Tsunade glared over her desk at the group of shinobi—and one civilian—her irritation growing by the second. She had been in a meeting with Naruto, Kakashi, and Shikamaru, who had recently been promoted to Jounin Commander after his father's retirement, about the trouble Team Taka had countered just outside the Land of Fire's borders. None of them had recognized the technique used to incapacitate Karin, though she had eventually recovered, or the one that had destroyed the attackers' bodies. They were debating the merits of issuing a recall order versus sending out a support team when a messenger from the Academy appeared.
Karin and Yuzu had claimed their brother was in trouble. They had "sensed" something wrong with him even though Ichigo was presumably practicing with Team Gai. Naruto was willing to accept that explanation reminding her of the Kurosakis' ability to sense the kyuubi's reiatsu from a great distance away. Tsunade had been about to dispatch Kakashi and Naruto to track down Ichigo, when Neji appeared with another message.
Ichigo had been kidnapped just outside of his apartment. Team Gai had been alerted by Kon, who apparently could move and talk independently, and immediately headed-out in pursuit. After catching up to the kidnappers, Team Gai had engaged in combat. Before they could dispatch the enemy shinobi, Ichigo had shaken off the technique used to disable him and killed his remaining attackers using an unfamiliar jutsu leaving only the two cart drivers alive.
According to Neji's report, the kidnappers had moved like shinobi while alive but shortly after death had dissolved into something barely more than sludge. His description matched that provided by Team Taka about the fate of their attackers. Tsunade refused to think it was a coincidence.
Now that Team Gai had escorted Ichigo to the Tower, and handed over the drivers to the welcoming arms of T&I, Tsunade wanted answers. Unfortunately, she doubted any of her shinobi could provide resolution.
She gave Ichigo another careful once-over. Tsunade had examined him for injuries when he arrived, but oddly enough he seemed to have none at all, despite breaking through the side of a sturdy, wooden cart with his arm and sparring with Team Gai before that. In addition, he was the most relaxed out of everyone in the office despite being the victim. Once he learned his sisters were safe, any and all remaining traces of anger had drained away completely. Her shinobi were nowhere near as calm and for good reason.
"Why did this happen?" demanded Tsunade. "Where the hell was ANBU?"
Shikamaru was frowning. "Last check-in was at five hundred hours during the shift-change. The next scheduled check-in is at eleven hundred hours, eighty minutes from now. There's been no distress signal or indication of any problem."
"There wasn't anyone outside when I left this morning," said Ichigo. "I thought that was a little weird."
Tsunade scowled. "When was that?"
"Five fifty," said Ichigo.
Tsunade signaled Shikamaru, who nodded in acknowledgment. They would be sending a team to search for the bodies of the missing ANBU. She returned her attention to Ichigo.
"If you can sense the reiatsu," she formed the unfamiliar word carefully, "of nearby shinobi, then why didn't you notice your kidnappers?"
Ichigo scowled and crossed his arms. "Like I said earlier, they weren't really people. You don't sense the reiatsu of trees or rocks when you walk by. I'd have to be super-sensitive to notice something like that."
Tsunade turned her attention to the lion doll, who was trying to hide in Ichigo's hair and failing. "What about him?"
"Kon?" asked Ichigo. "He's worse than me. He's designed to sense Hollows, and they really stand out."
Tsunade let it go. If Kurosaki couldn't sense their reiatsu and Karin couldn't sense their chakra, they would have to try other measures to catch the kidnappers. Her hand wavered over the report from Team Taka.
"Another Konoha team was attacked under similar circumstances," she said finally. "The Uzumaki member of the team also collapsed but did not regain consciousness for several hours. How did you recover so quickly?"
Ichigo's scowl deepened and he glanced at the Hyuuga. "In our fight earlier, Neji cut off the chakra to my arm, so I couldn't move it anymore. I had to reinforce my arm with reiatsu to be able to move it again. Whatever those guys did felt a lot like that, only all over."
"Is that a technique you could teach to our shinobi?" asked Tsunade.
"I'm not sure," said Ichigo. His scowl shifted into a thoughtful frown. "Everyone I've seen in the Elemental Countries has above average reiatsu, but no one uses it directly. Usually you have to be born with the ability to manipulate reiryoku. Sometimes people's circumstances can change, but that usually takes exposure to strong reiatsu over a long period of time. Maybe anyone Naruto's close to? Or people who live near the empty spaces in the village? It's not something I would rely on in your situation."
It took a minute for Tsunade to understand what he was saying, then it clicked. Anyone close to Naruto would have been exposed to the, supposedly, massive reiatsu of the kyuubi. The empty spaces in the village were areas flooded by demonic chakra on the night of Naruto's birth. They were still considered unlivable more than twenty years later.
"No," agreed Tsunade regretfully. They would need to find another solution.
In the corner, Kakashi raised a hand. "A question, hokage-sama." He looked at Ichigo. "If the kidnappers were already in place when you left, why didn't they attack you then? Or go for your sisters?"
"I left too fast," said Ichigo, which explained nothing. He scowled again at the mention of his sisters. "The apartment is warded. They probably couldn't reach Karin and Yuzu until they went outside, and they left with Naruto."
"If the attack is designed to incapacitate Uzumaki only, then why not attack Naruto and the girls when they left the apartment?" asked Shikamaru lazily.
"Maybe it can only be used on one person at a time?" offered Kakashi.
"Maybe they knew it wouldn't work on me," countered Naruto. "I mean, if it's like the Hyuuga-style, then I could use Kurama's chakra to overpower it. That's what I did in the Chunin Exams against Neji."
Shikamaru frowned. "That's possible. But not many people know that's what happened back then."
As the gathered shinobi descended into debate, Tsunade listened in with one ear and devote most her attention to studying Ichigo once more. He truly didn't seem bothered by the attempted kidnapping; that was the amazing thing. Perhaps it was because he had not actually needed a rescue in order to escape, or perhaps he was accustomed to assaults from unknown attackers. Naruto mentioned that Ichigo had been in several battles in his original dimension.
Tsunade itched with the desire to know more, but she had deliberately left asking those sorts of questions to Naruto. She had to rely on reports from ANBU and shinobi like Team Gai, who had significant interactions with Kurosaki. But, noting the frown on Ichigo's face, as long as he was in her office, she could ask him about the attack at least.
"Is there a problem, Kurosaki?" she asked cutting through the building argument.
Kurosaki's frown shifted briefly to surprise. "People would notice if Naruto went missing, right? Karin and Yuzu too, since they have responsibilities here. But if I disappeared, my sisters would be upset, but it wouldn't be the same sort of thing to everyone else. And the other person who was attacked, that had to have happened a long way from Konoha or somebody would have mentioned it earlier. I was just the obvious choice."
Ichigo clearly underestimated how much energy Naruto had invested in keeping his cousins—all three of them—in Konoha. Still he had a valid point.
"The simplest explanation is often best," agreed Tsunade. Though with shinobi, things were rarely that straightforward. "We will be exploring all possibilities until we discover who is responsible." She paused. "Kurosaki, wait outside. Naruto can escort you to the Academy in a moment."
Ichigo gave a quick bow and left the office closing the door behind him. Tsunade looked at the remaining shinobi in her office. Shikamaru, Naruto, Kakashi, all of Team Gai stared back waiting for orders.
"Increase the ANBU guard on the Kurosakis. Also, I want a visible shinobi companion whenever one of them goes out in public. Team Gai, if you would provide this function for Ichigo. Kakashi, you, Yamato, or Sai, will be responsible for the girls. Naruto, if you could continue to escort the girls to the Academy in the morning. Inform Iruka that Sakura and Anko will personally retrieve Karin and Yuzu at the end of each day at least for the time being. Are there any questions?"
Neji stepped forward. "Hokage-sama, about the abilities Ichigo used to kill the kidnappers, he did not use chakra despite using an unfamiliar ninjutsu."
"That was undoubtedly an attack that Kurosaki learned in his homeland," said Tsunade. "You are aware by now that Kurosaki has some military training even though he is not a shinobi. This is part of the reason why he and his sisters are currently seeking asylum in Konohagakure. You do not need to be alarmed."
Tenten also stepped forward. "Hokage-sama, after the attack, Ichigo identified his kidnappers as gigai, a term I did not recognize. He also said they were badly made."
Tsunade had heard the term before. Or, at least she had read it in Uzumaki Mamoru's journal. Gigai were false bodies that shinigami stationed long-term in the Living World used to interact with humans, most of whom could not see spiritual beings. The man who fathered the Kurosakis siblings had to be inhabiting a gigai meaning they were fairly anatomically accurate. Tsunade would love to get her hands on one, just to see how it was made.
"Gigai refers to a false body," said Tsunade simply. "They are used primarily by the forces in Soul Society, their father's homeland."
"Is it possible, Tsunade-sama, that the attackers are from this Soul Society and that they went after Sasuke's Karin by mistake?" asked Shikamaru.
Tsunade shook her head. "Even if it were possible for those people to come here, and given the method the Kurosakis used that is extremely unlikely, then both the reports from Team Gai and Team Taka mentioned deliberate use of ninjutsu by the kidnappers. Observations by Uzumaki Mamoru indicate that it is impossible for any from Soul Society or his wife's homeland to use chakra. That the Kurosakis are capable of doing so is because an Uzumaki was their grandfather."
"I see," said Shikamaru.
Tsunade knew he didn't really see. He lacked the necessary information. But she could see the wheels spinning behind the Nara's eyes as he started compiling a mental file on the mysterious new additions to Konoha. She would love to know what conclusions that genius brain would draw about Naruto's new family. She doubted even Shikamaru could come up with the truth.
Tsunade slammed a fist on the desk, which groaned in protest. "We are dealing with an outside attack on the Uzumaki residents of Konohagakure. This is an insult to our shinobi, to our future hokage, and to me." She, too, had Uzumaki blood even if her clan name was Senju. "We must find the perpetrators as quickly as possible. Dimissed."
The shinobi saluted and disappeared until Tsunade was alone in the office. She stared at the heavy wood door. Naruto was out there in the lobby talking to Ichigo. If she listened, she could make out what they were saying. Tsunade didn't bother. If there was anything important, Naruto or Shizune, who was acting as her secretary, would tell her.
Tsunade ached all over. Emotional pain was causing her physical distress. She was growing old. She had planned to pass on the hat to Naruto soon and take over running the hospital. Now, Tsunade feared she had waited too long. She wasn't ready for another war, and a deliberate attack against the Uzumaki, when Naruto was now the most famous shinobi bearing that name, could mean nothing else. It was her hope that by taking action now, they could stop this newest plot before it was too late. They would have to wait and see.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Naruto had escorted Ichigo to the Academy to reassure his sisters that he was fine and to update Iruka about the new arrangements in light of the attempted kidnapping. Walking down the road from the Acadmy to the Kurosakis' apartment, Naruto snuck another look at his cousin. They could have taken the roof-top path. Lee had mentioned Ichigo's superior athletic skill, and Ichigo had confirmed it was well within his abilities, but Naruto wanted the extra time to reassure himself his cousin was okay.
Naruto hadn't spent that much time in Ichigo's company. About an hour that first day the Kurosaki's arrived in Konoha. Then longer at the dinner on Friday, but he had spent most of that time learning about the Kurosakis' circumstances rather than about his cousins. A very short exchange the following Sunday, when Ichigo had somehow tracked him down and informed Naruto that they were staying, gave him a paper "key" to their apartment, and asked how Karin should go about applying to the hospital.
Sakura had informed him about accepting Karin as a student that following Monday afternoon, so he had completely missed Anko storming the Hokage Tower with Yuzu in tow and her siblings following on their heels. Though Kakashi had painted a very exciting picture when reciting the events there and in the dango shop for Naruto's benefit. This morning, Ichigo had been off to sparring with Lee when Naruto reached the apartment.
All-in-all, the Kurosakis had been there for about a week, and Naruto had only a few hours of face time with any of them. That hadn't been near enough time for Naruto to learn anything really important. Sure, they had told him all about their flight from their original dimension, but they almost had to tell him that. But he hadn't had a chance to get to know them.
For example, now Naruto could see that he and Ichigo were almost the same height—Naruto was just a bit taller in his raised sandals—and that they had the same lean build despite their respective training. Furthermore, Ichigo didn't move like a shinobi, probably because he was accustomed to wearing his bokken, though sometimes when he stood, it was a bit like Gaara, who carried his heavy gourd around on his back, and yet Ichigo's walk was perfectly silent. Who had taught him that?
And, why did Ichigo scowl all the time? Naruto had seen all manner of scowls and frowns and thoughtful looks on his cousin's face but not one smile. It reminded him, depressingly, of Sasuke as a child. Though Ichigo didn't seem to radiate the same arrogance that Sasuke carried as the last of the Uchiha. Karin scowled like Ichigo, but she smiled some of the time. Yuzu was almost always smiling, which Naruto could appreciate. But he still didn't know why.
They hadn't had very much time to learn about Naruto either, he reflected. They might have heard about him from other people in the street, but since they used the name Kurosaki rather than Uzumaki, most people wouldn't think of them as relatives, at least not yet. Naruto hadn't been able to talk about growing up alone in Konoha or how excited he was to have new relatives. And he definitely hadn't been able to keep them safe, even though he had promised.
"I'm sorry," blurted Naruto.
Ichigo turned his head to regard Naruto seriously, and the lion doll, Kon, peeked around his head too look too.
"Oh?" asked Ichigo. "What about?"
Naruto blushed crimson in shame. "I told you I would keep you safe in Konoha, and I haven't been able to do that. You were attacked here because of me. Because you are also Uzumaki."
"That's not your fault," said Ichigo firmly.
Naruto stared. Ichigo turned his face back to the road, but he kept going. "It's not your fault that they're after us here because we're Uzumaki. We would have used that name somewhere else eventually. So you can't blame yourself for that."
"But, I promised to protect you," protested Naruto.
"I know," said Ichigo. "But I also know that you're doing your best right now. And that you said the people of Konoha protect each other. That doesn't mean we should just sit back and rely on you for everything."
Naruto felt the hot pinpricks of tears in the corners of his eyes. He quickly blinked them away. "But I—
"I know what it's like to blame yourself for not being able to protect someone," said Ichigo. "So don't worry about it. You didn't fail, okay?"
Naruto swallowed around the lump in his throat. "Thanks."
They completed the rest of the walk to the apartment in silence. His cousin had given no indication of what he really felt other than his eternal scowl, so Naruto decided accept his words as they were intended. Internally, Naruto's emotions wavered between grateful, embarrassed, and angry—not at Ichigo but at himself. He would definitely do his best to keep his new cousins safe.
At the apartment building, they both stopped and looked up. Ichigo and his sister lived on the fourth floor. It wouldn't take too long to walk up the stairs, but now that the proverbial cat was out of the bag, there were much faster ways to get there.
"Race you to the top?" offered Naruto.
Ichigo smirked, which was a slight improvement over the scowl. "It'll be a short race."
Naruto grinned. "Then it doesn't matter that I'll win." He formed the ram seal for shunshin and disappeared into a swirl of leaves.
Leaning over the rail in front of the Kurosaki's door, Naruto checked to see what Ichigo would do and promptly pulled in order to avoid a head-to-head collision when the other man jumped straight up. Ichigo landed on the railing. He was still scowling but there was an amused glint behind his eyes.
"You cheated," said Ichigo.
"Ninja," countered Naruto brightly.
Naruto watched with interest as Ichigo pulled out a slip of paper, identical to the key he had given Naruto, and wrapped it around the doorknob before opening the door. There really must be some sort of protection on the apartment. Naruto remembered the torn paper on the back of the door and wondered if it was anything like the Sealing Art he had learned from Jiraiya.
"Ouch! Kon!" snapped Ichigo.
Naruto refocused on his cousin. There was a tiny paw-shaped mark on the side of Ichigo's face. Apparently, the doll had slapped him.
"Do you want to come inside?" offered Ichigo. "The guys in masks are back, if you have something you need to do. But if you want…"
He trailed off uncertainly. Naruto pounced on the idea.
"No, that'd be cool," he said. "Thanks."
"Sure," said Ichigo.
After a quick scan of the nearby rooftops confirming the ANBU were back in place, Naruto followed his cousin inside. A piece of paper was back up on the door. The symbols on it were completely unfamiliar to Naruto. A closer looked showed that symbols weren't limited to the door. There were similar ones all around the door frame in ink that matched the color of the walls. More symbols lined the baseboards, again in matching ink. Naruto suspected they ran around the entire apartment.
"Is this the same ward you had up the other day?" asked Naruto.
"It's a different one," said Ichigo. "I had to modify it a little, so it wouldn't hurt people who just tried to knock and didn't come inside. Um, do mind if I take a shower real quick? You can look around or have some tea, if you want."
Naruto hastily assured him it was fine. A practice with Team Gai—which Naruto had only tried once and only because of a dare from Sakura—could drive a shinobi to live in the shower. Add in kidnapping and Ichigo was probably feeling pretty gross.
As Ichigo retreated to the bathroom for his shower, Naruto started a pot of tea and poked around the living room. At some point since Naruto's last visit, the Kurosakis had added low, black bookshelves to every wall. They were stuffed full of scrolls and books, which Naruto suspected were from Uzumaki Mamoru, though there were a few with unfamiliar titles that were possibly from Japan. There was also a low coffee table, in place of the long one they had used for the dinner, and a handful of cushions stacked in a corner.
Naruto was happy to see his miniature tree was green and thriving beneath the Uzumaki spiral on the bookshelf on that side of the room. The bouquet Sakura brought was gone, but a dried blossom from each type of flower was resting artfully in the gravel of the shallow dish. Besides that, there were still only a few other decorations.
Hanging from the wall bearing the Kurosaki cross were the longbow and quiver Ichigo had retrieved after the first interview with Tsunade. The bow looked well used and traditionally made though the arrows appeared to be a different sort of material. Naruto thought it probably wasn't Ichigo's preferred weapon, since he carried the bokken with him at every opportunity. Archery wasn't a traditional shinobi art given how easily a wind release jutsu could knock an arrow off course.
Naruto's real interest lay in the small cluster of photographs beneath the Shiba spiral. He carefully picked up the first frame. It was family photograph: a very young Ichigo, Yuzu, and Karin along with two adults who had to be their parents. All five were smiling happily.
The second photo was more recent. Ichigo and his father were standing with Karin and Yuzu, who were in some sort of uniform. A graduation ceremony? They were all smiling again but a little less broadly. Clearly, Kurosaki Masaki's presence was still missed. Naruto wondered when exactly she had died.
The third photo was bizarre, though Naruto was sure that it would make sense in context. Yuzu and Karin, older than the first photo, younger than the second, were posing with two other children—a sad-looking girl in black pigtails and a boy with fiery red hair. There was also a much older man in a purple costume and, near the bottom, Kon casting a victory sign with his tiny paw. He quickly set that one back down.
The final photo was hidden slightly behind the other three. It was full of people. Most of them wore a black uniform and some wore white haori. A few in the front had clothes similar to what Ichigo and his sisters usually wore, but Ichigo was in the photo too and he had a similar black uniform. He was scowling at the camera, but Naruto could tell he was repressing a smile. The reactions from the rest of the people were mixed. Some were smiling, some were frowning, and some were looking at the camera with expressions of intense curiosity like they had never seen one before.
"Yuzu took that in Soul Society."
Naruto started, nearly snapping the photo frame. He turned and saw Kon. The little doll was looking at the picture with sad eyes.
"Oh?" asked Naruto looking back at the photo.
"She and Karin only visited Seireitei a couple of times, but she took that when she was experimenting with photography," explained Kon. "If you didn't have any spiritual power, you would only be able to see the humans."
"The ones not in black are the humans?" asked Naruto.
Kon jumped onto Naruto's arm. He didn't weigh very much, which was fine, and he had no chakra to speak of, which was strange for a creature that talked and moved. Even the puppets used by Suna-nin had some chakra. Kon pointed at the picture.
"That's Inoue Orihime. She was one of Ichigo's classmates back in Karakura. She had a huge crush on Ichigo, but he was totally oblivious. Next to her is Arisawa Tatsuki. She didn't get her powers until the war was over, but she's a karate champion and Ichigo's oldest friend. That big guy there is Yasutora Sado. He and Ichigo got attacked by every thug in Karakura at least once and won every time. That guy in glasses is Ishida Uryu. He and his dad are the last of the Quincy. That shinigami next to Ichigo, the one with the purple eyes, she's Kuchiki Rukia. She was the first shinigami that Ichigo ever met, the one that started the whole thing."
Naruto stared at the photograph looking at these lost pieces of Ichigo's life. There were so many people, and Ichigo could never see any of them again.
There was the sound of soft footfalls in the corridor. Naruto quickly put the photo back and turned around. Ichigo wandered out of the hall wearing a clean green t-shirt with an unfamiliar logo and a pair of the strange blue pants. He narrowed his eyes and glanced between Naruto and Kon.
"You two look suspicious," he muttered.
"Ninja," said Naruto with a grin.
Ichigo's scowl was dubious. "That's not going to work forever."
Ichigo continued on into the kitchenette. Naruto and Kon exchanged vaguely guilty glances and scooted away from the bookshelf. After a series of clacks and bangs and a faint curse, Ichigo emerged carrying two mugs of green tea and a plate of rice crackers.
"It's not much," said Ichigo as he set the food on the coffee table. "We aren't really stocked for entertaining."
"It's great," said Naruto quickly catching on and snagging a pair of cushions.
Ichigo's doubtful expression said it all.
"It's way better than anything I have at my apartment," said Naruto. "That place is a mess. All scrolls and ink wells and take-out. I should really clean it up."
"Don't tell Yuzu," said Ichigo. "She'll just worry and lecture you about eating right."
Naruto laughed. "Ah, Sakura-chan does the same thing, except she'd use her fists."
"That sounds like Karin," said Ichigo. "She doesn't hold back if she thinks you've done something wrong. Mostly takes it out on Goat-Face."
"Goat-Face?" asked Naruto curiously.
"Our dad," said Ichigo flatly. "He's a total goat-face."
Naruto was confused but suspected it was better not to ask. He would never call his dad a goat-face. Then again, his dad was the Yondaime. It probably would have been treason or something.
Naruto cast about for another topic. His eyes, naturally, fell on the bookshelves full of scrolls. "Where do you think grandfather got all these?" And wasn't that weird? He shared a grandfather with someone.
"There was a letter for us descendants, not the one we gave to the Hokage," said Ichigo. "It wasn't very clear, I think he had intended to tell mom some, but she never had time to tell us anything if he did. Mamoru fell on the battlefield, but he didn't die. When he recovered, Uzu was gone. He raided the libraries of all the major clans before they could be looted. Then he used that seal of his and left."
Naruto thought about what he would do if Konoha fell despite his best efforts to protect it. Would he seek revenge and continue fighting? Or would he, too, leave and try to find a new home? Uzumaki Mamoru had done that, and so had Ichigo in a way. Naruto didn't know, and he didn't really want to think about it knowing how close that possibility had been in the past.
Naruto desperately tried to think of something else. "So, speaking of seals, I saw the scroll on the back of the door. That's the protective barrier, right?"
Ichigo nodded. "It's a sort of written kidou—kidou are bit like ninjutsu back in Soul Society—and you can do different stuff with them. Kukaku taught me how to make them."
"And it goes around the whole apartment, right?" asked Naruto. "I noticed the ink."
Ichigo sighed. "Yeah, that was a pain, since Yuzu couldn't decide what color she wanted the living room to be, and I had to keep rewriting it."
Naruto chuckled. He'd never had that problem with one of his seals before, but he could imagine. "Did you have to re-ink it when you rewrote the ward?"
"No," said Ichigo. "That just changed the effect of the barrier."
From there, the conversation descended into a discussion of how protective barriers worked and a comparison of rewritten kidou and sealing. It was pleasant, Naruto thought. He could discuss sealing in general terms with Kakashi and specific medical seals with Sakura. But with Jiraiya gone these many years past, there had been no one he could discuss the down and dirty details with. Ichigo was interested, which was a pleasant change from most of his friends, even Kon had wandered off to take a nap, and if Naruto had to explain a bit more than usual, then that just made it was easier to keep the conversation going.
They had just broken out some of Mamoru's scrolls, one of the ones Ichigo had been able to identify as a basic introduction to the Sealing Arts, when Ichigo paused and looked out the window.
Naruto tensed. "What is it?"
Ichigo waved him off. "Nothing, just the mask-guys switching out. I was trying to keep an eye out this time, just in case."
Naruto nodded. "That's not a bad idea." He winced. "But you probably shouldn't call them mask-guys. The ANBU are the elite shinobi of the village."
"Oh, I'll be careful then," said Ichigo. "ANBU, huh? What's that stand for?"
"Er, Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai, the Special Assassination and Tactical Squad," explained Naruto for the first time in his life. "Every village has one."
Ichigo's eyebrows rose to meet his hairline. He glanced out the window. "And I thought knowing the proper name would make it feel less like I was being stalked by Hollows." He snorted. "Shows what I know."
"Hollows?" asked Naruto. "Those are the evil spirits, right? Why do ANBU remind you of them?"
Ichigo gestured at his face. "It's the masks. Hollows wear them to protect their more vulnerable parts, the feelings they used to have when they were alive."
"And they look like ANBU masks?" asked Naruto. The thought niggled at him. He was forgetting something about the ANBU.
"OH MY GOD!" Naruto shot out of his seat startling Ichigo. "It's been three hours! Tsunade-baa-chan is going to have my head on a pike. I'm so sorry. I've got to go."
"Ah, Naruto-san, before you leave," began Ichigo.
Naruto paused. Ichigo looked hesitant almost shy. "Yes?"
"Karin and Yuzu still have the weekends off, something about still being students," explained Ichigo. "So Karin and I were going to play some soccer and Yuzu wants a picnic. If nothing happens before then, would you like to come?"
Naruto's eyes widened. "Really? You're asking me?"
Ichigo scowled, in confusion this time. "Who else would I be asking?"
"I'll be there," said Naruto pumping a fist. "Believe it!"
"I'll let Yuzu know," said Ichigo mildly. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"
Naruto paled. "Oh yeah. Thanks, Ichigo. See you later!"
Naruto soared out the nearest window ignoring a startled squawk from Ichigo. His sisters were training to be shinobi; they'd be at it soon enough. He could barely believe things had gone so well. Even if they spent most of the time talking about seals, Naruto had had a lot of fun. And they had plans for Saturday. Wait till he told Iruka-sensei!
Grinning, Naruto put on a burst of speed. He had work to do. He was going to protect his cousins this time. No matter what.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Sasuke slipped back into the room he was sharing with Karin and Suigetsu. The familiar sounds of heated argument flooded his ears. Dressed in civilian clothes as they were, and with Suigetsu's Kubikiribocho hidden among their luggage, even Sasuke had a hard time believing they were shinobi. The argument didn't go on for much longer. Karin noticed his presence immediately and smiled at him from her bed.
"Sasuke-sama, you're back."
"Did you hear anything from Konoha?" asked Suigetsu.
Sasuke adjusted his yukata and sat on the other bed well away from Karin's grabbing arms. She was still a little loopy from her earlier experience, and he had been goosed more than once since she woke up.
"There was a similar attack in Konoha this morning," said Sasuke.
Suigetsu and Karin both started.
"Who was it?" asked Suigetsu.
"They don't know who was responsible," said Sasuke unhappily. "But the victim was one of your new cousins, Karin. They were able to retrieve him before the kidnappers got too far away from the village."
"Tch, bastards," grumbled Karin.
Suigetsu snorted and crossed his arms. "So what's the plan?"
"Konoha's sending Jugo to meet us and an ANBU team as a shadow," said Sasuke. He arched a sarcastic brow. "We're going to be bait."
"Woo-hoo!" yelled Karin. "A-rank pay! More fried pork-cutlet for me."
Sasuke eyed her carefully. He glanced at Suigetsu, who rolled his eyes.
"Her brain is as useful as fried pork-cutlet right now, but she'll get better." The ex-Kiri-nin grinned, displaying a mouth full of too sharp teeth. "So we're going to be bait? Those guys won't know what hit them."
Sasuke returned the vicious smile with a smirk of his own. They dared to attack his team? They dared to attack Konoha? Naruto's village and the one Itachi had died to save? No, Sasuke would never allow it. He would find the source of this new threat and erase it from the world. No matter what.