention of the other shinigami Arashi frowned, his lips forming a thin line, "He has been punished for his lack of common sense and his abandonment of a mission."
"What? Why? Why did he do?" The exclamation coming from the blonde surprise Arashi some, the man merely shook his head.
"He abandoned his duty. He was in charge of taking care of you. He obviously didn't do a good job if you end up in the hospital back in your village." Commented Arashi waving a hand dismissively. "I don't have time or patience for disobedience."
Naruto stopped walking facing his uncle with an expression that was soon becoming familiar to the man. Eyes gleaming with determination, arms crossed stubbornly in front of him and his jaw set in a stubborn expression.
"You have to unpunished him." Arashi blinked a couple of times while trying to make sense of what Naruto had said.
"I don't think you have a said in the matter, Naruto. A shinigami under my orders that isn't capable of …"
"It wasn't his fault! I ordered him to stay behind!" replied Naruto. "He told me he was there for my protection and that, in a way; I was like…you know? A master or something so I just ordered him to stay behind!"
Arashi lifted an eyebrow his clear eyes examining his nephew for a moment as Naruto continued. "He was just obeying my orders! See? It wasn't his fault. Either way, I would have tricked him and gone on my own. So you have to forgive him and let him go back to whatever he does."
"The fact that you told me this doesn't change Ichinose's disobedience. I am his superior, not you, Naruto." Naruto seemed disheartened; he lowered his eyes only to lift them again with a new gleam of determination. But, before he could open his mouth Arashi continued.
"However, if what you say is true then…I will look into this." Naruto smiled slightly even after his uncle sent a quick glare his way. "But, I don't promise anything."
Kariya Jin stiffened, his eyes following the young boy while his eyebrows twitched. The boy was certainly something else, forgiven a disobedient servant, relating himself with people below him. Not to mention the boy himself was the product of betrayal and dishonor. Even if Kazama-sama seemed to start getting some kind of attachment to the boy, Kariya would make sure to watch Uzumaki Naruto closely. In the end, Kariya was always the only one ready to do whatever it took to protect the Kazama clan.
"So, you're the one who's going to watch over me?" Only his education helped Byakuya remained expressionless, his eyes the only ones betraying the annoyance at being address so informally.
"Nice to meet you, Byaku…" A hand placed itself on his mouth, Naruto raised innocent, blue eyes to his uncle and the man narrowed his own.
"Naruto, please, remember your manners." Both of them glare at each other for a few seconds before Naruto shrugged grudgingly.
"Sorry. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kuchiki-taichou. Thank you for allowing me to remain in your home." Naruto looked directly into Byakuya's eyes extending his hand towards the man. It was certainly different and not how you usually would greet the head of a clan. But for now, Byakuya would let it slid, he had time to shape and embed some manners into the boy.
"It is certainly nice to finally meet you, Uzumaki-san."
The moment their hands met Naruto felt a jolt of electricity. Power coming from the man in front of him, Naruto looked directly into Byakuya's eyes and for the first time since he had met Yoruichi, Kyouraku and even Arashi he understood the underlying power of a Captain.
"Allow me to introduce you to my younger sister, Kuchiki Rukia." Said Byakuya after a moment of uncomfortable silence, Naruto's eyes opened lightly as he saw the young woman appearing from behind Byakuya. "She is going to be the one to show you around the manor and explain to you some basic rules, Uzumaki-san."
Naruto tilted his head to the side, scratching his cheek; his clear blue eyes were gleaming with an unusual intensity as he observed Rukia. From her part, Kuchiki Rukia felt shyness fill her mind, her body reacting in unexpected ways as her cheeks start warming up while her own eyes found Naruto's ones.
There was something about the intensity of the stare that made Rukia slightly uneasy; sending a shiver down her back as she finally allowed herself a quick check up on the blonde boy.
Naruto wasn't that much taller than her, his blond hair was spiky and slightly disheveled making him look as if he had come to the state running. His blue eyes were round and big with a special gleam in them that complement the rest of his round face, his gently smile and those whisker marks on his cheeks. His shinigami clothes were made of a special material that adjust comfortably to his body, his zanpakutou was attached to his back with a dark red strap that had a strange symbol in the middle of it.
His enthusiasm and smile were contagious and as soon as the both of them were introduce formally Rukia found herself returning the smile.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto! Nice to meet you, Rukia!"
Arashi raised his eyebrow while Byakuya merely narrowed his eyes lightly. Rukia, remembering her manners and her brother's presence bowed deeply at Naruto.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Uzumaki-san. Welcome to the Kuchiki Manor."
Naruto waved his hand huffing a little, "Nuh-uh, name is Naruto. Not Uzumaki-san."
"I…I…well…"Rukia looked out of the corner of her eye to her brother who nodded curtly at her. "Very well, Naruto. Allow me to give you the tour and take you to your room."
Naruto hesitated for a moment, lowering his head before turning towards his uncle. The man stiffened when he felt Naruto took a step towards him only to stop mid-way.
"So, I really have to stay here?" An uncomfortable silence fell between them, Rukia was watching with some curiosity the scene in front of her. It wasn't every day you get to meet the Kidou Corp's Captain and the very same boy that had been feeding the rumors inside the Gotei 13.
"We discussed this already, Naruto." Arashi placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder squeezing lightly. "You will stay here and I know…I believe you will do whatever you have to do."
Naruto sighed nodding lightly, still not convinced about what he should do. Regardless of his hesitations he had already made a huge decision by coming to Soul Society, the only thing he could do right now was to try and work hard to accomplish his goals.
He had decided to come to Soul Society for a reason, after all.
"And, I can ask for a meeting with you whenever I want, right?" Arashi nodded curtly at the blonde who allowed himself a tiny smile.
"Yosh, then…I'll stay here! Let's go, Rukia-chan! Show me the way!"
Rukia stood there for a few seconds, perplexed as her eyes followed the boy walking inside the Kuchiki compound with determination.
Rukia-chan? When did he get so…familiar? And, -chan? Seriously?
With a last glanced at her brother and a short bow to Arashi, Rukia went to follow Naruto leaving both men behind. Byakuya and Arashi watched as Rukia and Naruto disappeared behind one room, even out of their sight, they could still hear Naruto talk loudly.
"He seems to be loud. He doesn't seem to have any manners. Also, he is imprudent..." Started Kuchiki as he returned his attention to Arashi.
"He is also stubborn, enthusiastic, and easy going… among other things, Kuchiki-taichou." Commented Arashi dryly. "He isn't that different than us when we were his age."
Kuchiki Byakuya turned a cold glare to Arashi, the man merely shrugged, they could pretend in front of everyone else but not in front of each other. Arashi was known from his lack of discipline when he was a kid; Byakuya was well-known for his short temper.
"Does he know why he is here?" Arashi nodded.
"I explain some of it."
Byakuya frowned lightly, "some? You haven't told him everything?"
"I didn't think it was necessary. He will succeed." Byakuya opened his eyes in surprise, it was the first time he saw this confidence in the Kazama leader. Turning his head in the direction Rukia and Naruto had taken Byakuya couldn't help but feel slightly curious.
Just slightly, simple, normal curiosity as to who exactly was Uzumaki Naruto and what exactly could he do. Byakuya hadn't forgotten the incident a few weeks ago; he hadn't forgotten the chilly feeling of the reiatsu explosion coming from the boy. Seeing the expression on Arashi's face the captain of the Sixth Division frowned, time will tell if the boy was really worth all the efforts. For now, Byakuya would keep an eye on him; he would apply to the max whatever he needed to either break the boy or make him into a model shinigami.
Konoha
- Three weeks after Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke's disappearance -
Yugao was looking at the girl in front of her with anger. She had her fist closed tightly, her body trembling as she held herself from launching a brutal attack on the girl.
Every word was sputtered with disgust, anger and a hint of dishonesty. It was obvious the girl was lying, but the Genin wasn't stupid. Oh, no. She had planned every single word she was uttering at the Hokage.
"…and then, out of nowhere he attacked Sasuke." The girl let a single tear fall as she evaded Tsunade's hard stare. "I…I couldn't stop him. Naruto ruin everything."
Silence was the only thing following Sakura's tale, Kakashi sent Tsunade a questioning stare while Tsunade's eyes remained on Sakura. No one knew what had happened weeks ago. By the time they felt, for the second time, a flickered in the Kyuubi's chakra Naruto seemed to be gone. The only proof that something had happened was the burnt space in the middle of the forest just behind the Hokage's Monument.
They were still looking for Naruto of course. Jiraiya was using every single contact on his Intel to locate the boy but. So far? Nothing. It was as if Naruto had just vanished.
This situation was turning to be a worrisome one. Without a clue as to where Naruto may be, with a clear clue as to where Sasuke had gone to; Tsunade knew it was a matter of time she would have to make some official announcement. Either both Naruto and Sasuke were labeled as Nuke-nin or only the Uchiha would receive that title while Naruto would be declared…dead.
Unconsciously, Tsunade's hand went directly to the pendant she had inherited from her grandfather. She tried to control her thoughts, not letting herself lead to the possibility of Naruto dead even before he could become in the great ninja she knew he could be.
"So far, Sakura, you have told me the same thing you did back in the hospital." Replied Tsunade with a calmness she wasn't feeling. "Tell me, what happened after the fight? Did Naruto talk to you? Did he say something to you or even Sasuke before that incident?"
Sakura seemed startled by the question; she let her eyes wandered around the room before they settled, momentarily, on the ANBU with the cat mask. The woman was holding a hostile posture, she seemed to lean forward and for a moment Sakura shivered.
"Uh, well…I…" Sakura lowered her face biting her lower lip.
"Well? Answer me! Your teammates had deflected Konoha! They fought and not sooner after this fight both of them left the village!" Exclaimed Tsunade in a loud tone. "Both were hurt, so it was obvious they received some kind of help! I am to assume you help them leave the village? Do you even know the sentence for that?"
"They both are going to be marked as nuke-nins." Replied Kakashi. Sakura raised her head, her eyes opened wide with fear and incredulity.
"What? No!" she turned to Tsunade with a supplicant look in her eyes. "Please, Tsunade-sama! Sasuke-kun would never leave the village! He wouldn't have if Naruto hadn…ugh…"
"Watch your mouth, Genin." Spit out Yugao who had moved forward leaking killer intent as she moved closer to Sakura. "Watch carefully what you're going to say next."
"Yugao, stop it." The woman didn't hear Kakashi as she leant dangerously towards Sakura. "Yugao." Warned Kakashi a second time.
"No!" replied Yugao taking off her mask. "Kakashi-senpai, you may stay still and silent while this…this girl says pure lies but I won't stay here and heard them! She doesn't know Naruto! She shouldn't talk about things she doesn't know!"
Sakura was trembling, shrinking in the chair as the woman kept on leaking her killer intent direct only to her. "I…I…am not lying."
Yugao glared at the girl opening her mouth to reply when a loud bang coming from Tsunade called their attention.
"That is enough!" Tsunade had hit the desk and was now on her feet. "Yugao, back off. Now!"
Yugao closed her fists glaring at the girl in front of her. Her mind was a pool of contradictions and doubts. On one hand, she knew if Naruto didn't appear he would be label as a nuke-nin until they could find proof he was kidnapped or worst: dead. On the other hand, knowing where he was and not being able to say anything was just frustrating.
"You must keep quite. No one must know what happened to Naruto, Yugao-san. This was his decision for you, for his friends and for himself."
"Yugao…" The warning tone in Tsunade's voice brought Yugao back from her memories. She sent one last glance at Sakura before returning to her post.
Sakura sighed relief while her eyes moved hopefully at the Hokage who seemed to have taken a decision.
"Sakura, hear me out, and hear me clearly." Sakura nodded her head as the Hokage moved to stand before her. "Whatever you say next would decide your future as a ninja of Konoha."
The pink-haired girl gulped turning to look for support from Kakashi but the man was looking straight ahead. Sakura, once again, returned her green eyes to the Hokage and nodded her head.
"We heard a different version of you story from Naruto just before he disappeared." Sakura's eyebrow twitched in nervousness before she evaded the Hokage's eyes. "I also received some reports that located Uchiha Sasuke at the border of Fire Country and Rice Country, the last known location of Orochimaru."
Tsunade eyed the girl to gauge her reaction as she continued, "While I've only received some reports of Naruto wandering around the village moments before his disappearance. It all indicates that Sasuke deflected the village to join Orochimaru and Naruto merely vanished. Do you have any other information you would like to share with us?"
For the second time since Sakura got there the room fell silent and the girl felt all the eyes of the present people in the room on her. The girl looked down on the floor, remembering what Sasuke had told Naruto just before she decided to interfere. Orochimaru, for some reason, was interested in Naruto as well. And he wanted Sasuke-kun to take Naruto with him.
Sakura shook her head, tears forming in her eyes as she mumbled. "I…I think…I don't… don't know."
"That it's your final answer?" Asked Tsunade looking at the girl. Sakura lifted her head and nodded.
"Y-Yes."
Tsunade turned to Kakashi who merely nodded his head sadly, "Very well, then…for lying to you commander officer, Haruno Sakura, you would be put on probation."
"Wh-what? But…but I...I didn't lie!"
"You did, and you keep lying." Said Tsunade to the girl. "You have to be grateful to your sensei; otherwise you would have been stripped down of your title as a ninja and banned from even come closer to a kunai."
Sakura remained silent while Tsunade continued, "After a year of probation you would be examined by your sensei, once again, and if you prove you have decided to really become a ninja of Konoha you would go back to do more than simple D-rank missions."
Kakashi saw his student as Tsunade kept telling her the conditions of her punishment for lying and withholding information. The man sighed sadly trying to figure out when and how had he failed as a teacher. Sasuke leaving to join Orochimaru, Naruto doing who knows what and then leaving the village. Either way, there was something strange in the way Naruto had gone. There was something amiss in this whole thing and as Kakashi turned his only eye to Yugao and then Sakura he realized there were only two people in Konoha who could answer his questions.
Now, the real problem was how to make Yugao and Sakura talk about Sasuke and Naruto.
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune entered the Hokage's chamber bowing lightly and breaking the sudden tension in the air. "The council is gathered now. They are ready for the meeting."
"Is Jiraiya there as well?" Shizune nodded her head; Tsunade stood up and made her way towards the door. Without turning around she addressed Sakura for the last time.
"You better think really hard what you want to do with your life. Konoha can't allow someone who only follows childish illusions." Sakura cringed tears falling down her cheeks. "Meet with Iruka at the Academy, he would have your first assignment."
Kakashi turned to leave as well, he didn't move though until he was sure that Yugao had left the room. With one last glance at his student he left leaving a confused and broken Sakura alone.
Fifteen minutes later Tsunade was sitting at a single desk, to her right was seated Homura, to her left was Koharu. Danzo was well-placed to the right of Homura. In two different lines to each of the sides of the room were the rest of the members of the council: Inuzuka Tsume, Hyuuga Hiashi, Aburame Shibi, Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi; as well as the head of the ANBU Corps, Jiraiya and three unexpected guests.
"What are the members of the Civilian Council doing here?" Asked Tsunade frowning at the three men.
"This is a matter involving the village as a whole, Hokage-sama. We thought…" Started a middle-age man only to be cut off by Tsunade's glare.
"This is a shinobi matter. The civilian council is not required in here."
"I disagree, Tsunade-Hime." This time Tsunade turned her attention to Danzo. Of course he disagreed, and now it was plain obvious who had invited this men to the meeting.
"Care to explain how this matter is meant for civilians, Danzo?"
"We're talking about two important members of the shinobi forces of Konoha. Both of them carry with them secrets that could put in danger the village.
"That it's correct, Hokage-sama." Continued the man from before. "As soon as we found out that Uchiha-san and the Kyuubi brat had betrayed the village we took it up…"
Tsunade let her fists fell with force against the table breaking it in half. The room remained quiet and the man started trembling lightly sending nervous glances towards Danzo.
"Do I have to remind you the law from the Third regarding Naruto is still active?"
The man gulped lowering his eyes before opening his mouth, once again, "I…I apologize…but, Hokage-sama! You can't ignore our worries!"
"Which are what exactly?" Asked Shikaku narrowing his eyes at the man.
"Is obvious, isn't it? Orochimaru attacked once, since he didn't succeed he somehow corrupt Uchiha-san and finally the...the Uzumaki boy decided to turn on us!"
"Nakamura is right! Who is to tell us the brat didn't help Orochimaru the first time?" comment a second man sitting beside Nakamura. "Haruno-san did say it, didn't she? The Uzumaki brat was working under Orochimaru's orders!"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes looking at Kakashi and then at Jiraiya. She then turned her attention to the second man, her voice dropping to a cold, angered whisper.
"What are you talking about?"
Nakamura and his companions looked at each other before Nakamura started talking again.
"We…we overheard the Haruno girl talk with another Genin. She…She told her power would be giving to his vengeance if he brought his teammate to him."
There was a moment of deep silence after the declaration. Danzo was sitting calmly on his chair, his lips tensing lightly as he gauged the room's reaction.
Once again it was Shikaku who spoke; he glanced at Inoichi and Choza before directing his attention to the man.
"And you actually heard her mentioned Naruto as the one with the task to bring Sasuke to Orochimaru for power?"
Nakamura gulped lightly well-aware of the heated glares direct his way. He didn't quite understand, he was doing his job as a representative of the civilians and, apparently, he was doing the job the shinobi didn't want to do against the demon brat.
"Well…I…I …no, not really I just assume…"
"And this is why the civilians are not allowed inside a shinobi meeting." Cut in Hiashi. "We can't allow prejudices or any kind of impartial thinking to affect the decisions inside this room. Your personal grudges against Uzumaki Naruto can be detrimental to the path we take."
"Hiashi is right. Both, the Uchiha and the Uzumaki boys had left the village but the reasons behind it are still unclear as it is their whereabouts." Continued Tsume. "I say we try to listen to the people who actually know something about them and had been in charge of the search and retrieve mission."
The man, Nakamura, opened his mouth to speak but the ANBU Captain didn't allow him any chance. The man, wearing an eagle mask started talking about the three different search parties he had designated right away after the disappearance of Uchiha Sasuke. The different trails lead to three different countries just outside the Konoha border. The most obvious one was the trail leading to Sound but, after a deep talk with Jiraiya, Grass had turned out to be another possible destination for Sasuke and Orochimaru's minions.
"Are we completely sure the boy went with Orochimaru?" Asked Inoichi looking directly at Jiraiya. The Sannin nodded gravely at the council, letting out a deep sigh as he massaged the back of his neck.
"Yes, there is no doubt about that. The last I was able to grasp from my intel was that Uchiha Sasuke was accompanied by a four-man group of shinobi well-known for their association and loyalty to Orochimaru."
"And, how do you know he wasn't capture?" Jiraiya turned to Homura shrugging.
"He didn't look like a prisoner. He was leading the group after all."
"Besides, we heard just before his own disappearance, that Sasuke had the intention of leaving the village." Continued Kakashi. "It seems he is looking for weapons that would help him avenge his clan."
"But, we already heard the story from Sakura-san! Shouldn't you all believe her words! It was this…this Uzumaki brat! Not Uchiha-san!" exclaimed the older of the three civilians. Tsume rolled her eyes, Shikaku sighed and Inoichi glared.
"It takes more than a mere Genin's words to do something about this, Hirako-san." Replied Jiraiya tersely.
The man scowled huffing as he glared at Jiraiya, "Well, then do something! For all we know the stupid demon must be joining forces with Orochimaru to destroy the village! Why are you so ready to believe the brat's words?"
Tsunade watched as the discussion escalated, reasons and objections were threw left and right without a satisfactory conclusion. Out of the corner of her eyes, Tsunade saw as Homura, Danzo and Koharu glanced at each other in silent understanding. The woman closed her fists; she had a bad feeling about this.
"That it's enough!" she screamed out silencing all comments and protests at once. The room in its totality turned to her while she stood there glaring around the room.
"This is foolish! What we should be doing here is taking decisions about what to do not who is right or wrong!"
"I agree with you, Hokage-sama." Said Koharu turning her attention to the room. "This isn't the time to fight over these matters. However, we can't just ignore it."
Homura took the word next, Tsunade tensed up as they took sudden control of the reunion. "The importance of the two boys leaving the village reside in the fact Uchiha Sasuke is the last Uchiha, holder of one of Konoha's doujutsu. And the importance behind Uzumaki Naruto's disappearance resided in the fact he is the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, we can't allow other villages have either of them."
"However, we can't also let this matter be the central focus of our ninja forces." Finished Danzo.
"What exactly are you proposing?" Asked Tsunade through clenched teeth.
"It's almost been a month. This situation has reached a dangerous point. Both of them could be anywhere, either kidnapped or join with our enemies willingly." Continued Danzo. "The fact is, we really don't know."
"Tsunade, you will have a week. Just a week to try and located both of them and bring them back to the village."
Tsunade felt the air leave her system, her face lose some of her natural color. "After that, both of them would be declared missing-nin."
"Jiraiya!" The Hokage's chamber was empty as Tsunade and Jiraiya entered the place. "I need you to find Naruto!"
Jiraiya tilted his head as the woman started pacing around the room, "We have to find him before them, we have to do it before the end of the month."
"Tsunade, just calm down, you…"
"Calm down? Calm down?" Exclaimed Tsunade. "Did you not hear them? Don't you know what price Danzo is going to put on Naruto's head?"
"Of course I know but we can't desperate."
Tsunade let herself fall on her chair, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she did so. "This is such a mess. Where could Naruto be? Don't you think…?"
"Akatsuki?" ventured Jiraiya; Tsunade nodded but was disappointed at seeing Jiraiya's expression. "No, if that was the case we would know about it. I don't…I can't really explain it. It's as if...he just vanished."
"What about the Uchiha?" At this Jiraiya actually frowned.
"He went willingly. Of that I have no doubt. The Cursed Seal on him had reached the second stage by the time he made it to Grass."
"So we have a traitor and a missing Genin in our hands." Tsunade lowered her eyes to the folder on her table, a picture of Naruto was lying outside, and the boy was smiling happily at the camera.
"I don't really care about the Uchiha, Jiraiya." Tsunade's voice was low and tired; she turned her attention to Jiraiya who was smiling gently at her. "But Naruto…"
"I know."
"Find him. Bring him in one piece so I can beat the crap out of him" Both, Jiraiya and Tsunade smiled at each other.
"Will do, though I better not tell him what you just said. I don't think he would feel incline to come home with a threat like that."
The week had come and gone without any changes. Well, almost without any changes.
Kakashi had expected this reunion to go a little bit different. At least, he thought he would get some straight answers from Yugao but the woman seemed adamant to say anything beyond what everyone already knew.
However, even if Yugao didn't want to say anything Kakashi could still see she was hiding something. The way she hugged Naruto's black cat protectively against her, the lack of eye contact and the short but straight answers were just some of the signs.
Their discussion had been fruitless after all, either she really didn't know what had happened or…
But, what could she be hiding? And why would she hide it from me? She does know what is going to happen to Naruto from now on.
Kakashi put a black book from under his vest throwing it Yugao's way. The woman grabbed it mid-air, her eyes widening lightly as she realized what kind of book it was.
"Right now I've been reinstated to the ANBU Corps. I've been assign as a hunter nin." Said Kakashi walking lazily towards the door. "If you decided you remember anything you know how to contact me, Yugao."
Kakashi closed the door behind him; he stood there for a moment his face finally showing the signs of distressed, tiredness and sorrow. How had he allowed his team to fall apart the way it had? What had he done wrong?
Minato-sensei…Rin…Obito…it seems as if I failed. I'm sorry.
Yugao's hand was trembling, holding the book with force. Once Yugao was sure Kakashi left and wasn't anywhere near her apartment she opened it. There in the last few additions was the picture of Naruto. He was smiling at the camera, his blonde hair disheveled and his eyes close with a huge, infectious grin adorning his face.
"What is that?" Asked Yoruichi, the cat saw tears welling up in Yugao's eyes as the woman place the book on her table.
"The bingo book. Naruto…Naruto is now a missing-nin."
Yoruichi watched the page dedicated to Naruto. She frowned as all the personal information and some about his abilities was listed on it. "Dead or alive? Extra bonus and a special recognition if brought incapacitated to the village?"
Yugao wiped away the tears, her eyes begging for hope. "Tell me Yoruichi-san…tell me he is really going to be okay, tell me he is going to be happy…Tell me they won't get to Naruto and harm him"
Yoruichi placed her paw on Yugao's hand, "He is going to be okay, I don't know if he is going to be completely happy…but, you can rest assure, when he gets the chance you will see him again. And there is nothing those who want to harm him can do anything to him now."
Yugao nodded her head distractedly petting Yoruichi while closing the bingo book, not before glancing one last time at the picture of Naruto.
Nii Yugito huffed closing the door behind her. Giving the report for the hundredth time in over a month was really annoying. Didn't they go it the first time around? Not only that, but she had to deliver in person the bad news to the Uzukage. The man certainly looked troubled but now that Yugito got to see him closely he didn't resembled Naruto at all.
She could deal with the Raikage and the rest of the Kumo-nin, but to actually face the Uzukage and his personal guard was a complete annoyance. Overall the red-head, the woman was sending some funny stares at her, she actually look disappointed it in knowing Yugito couldn't accomplish her mission.
"The nerve of that woman!"
Are you sure you're angry because of the stares and not the fact she refer to Naruto as Naruto-'kun', Kitty?
Yugito stopped her passing clenching her fist and hiding away the blush forming on her face. "I don't know what are you talking about, Nibi. I'm just angry because they think they have the right to complain and actually look disappointed."
Yes, they did look kinda…strange if you ask me. Although, I understand your uneasiness, the red-head did have a funny reaction at the news of Naruto's disappearance and his addition to the Bingo Book.
Nibi sensed the sudden changed inside Yugito, the young woman made her way to a small box hidden under her bed. As she put it out Yugito took the bloodied jacket she had recovered back in Konoha. It was so stupid. She had met the boy for just a few days, it really didn't mean anything but…but it was difficult to forget that smile and those intense blue eyes.
"Where did you go, Naruto-kun? What happened to you?"
"Ooohh, what is that, Yugito-chan?" Yugito jumped startled at the sound of someone behind her.
"AAAHHHH!" She turned around to see Omoi and Karui smiling slyly at her, both of them focused on the jacket she was holding tightly. "What the hell is your malfunction? Why are you here without even knocking?"
"Oh, what is that, Yugito? Why are you holding it so tightly?"
"Maybe is her lost love, he gave it to her as a memento of their impossible love before he sacrificed his life to let her live and…ugh…" Omoi caressed the back of his head while Karui and Yugito glared at him.
"Stop with the stupid stories! And…and this is...this none of your business!" Exclaimed Yugito hiding away Naruto's jacket. "Why are you here anyway? Why didn't you knock like normal people?"
"We did knock, but you were daydreaming away, Yugito-chan." Replied Karui with a mischievous smiled that only grew as the blush extended on Yugito's cheeks.
"Oh, well, there is someone eager to meet with you. He has been waiting for you and Killer-bee-sama." Yugito blinked tilting her head.
"Uh? What are you talking about?"
"Oe, gaki. Come in!"
Yugito watched the door with growing curiosity, her expression turned from one of curiosity to one of surprised and realization.
"Gaara! You really decided to join us!"
AN: So, around Christmas and til the middle of January I was unable to do anything about this or any other stories. You see I was in an accident and wasn't able to be on my laptop or anything like that. But, now I'm better and decided to just go ahead and finish this and then publish it. I really hope you like it and don't forget to tell me what you think. As always, no flames.
Ojii: as I found it it means 'uncle'. Thanks to Daemon Child for the correction
Don't forget to comment and thanks for reading!