Sorry it took so long to add the new chapter. I've been caught up in school, homework, musicals, and life in general. It took me quite some time to type up this chapter. Hopefully it isn't too bad…
Thank you reviewers:
matthew22381, review provider, BloodKitsune11, Umbra8191, ZxZ Fic Hunter, hokage of dragon, Shippuuryu, SaCcHaRiNeD ChIld, clutsy gurl97, Zaku Unit 2.0, and Winged Wolf- Hainu.
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The group made into the Soul Society to find that many buildings were destroyed. Some partially, fully, some had no visible remains. It was quiet, the only sound hear was the light wind passing by. "Damn, this place was fucking creamed." Hiyori said, peering around the area for any signs of shinigami that were living. Some bodies here and there, some of the bodies were missing limbs. "I'm guessing the Espada weren't the only ones attacking." Hiyori mentioned. The group walked a little further. The sun was very bright, showing many details of the fight. Dried blood had sprayed onto the collapsed buildings, as well as ash.
"I can't believe this." Yoruichi said her eyes showing great sadness, "It looks like…everything was destroyed." Yoruichi wondered if anyone had made it out alive. There was a certain emptiness to the air, with not very many buildings standing. Especially towards the gate. Urahara looked devastated.
"I let this happen." He said with a tired sounding voice. Yoruichi laid a hand on his shoulder, offering a weak smile. "We should probably look around." He said but Uryuu didn't seem too happy to agree.
"What if the shinigami see you? Don't you guys have death warrants?" Uryuu asked. Urahara shook his head.
"The shinigami can't do anything under this state. Besides, I doubt they would want to cause trouble, they already have had enough of it." Shinji answered, "If you don't want to get on their bad side, just play along if they bring us in." Shinji told the Quincy.
"They will eventually find us." Lisa stated, pushing up her glasses, "Shinigami tend to keep hidden all in one place when attacked like this. Thinking there is power in groups." Ichigo was already wadding through the ruble, making sure to avoid walking on any of the dead bodies. He was determined to make sure everyone was ok. He wondered if Toshiro, Rukia, Renji, and the others were ok. He moved faster, wanting to know everyone's fate.
"Slow down Ichigo." Sado called. Ichigo stopped to see everyone else was behind him. "It won't help us if you disappear on us." Chad was near the back of the group, patiently making his way through all the ruins. Ichigo didn't want to wait, but he listened.
"I wonder how many people suffered?" Rose said thinking about all the shinigami that must have died. Shinji could estimate how many had died, but he rather not say it.
"More than one hundred. I can tell you that much." Hachigen said in a quiet demeaner. Rose eyes fell. Lisa face was kept in its stone quality. Shinji didn't feel like expanding on the subject.
"Stupid shinigami, they can't even defend their own home." Hiyori frowned.
"It's sad they couldn't protect the Soul Society." Love added, "Reminds me of a plot line for a manga. There is always some lost battle. Whenever this happens, everyone is depressed…and unwilling to move forward."
"This isn't a damn manga!" Kensei growled, "The Soul Society will be fine, unless they are all run by some pansies." He added.
"Kensei I'm hungry…" Mashiro whined and Kensei eye twitched. "I want some rice cakes!" she added throwing her arms in the air. "Do you have rice cakes? Maybe some jam?"
"How could you be hungry!" he snapped, Hachigen and Rose holding his arms, making sure he didn't kill the girl. "What the hell is wrong with you!" he yelled trying to pull free. Mashiro only complained more.
"Could all of you just shut up." Shinji said in a serious tone. Mashiro stopped complaining, Kensei grew quiet and yanked his arms away from Hachigen and Rose. They moved forward, in silence. Once through the worst part of the debris, they made it to the inner circle of the Soul Society. Taking a look around they only saw more damage. "No one is around."
"Where is everyone?" Ichigo asked the group. Yoruichi gave Urahara a small glance. She looked rather unhappy, as well as Urahara. "Are you not telling us something?"
"They have been watching us the entire time." Yoruichi announced, her arms crossed, "They are making sure we are not here to cause anymore trouble…" her eyes shifted around the area.
"Hiding, not sure what we are here for." Urahara sighed, "I guess they see us as traitors. Traitors that would attack the Soul Society while it's weak."
"We aren't that pathetic." Shinji huffed, with a frown. Ichigo looked around, but couldn't see anything. "We are in an illusion. Aren't we?"
"Yes, we are." Yoruichi's eyes closed and she took in a deep breath. The air suddenly started to shift a little, and the illusion faded. Ichigo's eyes widened to see their group surrounded. He could see the shinigami had their zanpakuto out warily staring at them.
"Ah, Yamamoto. It's good to see you again." Urahara smiled. The aged elder stood calmly, his eyes set in a cold gaze on Kisuke. "I didn't think I would get to ever see you again."
"Urahara Kisuke." Yamamoto said in a dark voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Yamamoto." Ichigo stepped out in front of Kisuke, "They don't mean any harm. We came to help." He stated firmly a little nervous on what may happen. "Please, we don't want to fight."
"Ichigo Kurosaki, we couldn't attack even if we wanted to." Yamamoto said, "The higher power wants you alive." The group grew shocked to hear that. "Most of you are of interest of Naruto Uzumaki. We all know of his strange abilities."
"Who is it that wants us alive?" Urahara asked, "Why would they care if we were alive?"
"That is not for me to say." Yamamoto motioned for the shinigami to detain them, "For now, you will be treated as prisoners. Until I hear word from this person." The shinigami hesitantly moved closer, Hiyori growled. She didn't want to be treated like a prisoner, or touched by any of the shinigami.
"Hiyori!" Shinji said in a chilly voice. Hiyori looked at him, he shook his head. Hiyori growled and allowed the shinigami to tie her wrists together. Kensei hated the idea as well, glaring at the shinigami while they bound his wrists. Rose, Love, Lisa, and Hachigen looked like they didn't mind, but disliked being a prisoner. Mashiro smiled at the shinigami, letting them bind her wrists with rope.
"Ah, the Soul Society. Never ceases to amaze me, even when I was a captain." Urahara allowed the shinigami to detain him. Yoruichi did the same. Uryuu and Sado sighed letting the shinigami take them in. Ichigo was the only one not detained.
"Ichigo you are to come with me." Yamamoto walked to the giant tower in the middle of the Soul Society, "Some one wishes to see you." Ichigo nodded, and looked back at the group.
"Don't worry about us." Shinji smiled at him, "We will be fine."
"Come." Yamamoto commanded. Ichigo ran over to Yamamoto, "When we see this person, treat him with respect. He is a great man."
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They did make it to the tower, and Yamamoto didn't explain anything more than treating this person with respect. They walked up stairs for what seemed like an hour. Yamamoto didn't take him to the top of the tower. Yamamoto led Ichigo down a hall to arrive in front of a large double door. Yamamoto opened the door for Ichigo, and allowed the teen to walk in. "You must go in alone." The elderly man said, Ichigo nodded. The door shut. Ichigo was alone. He walked through the darkness, not sure where he was going. He saw a small candle flickering on seemed to be a short table. Making his way to the candle, he saw a couple of tatami mats.
"Please sit." A voice said. The voice was gentle, calm, and warm. Ichigo sat on his knees, obeying the command. He looked around the dark room for any signs of another person. He felt no reiatsu around. "Do not be afraid. I merely like the darkness, it calms me." The voice echoed through the dark room. "I want you to look at the flame of the candle. Tell me what you see." Ichigo looked into the small flickering flame. Staring for a couple of seconds he blinked, nothing was happening.
"What is this supposed to do?" Ichigo asked the darkness of the room, eyes not fraying from the flame. He received no answer. He felt a bit soothed by the tiny fire dancing from his breaths. He looked a little surprised seeing a face form from the flame. "What the hell?" the face was of Naruto, he looked rather sad. Eyes lowered to the floor, mouth in a firm line. His bangs covered part of his eyes. Naruto's eyes looked up to him timidly. The eyes then filled with malice, and a crooked grin grew on his face. The flame grew bigger, as it reached out to him. The face suddenly changed into his own reflection, but longer hair and bigger eyes but not by much. "What is this!" Ichigo yelled as the fire was now a person.
"It's him…" Ichigo's hollow rumbled in his head. Ichigo didn't quite understand what he meant by him. The strange altered version of himself let out a piercing laugh, eyes boring a hole into his head. It looked down at Ichigo as if he was inferior, with a wide smirk. "King, that is the superior being of that kid." Ichigo eyes grew. He was staring at Naruto's hollow. The hollow didn't even look like Naruto, it looked more like him. He couldn't understand how or why. "We need to kill him. I don't like him. King we need to kill him."
"W-What the hell? Why does he look at me?" Ichigo asked himself. The hollow reached out further to Ichigo, as if it was trying to grab him. He fell onto his back trying to avoid the hand. He heard a whizzing of metal fly, and Ichigo saw that a kunai had flown through the fire. The hollow eyes narrowed, and the fire died down. Before the hollow completely disappeared, he glanced into the darkness with hatred in his eyes. The hollow soon disappeared, and the flame was back to being part of the small candle. Ichigo was shaking nervously, those eyes. They were like his, but at the same time were Naruto's. "I-I…what is going on?" he whispered.
"…So you do have a powerful connection to Naruto. I see." The voice said with interest. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. I guess my own curiosity got to me…" Ichigo wanted to know why this person was so interested in Naruto. "I find it very strange that you have such a large influence on his hollow form." Ichigo growled, tired of the voice speaking randomly.
"What the hell was going on? Who are you? What was that? Why did the fire just turn into someone that looked like me?" Ichigo yelled impatiently. The room filled with silence. Ichigo wondered if he was actually talking to anyone. The room was still, quiet, and ere. The dark room suddenly filled with light from other candles that were lit at random. Ichigo looked around a little surprised by the light, and blinked a bit. He was stunned to look at the man not to far from him. "Y-You're…I-It can't be!" Ichigo shook his head. "How did you-?"
"You must be confusing me with someone else." The person chuckled; he had a warm smile on his face. "I'm not him." He walked to the table where the single candle was. He used his hand to cup around the flame before blowing it out. His garb consisted of the normal shinigami outfit, but white robes, with a couple more layers. Fiery colors like orange, red, and yellow were on the white robes. The pattern was fall leaves blowing in the wind. It was a very detailed shinigami robe. Ichigo noted he must have status. The zanpakuto was on his right side. Yellow tassels wrapped around the hilt. "I thought it was strange how we look alike. I know we have some connection, but I do not know why." He explained. He looked up into Ichigo's brown eyes. "My name is Minato Namikaze. It's nice to finally meet you, Ichigo Kurosaki." He sat on the tatami mat.
"You look so much like Naruto." Ichigo looked a little confused, "You could practically be his brother." Ichigo mentioned. Minato frowned and gave him a small sigh. "You really don't know how you are connected to him? You look like family." Minato was not to sure about that. "I didn't mean to offend you..."
"Do not worry, but It doesn't mean we are family necessarily, if we look alike." Minato looked at his hands, "I have always wanted to talk to him, but…with these circumstances. It's impossible." Minato bowed his head. "You see, I was the one who allowed him to walk freely around the Soul Society for those thirty years…sometimes I wonder if it was the right thing." His eyes saddened.
"You mean you have that type of power?" Ichigo asked, "Why wouldn't it be a good thing to let Naruto walk around freely?" Ichigo couldn't believe this man was thinking that letting someone have freedom was a bad thing.
"There is more to it than you think." Minato told him, "It was my selfish request that he was released. Naruto was never supposed to leave the prison. I was curious about him, why we looked alike. From what I heard of him, I have never met Naruto. I have only seen him twice. The reason I was so intrigued was because Naruto looked like me and talked of a different world." Minato explained to the substitute shinigami. "The Spirit King had taken me in. I am too from a different world."
"You are from a different world?" Ichigo looked astounded by the information he was receiving. "Is that even possible? I mean Hitsugaya said that Naruto was from a different world…but I didn't quite understand." Ichigo said. There was a silent moment. Minato didn't look to sure himself.
"As I said, I was curious." Minato continued, "So I asked the Yamamoto if he would allow my request. He told me because of the situation, I would have to ask the Spirit King. I asked the King, as selfish as my request was." Minato sighed grabbing a hold of a piece of white garb in frustration. "The Spirit King allowed it, but under the condition I was to not interfere with anything he did or people he met." He sounded a bit angry. "I knew what was going to happen…and I wasn't allowed to do anything." He closed his eyes.
"You knew what was going to happen?" Ichigo looked empty, his eyes blank. "Why didn't you tell anyone!" Ichigo yelled at Minato. Anger flared up in Ichigo. If Minato had told some one about this Naruto wouldn't be in the hands of the Espada. Maybe Orihime wouldn't be captured. Ichigo growled, if only he had been stronger. Minato flinched under his harsh voice. "Why didn't you do anything at least?"
"Ichigo, I am not allowed to speak of future events. After I released Naruto, the Spirit King told me what was going to happen and told me I could not interfere with the events. Or I will know true despair." Minato finished.
"True despair?" Ichigo repeated, Minato nodded. Ichigo was a bit lost. Minato was the one who set Naruto free. He doubt anyone else but he, Yamamoto, Minato, and the Spirit King knew any of this. Hitsugaya and the others would be so shocked to hear this. "I know why you would regret releasing Naruto…"
"It was because of my curiosity and selfishness." Minato lowered his head even further. "I am very ashamed of what I did." Ichigo could tell that Minato cared about the Soul Society.
"But," Ichigo snapped Minato out of his depression, "I am glad you let him out." Ichigo told him. Minato looked a little shocked that Ichigo said what he did. "Naruto wouldn't have been able to meet everyone. I wouldn't have met him. Naruto has changed people. Even if he is gone, he still did something for everyone." Minato was wide-eyed and speechless. "I may not know Naruto as well as everyone else, but I find the kid to be not much different than me." Ichigo sighed, thinking of how Naruto always compared himself to Naruto. "I consider him a friend, and I want to help my friends." Minato smiled a small amount, and sighed before looking Ichigo in the eyes.
"Ichigo. I thank you very much." Minato bowed his head a little towards the orange-haired boy. "Your words gave me much to think about." He smiled again, "I understand what I did may have been selfish, but others benefitted from it." Ichigo nodded and smirked. "I am thankful that my decision didn't completely destroy everything. I wouldn't able to forgive myself."
"Damn you're too polite." Ichigo stated, "Everyone is." Minato chuckled. "I have a question," Minato looked Ichigo in the eye. "Do you know why Naruto's hollow looked like me?" Ichigo asked. Minato closed his eyes.
"You hold a piece of Naruto inside of you? Do you not?" Minato asked. Ichigo nodded and Minato sat up straight. "He does not belong to this world, neither do I. I was brought to this world, but I do not remember how. For some reason Naruto ended up here after he died. You having a piece of Naruto, he must have a piece of you. Most likely to keep balance. Unfortunately, he is a hollow, born from regret. Meaning when he died, many years before you were born, he had to give something from his world. In exchange take something of similar value." Ichigo knew the piece of Naruto he had was kind. That would mean Naruto would have to have- "He holds a dark part of you Ichigo. Assuming that his world doesn't have hollows, this hollow took form of you rather than Naruto. The fact Naruto molded his own darkness around the piece that he has of you gives him a small amount that looks similar to himself." Minato explained. Ichigo growled.
"So I am causing him all of this trouble?" he dug his fingers into his hand. Was he really the reason why Naruto was so troubled?
"No, Ichigo. It is not your fault." Minato told him pointing a finger, "You can not think so darkly of yourself. Naruto may have a dark piece of you, but it is Naruto's decision whether to allow it to manifest within him." Ichigo didn't look convinced. "Kurosaki, don't make me have to knock some sense into you." Ichigo looked at the man who gave him a soft glare. Ichigo laughed at him.
"You could never be rude, can you?" Ichigo asked the Naruto look-alike. "I get what you mean, I just feel bad that his behavior is a result from me." He laughed a bit more, "It's unfair." Ichigo wished this wasn't the case. Then he thought about the darkness that Naruto had. It was hard to believe that type of evil was once apart of Ichigo. He then thought of how he was supposed to be the reincarnation of Naruto.
"Life even after death has never been fair." Minato chuckled bringing Ichigo out of his thought process. Ichigo couldn't help but feel like giving this man a hug. It was odd, and a little weird. Why would he want to hug this person? It was odd feeling, from deep within. He wanted to see this man as a father figure. Suddenly his body acted on impulse. Minato blinked from the sudden gesture. Ichigo was leaning over the table hugging a man he barely knew. He was horrified. "Kurosaki?"
"S-Sorry!" Ichigo quickly moving away. He couldn't look at Minato, he was too embarrassed. "I don't know what happened! I just-" Ichigo was enveloped into a hug by Minato. Ichigo couldn't understand, but he felt calmed by this. It as if he had been waiting for this to happen, for years. Minato moved back after a few seconds.
"Don't worry about it." Minato said. "Two more things about this conversation we had. I wanted you to come here to tell you that you need to save Naruto. You probably already have heard this many times, but I can't and I don't want him to suffer." Minato saw Ichigo nod with a smirk, "Last, you can not tell anyone of me."
"Why?" Ichigo asked.
"The Spirit King does not want the Soul Society or Espada to know of my presence. It is best if I am not discovered." Minato gave Ichigo another small bow, "Now you must go."
"Thanks." Ichigo said getting up, giving him a sloppy bow and ran to the door. He opened it with a mighty push with both his hands. Yamamoto let Ichigo run by, watching with a small smile.
"It seems this war isn't decided yet."
"Yamamoto." The old man heard Minato call from the room. He walked into the candle lit room. "I understand the current situation, as do you." Minato said to Yamamoto. Minato had a serious expression on his face. Yamamoto nodded and stood before the blonde haired shinigami. It was odd to see Minato without a smile, but he knew what Minato felt of the situation. "I hope you know-"
"Minato-sama, I already understand." Yamamoto cut off the shinigami, "I did not think you would disobey the Spirit King's orders. However, it will be difficult not having any more assistance in this matter. Your power would have been helpful. We all know Naruto is a handful." Yamamoto stated. Minato had his head bowed, ashamed that he could not help with this war. "I understand orders. I would have done the same."
"That is all, you may leave." Minato nod to the captain of the 1st division. Yamamoto bowed before leaving. Namikaze was left alone in the room. He sighed once more and watched as one of the candles flames blow out. He wished he could help with this, but he could not. The Spirit King told him he couldn't help, or he would know true despair. "I believe in you Kurosaki."
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"What the hell is taking Ichigo so long!" Hiyori yelled, sitting on the ground hands still bound. "It's been one hour and thirty minutes! Dammit'! I want to move!" Hiyori kicked her feet wildly. "Damn shinigami."
"Calm down." Shinji said with an annoyed expression, "Sometimes I wonder if you really are a scary old lady, snaggle-" a sandal hit his face. "Ow! You are sooo mean Hiyori!" Shinji whined.
"Shut up you dumbass!" Hiyori shouted. The Visored group was in a tent. All of them sitting on the concrete floor, waiting for someone to release them. Some how, the group was surviving even in the same tent for one hour. Kensei nearly killed Mashiro again. Lisa and Hachigen were quiet the entire time. Love and Rose were having an argument about manga; Love apparently spoiled a part for Rose. Shinji desperately want to save his sanity and leave this madness, but he had to keep the group from killing each other. He also had the task of keeping Hiyori from attacking some one. Yoruichi, Kisuke, Uryuu, and Sado were place in a different place.
"Would you all shut up!" a bald man yelled from outside the tent, he entered the tent with anger written on his face. "What the hell is with all of you? I have been listening to you guys fight for the past thirty minutes! I especially am tired of you little girl!" he growled, Hiyori gave him a look that clearly stated 'I can't believe you just said that to me'. Her eye twitched.
"What did you just say?" Hiyori eyes burned with hate, a creepy grin spread across her face. "What the fuck did you just call me? You damn baldy!" she yelled, the man hands turned into fists. Shinji moved away from the scene, knowing there was no way to stop her now.
"Baldy! I will kill you! Sorry excuse for a girl!" the bald man yelled at her leaning into her face. She responded by launching her other sandal into his face. The force of the hit sent him to his back.
"Take that! Baldy!" she laughed at him. The shinigami got to his feet and grabbed her by her red jacket, lifting her from the ground. "What now? Did I hurt your feelings?" she mocked him.
"Shut the hell up little girl!" He growled, "I'll beat the hell-" she kicked him in the crotch, making him drop her. She frowned at him and had a very large scowl. The man fell to his knees then onto his face.
"Ikkaku, Kenpachi told us we can release the prisoners…Ikkaku?" a man with a feathers protruding from his eyelashes. He looked into the tent, and saw Ikkaku sprawled on the ground. "I told you not to pick a fight with anyone." The man said with a sigh.
"Can you just untie me? I hate sitting around!" Hiyori yelled at the man, "Feather face are you even listening!" the man twitched a bit hearing her call him feather face.
"F-Feather face? Your brat!"
"Yeah, so can I go now?" Shinji was standing his hands free from the rope, "Shinigami today can't even tie rope correctly…" he sighed, walking over to Hiyori he untied the rope around her wrists. The others had already freed themselves. They walked past the two guards. Shinigami watched them exit the tent, they became quiet. It had been many years since any of the Visoreds had been in the Soul Society. Now they considered traitors, exiled from the place they once called home. Shinji ignored the glares that he received. Hiyori still had a scowl on her face. Lisa eyes met with a few people, but glared. Love only looked straight ahead, as well as Hachigen. Rose kept his gaze on the ground. Kensei growled when anyone looked at him. Mashiro smiled pretending nothing was happening. "Seems that we aren't welcome here." He sighed
"You can say that again." Hiyori snorted.
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Many tents were set up. This was probably were they kept the wounded. Many 4th division members running around. Yoruichi, Sado, Uryuu, and Urahara were taken to a different part of camp. It was much more comfortable than where the Visoreds had most likely been placed. Being escorted, Yoruichi saw Sui-Feng wrapped in bandages, sleeping on a medical bed. Surprising the guard, Yoruichi ran to Sui-Feng's side. The shinigami yelled at her but she didn't care. Yoruichi's apprentice lay quietly. "You stupid girl." Yoruichi mumbled. A large man stood not to far away from Sui-Feng either. He had a large purple collar. The guards tried to take Yoruichi away but the man intervened.
"I can watch over from here." The man stated. They let Yoruichi go. "Sui-Feng knows you rather well. You are Yoruichi, right?" the cat woman nodded. She looked back at her previous student. Sui-Feng had bandages covering her torso and other wounded limbs. Yoruichi wondered what had happened. She hated to see her friend like this.
"What happened to her?" Yoruichi asked the man sighed. She knew it had to be bad. Sui-Feng was a very strong captain. Sui-Feng would not go down without a fight. The man was quiet for a moment, his eyes partly closed.
"It was that damn hollow, Naruto." He said growling. Yoruichi's eyes grew wide. "Sui-Feng-taichou tried to stop him for leaving. She told me she only wanted her old sensei's back." The cat woman sighed. Naruto was Sui-Feng's sensei as well. As much as Yoruichi wanted to hate Naruto, she couldn't. It didn't mean she wasn't angry.
"Naruto…that hollow that exceeds in ninja technique?" Yoruichi looked up to the man. He nodded, "I see. I guess I will to knock some sense into Sui-Feng. She probably let her emotions carry too much during the fight…and that hollow." She glared sharply at the ground, "I guess I will have to teach him a few things."
"You were once Sui-Feng's mentor, am I correct?" the purple-collared man asked. Yoruichi gave a small nod. "I am her vice-captain. Marechiyo Omaeda." He told Yoruichi. "Sui-Feng cares about you deeply, but had another sensei as well. Naruto was also her sensei at one point."
"There is much you have to tell me then." Yoruichi said, "I would like to know more about Naruto. If you know anything about him please share." Yoruichi said to the rather large man. Her eye pleaded the man to tell her anything about Naruto. Suddenly, Yoruichi saw a shinigami in the background. Her eyes locked on the one person. It was confusing on why she was so interested in him. Tattoos on his face, and looked like a punk, but for some reason she felt like she wanted to talk to him. He looked over in her direction and saw her staring. Yoruichi couldn't look away, both pairs of eyes locked on each other. She felt as if she knew him.
"Naruto trained Sui-Feng in ninja arts, though it was only for a year." The man snapped Yoruichi out of her thoughts. She looked at the man again. "Whatever Naruto taught her, it made her stronger, but most the things he showed her, she could not do. Naruto mentioned things like 'ninjutsu', 'taijutsu', 'Doujutsu' and 'genjutsu'. He brought up chakra and many other things. It seemed pointless to me. What would chakra do? Anyways, he tried to teach things like walking on water, but it seemed impossible. It made me wonder how strong he really was."
"I don't think I have heard of doing any of those things." Yoruichi stated. She tried to think of what she learned in the past. "Why did Naruto bring up chakra? What is it?" Yoruichi asked the man. He closed his eyes and rubbed his chin with thumb. Yoruichi thought about it some more. She remembered reading something about chakra in an old book. It was part of the Hindu religion and among other things, but what Naruto was explaining couldn't be about religion.
"From what I remember, it was some spiritual energy…or something like that." He squinted a bit. Yoruichi sighed. "He did these strange hand signs. Then something would happen." Yoruichi wished the man wasn't so vague.
"What would happen?" Yoruichi asked wanting a more direct answer.
"He could create clones of himself, hundreds of them. Sui-Feng-taichou managed to do something similar but not nearly as powerful." He stated, "It took her about three months to just be able to make the big variation to use the technique. Though there were other abilities, but…"
"But what?" Yoruichi raised her eyebrow.
"Naruto showed her many techniques, but there was one technique in particular..." The man shuddered a bit, "Though he told Sui-Feng she would never be able to use the technique, because it was much too complicated. I understand why. That much power and the after effects...were dangerous." Yoruichi looked at him wanting to find out more about this strange ability. "I believe it was called Sennin Mode…"
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Kisuke knew why Yoruichi ran off. It was obvious her student had suffered from the events that had happened recently. Sado and Uryuu ran into Rukia, and Renji. Now Kisuke was left alone. He sighed, bored with the fact no one bothered to talk to him. He needed to make more friends. Urahara then saw a few of the captains walking over to him. "Well at least its company." Kisuke said to himself.
"Kisuke Urahara." The captain with a pink kimono said with a smile. Kisuke remembered him from he was part of the Soul Society. "Do you even remember me? It has been quite some time since you have been here." He said with a polite demeanor. Urahara thought for a second and smiled.
"Shunsui Kyoraku. It's been a while." Kisuke said with a smile, "You too." He said to the two others. "If I remember you're Byakuya Kuchiki." He said to the rather stoic looking captain, "Last time I saw you, you just a kid. Yoruichi talked often of you, Byakuya." Kisuke squinted at the final member, "I don't think I've ever seen you." The blonde person didn't look very surprised, "You are a vice captain, but obviously weren't part of the Gotei thirteen when I was still in the Soul Society."
"That is correct." The blonde said. "I am Izuru Kira, vice captain of the 3rd division." Urahara sighed. The captain of the 3rd division left with Aizen. Gin was the captain that left, if Kisuke remembered correctly. Urahara felt bad for Izuru.
"So what brings you three here? I don't imagine just anything." Kisuke said, "Maybe this has to do with Naruto? He seems to be the topic around here." Urahara looked at the three captains. "I guess I was right." Kisuke smirked, "So what makes you think I know anything about him?"
"Considering you're the one that wanted to bring Ichigo back from Soul Society. There would have to be a reason for it." Byakuya stated. Urahara knew the Gotei 13 weren't ones to fool around, especially after this type of disaster. Kisuke didn't know any of their relations to Naruto. He wondered if he should really tell them anything. Izuru could tell that he was conflicted.
"We aren't here to cause more problems. We simply want to know more on what is going on, after all, we are the ones who nearly lost an entire Society." Izuru explained to Urahara. Kisuke looked at all three of them, and sighed. All of them held no grudge.
"The truth is, I don't know much about Naruto. Or what is going on. All I really know is Naruto was after Ichigo." Kisuke said. "My plan was to lure Naruto out with Ichigo, and then we would be able to discover what he was after. Of course nothing happens according to plan." Kisuke already knew that Aizen had gotten a hold of Naruto.
"So, Naruto has some connection to Ichigo?" Shunsui said, looking over his shoulder. There Ichigo was talking to Uryuu, Rukia, and Sado. "I guess we all have to hear from Ichigo later." Shunsui stated, "For now, we have to recover from this attack." Shunsui sighed. Byakuya was still looking at Ichigo.
"Ichigo knows a lot more than every one else. I can tell." Byakuya closed his eyes for a moment. Upon opening his eyes, his eyes held a small amount of red in his usual gray eyes. No one noticed this. He blinked and the color disappeared. Izuru sensed another energy from Byakuya. Izuru felt the same thing happen with Renji and Rangiku. It was odd. Izuru wouldn't say anything, but he would have to investigate further. However, it had happened to himself as well, but Izuru didn't remember much from it.
"Kisuke Urahara." Yamamoto walked up to four of them. Kisuke didn't look very happy with the arrival. "I am not here to condemn you. I merely wish to propose something to you." Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto said, "The council will be rather pleased to know that you are detained, but I will not allow them to do away with you." Urahara's eyebrow rose. "I would like save you, but I need you to work with me. Unless you would like to die?"
"What exactly are you proposing?" Kisuke asked, "I don't remember anything about you being very merciful." Urahara looked up at the old captain. It was true, that Yamamoto seldom ever wanted a criminal to work with him. Actually, it was unheard of. Yamamoto did whatever the path of justice lead him.
"Urahara, I would not think about this to lightly. After all, you are deciding life and death for more than yourself." Yamamoto reminded him. Kisuke nodded, "As you know, the council would be more than happy to have you executed, but what I propose is to place you in an Order." Urahara couldn't believe that this was his proposition. There were very few Orders made in the Soul Society. Two Orders, in the Soul Society history, had been made. These Orders drafted any of the enemies or prisoners into the war, as well gave them a chance to redem themselves. It was considered a desperate measure. Urahara didn't like that fact that he would have to follow orders from Yamamoto and the council.
"You really want to call on a new Order? That would only delay the council until this war was over…if this counted as a war." Kisuke said, "How would that save us? The council doesn't care what happens to us."
"That Kisuke, is better left off for if you agree. There is no point in telling you everything unless you agree." Yamamoto eyed the once captain. "I have my ways Kisuke Urahara, you can choose to believe me, or paint your own death. Though…there is the possibility that you will be executed even if you go with me, but it is better than the chances of survival without my help." Kisuke sighed, and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Some chance vs. no chance…" As much as Urahara didn't want to agree with Yamamoto, there was no way around it. They could fight their way out, but where would that get them? "I guess I really don't have a choice." Urahara opened his eyes and looked at Yamamoto, "So this is the beginning of a new Order. Didn't I would be able to be part of one…now the 3rd Order is being established." Shunsui took off his restraints. Kisuke rolled his wrists. Yoruichi walked over, her hands free as well.
"Urahara." Yoruichi said, Kisuke could tell that she found out something about Naruto. He nodded, and she nodded back. Urahara gave her a look that told her they would have to relay the information later. She glanced around to see Yamamoto. They could a bit of tense air around them. Kisuke sensed a familiar presence.
"Ah, the Visoreds are finally here." Urahara said. The captains turned around to see the ex-shinigami. Lisa saw Shunsui and looked away. "Well, it seems we all are pretty much here." He smiled, "We are all here for a common reason. Other than being prisoners… all of us are connected to Naruto in some way and all of us know that Aizen is the enemy. The plan is to stop Aizen, as well as Naruto." Urahara looked to Yamamoto.
"There is no point in everyone fighting against each other. I think it is time to bring this exile to an end." Yamamoto stated. "In regulation, I do not have this power alone. I need everyone's hand in this." He said. "I will use all my power to try to prevent you from being executed for coming back to the Soul Society." Yamamoto explained to Urahara, Yoruichi, and the Visoreds. "Though I can not guarantee that I will succeed."
"As much as we would like to live." Urahara said, "Even if we are to be executed, I guess we will have to do our best to stop Aizen." Kisuke smiled sadly, "I have been hiding most my life. This place has always been my home; I will do what I can to protect it." Urahara knew they didn't have a choice in the matter. They were prisoners, and the new Order was being established. Yoruichi looked at Kisuke with a smile. "Even with my many failures, I believe we can save everyone, if we do this together."
"I agree." Yoruichi walked to Urahara's side, "We can do this." The ex-captain of the 2nd division smiled at Urahara. Shinji looked at his group with a raised eyebrow. Shinji didn't think everyone could be this sappy. The Visoreds looked at one another then Shinji and nodded. Hiyori growled a bit, but nodded as well. Shinji nodded, knowing his group agreed.
"Looks like we are in this." Shinji grinned. Yamamoto let out a sigh. Uryuu and Sado were the last and the two.
"We know what Ichigo would say." Sado smiled a bit, "We also agree."
"Well, this is the new order. This is the first time Shinigami, a Quincy, humans, and hollows have ever worked together" Yamamoto said, "In my power I call on the Third Order." Yamamoto added, and the others nodded. "We must do what we can to bring an end to this war as fast as possible."
XXXX
Ichigo found out that Hitsugaya had been mortally wounded. After his talk with Minato, he found the base camp. Rukia told him that Toshiro had been injured. He ran to find Retsu, where Shunsui left him to be taken care of. There had been rumors that he had died. Ichigo hoped that was not the case. Upon entering Retsu tent, he saw a woman reading a list. "Is Toshiro here?" Ichigo asked the woman. She blinked and nodded pointing to the back of the tent. He ran over to the covered section, and moved the drapes away. He saw a bed with an outline of a small body under a white sheet. He froze. Toshiro was dead. He couldn't believe it. He walked shocked over to the bed, and hesitantly moved to under cover Toshiro. He lifted the sheet to see open eyes. "What the hell!" he fell back. Toshiro painfully sat up.
"Ichigo, it seems that you have come back." Hitsugaya looked at the bandages around his midsection. Ichigo thought Toshiro was dead, and Hitsugaya gave him a small scowl. "Did you think I was dead?" Toshiro asked with a smirk, "I don't give up that easily." Ichigo stood up, regaining his composure. "I didn't think I would see you again, truthfully speaking."
"Uryuu and Chad took me back to Karakura town right as the attack came. When we tried to go back there was some sort of barrier." Ichigo explained, "The Soul Society looks like a wasteland. How big was the attack?"
"The Espada and hollows arrived. The numbers of hollows seemed endless." Toshiro gripped the sheet with anger. "They almost completely destroyed the Soul Society, it was worse than what Naruto did fifty years ago by far…and yet it was all because of him." Hitsugaya sighed.
"Don't tell me you're giving up!" Ichigo shouted and saw Toshiro give him an ice-cold glare. Ichigo didn't want to offend him, but by the way he spoke it sounded as if he wanted to quit.
"Far from it." Toshiro looked away from Ichigo. A quiet moment entered the room. Toshiro looked back at Ichigo. "I met him." He stated. Ichigo looked confused by who Toshiro was talking about, "I met Sasuke."
"You met Sasuke?"
"Yes. He saved me." Toshiro sighed, "He was the one who told me not to give up." Hitsugaya had a broken look. "I really owe him; he was the one who convinced me to move forward."
"Why is everyone's pasts awakening now?" Ichigo asked seeing a pattern, "Do you think it has something to do with Naruto?"
"It has to be." Toshiro said. Ichigo nodded and Toshiro looked into his eyes. Maybe Minato would be able to answer the question. The man did seem to know a lot. "I have a question."
"What?" Ichigo looked at Toshiro with questioning eyes.
"Why are you keeping things from everyone?"
"Look, right now isn't the best time to start this." Ichigo told Toshiro, "I would want to tell every one at the same time, or this would only get annoying…"
"Well, now would be the best time then." Ichigo turned to see Kisuke with several others. "We are all ears."
XXXX
This chapter is complete.
Yes, Minato is himself. No memories of anything, not even his own son. I was going to make him a reincarnation, but I found this more fitting. After all, he was eaten by that weird shinigami thing. Why not?
The Soul Society teams up with the Visoreds, Kisuke, Yoruichi, Uryuu, Sado, and Ichigo to stop Aizen. This new order might save them from being put to death by the council, but no promises.
Itachi starting to appear? Maybe…and what about the others?
And of course, some answers on why Naruto's hollow looks so much like Ichigo.
And some answers in general.
Well besides that,
R&R!
Until the next chapter!