The Path of the Dead

Hi everyone!



As you may know English is not my first language. While I tried, with all my mind and heart, to avoid grammar or spelling mistakes …well mistakes do happen overall when you are writing in a different language. So, for that, I apologize beforehand. I am still working with a Beta and until something comes out I am going to publish this chapter. Of course if it is too terrible I will pull it off until I can find someone to help me out. Just tell me what you think about it. Answers to some questions or former commentaries could be found at the end as well as some other commentaries.



By the way, in this chapter things happened diferent, way to diferent, from the anime or the manga and there may be some OoC. Either way I expect you to enjoy this chapter.



Ohh before I forget



This - is Kyuubi talking



and



This - is ...someone else talking or thinking





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Prelude



And the tip of the iceberg it was.



Just like he had told Ukitake, the moment Nanao gave him enough information about Uzumaki Naruto, Kyouraku Shunsui went directly to his sensei and the Captain of the first division and Commander of the rest of the squads in Soul Society: Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryusai. Both of them sat in front of the information that Ise Nanao had collect and after a few weeks they came with a decision. The head of the clan Kazama should be informed of the situation, but it would be prudent if no one apart from them know about Naruto’s existence.



That is why the three of them, the Captains of the 1st and 8th division and the Kazama clan head, sat in front of each other drinking tea. They were in a small room in the first division building with a beautiful sight to the back garden.



“So, I take it this is not a social meeting, right?” asked the young man looking at the two captains after some light talk about nothing of importance. He smile softly at them before taking a sip from his cup, his eyes had change from soft and carefree to hard and wary.



“Unfortunately, it is not. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t enjoy a cup of tea and some light conversation.” Replied Kyouraku, the young Kazama nodded in agreement.



“That’s true, we don’t have much time left, why with the Kidou’s corps business and I guess that the job as a shinigami taichou is equally busy” Kazama Arashi smile once again, then he turned his grey eyes and focus them on Yamamoto. “Sorry, I would like to keep this conversation up, but….I’ve got curious. Would it be to rude if I ask you to go straight to the point, so I can satisfied this curiosity of mine?”



“It is not rude at all; I think we had extended this conversation long enough and take enough of your time.” Said politely Yamamoto to the young Kazama.



“Oh please Yamamoto-soutaichou,” said Arashi waving a hand and smiling apologetically. “I am really curious, that is the reason from my eagerness. It is so unusual for the Gotei 13 to call to me personally, usually I have to attend matters with you through bori…I mean, with paperwork.”



“This is highly unusual yes,” said Yamamoto before nodding towards Kyouraku to put out the file. The man did it and put it in front of a frowning Arashi, “but so it is the situation I have called you for.”



“Please Kazama-san, take a look at that.” Said Kyouraku.



With the frown still in place but now with a feeling of curiosity, he opened the folder. His eyes opened wide at the name on it, he started reading with attention to each word that was written in it, and he watched each one of the pictures that had been put in it. His frown deepened and his eyes turned hard and unreadable, his whole body tensed up and for a moment the port and presence of nobility appear on him.



“Are you completely sure about this?” his voice had turned cold and deep, with a slightly trace of command. Kyouraku nodded gravely as did Yamamoto.



Arashi let out a tired sighed and locked his eyes to the picture of a blond boy of no more than six years old in a swing with a sad look on his face. The boy looked so pathetic in there, as if he had been punished for something he didn’t do or maybe because someone had said something bad to him. So different from the memories he had of Minato.



“This is a clan matter.” Said Arashi firmly, “I don’t want the Central 46 Chambers to find out…yet. Can I count with your silence?”



“As you had said Kazama-dono, this is a Clan matter, while I can’t allow this information to go unknown for to long I think I can give you some time.” Declared Yamamoto. Arashi gave a short nod.



“Do not worry Yamamoto-Soutaichou, I will personally inform the Central 46 about this, but before I do that I would like to ask for yours and Kyouraku-taichou help.”



“It would be my pleasure, Arashi-san, tell me what do you need?” said Kyouraku. Arashi put out a picture and a piece of paper with a curious symbol on it.



“This, I know part of this seal. I can see Minato’s signature on it. But there isn’t enough information about the other part of the seal. Can you search for it? And also, if …if the boy allowed you to take a picture of it, I would like to see the seal on his stomach. ”



Kyouraku looked at the seal and then at Arashi and finally at Yamamoto, the old man centered his eyes on the young Kazama before turning to face Kyouraku.



“From now on you would take care of the excursion to the shinobi world, you will lead other squads’ member as well as yours when need Kyouraku-taichou.”



That had been six years ago…



…Now, Kyouraku was resting on the roof of his own division. He was waiting the young Kazama and his plan to retrieve the boy from his human form and the only place he had, so far, called home.





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Chapter 2



The Calm before the Storm: the first Mission



“…and then I got the damn cat and when we returned it that…that woman almost killed it and I actually felt sorry for him.” said Naruto, Yoruichi was sitting with her back against a tree and Naruto’s head was on her lap, she was hearing very patiently the stories Naruto told her from the moment he became a Genin of the Leaf.



The blond boy kept telling different stories while Yoruichi watched him with affection. He certainly had grown up from the little boy that ran around all day playing alone and trying to survive a world that despite his existence. She had been a little worried when Naruto had told her about Kyouraku but, like Urahara had said, it was inevitable and in a way the captain of the eight squad was another link to Naruto’s origins and another person that show him some kind of affection. Life hadn’t been easy for the blond and it angered Yoruichi that so many things had been kept from him, things that could change the way he grow up or the way he behaved some times.



“Ne, Yoruichi-chan, should we try it again?” said Naruto lifting the wooden sword on his right hand.



“I don’t think so, I think I have kick your ass enough for a day” at that Naruto pouted and sat straight glaring at the woman.



“You didn’t kick my ass…I just let you” he said kind of lamely, Yoruichi snorted at that statement.



“Yeah, you’re a real gentleman” she said with sarcasm. “You said that tomorrow you have your first real mission.”



“Yes, it’s our first C-rank mission, and those are really important, at least we will stop doing those horrendous chores” said Naruto.



“Well, if I wear you out today you’re not going to have enough strength to do that mission tomorrow”



“You’re just afraid of me.” Yoruichi lift an eyebrow at him and Naruto gulped scratching the back of his head sheepishly.



“OK, I think your right, besides I am hungry and it is getting late” said Naruto quickly.



“I thought so.” Naruto stood up and stretch himself. Yoruichi watched him for a moment before clearing her throat to call Naruto’s attention. The blond boy looked at her curiously and Yoruichi stood up in front of him putting a hand on is shoulder. The change in attitude and the seriousness in Yoruichi’s face told Naruto that the woman wanted to talk to him about something important.



“I am really proud of you Naruto.” The boy stiffened at those words and he evaded Yoruichi’s eyes. “You have grown up so well and you’re getting stronger and stronger, it is incredible that you already fought your first Hollow...”



“Yeah, but I got my ass kicked and if it hadn’t been for Kyouraku-jii I would be …well…”



“Still, you fought with a hollow without a Zanpakutou, that was stupid but it shows you of what you are capable. On top of that you become a Genin and you’re starting your career as a ninja, your own Zanpakutou is starting to make a direct contact with you” Yoruichi trailed off and put out a silver and blue scroll from her clothes, Naruto looked at it with curiosity and Yoruichi let a small smirked on her face. “I have two things for you.”



“Two things…for me?”



“Yes, I decide that you are old enough and skill enough to have this” she said passing Naruto the scroll; the blond took the item in his hand with his eyes wide opened.” Now, you wouldn’t have a problem calling out for your Zanpakutou and using this until that time comes. According with the sales-man, this is made of a special metal that works really well with chakra.”



“You mean. This is a…you bought me a …a sword?” said Naruto with his eyes fixated in the scroll.



“Yes, of course I have, you are now a ninja and as one you need a proper weapon, more than shuriken and kunai.” Said Yoruichi.



“Thank you, thank you!!” Naruto hugged the purple-haired woman who merely smiled at the boys antics.



“Ok, that is my first gift for you. My second one is…” Naruto looked up at her with a big grin and an expectant face. “The second one is the answer to the question you make to me a long time ago.”



There was a moment of silence in which Naruto stood there a little shocked. To say that he wasn’t curious and at the same time afraid would be an understatement. He trust Yoruichi with his life, she had been there for him when no one else was and he had always wondered why and how the woman had found him but at the time he made the question she told him that he was still young and immature. But right now the woman wanted to tell she was willing to do so…it made Naruto faced the fact that he was really growing up and that people around him was noticing.



“You mean…you are going to tell me how did you find me and why did you stay with me?”



“Yes and no. “ at this Naruto looked at her confuse. Yoruichi merely moved her hand to the necklace that hang from Naruto’s neck and it that moment her eyes were distant as well as her voice.



“I still remembered the day your father received this.” Naruto gasped at that revelation he turned his blue eyes to Yoruichi. “You resemble him a lot Naruto. “



“You…you met my father?” asked the boy with a trembling voice.



“Yes. We better go, it is getting late and I bet you’re really hungry and haven’t packed a thing yet.”



“Wait, you said you were going to tell me!”



“I did, and I am going to do it. After you finished your mission I am going to tell you everything you want to know about your father, your shinigami powers and your origins.”



“But then, why did you tell me now that you were going to answer me?!” asked Naruto. Yoruichi turned to face him with a mischievous smile.



“Because that way I can make sure you come back in one piece.” Naruto’s annoyance left is eyes and he looked over at Yoruichi with soft and happy eyes. He smile a little and went to chase the woman. The answer to that particular question could wait.





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It was a sunny morning, but the birds couldn’t be heard over the screams of enthusiasm coming from the blond boy that was walking beside his teammates, his Jounin sensei and their client. Yoruichi was sitting on a branch of a random tree. The cat didn’t have to turn around to know that she wasn’t alone anymore.



“Came to say good-bye to him as well, Yoruichi-san?” The voice had come from behind a cat mask and the one talking had been a woman with purple hair and Anbu gear.



“You sound surprise Yugao-san” the woman didn’t show any surprise or any other reaction at the fact that the cat was talking.



“I didn’t know you were in the village.” Said the woman before sitting down beside the cat. “I came to say good bye and good luck but it seems I was a little late.”



“He knows that you are very busy, he didn’t expect you to show up” those words made Yugao flinched a little. She didn’t want Naruto to think she was to busy or that she didn’t have enough time for him, even if that was true.



The cat gave Yugao a side glance but said nothing more. It had been three years since the woman discover that Yoruichi wasn’t a normal cat and it had taken almost a week to convince her that Yoruichi didn’t mean any harm to Naruto or the village. And even though they had come to an agreement it didn’t mean that Yugao trust her and Yoruichi was well aware of that, that’s why the Anbu woman liked to know every time Yoruichi was in town.



“So, are you going to stay here and wait for him?” asked in a no subtle way Yugao.



“No, I will be back when he returns. “ There was a moment of silence, Yugao was about to talk but was cut off by Yoruichi. “He has grown up a lot. When he comes back I would answer the questions he had and that your village hadn’t been capable of answer“.



“What do you mean?” Yugao’s voice was low and dangerous and Yoruichi’s eyes shine with amusement.



“Do not worry, I don’t mean any harm with my words and to be faithful to our agreement I would answers your questions as well. “



“You mean you’re going to tell me who you are and what are your intentions?” asked Yugao. “So far I have let you alone because of Naruto but …”



“But your village and of course Narutos’ security comes first.” Interrupted Yoruichi, “I know that. Like I said do not worry, when he is back I would tell you everything you need to know and then you can decided what to do. Until then”



Yoruichi jumped and disappear in the forest undergrowth, not giving Yugao time to react. The Anbu kunoichi sat there and beg to whoever was listening that the cat wasn’t an enemy because she didn’t want Naruto to hate her for what she would be obliged to do to Yoruichi if the cat had not good intentions.





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He couldn’t understand why some people love sunrises and dawns so much. While he was a morning person, he still prefers night falls, that moment in which light turned into darkness and everything seems less clear. Some people, those who actually don’t know him, would say that it had to do with that bad vibe they got from him. But it was really far from it, he didn’t consider himself evil or anything like that it was just that night falls were more agreeable. But of course, if all you want to do is to lure certain people into your wonderful trap, this sight was the perfect setting for that.



“Are you enjoying the sight, Hinamori-san?” The man turned around with his constant mocking smile and his eyes narrowed to slits. The young woman beside him smile widely at that question and nodded her head.



“Yes, this is certainly beautiful Ichimaru-Taichou.”



“This was the spot to which you arrived with Aizen-taichou the first time, isn’t it?” asked the man noticing the small blush on the girls face. “I thought so; he was the one suggestin’ the spot.”



“Really?” asked an enthusiastic Hinamori.



“Yes, he did. I thought it had been for my benefit but now I know I was wrong.” Said the man with amusement evident in his voice. Before Hinamori could replied a young man appeared with blond hair. He had a fukutaichou badge with the symbol of the third division, just like the one Hinamori was wearing but hers was that of the fifth division.



“Is it everything all right, Izuru?”



“Yes Sir. The teams are all ready and we’ve located successfully the spots we were order to watch.”



“Excellent job as always, Izuru.” The blond man lowered his gaze embarrassed at the compliment; Gin turned his gaze to the far away beach and decided that it was time for him to leave. “Since everything’ seems to be all right Izuru, Hinamori-san you will take each one a group and go to the designate points. You know the rules; do your job quickly, clean and with caution.”



Hinamori and Kira looked at each other before returning their eyes to the captain of the third division. Ichimaru Gin dedicated them a simple smile before continuing.



“I wouldn’t want my fukutaichou to get hurt and I don’t think Aizen-taichou would like that Hinamori-san ended up hurt.” Hinamori let a small blush appear on her face and Kira merely eyed is taichou without comprehending his words.



“But...Taichou that means that…you’re not coming with us?”



“No, there seems to be a situation that requires the presence of a Captain level shinigami, and since Kyouraku-taichou isn’t here the job falls upon me.”



“Then as your fukutaichou, shouldn’t I go with you?” replied Kira in a soft voice, “I am pretty sure Hinamori-fukutaichou can take care of two teams.”



Kira looked over at Hinamori who nodded her head with decision. Gin merely leant his head to the right before saying in mocking tone.



“Your concern is really touching Izuru, but I think I can take care of this mission on my own.”



“N-no sir. I never meant that you…” said Kira with a lightly blush on his face and an apologetic tone.



“Yare, yare, so serious Izuru. I was merely joking.” Said Gin waving his hand and directing his always smiling face to his fukutaichou. “Do not worry about me. Now, it is getting late, you and Hinamori-san should leave now. We will see each other again in five days, in this exact point.”



“Yes, Sir.” Replied both fukutaichou at the same time. Gin turned around and started walking away, a few meters ahead he lift his right hand in a good-bye gesture and his voice reached both shinigami before the Captain disappear at the speed of shunpo.



“Good luck, Izuru, Hinamori.”



In not time Ichimaru Gin was on the beach and the mountains were left behind him without a second thought or a single glance back. He let the sound of the waves and the wind fill the silence and with a more real expression on his face he started making his way to the source of the familiar presence. It had been five years since he had been in that world but he wasn’t a Captain for nothing. Besides, it was a presence that once you felt it you could never forget, that was the whole point of joining forces with Aizen, things that were ignored from many shinigami weren’t ignore for him, or Tousen.



Gin started humming some melody he had heard once a long time ago, he couldn’t deny that it was very fortunate to have two well-trained fukutaichou that wouldn’t defy him or question him about anything. That was another reason as to why Rangiku wasn’t with him in the same squad, it would be very difficult to do his part on his alternative job with her beside him. Izuru on the other hand, was so easy to manipulate just as Hinamori. No, while the two of them were in that world doing their job, Ichimaru Gin shouldn’t worried at all to what he was about to do.



“Let’s hope this is more interesting than the last time I was ‘ere” He said to himself, not really knowing that the path he was walking would lead him to some interesting discoveries.





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So far the mission to Wave had been on the boring side. It wasn’t as if Naruto didn’t appreciate the change of view and the sea and the forest and all the beautiful things that you could see outside the village. It was the fact that he thought he would engage himself in a life threatening situation and that he would save the day and Sakura-chan would look at him with hearts in her eyes and declare her undying love to him and Sasuke would admit that Naruto was far stronger and cool-looking than him. And maybe Kakashi-sensei would stop giving him those weird looks and started noticing him.



Naruto’s wishful thinking was stop abruptly when he ran into Sakura. The girl turned around with a furious looked on her face.



“Watch it, Naruto!” those words were followed by a painful smack on the head.



“Sorry, Sakura-chan, I wasn’t looking!” he said kind of lamely. The girl merely rolled her eyes and continued walking beside Sasuke, trying to get the boy to talk to her. Naruto sighed miserably, he soon resume his walking until something around him felt different.



He stopped dead in his tracks and let himself feel. Just like Kyouraku and Yoruichi had taught him once. It still surprise him how well he could sense others reiatsu than the chakra. Yoruichi had told him that it was because there were few people that had an actual reiatsu and the only people he knew never control or try to hide their presence, that and Hollows weren’t that smart. Kyouraku had said to him that it was because he was becoming more adept in his shinigami powers and he was becoming stronger and more able to control his power (Nanao was scowling at his taichou while he said those words with a familiar orange book on his hand). Of course, he being Naruto like Kyouraku’s answer more than Yoruichi’s one. Even though, deep down, he knew that Yoruichi was probably right. It wasn’t as if he was the perfect radar for reiatsu, it was only circumstances.



“Is something wrong Naruto?” the question coming from his sensei startled the blond Genin. The group stopped and all of them were now looking over at him.



“Eh…no, just… I thought I heard something…” Just in that moment a white rabbit decided to make his appearance from behind a bush.



“Idiot!! It was only a rabbit!” exclaimed Sakura a little exasperate, Naruto merely scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile.



“Sorry it’s just…”



“You were just trying to show off!! “Said Sakura crossing her arms and shooting him a nasty glare.



“I wasn’t trying to show off… I was…” That presence again, Naruto turned his head around and frown. It was so weird and infuriating, however Naruto didn’t have time to pounder on that feeling because at that moment his sensei scream to them to dodge whatever the hell happen to come their way.



“Konoha’s copy ninja, Sharingan no Kakashi is here.” Team seven looked up at the newcomer. He was on a big zanbatou with his head leant to the side and looking at them with indifference. Part of his face was covered with bandages and on his head was the forehead protector with the symbol of the mist.



There was a moment of silence followed by a soft breeze. Naruto was really surprise at the appearance of the new comer, beside him Sasuke’s hand was itching beside his kunai holder but his mind and eyes were fixated on Kakashi .‘Sharingan?’ he thought. Meanwhile Sakura seems a little scare. Naruto let himself smile a little. This was what he was looking for, some kind of action to put his abilities to the test. His hand however went inside his jacket and grabbed the gift that Yoruichi had given him before parting.



“Oh, may, may…are you Momochi Zabuza?” asked Kakashi with his hands on his pockets and a curious expression on his face. The question made Naruto and Sasuke looked directly at their sensei with eyes narrowed while Sakura was about to explode due to tension in the air. “You are, aren’t you? The missing-nin from Kirigakure no Sato, The Demon of the Mist?”



“It’s such an honor that a shinobi of you caliber know me so well” replied Zabuza with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.



Naruto and Sasuke both got ready to launch an attack but a movement from their sensei stopped them.



“Why a man like you has appeared so suddenly?” Asked Kakashi, “What do you want?”



The man let out a chuckle before turning around and facing team 7.



“Why, you ask? Very well, I am not interest in fighting against you or those brats…so,” Zabuza trailed off for a more dramatic effect. Then he pointed to the bridge builder who shivered at that action. “I just want the old man over there, you handle him to me and I don’t kill you or your brats. How is that?”



“What? Who do you think you are? You actually think that we are going to do that!!! We are ninjas not brats!!” scream Naruto, Sakura looked over at him wide-eyed and ready to punch the blond if necessary. Zabuza however seemed a little amused at the blonds’ reaction.



“ninjas, um?” the man laughed out loud this time and Naruto a little annoyed at that move to attack but once again he was stop by his sensei.



“Naruto!!! Our top priority is protecting Tazuna-san. The three of you make a formation, I will fight him” said Kakashi putting his left hand on his forehead protector and lifting it showing an old scar and a red eye with three tomoe. The famous Sharingan.



“Naruto, eh? What an amusing boy… Let me tell you something. When I was your age, these hands were already soaked in blood. Just then I was allowed to carry on the title of ninja…” said Zabuza smirking at the faces that the three Genin made. “When your hands get soak in the blood of your opponent, then you may call yourself a ninja. For now you’re just a brat aspiring to play with the big guys. But enough talk, if you’re not going to hand over the old geezer then…I will take his life and yours by force.”



Kakashi prepared himself to fight Zabuza while Team 7 moved to protect Tazuna from the ninja. This seems only to amuse Zabuza and a fog started forming around them.



“Kakashi, you are a little naïve. While I wouldn’t have any trouble handling you and your team alone…I didn’t come in here unprepared.”



Kakashi’s eyes opened wide and he turned too late. The fog was getting dense and Zabuza was attacking him preventing the Jounin from going over his team.



“No, your fight is with me Kakashi, let the brats face a real ninja”



It was Sasuke the first one in react. He pulled out a kunai and stop the metal claw direct towards their client, however the mist and the fact that the newcomer seems to be fast was making it hard for Sasuke to fight back at his full potential. Behind him a trembling Sakura was near Tazuna while Naruto was trying to watch ahead of him.



Sasuke narrowed his eyes and grabbed more forcefully his kunai. While he couldn’t see a thing, he could still heard so he let himself heard whatever sound that may indicate him that his enemy was there or where he was going to attack.



The whisper of footsteps to his right side was all Sasuke need to turn in time to stop once again the metal claw, but it wasn’t enough to stop the chain that trapped one of his legs.



“Gotcha” said a man with a mask over his mouth. Sasuke’s eyes opened in surprise and his reaction was cut short when the shinobi crunched his fist into his face.



Naruto and Sakura lifted their heads and turned to the sound of someone moaning in pain. Kakashi’s attention drift for a moment when he felt the chakra from Sasuke lowered a little ‘I need to end this, and ended it now’ thought the Jounin trying to block another attack coming from one of Zabuzas’s clones.



“Sasuke-kun!” screamed Sakura, the pink haired girl hesitate for a moment, her body wanted to move and ran towards the origin of the sound but her rational part stopped her telling her that her mission was the old man behind her and not Sasuke. Sakura bit her lip and in her state she never noticed the blur approaching her.



Naruto was getting frustrate. His first mission and so far he felt useless. Even the Teme had moved out and tried to fight while he stood there doing nothing. Naruto sighed frustrated and was about to launch himself into the mist when he felt it. A presence very different to the ones near him. Naruto stood up straight with a frown on his face. It was the one he had felt before all that mess started., and the presence was near them but Naruto couldn’t tell exactly where it was or how far it was or if it was friendly or not.



“Just great!” Mumbled Naruto, he turned to see how Sakura was doing when he noticed a shadow moving fast towards the clueless girl. Naruto didn’t think twice and with his kunai in hand he went to interfere whatever attack the shinobi had launched against the pink haired girl.



Meizu, a Chuunin-level shinobi and former ninja from Kirigakure no Sato was smiling like crazy. He had already taken out one of the Genin and now he just had to put that girl out of the way and give the final blow to the bridge builder. However Meizu never saw the blond boy until he had it in front of him. The boy was wearing a horrendous orange jumpsuit and a big smirked on his face. Once again his claws were stop by a kunai and the Chuunin growl in frustration.



“You’re not going to hurt Sakura-chan or the old man!” said Naruto,” I’m going to stop you!!!!”



“Big words coming from a shrimp like you” said the man hiding himself inside the mist he had created. He was really confident on his abilities; after all you don’t travel around the Demon of the Mist without picking up some …habits that could help you in the art of silent killing.



“Na-Naruto?” said Sakura, her voice was trembling slightly but the girl had taken a fighting stance and was holding a kunai on her hands.



The boy moved his face to the side and smiled at her, and then he returned to his previous position. It had been a real luck that he stopped the man but now things were getting dangerous and the life of his friends were in jeopardy . The first thing he did was calm himself and tried to think the situation. He let himself felt and sense his surroundings. The ground, the water, the sound of the leaves in the threes, the wind…



Heard the wind…smell what the wind brings to you…



Naruto blink a couple of times at that. Once again his inner voice had talked to him bringing some kind of weird words to him in the middle of a dangerous situation. Why in the name of all good and holly would he smell what the wind brings with it? It was absurd and…weird. He could understand the part where he said to hear the wind, but the other part with the smell in it? Well, these show once again that his inner spirit was kind of crazy.



I am not crazy…I am merely smarter than you…smell him…is the smell of a prey, of our prey….the smell of defeat and blood…There!!



What happened next, Naruto couldn’t explain it at all. At least not completely, he had been hearing his inner voice but at the same time his body was reacting to the voice. He had let himself hear and …smell and he caught up with what the voice was trying to say. He could hear the whisper of clothes and footsteps. And he could also smell the adrenaline, the excitement, the fear and the blood of someone else. With a firm grip on the kunai and trusting entirely in his instincts Naruto turned, lashed his hand with all the force he had in him, kunai still in hand, and felt the kunai and his hand came in contact with something soft that didn’t fight the pointing weapon as it entered his opponent.



“Oomph…” was all Naruto heard, he was looking directly into the eyes of his attacker. The metal claws had made it to Naruto’s side, but Naruto’s kunai had made it to the shinobi’s neck.



Time stood still while Naruto saw how the life leaved the other shinobis eyes. His hand still holding the kunai was covered in blood, and the pain on his side was being ignored. All that Naruto could do was stood there, dumbfounded and at the same time terrified.



The fog that had been called by the former ninja was dispersing allowing the presents to watch the scene unfolded in front of them. Sasuke was standing up and taking off the chain from his leg, he had a slight bruised on his eye but it was nothing to worry about. He then heard two gasp and lifting his head he couldn’t help the expression of shock that show his face. Sakura had her eyes wide opened and was actually feeling a little sick and dizzy.



Zabuza who was fighting against Kakashi smirked under his mask at the scene. The fog had dissipated and Kakashi was taking full advantage of that and Zabuza knew that if the Copy ninja went serious he would be in trouble. So, he took the opportunity that the blond brat just gave to him.



“It seems like one of your students has become a real ninja” he said with an amused voice. Kakashi stopped his attack and allowed himself a moment of distraction; he turned around to see Narutos bleeding hand and the body of the former ninja falling to his feet.



“Naruto…” whisper Kakashi, but he didn’t have time to think of what had just happened. He need to end his fight with Zabuza and go over there and help Naruto and the others; if Zabuza had one ninja there he could as well have another one that could attack at any moment.



Back to Naruto, the blond boy was trembling. He just couldn’t believe what he had done. His eyes were fixated in the bloody hand and the corpse at his feet.



“Naruto?” said a voice behind him, but he didn’t register from who it had come from.



“Now, you are talking my language kid.” Said Zabuza with a hint of excitement on his voice, Kakashi went to launch an attack but he wasn’t prepare for the hand sings and the suddenly prison of water surrounding him.



“Now, Kakashi, that was very rude of you. Let me fight with the little brat.” Naruto turned around still in shock at what had happened. Zabuza made another water clone and send it directly to the boy.



It was Sasuke the one to tackle Naruto to the ground to prevent the clone hurt Naruto. The black haired boy shot Naruto a glare.



“Are you going to stay there or are you going to help? We have to free Kakashi-sensei.”



“It seems you haven’t taught those brats of you politeness. “



“No!! Sasuke grabbed Tazuna, Sakura and Naruto and run! He is to much for you!” screamed the Jounin sensei from his water prison, still struggling to look for a way out of that.



Naruto was on the ground near the body of the Mist Shinobi. He looked over at his hands and then he looked up frenetically looking for the soul of the man.



What does it feel??? To have blood in your hands?



“Shut up! Shut up! Don’t say anything!!” the suddenly outburst from the blond startled Zabuza, Kakashi and Sasuke. The three of them watched as Naruto clenched his fist and stood up ignoring all the presents and looked around the place with his eyes until they rested on a tree a few meters ahead.



“You never said it would end up like this” said Naruto his voice was trembling and full of emotions and his eyes had a conflicted trace on them. “I...I never meant to...”



“To kill him?” Naruto looked up to see a very serious Zabuza looking at him. “What did you expect? He was an enemy, it is your job.”



“How? How can you say that?! He was your friend!” exclaimed Naruto. Kakashi had a frown on his face wondering about Naruto’s attitude, not just because he seemed to be in a shock but…it sounded as if he was talking to someone else…just like always. Kakashi shook his head, it wasn’t possible not again, Naruto was his student now, he was under is care and the Copy-nin would make sure to take away all bad influence from him.



“Friend?” snorted Zabuza, and then in a cold tone he continued. “He was nothing but a tool. Someone I picked up on the road to help me with this. From the beginning I knew that if I have to sacrifice him for the sake of this mission and of course for the sake of the paid I would do it.”



There was a moment of silence in which Naruto’s eyes fixated, not on Zabuza’s clone, but on the original one. He was trembling and an expression of incredulity on his face. He couldn’t believe it; he didn’t want to believe that the person he just killed was that. A tool. Nothing else, nothing more.



“How can you say that?”



“We are shinobi; it is not my fault that in your village they don’t teach you the reality of this life.” Said Zabuza, the clone was fidgeting in place, the big sword was firm on his hand and the man was ready to attack. “This is the path of all ninja’s. You get paid to do a mission. And in this case my mission is to kill the old man over there and yours is protecting him.”



With those words Zabuza’s clone launched ahead ready to strike with the Zanbatou, but Naruto stood still his eyes lowered and blond fangs covering his eyes. With great speed he evaded the reaper thrust mean to destroy him. The water clone was surprise and when he turned he saw the blond looking at him with cold eyes. Naruto pulled out the silver scroll and opened it, biting his thumb he let some of his own blood fall into the seal and a katana appear in a puff of smoke.



“Naruto?” asked a dumbfounded Sakura. Sasuke had his fist clenched and was looking at the blond with a hint of respect and jealousy on his eyes.



“See? The taste of blood change people.” Said Zabuza smirking, “but your still a Genin.”



“Naruto, do not fight. Run!” screamed Kakashi from inside the water prison. He was ignored and Naruto pulled his sword from the black sheath and the blade shine with the light of the day.



“Sasuke” said Naruto in a very different voice than his usual cheerful one. The black-haired boy looked at him.” I’ve got an idea, would you like to help me out?”



The last part was said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice and Sasuke let a small smirked appear on his face.



“What a stupid question dobe.”



Kakashi sat there incapable of free himself and go over his students and save them. They were certainly fools to try to take over a man like Momochi Zabuza, but at the same time Kakashi couldn’t help but felt proud of them. This was their first mission and they were taking it all right. However he couldn’t do less but worried a little about them and mainly Naruto. After all the blond shinobi had just made his first kill. Kakashi focus his attention on the blond that was holding a katana.’ When did he get one?’ he asked himself while he saw the sudden change in Naruto’s attitude. And then to his complete surprise Naruto started fighting Zabuza.



Of course Naruto wasn’t as good as Zabuza. The man was part of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist; of course the blond Genin wasn’t that good! But he wasn’t bad either. He moved with …grace. There wasn’t any other word to describe it. He duck, he blocks and he strikes as if he had been practicing a lot.



“I was about to say that you did a good job with the brat, but for your expression I see you weren’t the one to teach him that!” said Zabuza. “It is really a shame…he has talent for it.”



The fight last a few more minutes, the clone was smirking it had been a good fight but he was getting tired of the games and he really wanted to finish the mission soon.



“Finally, I thought we were going to keep this longer.” Said Naruto with a big grinned and excitement evident in his voice. The clone was uttered confuse at that but he didn’t have time to reply.



Naruto launched himself against the clone slashing to one side the katana, making sure that his strike was strong enough, the man realizing the attack move his big sword to the side to protect himself. But Naruto was expecting this, so as soon as their swords make contact the boy without loosing time sent a kick directly to the stomach of his opponent, resting all his weight in one leg. The clone was send backwards a little and Naruto fall to the floor, but it was all he needed to make a perfect opening for Sasuke who arrived from behind and stabbed the clone with one of his kunai. The clone disappeared in an explosion of water and now the two Genin were facing the original one and their impress sensei.



Things changed from that point. With great ability and wit Sasuke and Naruto deceived Zabuza and free their sensei. From that point on, Hatake Kakashi showed not only Zabuza but his students as well why he was called Sharingan no Kakashi. However, when Kakashi was ready to give the final blow a hunter-nin with the mark of Kirigakure no Sato appeared on the scene killing Zabuza immediately.



“Thank you very much,” said the hunter-nin. Naruto narrowed his eyes and watched closely at the newcomer. “I’ve been looking for a chance to kill Zabuza.”



Just then, the blond Genin realized something that he hadn’t before. The presence that had been bother him all this time, it was him!!!! It was that ninja!!! Naruto’s hand went immediately to his katana.



“Who are you?” asked Naruto, but it was Kakashi the one who replied.



“For his clothes and that mask, he must be a Hunter-nin from Kirigakure no Sato.” Said Kakashi, “am I right?”



“Indeed, you seem to be well informed Shinobi-san.” Said the mysterious newcomer.



Naruto, nevertheless, didn’t let go of his katana and was looking at the shinobi intently. It was the first time in all this years that he saw a living being with spiritual energy. And this boy…he was just the same age as him, for the looks of it. There was a moment of silence in which Naruto move forward to the shinobi but was stopped by Kakashi.



“What are you doing Naruto? He is not an enemy.”



“But he…he killed Zabuza.” Was all Naruto said looking over the falling shinobi and then back at the Hunter-nin. Naruto wanted to say more, he wanted to say that the boy up that tree was like him! and not in the \'I-have-a-demon-sealed-in-me\' way. The young ninja probably felt him just like Naruto was feeling him. But he went silent and stood there nodding his head at his sensei.



In a whirlwind, the Hunter-nin disappeared from his spot in the three to re-appear beside Zabuza.



“I thank you once again for your help, but your battle ends here and now.” Said the boy picking up the body, “Now, I must go and dispose of this corpse. If you’ll excuse me.”



The ninja left and Naruto stood there incapable of doing anything. Just then Sakura decided to talk.



“Hey! Wait a minute, that Hunter-nin forgot …the other one.” Sakura said that with a trembling voice and she was eyeing Naruto carefully. The blond Genin flinched at the memory and he lowered his eyes and evaded looking up at his team. Just then he felt a hand on his head and saw Kakashi looking at him with a soft expression.



“Good work back there Naruto.” Said the ninja, Naruto shook his head and back away.



“No, I…I kill a man…” Kakashi lowered his Hitai-ate , feeling a little dizzy but ignoring the sensation he tried to continue his conversation with Naruto but the exhaustion won over and he fall unconscious to the ground.



“His fine, I would say he is just exhausted.” Said Sakura after a quick check on their sensei. Neither of them were medics but the only one that seems to know what was doing was Sakura so the boys let her be.



“We should probably move. Tazuna-san, please show us the way to your place.” Said Sasuke taking the situation under is control.



“Very well, but what are you going to do with your sensei?”



“Naruto and I can carry him. Is your place to far?”



“Not to much, just a few kilometers ahead.”



“Ok, then let’s go.”Sakura started walking away beside Tazuna, while Sasuke went to pick up Kakashi. Naruto, however, went directly to the body of the Mist Shinobi.



“Wait, we can\'t leave him here.” Said Naruto looking at the corpse. There was a moment of silence in which Tazuna and Sakura looked really uncomfortable while Sasuke seems a little exasperate.



“We can’t stay here; there is a possibility that there are other ninjas around. Help me out with Kakashi-sensei and let’s go.”



“No.” Naruto’s voice was firm and leave not place for an argument.” We can’t leave him here!”



“Yes we can, he is the enemy after all. So, why should we care?” replied Sasuke.



“So? He is still…I mean, he was human…” Naruto trailed off and clenched his fist, but neither Sasuke nor Tazuna or Sakura could tell if it was in anger or something else.



Sasuke sighed but understood what Naruto was trying to do. He didn’t like it, so reluctantly he made his way towards the blond Genin.



“So, you want to buried him or what?” asked the boy in an unusual soft voice.



“I…I think it would be better if we burn him” Sasuke looked at him confused and Naruto explain. “Well, he…he is a ninja…I don’t think it would be good if we buried him and the secrets from his village are known.”



Sasuke shrugged and nodded in approval to Naruto’s plan, a moment passed with neither of them doing anything. Then Naruto scratch the back of is head sheepishly and turned around to look at Sasuke.



“So, um…you wouldn’t mind using that fire jutsu you use once? I …I don’t know any fire jutsus so…” Sasuke rolled his eyes but nodded.



“Yeah, I can do it. But make it fast.”



“Thank you, Sasuke.”



Once the pyre was organized Sasuke made a few hand seals and burned it with the shinobi in there. Naruto still remembered the scare face of the Plus Soul he had seen after killing the man, it was struggling against the now broken chain connect to his chest and trying to breath or move. When Naruto could return his attention to the soul, the soul had already disappeared.



They wait until the fire wasn’t any danger for the forest around and left the ashes to the wind. Naruto was carrying is sensei with the help of Sasuke, they had been walking for about twenty minutes when Naruto heard a terrifying scream and a growl, Naruto turned his head to the source and felt rather than saw the presence of the Hollow. After that only silence follow, and with remorse Naruto walked away from the scene.





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A few hours later they had arrived to the bridged builder house where he lived with his daughter Tsunami and his grandson Inari. While the woman seemed nice and kind, the little kid seemed a little annoyed by the presence of the shinobi, but neither of them said anything. Especially Naruto who was still silent after the incident. It wasn’t until Kakashi woke up and told them about Sakura’s observation, about the other Mist ninja and how the Hunter-nin had ignored it and some other irregularities, that he came to the conclusion that Zabuza was still alive and that his team would need all the training at hand so in a week time they could face not only Zabuza but his mysterious helper.



So they’ve been training for the most part of the week trying an exercise that Naruto found kind of difficult at first. The three-walking exercise. The only positive thing about it was the bond he was starting to form with Sasuke. He rather died than admit it out loud but…he was starting to like the Uchiha.



He was really tired because of the training session that day in which he had beat Sasuke and got hold of the three-walking exercise. So, Naruto wasn’t really sure if everything was a simple dream.



He was in the middle of a forest, or so he thought. He could feel the wind around him, making his hair and the leaves in the trees whisper at the gently movement. He wasn’t wearing his usual jumpsuit but the outfit he had seen Nanao wear; only his was white instead of black. The attire of the shinigami felt so right on him, Naruto watch around him but nothing made really sense, he had been in the forest near Tazuna’s place and it wasn’t like the one he was in now. The trees and the faun in general were a bit different. Just when he was about to ask if there was anyone there a voice called out to him



Naruto…what are you doing there? Come here!



It was a voice he was use to hear since he was six years old. It was the same voice that in some occasions had saved his life or had made him felt better. A blur and a movement on his right called the attention of the blond.



“Is that…you?” he asked, though he felt a little dumb for asking such a question.



What? Still deaf to my calling? Still deaf to my name??



The voice sound really amused but at the same time disappointed and Naruto lowered his face in shame. It was true that he was still deaf to the voice, that he couldn’t make out the name of his own Zanpakutou.



“Can you…can you tell me?”



That’s why you’re here…but, before I tell you…catch me if you can!!!



This time those words had a playful tone in them. And Naruto saw once again a black blur and the bushes ahead of him move. He could make the sound of running and without a second thought he went after his Zanpakutou. While he had heard his voice and he could recognize it anywhere, he had never seen it before. Naruto passed through branches and some other bushes, every time he thought he had finally catch up with the black blur it only run faster than him. Mocking him and telling him that the only reason he seems to be closer was because he decided to slow himself down a little not because Naruto was fast.



A little infuriate and frustrate by this Naruto decided to run faster than before, a bright light ahead made him frown in confusion but before he couldn’t stop or pounder about it he exited the forest directly to a strong and cold draft . Naruto stopped on the edge of a precipice; he was about to sigh in relief when he heard a chuckle and the strong wind pushed him on the edge, making him fall.



“AAAHHHHHH!!!!” Naruto screamed and sat up on the bed with a frightening expression on his face. Beside him Sasuke stood up and was glaring at the blond boy and Naruto could hear inside his head someone laughing really loud.



“Don’t you think it’s a little early for your stupidity, dobe” exclaimed Sasuke turning to the other side. “If I heard another word of that stupid ramen nightmare I swear…”



Sasuke’s threat died as the black-haired boy fall asleep once again. Naruto was breathing hard and was scowling or trying to scowl at the being inside his head. ‘That wasn’t funny!’



Of course it was…is early, shouldn’t you go out and train?



Naruto looked out the window that was wide open. The sky was still dark but traces of light could be seen in the distance. With decision, Naruto stood up and got dress, grabbed his katana and left the house before either of his habitants woke up.





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The walk to the place he was looking for had been uneventful and very boring, so Ichimaru Gin had to admit that he was aching for some fun when he discovered the shadow trying to hide himself in one of the branch of a tree. He had left the beach and the sea a long time ago. Now, in front of him was a waterfall and in there where three people fighting. One of them looked like a kid with sand blond haired. Or it was grey? Ichimaru shrugged not really caring, the other two were two grown ups with black cloaks with red clouds in them. One of them was wielding a large crimson triple-bladed scythe and the other had a mask over his face. There was an explosion and a blast of energy, coming from the boy, hit the two men.



“Oh, so is that what you called a Jinchuuriki?”



The man up in the three turned his head slightly at the source of the voice. From that angle Ichimaru could see that the man was wearing an orange mask whit swirls that end in the right eye and black ninja gear. Ichimaru looked over the man with his smiling face while the other turned his head once again at the fight in front of them.



“Yes, that is a Jinchuuriki.” Answered the man.



“It is really powerful” comment Ichimaru, The man turned and saw for the first time the serious expression on Ichimaru\'s face. Though it was more an expression of curiosity than nothing else. “I can feel his reiatsu…and it seems the he is in a very bad mod.”



“They don’t take it lightly when someone try to attack and eventually capture them.” Answered the other.



“Ah! A normal reaction.” Said Gin returning to his mocking smile.



“What are you doing here Ichimaru?”



“Yare, Yare, so serious for your own good, Madara-san.”



The man grunted and hop from the three facing the Captain of the Third division.



“Do not call me that,” said the man with anger evident in his voice.” I am known as Tobi. So you can call me that.”



“Why the secrecy? I thought that mask was enough.”



“I don’t want to take any chances of people knowing or discovering I am alive.”



“Technically your not.” Replied Gin, Madara direct his red eye to the man and Ichimaru let out a chuckle at the killer intent he could fell direct towards him.



“If you don’t want to get discover…you better control your mood, there are people fighting that way.” Said Ichimaru nodding his head towards the fight that was still having place in the waterfall.



“Once again, what are you doing here Ichimaru? You presence is…bothersome.” Ichimaru actually let out a little mocking pout and crossed his arms in a childish way.



“So rude, and here I was under Aizen-taichou´s orders to know if you had made any progress!!”



Hearing Aizen’s name was enough to make Madara tensed up. Ichimaru stopped his act and returned his always smiling face to Madara, knowing full well that Madara’s attention was on him.



“Aizen…sama, send you?” asked Madara.



“Yes, he thought it necessary to remember you what is your mission in this place and why you are not with your brothers and sisters.”



If there was something Uchiha Madara hate was Ichimaru Gin and silent threats. How dare a being like that threaten him, the founder of the Uchiha clan and one (if not the most) powerful Shinobi alive. Madara calm himself and decided to not give Ichimaru or Aizen for that matter, any clues about his real intentions. His loyalties need to be hidden for the moment.



“Of course I know what my mission here is. Tell Aizen-sama that everything is going well.”



“Are you sure?”



“Of course I am sure!! Is not easy and it may take time but…he will have what he came looking for.”



“Is good to heard that, Tobi-san.” Ichimaru turned around and started walking way. “We will see each other at another time. Have a nice day.”



Madara stood there for a moment. He was tempted to scream to the shinigami if that was all, if he had only come to say that to him but he contained himself. He really disliked Ichimaru the less contact he had with him the better.





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Ichimaru Gin decided that to return to the point of reunion he would take another route. He was tired of the sea and the beach and maybe if he entered the forest he would get an opportunity to watch ninjas fight or to fight against a Hollow. It was his lucky day. He had been walking for three hours when he felt it, a huge reiatsu which source was unknown to him. the curious thing about it was that that huge reiatsu was near another one, this one of a Hollow.



When the Captain of the third division arrived to the place he saw three things that impress him and made him…curious and less bored. The first one was the high-level Hollow that was playing with his victims. The second one was a boy which had fallen to the ground and was looking wide-eyed at the scene unfolded in front of him. And the third one, the one that called Ichimaru’s attention was a boy. It was a blond boy of no more than twelve-years-old, he had blue eyes and was wearing orange pants with a black t-shirt, on his hand the boy had a sword, he was tired ,at the limit of his powers ,but the reiatsu coming from him was still incredible powerful. The boy was really familiar,curiously familiar. That’s why, without any doubt he pulled out his Zanpakutou and his scream broke the noises coming from the fight.



“Shoot him dead, Shinsou!”





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Author\'s Note and other commentaries:



Thanks to Lanier for the Reviews!!!! It makes me HAPPY YOU LIKE THE STORY SO FAR!!





there are two things I really need help with and who better than you my dear readers to voice your opinion about it!!!! .



The first one is Naruto\'s pairing, while I am not planing in this to be a romantic fic I think Naruto needs that kind of love in is live, so I would like to hear your opinion about with whom should be Naruto paired with. There is one thing and one pairing I would never do and that is Naruto/ Hinata, sorry to the fans of this pairing but true ve told I know that I am not very good in writing this relationship mainly because I don\'t really like it. Any other girl either for Naruto or Bleach are welcomed though. Just remember I open to suggestions but I can assure I would pick the one you like.



The second thing is Naruto\'s Zanpakuto name. My Japanese is not that good yet. So I made some rough translations of what I want to name it. Again I open to any suggestion and opinion about this. I have three options so, pick one or if you wish to give me your own ideas I would gladly heard them.



1. Shine-Tsu-Hiko (( this is the name of the Japanese god of the Wind. Yes, Naruto\'s Zanpakutou element is going to be wind just like Naruto\'s chakra nature.))



2. Súlimo means Lord of the Winds. (( actually, this one I found it on The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien and it is the name of Mänwe one of the Valar))



3. Zephyrus no Ookami . Zepryrus is suppose to be the Greek god of the west wind and Ookami if I am right means wolf in Japanese (( I came up with this one, but I am not sure if it is well written, any suggestions?))



Ok, those were the names I found and I came up with. Again any suggestions or opinons would be heard and I would be very gratefull to recived them



Finally, do not forget to review and tell me what you think about it. ( No flames though).