Chapter 15

The Truth

Night had crawled over the land after several hours of tree hopping, the moon soon rising with its wake. The two shinobi decided it was best to take a rest and begin early in the morning, to make their journey towards the village hidden in the clouds. Anko decided to set up a small sleeping bag. Naruto however decided to choose an unconventional method of sleeping arrangements.

Naruto lay curled up in a hammock made of the familiar's he's killed. It was nice, you know, laying in the captured souls. They were soft, surprisingly, and with naught but a command, he could manifest them in whichever shape or form he wished.

Useful things, familiar's.

But, as night rolled on and the dark sky his only thing to look out to, he began to let his thoughts drift towards Rangiku, that woman he came to find something like a spark of love in. He remembered the first time they met, in that forest, both fighting that hollow who came out of no where. He remembered a lot of things about how they spent their time together, though she was lazy, she was good at heart.

Though, no matter what, he couldn't get the image out of his mind, of Rangiku cheating on him.

He tried to remember and keep his mind steeled to what it was before that, but his mind would always drift back to that scene. Naruto wasn't mad at Soi-Fon, not really, but he couldn't quite know how to feel about what he saw. The guy part of his mind wanted to shout at him and tell him that he should have gone in and joined, if it was that. But he rejected the thought, thinking in that 'honorable' mind of his that she wouldn't do that, that she was just cheating.

How wrong he was.

Naruto eventually just shook his head, keeping his mind off of the image, wiping it from his mind. He shifted in the hammock and closed his eyes, hoping sleep would keep him from thinking anymore. A few minutes more, and he fell into a deep sleep.

In that same moment, Rangiku, and Soi-Fon, who were both in full shinigami attire, were making their way towards Yoruichi's place. They had left the gate for the Seireitei a few moments before, already making their way towards her little house, in high hopes the woman would come back with them. Rangiku was unsure if Yoruichi would accept the offer, or if she would want to be in such a way with Naruto and them. But, she was determined to make it up to Naruto after what she had done, even if this was counter intuitive. She didn't care if it were wrong, she just wanted him to be happy.

When finally they made there way to her house, when they stood before its threshold, a feeling of anxiety began to etch through them, gnawing at them. What if they were just kicked out, when telling the queen of the flash-step, their plan? What if they were unable to do what they were setting themselves to do? What if Naruto still rejected her, and hated her for what she had done?

That one tripped Rangiku up the most.

But before they could chicken out, the door swung ajar, nearly scaring them off. Before them was Yoruichi, her sandled feet just before the edge of the door. She placed a hand on her black spandex like pants, curvy hips swayed to the side. She lifted and adjusted the sleeve on her orange robe-like top. Her unoccupied hand came to rest the side of her violet haired head with her elbow against the door frame, a pony-tail hanging it in the back with bangs framing her bright shinning eyes and smile.

"What can I owe the pleasure of having you two show up at my place? Surly it can't be a silly business meeting?"

They didn't reply, so she beckoned them in, offering tea that they gladly took. When all settled down, and they could relax, Yoruichi asked why they had come to her home. The two schemers looked between one another, but Rangiku was the one to speak first.

"There's this guy that we think you would like to meet." She told, her voice confident as she looked into the dark eyes of Yoruichi. Those dark eyes of the queen seemed to shift from between them, as if she was trying to figure out the meaning of those words of hers. The orange haired lass was about to speak up again when Yoruichi finally asked-

"-who is he?"

With that set of interest in her eyes-that which both timid and confident woman could see-Rangiku responded, setting the bait and hook. "He's someone who might be a challenge to you and your shunpo."

"Really?" Her interest was peaked, taking the bait, and Soi-Fon decided it was time to reel her in.

"He beat me in a fight fairly with ease, I could not follow his movements very well when he moved."

Yoruichi's brows raised to her hair at that, surprised that someone could escape her former students pensive eyes. She stood, a grin on her face, a glint and fire waving behind those dark eyes of hers. As they shone brightly, and with Yoruichi caught up by the line, Rangiku told where they were going, only interesting her even further.

With that, they left for the shinobi world.

Naruto woke up with a weight over him, and even before he opened his eyes, he knew who it was. There, laying atop him, was the purple haired konoichi Anko Mitarashi, her sleeping bag still on the ground. She was sleeping soundly, her face buried into his broad chest. Her back seemed to rise and fall with even breathes, so relaxed cuddled up to him. Naruto wanted to shake her awake, he wanted to get moving, seeing as the sun would soon be rising, but, he found that he couldn't do that, especially when her face came up to bare, her cheek rubbing the side of his chest.

He opted to let her sleep instead, sliding his hands up to her back, giving a slight rub to it. What nearly sounded like a purr came out of the snake user, and with an errant thought, made a blanket with the familiars. They stretched over and laid atop them, making the hammock a near cocoon, with only their heads left in the open. A gracious smile spread like butter on her face, and her arms encircled the young man.

Naruto let himself lean back his head and relax, enjoying this feeling, to just hold someone again. His mind flashed to the many a time he and Rangiku would do this, though the position was reversed, with his head to her chest. But, he didn't care, it was just something that he missed, and now, for at least until the twinkling of the sun's warm rays flittered through the canopy above, he could enjoy it.

Eventually, the time came when she stirred, waking from her pleasant slumber. Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of Naruto, staring up into the trees, a gentle look about him. She liked that, seeing him content. His eyes fell to her, and Anko nearly jumped as he placed a hand to her cheek.

"-edy to go?"

"Wha..." She blinked, feeling herself come back to reality.

"I asked if you were ready to go?" He reiterated.

"Oh, uh, ya."

No one moved.

". . .sorry." she told, moving her face away as she stood, keeping his sharp eyes from seeing the flush of red on her face. When Anko hopped off, he retracted his familiars back in his trench-coat. Anko moved to grab her sleeping bag, trying to face away from Naruto. She gathered it up, sealing it away, still bent down, feeling her blush creep away, leaving her cheeks so that they were once more back to normal.

When she turned, Naruto had a strange look on his face, a brow raised to her, but before she could ask why, he said-

"-you need a belt..."

"Why?" Was her question. Of all things, why would she need a belt? She wore a skirt, granted with belt loops, but still. That look remained on his face, but it shifted, like he was unsure to tell her something. However, when he did, her face flushed deeper than before.

"You were about to moon me."

"WHAT!" She screamed, clutching the rear of her skirt. She pointed at him, as if she was trying to accuse him of something, but he waved a hand to her.

"Na uh, you can't say anything bad. If I say you had a nice butt I lose, if I said you need to cover it up, I lose. But since I told you to get a belt, I keep you from being exposed in front of many people who might black mail you with it, which is my win, but I get caught staring, which is a lose for me again." He paused, watching her finger begin to fall.

"So no matter what, I lose, even if I had or have good intentions."

Her finger fell completely, and felt the fire of resistance sputter out. But, she wouldn't allow that, she wouldn't allow such a thing to go unpunished regardless. Even if he were, by his words, right. So, instead of yelling and being angry with him, she went with it, letting her face soften and a innocent gleam to cover her eyes.

"So, you liked what you saw~"

A twitch came to his eye, and Naruto had to keep himself from slamming his head to one of the trees. He thought she was very pretty, sexy even, but he had to keep himself in control. Oh come now Naruto~ Kyuubi's voice came through his thoughts, making him pinch the bridge of his nose. Just for once, give in, get back at 'her' for once, just give in to it.

He ignored the sweet sounds of honey that was his tailed beasts voice.

Or, would you rather be pulled in here, with me? I can accommodate you again~

THWAK!

Naruto finally did it, snapping his head right into the closest tree, ripping its wooden fibers apart as it began to fall. With a great crash did it make, and Naruto leaned his head back, fists clenched. Anko became sheepish, unable to see his face, unable to tell what he was going to do next, his still form like a wraith. She jumped a little when his head snapped to her, a dead-pan expression riddling it.

"No," he began, "more," he finished.

Anko imagined she looked like a doe right now, eyes wide and skidish from that glare. Naruto turned away and flash-stepped up to above the trees, standing in the air.

"Lets get underway! We wasted time!" He shouted back down.

Anko snapped out of it after that, running up the side of one of the trees as they made their way to their destination.

Rangiku, Soi-Fon, and Yoruichi stood before the aged face of Sarutobi, waiting for him to answer their question. They had asked the man where Naruto was, and he seemed to have a gleam in his eye after that, his eyes regarding Rangiku and the others with scrutiny. She hoped the Hokage would allow them to go after the lad.

"Why?" Was all he asked. "He's on a mission now, and it is imperative that that is not disturbed."

"Well we can help." Yoruichi spoke up, a friendly smile on her face.

"I doubt you can, all it is, is a race, and if he can beat a certain man...well, its a bit complicated."

"What if I race too, and promote that Naruto guy, hm? Certainly there is no limit to those who can race, right?"

The Hokage was about to answer when the woman he was talking to flickered, appearing before him, a smile still across her face. He held back a jerk of surprise, not expecting such speedy movement. Sarutobi was going to suggest that racing wasn't a good idea, however, this 'Yoruichi' seemed to defy what his brain wanted to say, because this mission could make or break relations with the Raikage and his people.

He coughed into his hand and spoke calmly.

"Fine, so long as you do not cause a war, be polite, and when you catch up to Naruto, inform him of this slight change, they should be half-way there, so you have a good chance of catching up with him near the end if you hurry." He leaned back, his wrinkled hand reaching into a drawer, handing her a map, telling Yoruichi to follow it, and dismissed them.

"Hold it," Sarutobi suddenly spoke up, gaze shifting towards Rangiku just as they got to the door.

"You, why do you intend on meeting Naruto? I believe I heard that you two are not in good standing, is that right?"

Rangiku's eye brows raised in surprise, a step taken back. She hadn't known they were being watched, and if so, who had done so? But, his pensive stare caught her, and she could not help but bite down her thoughts and speak. "I-I want to make it up to him." her eyes pealed away from his. "What I did was wrong and stupid, I never wanted to hurt him. I thought that he would...well I guess it doesn't matter what I thought."

Sarutobi laced his fingers together, letting his elbows rest on the desk, staring at her. His pensive gaze picked up the light blush forming across her face, and then another one when, out the corner of one of his eyes, noticed the Soi-Fon woman do the same. His eye-brows shot up to his receding hair line when he realized what she meant.

"Youthreecangonow!" The Hokage shouted so fast they barely understood him, but they left nonetheless.

When they were gone, he went to his crystal ball, the images of people flickering across its steamy surface. It finally settled to the orange haired lass and her compatriots. Now, even as an old man, he had to admit that they were quite beautiful, in their respective ways, but he was still unsure what their relationship with Naruto was. He just hoped that the orange haired woman's words were true, that young man's been through quite a bit.

He watched them go out the gate, and suddenly, they flickered, disappearing into thin air, escaping his view.

Naruto and Anko were at the gates to enter the village hidden in the clouds, both a bit tense when two guards were standing at attention-instead of two slackers Naruto liked to joke around with. Naruto couldn't tell if they were always like that, or if they were ordered to be extra attentive per their arrival. They walked up to them, both the guards, a man and woman of similar countenance, greeted them with a glint of reverence.

"Sir!" Began the man.

"You are Uzimaki Naruto, summoned here by A, our Raikage!" Shouted the woman.

"Correct!" Both of them now asked with that militaris speech.

Naruto smiled warmly and held out a hand to them. They flinched a slight, not in fear, but mere surprise. The man shook first with a nod, and then the woman did, both of their eyes wide, as if expecting him to fly off or something. But he just shook their hand, smiling to them, greeting them like anyone else.

"Why are you two so...tense?" Asked Anko, foregoing formality.

The twins looked between one another, then answered as one.

"We heard rumors from everywhere of how a very green genin defeated a dangerous jonin!"

Naruto's mind clicked.

Oh, so that's why, he thought, rubbing his chin. The people of wave had made up for their word, that they would spread his name and actions. They made good on it, the word of the people. He would have to return there sometime and thank the people. Maybe he'd put on a show for them, entertain them with a festival. That wouldn't be bad, and he would love to see the graves of his fellow fallen shinobi, pay respects.

"-is office."

Blinking his clouded mind away, Naruto apologized to the twins for spacing out, asking them to repeat themselves.

"A would like you to go to his office, he lives up closer to the clouds than even any of us."

Naruto thanked them-smiling-and began making his way through the gates, Anko in tow. He, however, stopped short of the thresh-hold. His sapphire eyes widened to two sliver slits of scary scarlet. He could feel his heart beat like a large bass drum, slow and loud in his ears. Unbidden, his familiar's swirled beneath his trench-coat, as if ready to strike out at anything that was too close.

Rangiku and the two others stood by the guards, her eyes just as wide. She clutched her hands together, as if to protect herself from her own wrenching heart. The air was tense, as if electrified with a negative charge, and it felt as though that any movement would be death. Rangiku took the chance, took a single step towards Naruto, but flinched as he seemed to snap around, staring down at her like a dark wraith, ready to swallow her very soul. His trench-coat pulsed about, lifting and snapping around as winds-with which there should be none-gushed a gale all around him, his Reishi like a rising inferno, blazing about and around him, renting the air, pushing Anko away. A screech filled the sky, from that of the tormented souls that dwelled in the abyss of his crimson trench-coat.

A gloved hand, the color of an icy blizzard, raised itself, as if some god pulled the strings to the arm, so detached from the rest of the person. Fingers that which had more countenance of a beast than that of mans snapped over tinted goggles, snatching them away, ripping them off and casting them into the earth. The angry red of scarlet slits glowed like the pokers of some great furnace, piercing and pinioning the terrorized form of Rangiku Matsumoto. She tried to speak, but her tongue was ash in her mouth, dried and barren was her thinking, leaving her to stare into the eyes of a devil.

"Leave. Me. Alone."

His words grated the sound of life itself, such horrid tones only a hollow would wish to have, the force of his Reishi forcing her to fall to her knees, slamming her to the ground. Her face fell flat as his power increased, unable to combat against such strength. Her eyes watched as he turned on his heel, making his strides ever away from her, out of reach.

N-Naruto-

She felt herself slip into darkness, the pressure too much for her to bare. But, just when she was about to give in, to obey his words, to let him slip through his fingers once more, for doing nothing, she heard a voice.

Rangiku.

She knew that voice.

For once, we will not be lazy.

Haineko.

You want him, don't you?

Yes.

Won't you fight for him, won't you be strong like him?

Yes.

Won't you stand amongst the ashes of destruction, just to see him again?

Yes!

Won't you stand, stand and fight, won't you be more than Rangiku, more than me, something else?

Yes!

Then say it, say it or he will forever be lost, to you old woman, say it, say my name and be with him!

YES!

"Ban-Kai!"

Naruto halted his booted feet, feeling Rangiku's spiritual power increase exponentially, leaping the gap between them, clinging to the other side. He turned around to witness a great gout of oceanic blue energy shoot into the sky, piercing the heavens. It changed shape, the color turning a heated orange now, the very essence of it becoming that of a large cat, a single flame at the tip of its tail. Its maw opened up, swallowing the very person it came from, exploding out in a shower of light and power. When it was all done, and the bright brilling light faded, there remained Rangiku Matsumoto.

Her hair was curled and strewn back into a pony tail of sorts, braided thickly with an orange flame burning-yet not eating away at-the tip of the tail. Her eyes were now a slight slit, larger than before. Her shinigami clothes were now sleek black and skin tight, a standing collar inches up her angelic face. What was her zanpakuto, were now two black and four long claws, her hands gripping the horizontal wooden handles, till her knuckles were white, and the bars that reached over and around her slender forearm were strict against her.

"Moeru Haineko!" Her voice seemed to rise above to the very heavens.

Naruto stared into her eyes, seeing that she was now close to if not at his power now, nearly the same. He was uncertain, but he didn't care. He didn't care that she achieved bankai, he just wanted to get away. But, he couldn't help the anger that was in him, he couldn't help his glare that still fought to pierce her.

"Naruto!" She shouted. "I will never leave you! I will never hurt you again! I will fight until you accept my apology and hear me out!" Even as her bellow reached him, she saw him growl like an animal.

"Then I guess your gonna have to fight for it!" He howled out as he grabbed his zanpakuto, flying at her with the saw cleaver already fully released. Naruto crashed into her clawed blades, sparks flashing out as he flew her through and back into the tree line. She twisted her blades, breaking away from his strong stalemate with her. Rangiku spun, Moeru Haineko slashing through the air as Naruto used shunpo in the last instant.

He appeared above her, swinging down. She dodged, flash-stepped above him, slashed down, then he did the same, yet this time, a Suta Suraisa brewing around his blade. She threw her clawed weapon forward with both clenched hands thrusting the bankai into the path of the blade, pincering it between two of the middle claws. Red Reiatsu completely arched over Rangiku, sweeping past and harmlessly exploding in the forest below.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto snapped a leg forward.

The Matsumoto gasped as her gut seemed to betray her, that kick sending her through the sky in a fiery pain. Quickly, Naruto reached into his trench-coat, pulling out the blunderbuss like zanpakto, shouldering his Hocho o Mimashita in favor for his Dojina Hito.

Naruto leapt high into the air as his former love took a diving thrust at him.

"Burasuto!"

He pulled the trigger, letting loose a shot of Reiatsu at her. Shunpo saved Rangiku as she appeared in a flicker below him, sliding back on the air. He shot again, firing another gout at her. Her form disappeared, gaining countenance higher to the right.

Shots of Burasuto rung out like thunder, Rangiku getting closer and closer with each missed shot. She was about and before him a moment later, already swinging her claws. Time seemed to slow, and he could see her expression. Brows were furrowed, and her eyes shone with determination, and a frown of concentration etched her focused face.

Then he pulled the trigger.

BOOM!

Somehow, somehow she slapped his zanpakto away at the last moment sending the shot up into the heavens. Now too close for him to swing and too late to dodge, her blades, both weapons gripped in her hands, pierced his gut, as if in reconpence for him kicking her so hard in the same place. Naruto daren't move, feeling his blood try to drain from him. With the help of familiar's, he kept as much red from escaping him. He could still beat her, and he planned to, kick her away and continue, but stopped.

Suddenly, her head slumped against his broad chest, resting it there.

"You can't go anywhere now, not without me!" She screamed into his chest, as if to order his heart to listen. "I won't," he heard her choke on her words as tears began shedding from her face, "I-I won't ever let you escape again! I won't I won't I won't I won't!" She cried out, her temple turning against him. "I will make you happy..." Rangiku's voice was swallowed by her large wet tears as her head lifted to him. "I won't ever stop caring for you..."

Naruto watched with a slew of mixed feelings as her form flashed, her bankai disappearing back into her shikai, her zanpakuto now sheathed in her hakama sash. Without the support of her newly achieved bankai, she fell into him, arms wrapping themselves around him completely, her head on his shoulder.

"W-why..." His voice shook in her ear.

"Because. . .I love you, Naruto."