I'm Baaaaaack.

Hi guys XD Well I suppose I should first apologise for the several months I took to update this, But I have an excuse! I was working. A lot. At first it was just ten hours a day, four days a week. Then it increased more and more Until eventually it was thirteen hours, six days a week. Hell there was one point I got in at half six in the morning and didn't leave the sight till after ten at night. The worst bit? Assholes didn't even pay me right. Payed me completely the wrong rates, which I couldn't check due to their inability to send a pay slip to the right place, Missed paying me for one day entirely and well you know what I'll stop. Anyway I was going to do a christmas special but I ended up not finishing it in time. Good news is next year their is going to be one looooong christmas special.

Now a question for you all. Did any of you find any part of the last chapter sexist? Because two people did, and I can't quite figure out how. Well other than that On with chapter 11.

Disclaimer: Due to popular demand I now own everything. This not only includes Naruto and bleach, it also includes Masashi Kishimoto and Tite Kubo. This allows me to completely dictate the future plot of both Naruto and Bleach. But I'm not going to tell aaaaannnyyy of you what's happening yet.

Naruto was sitting cross legged around Urahara's table, once again in his gigai with an orange shirt and green shorts in his clad bare feet and his usual headband around his neck. Yoruichi was perched on his head in her cat form. Directly to his right was Urahara followed by Rukia, then Ichigo, then Ishida, then Orihime and lastly sitting on Naruto's left was chad. It was Ichigo who spoke up first.

"So let me get this straight. Chad and Orihime have powers, and you've all been training to help me protect Rukia?" asked Ichigo inquisitively.

"Hmm," said Chad with a nod of his head.

"Yup," chirped Orihime.

"Of course not," spoke up Ishida last, who adjusted his glasses with his fingers. "Rukia is a shinigami, therefore, I have no interest in protecting her. What I am protecting is the pride of the Quincies. The shinigami must be reminded that the living world isn't theirs to trample around in as they wish."

"In other words, yes I'm helping to protect Rukia but I'm too proud to admit it," butted in Naruto, who said it in a pretty good imitation of Ishida's voice. "And to be honest, your excuses need work."

Ishida's face went red with what was either rage or embarrassment but didn't say anything.

"Okay," said Urahara cheerfully, "With that out of the way, we need to gather what we know, and then plan accordingly. So come on everyone, what do we know?"

"Four eyes is a secret bad guy and he can do some pretty good genjutsu. The only one I know who do better is Crow. Cheesy-grin is helping him and so is the blind guy, who I can't think up a non-offensive nickname for."

Urahara nodded, before looking at Ichigo.

"Byakuya said that from now on the Soul Society will come at us full force, especially since Naruto isn't holding them up anymore."

"Who said I'm not holding them up?"

Everyone turned to look at Naruto.

"Shadow clones are awesome."

There was silence for a few seconds as everyone thought that over; Orihime, Chad and Ishida wandered what the hell shadow clones were.

"That means we have some time, and then Soul Society will attack in full," said Ichigo, his voice deadly serious, but Urahara shook his head.

"Not so. They won't attack in full, or rather they can't. Remember if too many high level shinigami come at once, it can have several effects on the surroundings. However, they will most definitely be sending shinigami of the captain level. Especially since Naruto's here. From what I've been able to gather about our hollow friend here, it take's several people to fight him effectively, and since Naruto can fight at captain level they won't be sending anyone of a lower level after him."

"That's not all, we have something else in our favor. Urahara, the Soul Society doesn't know you're here do they? Before, they didn't send anyone after Ichigo or Rukia because they couldn't locate them, but the second they found out about Ichigo, they were on it. From this, we can deduce that once they have been able to sort out whatever Naruto left behind, they will probably send an advanced scout force, if they haven't already. Most likely some high level shinigami, maybe even a captain. More than likely, they will be in gigai's and scouting around the town for any information on Rukia's location." The Quincy stated, pushing his glasses up.

"Excellent Mr Ishida, those were my thoughts as well. Be careful when walking around town. As all of you appeared to fight Byakuya, he has most likely reported all of your appearances. On the other hand, you have no idea what the shinigami look like. If you're spotted, they might follow you back here," said Urahara from behind his fan. The group noticed that his voice actually held some seriousness to it now, although not much.

"Okay! Since that's out of the way, we need to speak about training," spoke Yoruichi from atop Naruto's head, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. "I'll continue to work with Orihime and Chad for the most part, but I also want to help Ichigo improve on his flash step. Although I'm aware you can perform some semblance of the technique, it's still far too slow. Ishida will you be requiring any help this time?"

Ishida was silent for a moment as he once again adjusted his glasses,

"I hate to admit, but progress lately has been slow. Although I'm much stronger now, an outsider's view on things may help me along."

"Excellent, I'll speak to Tessai," said Urahara jovially. "None of us have a complete understanding about how Quincy attacks work, although I have my theories. Tessai is an expert on the shinigami art of Kido. If anyone can work out a way for you to improve it will be him."

Ishida gave a small sigh but nodded his head in acceptance.

"I'll be training Mr Strawberry," said Naruto as he practically bounced up and down in his seat. "I don't think he's aware of the other side of him yet, but I can certainly help him out with it. And with my training he'll get super strong, super quick. Well that or die a horrible messy death."

"And I'll help!" said Urahara with a smile, although no one was quite sure if he meant he'd help train Ichigo or contribute to his messy death.

Ichigo himself didn't react at all to the messy death comment, but held a strong look of resolve in his eyes.

"Alright then, let's not waste any time. We've only got a few weeks left before we're back at school, and the soul reapers could attack at any time," said Ichigo.

Yamamoto stared around at the group of shinigami in front of him.

"So this is you're chosen reconnaissance squad, vice-captain Abarai?"

"Well yes, Head Captain," said Renji, looking around at the group of people around him. "I asked third seat Ikkaku first knowing that with his strength added to the squad we should be able to deal with any situation should it turn violent. However Vice-captain Kusajishi was nearby and she wanted to come so she could meet 'whiskers'. Ikkaku also asked Ayasegawa to come along and he agreed. After this Captain Soi-fon approached me with her wish to join the group due to her division being currently inaccessible."

Yamamoto raised an eyebrow as he stared at Soi-fon, urging her to explain.

"It would seem that one of the shadow clones that the renegade hollow Naruto Uzumaki left behind somehow managed to turn the entirety of the second division into an assault course of the highest difficulty. It would seem in order to dissemble it, the course needs to be finished. If you fall into any of the traps you somehow end up all the way back at the start. So far, no one seems to have been able to complete even half the course."

Yamamoto just nodded his head, ever the regal figure, despite the slight tinge of green still visible in his beard.

"Continue Vice-captain Abarai."

Renji nodded.

"After Soi-fon's request, Vice-captain Matsumoto was walking by and expressed a wish to come as well. Captain Hitsugaya agreed to this as Captain Soi-fon would be present to over-see things. Captain Kenpachi also allowed his subordinates to come as-well. On our way here, Captain Aizen also approached us and requested that Vice-captain Hinamori also accompanies us."

Renji neglected to mention said captain threatened to rip Renji apart limb from limb if even a hair on Yachiru's head was damaged. Apparently the good captain had a protective streak in him. Who knew?

Yamamoto nodded.

"Very well then. Vice-captain Abarai is in command for this mission, as he is most familiar with the area. However Captain Soi-fon will be deferred to and assume command should Vice-captain Renji become incapacitated or unfit for duty. Your mission is to scout the area of Karakura town in the living realm for clues on the whereabouts of renegade shinigami Rukia Kuchiki, along with any information on the whereabouts, powers, abilities or any information at all on the hollow know as Naruto Uzumaki. Any information gathered is to be reported back immediately. Are your orders received and understood?

"YES HEAD CAPTAIN YAMAMOTO," the squad of shinigami said all at once, each of them standing to attention.

"Then you have your orders. You are to leave for the human realm at your earliest convenience."

"Okay Strawberry, here's what we're going to be doing for the next week." Said Naruto, who was outside of his gigai, rolling his arms and bouncing on his toes. "Basically, I'm going to try and kill you, and you're going to do your best to survive. Ready?"

"Wait, you're going to do what," said Ichigo, not really comprehending what he'd just heard.

"Set, go!" chirped Naruto, and then he was gone. Ichigo's eyes widened a fraction before he quickly ducked as a sword went over head. Ichigo couldn't react in time as he was kicked in his side and sent hurtling down Urahara's training ground, smashing through some small outcrops along the way.

"Tut, tut, tut. That's no good at all Strawberry," said Naruto cheerfully.

"Stop calling me Strawberry," groaned Ichigo as he shakily made his way to his feet. He definitely had a few broken ribs. Naruto's strength was incredible.

"If you want me to stop calling you that, then make me," said Naruto cheekily. "Earn it."

The next moment, Naruto was gone again and Ichigo leapt to the side as scar was cut into the earth that ran directly through where he'd been standing. Ichigo quickly turned and brought his sword up, just as there was a flash of silver. The force of it sent Ichigo sprawling onto his back. The tip of Naruto's blade came down and Ichigo managed to divert it with Zangetsu just in time, for it to miss his heart and delve straight into his shoulder instead.

Ichigo lay there on his back, eye's wide at how close he'd just come to death.

"Aww, what's the matter Strawberry, are you not used to people trying to kill you yet? Well get used to it, because soon it'll be a regular occurrence. It won't just be those pitiful hollows who you can dispatch with a simple swing of your sword either. They will be stronger, have more experience , and they will kill you without a moment's hesitation. Get used to having your ass kicked Ichigo, it's going to happen a lot."

That said, Naruto removed his blade and stamped on Ichigo's stomach. In turn, Ichigo spat up blood before waving his blade at Naruto, who caught it with the palm of his hand. He hefted his foot backwards and planted it into Ichigo's side sanding him rolling down the training grounds.

"Got to give you praise where it's due though, you don't give up your sword easy," said Naruto, noting with approval the firm grip Ichigo still held on his blade. Ichigo coughed up more blood before shakily making his way to his feet.

"I've already been through this shit with Urahara," growled Ichigo.

"And I'm running it through you again," replied Naruto cheerfully. "Both Urahara's lesson…"

And then Naruto disappeared and Ichigo bit down a yell of pain as the tip of Naruto's tanto emerged from the left of Ichigo's stomach.

"And your body too."

Naruto slammed his foot into Ichigo's back, pretty much kicking him off his blade. Ichigo fell to the ground and rolled, before quickly popping up, facing Naruto with his blade held out and a murderous glare on his face.

"Dead bodies really are sturdy aren't they," said Naruto happily as he watched Ichigo get back up. "A normal body would be dying at this. The blood loss alone would have you stuck on the ground, the damage to your lungs would have them pooling with blood, and you're body would be falling into shock. If you were still alive Ichigo, if you were in your still living body, you would be dead."

Naruto began a calm, slow paced walk towards Ichigo, his cheerful smile never leaving his face.

"Ichigo, I'm telling you this because I need you to understand something. Orihime, Chad, and Ishida don't have your advantage. You are no longer responsible for just yourself Ichigo. You're responsible for your friends too."

Ichigo brought his blade to his side as Naruto appeared behind him and swung. He dug his feet into the ground, but he skidded backwards.

"I can't remember how old I was the first time someone tried to kill me. Younger than you by far, I know that. I can't remember their name or even who it was that tried to kill me. But I can remember, in detail even, every moment one of my friends almost died. In this training session I'm going over everything Urahara taught you. But I'm going to add one more thing. If you can't tell me what that lesson is before I kill you Ichigo, then there will be consequences."

Once again Naruto disappeared, and Ichigo backpedaled away as Naruto's Tanto came within inches of his face. In retaliation, Ichigo swung Zangetsu, but Naruto's Tanto came back faster than Ichigo could see, knocking Zangetsu away and rocketing towards Ichigo, who dodged to the side. Although, not before Naruto's blade nicked the side of his arm.

"This is a little pathetic Ichigo. You did much better when you fought Byakuya. Where the hell is that drive, that bloodlust that let you push back a captain?"

Ichigo growled and rushed forward, bringing Zangetsu over his head then bringing it down with enough force to split the earth, but Naruto had moved and Ichigo barely avoided his next attack although the tip of Naruto's blade still flashed across his back and drew blood.

"That's a little better but it's still nowhere near enough Ichigo. I know I said it, but just surviving isn't enough Ichigo. Just surviving won't save anyone."

Naruto flashed in front of him, his blade slamming straight into Zangetsu, as always Ichigo felt himself being pushed back. He quickly disengaged, and then spun with Zangetsu aiming at Naruto's neck. The blond quickly ducked grabbing a handful of sand as he did, before bouncing up and knocking Zangetsu away with his Tanto, and letting a fist fly straight at Ichigo's face. The carrot top quickly moved his head back to avoid the fist but Naruto released his fingers and Ichigo got a face full of sand. Next thing he knew, a blade had cut into his shoulder and followed straight down to his hip before a foot was planted into his stomach with enough force to indent itself and Ichigo was sent flying backwards.

"What the hell," yelled Ichigo. "That was a dirty move man, fight fair."

And to Ichigo's surprise for the first time, Naruto dropped his happy gaze completely, and suddenly Ichigo broke into a cold sweat from the look in Naruto's eyes.

"Fight fair? Are you fighting to win Ichigo? Is that what you think this is?"

Naruto's usually Blue eyes seemed to suddenly bleed red, the color swirling within them and mixing with the blue before swallowing it completely and leaving nothing but a blood red color with a beastly slit for a pupil.

"It's not. This is not a fight Ichigo, it isn't a contest or a test of strength. This is a war. A war you're fighting to protect your friends. And when you go to war, you prioritize Ichigo. You prioritize your life, and the lives of your comrades. You survive because you can't protect anyone if you're dead. Forget fighting fair Ichigo, or you won't live long."

And then the red color bled away from his eyes and his features softened.

"If you can live longer by fighting dirty Ichigo, if you can save someone by fighting dirty, then you shouldn't even hesitate."

Naruto held his sword out in front of him, leveling it at Ichigo with a serious look on his face.

"Stand up Ichigo. You haven't learned your lesson yet."

"So this is the realm of the living," said Soi-fon as she gazed around her surroundings. Her gigai was uncomfortable, and she did not approve of the clothes that Rangiku had chosen for her. A white vest and tight jeans, with a white baseball cap to obscure her features. Rangiku herself looked very happy in her black spaghetti tank top which was struggling to contain her chest, and jeans that ended mid-calf. Momo was standing right next to her and staring around in wander, wearing a white tee-shirt with frills around the shoulders, black bottoms that hugged her legs, and clutching a small blue handbag. Yachiru was laughing her head off, wearing a yellow t-shirt and black tracksuit bottoms with white sneakers and… riding a tricycle. Where she got it from, no one knew.

"Alright guys, here's the plan," said Renji as he approached, followed by Ikkaku and Yumichika. All three of them were wearing Jeans, although Yumichika's were skinny, with Renji wearing a red shirt and a black jacket, Ikkaku wearing a green shirt and a black cap and Yumichika wearing a purple shirt with a sequin pattern. "Ichigo Kurosaki has a life here. He's still a kid by society standards, and he'll be the easiest one to find out about. Ask around, find out what you can. Where he lives, what school he goes to, his favourite places to drink. Anything of interest. We'll meet up here at that café at six. You all have watches so that shouldn't be a problem. If you're lost or having some problems use your soul pager. You all got that?"

They all gave affirmative nods, except Soi-fon who merely closed her eyes and crossed her arms and Yachiru who rammed her tricycle into Ikkaku's leg, eliciting a yelp of pain.

Everything being said the group, who had stood in a circle all turned around at about the same time, and walked off, but not faster than Soi-fon, who practically marched through a crowd of civilians who knew too damn well stay away from the woman.

Well not all of them.

"Hey cutie, what's a little hottie like you doing walking around all by her lonesome? How about you come and hang out with us?"

Soi-fon stopped walking momentarily to look at the man who had addressed her. He stood before her, flanked by two other, a black vest under a long blue top, with blond dyed spiky hair that reminded her far too much of a certain someone. The two men behind him held lecherous smirks, hands in their pockets and looking like typical thugs.

Soi-fon fixed the three with a stare before a smile slowly worked its way too her lips. Without a word she walked away into an ally, quickly followed by three surprised looking men who had clearly gotten the wrong idea.

A few onlookers who had noticed what was happening but done nothing to interfere gave curious looks when they saw the woman comply, but they quickly understood what was really happening when screams and yells were heard coming from inside the ally.

"Hey, what the fuck are you.. OWW!"

"LET GO YOU CRAZY BI-!"

*CRACK*

"FUUUUU_"

"ARRRRRGH"

"Y-y-you bitch, you-,"

*SMACK*

*THUNK*

The crowd who had stopped to watch stood opened mouthed as a smiling Soi-fon made her way out the ally, looking almost exactly the same exact for a stray spot of blood which stood out on her pristine white vest. She quickly drop her smile to glare at the crowd, he quickly looked away and moved on. Satisfied for the moment, Soi-fon quickly began marching through the crowd once more.

'Look out Uzumaki. Because when I find you…'

Naruto felt a shiver make its way up his spine. But he ignored it in favour of staring at the huffing and puffing Ichigo who was stood in front of him.

"You're really not getting this are you?"

"Fuck *pant* you *Pant*," Ichigo replied, before fixing Naruto with a glare and supercharging Zangetsu.

"Getsu-,"

*SMACK*

Before Ichigo could finish the name of his attack, Naruto had popped up in front of him and backhanded him, sending the carrot top back flipping across the desert plain, the energy of his Zanpakuto dissipating as he went.

Ichigo landed on his back, but didn't have time to make out his bearings, as he had to roll out of the way as Naruto's foot slammed into the area where his head has just been. He quickly made his way to his feet as Naruto's sword flashed and another deep cut was added to the collection Ichigo had gathered on his right arm.

"You know what, screw this. You're not learning, and I'm kind of hungry," said Naruto suddenly, sheathing his blade. Then he smacked Ichigo down to the ground before the carrot top could reply.

"You can't just stop here, you haven't even taught me anything," raged Ichigo as he got back onto his feet.

"I can stop," Naruto insisted. "You're a shitty student. And I'm hungry. I'm gonna go eat someone."

Ichigo's eyes widened.

"Someone? I thought you didn't eat human souls?"

Naruto gave a laugh. Only unlike his usual mischievous laughs, or friendly laughs, this one was cold, and dark.

"I'm a hollow. Of course I eat human Souls. That's what hollows DO!"

He bellowed the last part and his eyes flashed red and suddenly Naruto was looking a lot more dangerous to Ichigo. His teeth had lengthened, his muscled looked more defined and the whisker's on his face seemed to lengthen and darken.

"I need something to get my energy back up. A normal person just isn't going to cut it. I know! Rukia used to be a shinigami right? And she's still got a little left in the tank. Oh yeah, a shinigami and easy pickings. Well, bye Ichigo. I'm going to get dinner."

Ichigo stood still a moment as Naruto walked off. Naruto… was a hollow. Of course he knew that but Naruto had always seemed different. Only it turns out that he wasn't. He just hid it better. Ichigo grit his teeth. Naruto was going to go and eat Rukia. No fucking way was he going to let that happen. Naruto needed to die. Right now before he got within a hundred, within a thousand feet of Rukia.

Grasping Zangetsu's hilt tightly Ichigo gave a roar and charged straight at Naruto. His legs were practically screaming in protest to any movement at all, but their screams fell on death ears. Naruto stopped and turned around to see Ichigo charging at him in a rage.

"I said we're done Ichigo," Naruto said, his voice a near monotone.

"Fuck you!" replied Ichigo, as he swung his blade down with his right hand. Naruto neatly side stepped but Ichigo didn't stop his attack there. He stuck both feet in the ground and skidded, using the force of his blade to spin around. Mid spin he grabbed Zangetsu with both hands, charged it with his reiatsu and began releasing it before he'd even come out of the spin. He swung the blade at Naruto's waist in an effort to bisect them.

Seeing the energy release, Naruto's eyes briefly widened. He hopped up, tucking in both feet as Ichigo released the energy wave just beneath his feet. The wave of energy enveloped the ground and blackened the sand, but to Naruto, it just about managed to singe his toes.

Naruto placed a hand on his sword ready to draw it again, but other than that, he simply spun in the air and landed a heavy kick in Ichigo's face. Ichigo's nose caved in, his teeth rattled and his eyes squeezed shut. Regardless, the boy quickly released his Zanpakuto with his left hand and grabbed Naruto's ankle. The result was that when he rocketed away from the force of Naruto's kick, Naruto provided a force of drag and ended the flight prematurely, as well as ending the sense of balance Naruto had managed to find in the air, causing the blond to flail about with a yell.

Doing little more than grunt to acknowledge the pain he was in Ichigo brought Zangetsu up to slash Naruto while he was held in place.

Seeing what he was doing Naruto quickly drew his blade and twisted in the air, blocking the larger cleaver-like blade that was coming in strong. There was a loud clang of metal as the blades met. Ichigo snarled in annoyance that his plan was foiled, but he knew better than to stop now when he had the advantage. So he did something he'd never done before. He let go of Zangetsu.

But not for long. Gaining his footing, he spun in the sand once again, and before Naruto could even lose any height he's grabbed Zangetsu's handle once more and drove it back into Naruto's blade eliciting another cloud bang. Then before he lost momentum he placed his left hand on the blade and pushed it forward, taking advantage of Naruto's lack of footing to overpower him, packing reiatsu into his blade at the same time. He gave a loud roar as he forced Naruto away packing more and more reiatsu into his blade.

"GETSUGA TENSHOU!"

Naruto allowed himself a moment of surprise as he was overwhelmed by the sheer power of the wave of blue energy. It enveloped him completely, and all sight of Naruto was lost in the light.

When it was all over Ichigo stood there huffing and puffing, leaning on Zangetsu just to stay standing up. Naruto was nowhere to be seen.

"Did I get the bastard?"

And then Naruto was there, leaning forward, his face a few inches from Naruto and the brightest grin plastered on his face. Before Ichigo could react Naruto had enveloped him in a bear hug with enough force to cause a few of the bones in his arms and ribs to creak.

"You did it! Did you see the size of that last attack! That was great, although I was seriously scared for a second there. That could have given me a bruise or two you know. But still, absolutely brilliant."

Still smiling like it was going out of fashion Naruto dropped Ichigo to the ground.

"Now, now Ichigo, what did we learn?"

Ichigo just panted for a bit.

"You… you called me Ichigo," he said when he got his breath back.

"Well it's your name isn't it?" said Naruto with a casual shrug. "Now again, what did we learn."

Ichigo just stared at him.

"So you're not going to go and eat Rukia?"

Naruto gave him an incredulous look before he snorted.

"Fuck no. I don't eat souls, what kind of drop dead sexy dead guy do you take me for? I mean really if I was going to go after an easy picking shinigami I would have just tried to eat you right here since you're so tired. Think a little Strawberry. Now, for the last time, what did you learn?"

Ichigo just gave him a blank look.

"Oh for fuck sa- I'm really going to have to spell it out for you aren't I?" moaned Naruto with a sigh. "Okay at the end there, for a moment you fought with far more strength and skill than ever before. Two powerful Getsuga Tenshou in quick succession stronger than any you've done before. Reactions you should not have been capable off. Why Ichigo?"

"Ummmm…,"

Naruto gave another sigh.

"Because you had to. That's why. Because otherwise, I was going to go after Rukia, and you needed the strength to stop me."

Ichigo's eye's widened, and Naruto smiled.

'He's finally got it.'

"So that's it. It's because I needed to protect Rukia. Come to think of it I did the same thing against Byakuya. It's like I got stronger, because I couldn't let him take Rukia away."

Naruto nodded his head with a smile.

"That's more or less . Good job. I've practically been screaming it all fight though. Honestly, that whole 'let's go eat Rukia' thing was pretty much just a last ditch effort. And do you have any idea how hard it is for me to pull off a serious face and a monotonous voice?"

Naruto gave Ichigo a heart-felt grin then slapped him on the shoulder, caused Ichigo to his because of all the cuts there. And bruises. And fractured/broken bones.

"You know I'm really old now, and there's not much I can accurately remember from my time alive. I remember my friend's names by repeating them over and over again in my head every day, like a mantra."

Naruto stopped speaking for a moment and gave a wistful sigh, before shaking his head and going back to his normal grin.

"But there's some things, some words that just stick in my head. I can't remember who said it, or how old I was when it was said. I know I was young though. But these words have stuck with me my entire life."

Naruto placed a hand on each of Ichigo's shoulder's and leaned in slightly. His smile lessoned slightly but it was still present on his face.

"Are you listening Ichigo? When a person has something important to protect, that's when they can become truly strong."

Ichigo blinked at Naruto whose charismatic grin had returned before he quickly stood up again and removed his hands, placing them on his own hips as if posing.

"It doesn't really have to be a person I suppose. It could be your home, or your country. Your family and friends. Even your dreams. As long as you have something to protect, you will go above and beyond to do so. That need to protect can give you strength when you have none left, and force you to live when you're ready to die. As I said earlier Ichigo, you can't protect anything if you're dead."

With those words, Naruto spun on his heels.

"Okay this time we really are done for the day. Phew, I sure talked a lot huh. Been a while since I lectured someone. Get some rest Ichigo, tomorrow we start the real training. Oh and find Orihime, she should be able to take care of the worst of your injuries."

Ichigo just stared as Naruto seemed to wander off into the distance. He stared at the ladders which disappeared into the sky like ceiling. That were about a thousand meters away. He tried to take a step forward but instantly collapsed. Ichigo gave a huff.

"You know Naruto, for a moment there you actually looked kind of cool. Then you just ditched me here."

OKay not as much humor this chapter I know. But I wanted to fix a glaring character flaw in Ichigo. You see there was just this one single moment in Bleach history where I thought Ichigo, you are a complete and utter Moron. I am speaking of course of the end of the epic battle between Ichigo and Ulquiorra Cifer. Orihime was right there crying her eyes out, Ishida was missing a limb, he could no longer feel Rukia's reiastsu so she might be dead and what does he do? Asks Ulqiorra to cut his arm and leg of so they can have a fair fight. Dude, there is a time and a place. You wanna fair fight, stick the guy through his legs, chain him to a rock and challenge him later, your friends safety should come first. So I am going to have Naruto drill into his head that he should NOT do things like that. Of course Ichigo is going to fight it, and he is going to insist on fighting clean and with honor and stuff, but I am not having him do stupid stuff like that.

Okay then, chapter 12 will be up within the next few weeks. This I swear on my honor as a knight of the suckleberry kingdom.

Oh and before I forget, that disclaimer at the top. It's not entirely true so, don't quote me on it eh.

Oh also Pairing poll closes with the release of chapter fifteen.

OKay that's really everything now, so

Remember to review, or Naruto will eat you.