Disclaimer Naruto & Bleach is not mine.
Chapter 14 is done.
Author note: Sorry, reader, work got really busy.
Happy reading!
Chapter 14
Naruto Uzumaki
Next day
Morning
The gentle hum of activity in the Tazuna household surrounded Naruto as he sat at the dinner table, stirring his bowl of rice absentmindedly. Tsunami moved about the small kitchen, humming softly as she prepared more food, while Tazuna worked on a small wooden carving in the corner.
Kakashi lay resting on a nearby couch, his breathing steady but shallow. His sensei's unconscious state had been a weight on Naruto's mind, and he couldn't shake the strange unease that lingered after carrying him back the previous night.
Naruto's gaze lingered on Kakashi, his heart heavy with worry. "Why won't he wake up?" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.
Tsunami, overhearing him, paused and approached the table. "Naruto-kun," she said softly, her tone both concerned and hesitant, "there's something you should know."
"What is it? Did something happen?"
He looked up.
She exchanged a glance with her father before sitting down across from Naruto. "Your teammates," she began, her voice cautious, "they've already gone back to Konoha."
"What?" he said, his voice rising with disbelief. "They went back to the village? When?"
"Yesterday," Tazuna answered gruffly, setting aside his carving.
"They went back? Without us? Without even saying anything?"
"Sakura said she wanted to ensure they made it back safely... They thought it was the best course of action."
Naruto stared at her, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process the news. "But… they left Kakashi-sensei and me here? Why?"
The old man cleared his throat, his voice heavy with hesitation. "Apparently, it was your sensei's order."
The woman stepped forward, concern etched on her face. "You need to calm down. This isn't good for you—"
But he wasn't listening. The betrayal he felt was too raw, too overwhelming. "Calm down?" he snapped, his voice rising. "How am I supposed to calm down when—"
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion crashed over him. His legs wobbled, and his vision blurred as his body swayed. Before he could process what was happening, his knees buckled, and he began to collapse.
Tazuna moved quickly for his age, catching Naruto under the arms just before he hit the ground. "Whoa, kid!" he exclaimed, easing him onto a nearby chair. "You okay?"
"Why would he send them back and not tell me? I didn't even know they were gone until now!"
*We're supposed to be a team!*
Tazuna with a firm voice "I don't know what happened, but he ordered it when you were gone on that hill."
He groaned, his head lolling to the side as he struggled to keep his eyes open. "I… I don't know,"
She knelt beside him, placing a hand on his forehead. "You're burning up."
He mumbled, his voice weak. "I feel… weird."
"Naruto-kun, you've been pushing yourself too hard. You need to rest."
He tried to protest, but his words came out slurred and incoherent. The exhaustion was unlike anything he had ever felt, as if the very energy in his body had been drained. He closed his eyes, his breathing shallow.
"Tsunami," Tazuna said, his voice steady but urgent. "Let's get him lying down."
Together, they eased Naruto onto a futon in the corner of the room. Tsunami draped a blanket over him, her expression softening as she watched him struggle to stay awake.
"Rest, Naruto," she said gently. "You've done enough. Konoha's backup will be here soon. Let them handle the rest."
Afternoon
As he drifted off to sleep, the warmth of the room faded, replaced by a cool, ethereal stillness. He opened his eyes to find himself standing in a vast, misty expanse, the ground beneath his feet soft and cloud-like. The dreamlike landscape was eerily familiar.
His voice echoing in the silence. "Miku! Haku! Where are you?"
"Back so soon, Naruto-kun?" Miku teased, tilting her head with a smirk. "Can't seem to stay away from me, can you?"
Naruto scowled, crossing his arms. "You've got some serious explaining to do. What's going on with Kakashi-sensei? What has happened?"
"Wait, where's Haku?"
Miku grinned, her expression turning mischievous. "Oh, she's around. You're just not paying attention."
Naruto's confusion deepened as he turned in a slow circle, searching the misty expanse.
Suddenly, a soft voice spoke directly in front of him. "I'm right here, Naruto-kun."
Naruto jumped, letting out an embarrassing yelp as he looked up—and found Haku standing mere inches away. Her serene face so close he could see every delicate detail. Her sudden appearance was so startling that Naruto let out an embarrassing yelp and stumbled back, clutching his chest.
"Did I startle you?" she asked innocently, though her eyes twinkled with mirth.
"You think?" Naruto shouted, clutching his chest dramatically. "Don't sneak up on me like that! I... my heart almost fell out!"
Haku tilted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Naruto-kun, a good ninja must always be aware of their surroundings. You shouldn't let someone sneak up on you so easily."
"You mean you almost had a heart attack."
The white-haired girl burst out laughing, clutching her sides as she doubled over. "Oh, that was priceless! You should've seen your face!"
Even Haku allowed herself a small, amused smile. "I didn't mean to scare you, Naruto-kun. I simply thought it would be the fastest way to get your attention."
"Yeah, well, maybe next time just say 'hi' like a normal person!"
He scowled, his face red with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "Yeah, well, normal people don't just pop out of nowhere! What were you doing anyway?"
He let out a long breath, his frustration ebbing away. He looked between Miku and Haku, his tone softening. "Alright, now that we're all here… Can you guys help me figure out what's wrong with Kakashi-sensei?"
Both girls exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious. For a moment, the air seemed to grow heavier as they locked eyes, an unspoken conversation passing between them.
"What's that look for?" He asked, his confusion returning. "Is there something I don't know?"
"We don't know what you are talking about."
"As you awake, we have come to a conclusion."
Haku
"Miku and I… We can't see the outside world."
Naruto frowned, his confusion evident. "What do you mean? You're inside me, right? Shouldn't you be able to see what's happening?"
Miku sighed dramatically, crossing her arms. "Yeah, not how it works. We're not some all-seeing, all-knowing spirits. We have our limits."
The older girl shook her head. "It's not that simple. While we reside within your spirit, our connection doesn't allow us to observe the outside world."
Her gaze steady. "I can only see your memories, Naruto. But even then, it's only when you're asleep. It's like walking through a gallery of your past—your experiences, your thoughts, and the things that shaped you."
Naruto blinked, the weight of her words sinking in. "So you can see everything I've been through? All of it?"
Her smile was kind but tinged with sadness. "Yes, Naruto-kun. Your memories tell me your story, your struggles, and your triumphs. But they don't show me what's happening in the present."
The little girl stepped forward, her tone more serious than usual. "And me? I only see the worst stuff. Your sad memories, your anger, your pain. It's like my own personal highlight reel of your darkest moments."
His chest tightened at her admission, a pang of guilt shooting through him.
Miku shrugged, her smirk returning. "Don't feel bad, Naruto-kun. I've seen worse, trust me. But it does mean we can't help you unless you tell us what's going on."
She stepped closer, her gaze locking onto Naruto's with an intensity that made his blush deepen. "Naruto-kun," she said, her voice soft but firm, "you should never try to hide anything from me. I can see your memories, so there's no point in keeping secrets. A good little brother doesn't keep things from his sister."
Naruto blinked, his brain stalling at her words. "L-Little brother?" he stammered, his face turning crimson. "Wait, when did I become your little brother?"
Haku tilted her head, her smile taking on a slightly mischievous edge. "When I decided, of course. A good big sister always looks out for her little brother. And that means I need to know everything—no exceptions."
"This isn't funny, Haku."
Miku
She snickered from the background, her arms crossed as she watched the exchange with a smug grin.
*All I do is give her little desire back, and it works flawlessly.*
*flashback*
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Haku finally asked, her voice calm but tinged with caution.
She is pushing herself off the invisible wall. "Like what, Nee-san? You look like you're about to bolt or slap me at any second. That makes a girl feel unwelcome, you know?"
The older girl sighed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You're not exactly trustworthy, Miku. Especially after everything you've done."
Miku let out a low chuckle, the sound soft but hollow. "Fair enough. I won't deny I've been a bit of a… problem." She tilted her head, her smirk fading slightly. "That's actually why I wanted to talk."
Her other self raised an eyebrow, her guard still firmly in place. "Talk about what?"
The little girl hesitated for the briefest of moments before stepping closer, her crimson gaze locking onto Haku's. "I wanted to apologize."
Her soul blinked, momentarily stunned. "Apologize? You?"
She shrugged, her expression uncharacteristically serious. "Yeah. Shocking, I know. But even I can admit when I've screwed up. I went too far—attacking Kakashi, trying to control things, all of it. It wasn't fair to you… or Naruto."
The other self studied her carefully, her serene demeanor hiding the caution bubbling beneath the surface. "What brought this on? You've never cared about fairness before."
"Maybe I'm starting to grow up. Or maybe being stuck here with you is starting to rub off on me. Who knows?"
Haku frowned, her arms tightening across her chest. "You don't seem the type to apologize without a reason. What do you really want, Miku?"
Her let out a soft sigh, her crimson eyes flicking away for a moment before meeting Haku's again. "I just want to make peace. We're stuck together, Haku, whether we like it or not. Might as well try to get along, right?"
Haku remained silent, her gaze unreadable as she processed Miku's words. The honesty in Miku's tone was unexpected, but it didn't completely erase the caution Haku felt.
Finally, Miku extended a hand toward her, her smirk softening into something almost genuine. "What do you say? Truce?"
"I don't know," Haku said slowly, her voice calm but firm. "I'm not sure I can trust you."
She tilted her head, her smirk returning. "Come on, Haku. Don't tell me you're scared of me."
Haku's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm not scared of you. I'm cautious. There's a difference."
"Fair enough. But trust me when I say this: I'm not your enemy. Not anymore."
"We can work together; I know what you want, Nee-san."
"We can make it become true!"
The black-haired girl stiffened slightly, her calm facade cracking just enough for Miku to notice. "What are you talking about?"
Her grin returned, sharper this time. "Oh, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That little fantasy you keep buried deep down. The one you don't want anyone to know about."
Haku's cheeks flushed faintly, but her expression remained composed.
"You're imagining things."
Miku leaned closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Oh, really? Because I'm pretty sure I've seen it. You want to be his big, big Nee-chan, don't you?"
She let out a soft laugh, her crimson eyes gleaming with delight. "Oh, come on. Don't be shy. You want to protect him, guide him, maybe even boss him around a little. You want to be the big Nee-chan he never had."
Her soul blush deepened, and she looked away, her calm demeanor slipping further. "It's not like that…"
"Sure it isn't," Her hollow said with a knowing grin. "But hey, I'm not judging. It's kind of sweet, actually."
Haku took a deep breath, regaining some of her composure as she turned back to Miku.
"Fine. Maybe you're right. Maybe I do want to be like a sister to Naruto-kun. But at least my desires are clear and harmless."
Miku raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "Clear and harmless, huh? I guess that depends on how you look at it."
"What about you, Miku? You seem to know everything about me, but I don't know anything about you. What do you desire?"
Her crimson eyes glinted, and a mischievous grin spread across her face. She stepped closer to her soul, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Are you sure you want to know?"
Haku crossed her arms, her voice firm. "If we're going to coexist, I need to understand you. So tell me—what is it that you want?"
"What I desire…" Miku began, her tone dripping with playful mischief. "Is something I saw in a dream. A dream where I met Naruto-kun…"
Haku's eyes widened slightly, her composure slipping further. "What kind of dream?"
Miku grinned, her whisper growing softer but more provocative. "Let's just say it was… a dream when you first met him."
Haku's entire face turned a deep shade of red, and she stumbled back.
"But THAT dream is just for my relief..."
"Imagine little him with a kimono and long hair with feminized..."
"A good boy, or I can say girl, always obedient..."
"THAT'S ENOUGH."
"I don't want to hear any more!"
Miku burst into laughter, clutching her sides as she doubled over. "Oh, Nee-san, your face! You're so easy to tease!"
"You don't really mean that, do you?"
Miku pretends to not know what her soul means. "Mean what?"
Her soul shot her a withering glare. "Laugh all you want, Miku. But this doesn't change anything. I won't let you control me."
"I don't want to control you, Nee-san. I just want us to coexist. We're stronger together, whether you like it or not."
Haku remained silent, her gaze flicking between Miku's face and her outstretched hand. Deep down, she knew Miku was a part of her—a reflection of her own darkest desires and fears. Rejecting Miku would be like rejecting herself, and Haku didn't want to live in hostility with her other half.
Finally, with a deep breath, Haku stepped forward and extended her hand. "Fine. But if this is some kind of trick—"
"It's not," Miku interrupted, her tone unusually sincere. "I promise."
Their hands met, and for a moment, everything was still. The mist around them seemed to ripple slightly, a faint energy passing between them as their fingers clasped.
Haku's soul-calm facade faltered as an unsettling sensation washed over her. It was like a shadow creeping into her mind—familiar yet foreign, dark yet compelling. Her breath hitched, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Miku's grip tightened.
"Miku," Haku said sharply, her voice trembling slightly. "What… what is this?"
"Oh, that? That's just us reconnecting. Didn't think it would be easy, did you?"
Haku's eyes widened as a surge of emotions flooded her mind. Desires she thought she had buried—desires to cling to Naruto, to protect him at all costs, to keep him for herself—rose to the surface, threatening to consume her.
"No," Haku whispered, her voice barely audible. "This isn't me. I let go of these feelings."
Miku tilted her head, her little smirk. "Are you sure about that? Because they feel pretty real to me."
Haku finally yanked her hand away, stumbling back as she clutched her chest. Her breathing was uneven, and her calm demeanor was completely shattered.
"What did you do?" Haku demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.
"I didn't do anything. That was all you. I just gave you a little… nudge."
"You're lying. You manipulated me."
"I didn't manipulate anything. I'm your other half, remember? Those feelings, those desires—they're a part of you. Deny it all you want, but they're still there."
Haku opened her mouth to respond, but something caught her attention. She glanced down at herself, her eyes widening in horror as she realized what she was wearing.
"Is this… Naruto's jumpsuit?!" Haku exclaimed, her voice a mix of disbelief.
Haku's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she frantically tried to brush the orange fabric off herself. "This is ridiculous! How did this even happen?"
"This ends now," Haku muttered, closing her eyes as she focused her energy.
With a shimmer of light, the jumpsuit disappeared, replaced by her original flowing kimono. The soft fabric swayed gently as she straightened, her composure slowly returning.
"There," her voice regaining its calm tone. "Much better."
*end flashback*
Naruto Uzumaki
Haku's expression softened, though her gaze remained unwavering. "Naruto-kun, I only want to help you. If you hide things from me, I can't do that. Promise me you won't keep secrets."
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I promise. Just… tone it down a little, okay?"
As the tension eased, Naruto glanced between the two souls, his annoyance giving way to a reluctant smile. "You two really see everything, huh? Even the embarrassing stuff?"
Miku smiles. "Oh, especially the embarrassing stuff. Trust me, Naruto-kun, your life is a comedy goldmine."
Naruto groaned, his blush deepening. "Great. Just what I needed—an audience for all my screw-ups."
Haku chuckled softly, her serene demeanor returning. "Naruto-kun, your memories also show your strength, your determination, and your heart. I can see why so many people care about you."
"And all your pranks. You were a real menace back in the day!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the time you painted the Hokage Monument! That was comedy gold. The look on their faces when they found out it was you? Priceless."
"And the time you switched the shopkeeper's flour with sawdust? That poor man was so confused when his bread wouldn't rise."
Naruto scratched the back of his head, his cheeks turning pink. "Hey, I was just trying to get their attention! Nobody ever noticed me unless I did something crazy."
Haku's expression softened, and she placed a gentle hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Your memories show us that, Naruto. You wanted to be seen, to be acknowledged. There's no shame in that."
Miku leaned closer. "Oh, we noticed. Trust me, Naruto-kun, you left quite the impression. You were like a one-man comedy act!"
Naruto groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Alright, alright, I get it. Can we move on now?"
"Kakashi-sensei hasn't woken up. He looks fine, but he's just… not there. You said you'd tell me what happened at the hill. So what happens? Please let me know."
Haku
She took a deep breath, her gaze distant as if she were recalling a memory long buried. "Naruto-kun, when I… died at the bridge, I thought it would be the end. But it wasn't. I found myself… lingering."
"Lingering? What do you mean?"
Her voice grew softer, almost wistful. "It was as if a part of me couldn't move on. I felt like I was floating, yet tethered to the world I had left behind. And then… I saw you."
Naruto's eyes widened. "You saw me? But… how?"
Her serene gaze met his. "I don't know. But in that moment, I couldn't look away. You were so full of life, so determined to carry on. And yet, there was a sadness in your eyes—a sadness I felt drawn to."
His throat tightened.
She continued, her voice tinged with both sorrow and longing. "At first, I didn't understand what was happening to me. But as I watched you, a part of me began to feel… desperate. Desperate to stay connected, desperate to hold on. I'd heard myths about souls unable to rest, clinging to the living out of despair. I didn't believe them—until I felt it myself."
He blinked, his breath hitching. "You mean… you wanted to stay because of me?"
Haku nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes, Naruto-kun. I didn't want to let go. And in that desperation, I thought… maybe you could come with me."
Naruto's heart skipped a beat, his voice breaking. "You… you wanted to take me with you?"
Her eyes softened, her tone filled with regret. "It was a fleeting thought, born out of confusion and pain. But even as it crossed my mind, I knew it wasn't right. You belong to the world of the living, Naruto-kun. I… I didn't."
"But after that… everything is a blur. I don't remember much else. It's as if a part of me faded away. And when I woke again, I was… here, inside your mind."
He frowned, his mind racing. "You don't remember how you got here? Or what happened after that?"
Haku shook her head, her expression tinged with frustration. "No. It's like a piece of my soul was taken from me. And when I awoke, Miku was already there."
Naruto turned to Miku, his gaze questioning. "What about you? Do you remember what happened?"
Miku smirked, though it lacked her usual mischief. "Oh, I remember, alright. And let me tell you, it wasn't pretty."
Miku
Miku's voice grew colder, her tone cutting. "I wasn't just lingering like her. I was born out of her despair, her anger, and her need to hold on to you. And when I woke up, the first thing I felt was rage."
Naruto flinched at the intensity of her words. "Rage? At what?"
Miku's smirk turned bitter. "At everything. At the world that took her life. At the people who stood in her way. But most of all… at Kakashi."
*So that's why?* He thinks
"So that means Kakashi-sensei is dead?"
"All I know is that I wanted him gone. But…"
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "But what?"
Miku hesitated, her smirk faltering. "But I couldn't finish it. Something held me back. Maybe it was you, maybe it was Haku, or maybe it was something else entirely. All I know is that Kakashi's still alive, thanks to the woman who wore the black haori who stopped me too."
"A Woman?"
To be continued