'Why is she explaining this so much? What's so important about what she's doing that she's answering all of my questions?'
It wasn't something Naruto was used to. Most of his teachers had just ignored him... That didn't stop him from asking questions, mind you. They were just rarely answered.
But Naruto was pretty damn confused. Upset. Angry. He had just died, and for absolutely nothing.
Sasuke had gotten away. And as far as Naruto knew, every single one of his friends might have died on the way. He hoped that they didn't... But he just didn't know.
And then out of nowhere, bam! This girl comes and says shes here to help him.
'I'm a Shinigami... This is my job.'
But Naruto was sure that if she was Death... Well, he wasn't sure why people was so scared of her.
Of course, Naruto immediately asked if she was THE Deathgod, which Nanao answered to the negative.
And began his first introduction to Soul Society.
Frankly, to Naruto... It sounded like a pretty nice place.
You lived out the existance of your afterlife, before being reincarnated once more on the human plane. Rukongai, the various districts of which surrounded Seireitei, the Court of Pure Souls, sounded just like any other city. Or set of cities, since they were rather huge.
They were good parts and bad, and generally if you worked hard, you could move on up.
He was sure this Nanao was leaving stuff out... But hey, it sounded cool.
Especially being a Shinigami... You got a neat sword and everything! You went out, saved souls, and fought demons. To Naruto, that sounded like a pretty good life.
'Yup... Just add Ramen, and it'd be perfect.'
Of course, that immediately prompted Naruto's next question, 'Is there Ramen in Soul Society?'
Nanao went about answering his questions, telling Naruto all about the Gotei 13, and how each had different purposes, however slight they might be. He even laughed when Nanao described her own division, at the way she frowned a little when she used her own Captain's description of the division.
Naruto immediately noticed that about Nanao; She took herself very seriously, and expected everyone else to act at that level, too. Very prim and proper, without being pompous or arrogant. She didn't seem to have much of a sense of humor, though.
But Naruto listened to what she had to say... It was, after all, quite possibly the single most informational lecture of his entire life.
After all, how many other people out there had the entirety of death explained to them by a pretty girl who called herself a Shinigami?
Well, a lot of people did... But Naruto didn't know that.
So as Nanao answered his questions, Naruto became more relaxed. She really seemed to care about his well-being, which was a little disconcerting.
Then she explained why exactly she was here, and what she had to do.
And it all came together to Naruto.
His first impulse was disgust... 'People only ever seem to be interested in the Kyuubi, not me...'
He didn't let it show, though, and continued to think it out.
'But... If she was only here for the Kyuubi, why did she spend so much time explaining everything to me?'
The more he thought about it, the more it made him think on WHY Nanao was being so nice.
And then Nanao reached the part where she would be leaving behind the Kyuubi's reishi ('Just think of reishi like chakra... It's sort of the same thing, but not quite.')
And then he thought he understood again.
'So she wants me to do something for her afterwards? Does she want me to do something with the Kyuubi's chakra? Or reishi, whatever?'
But Nanao didn't seem to want anything of him.
In fact, the only thing she mentioned about his future was that he would almost definitely be sent to the Shinigami Academy, so that he too could become a Shinigami. Or, as she put it after Naruto looked puzzled over it, 'You'll learn how to fight demons and use a sword.'
Which, even if he might be manipulated into it, sounded pretty cool to Naruto.
And then she asked him to take off his shirt.
It wasn't THAT big of a deal. He'd gone swimming in his boxers around Sakura-chan before, after all. But the way she put it, as if it was completely normal for a kid his age to undress around a woman hers, put him off a bit.
So he was understandably nervous when she placed her hands around the seal.
It got even worse after she opened a gate to Hell.
It scared the crap out of Naruto, he wasn't afraid to say. Or think, rather. Because he certainly didn't want to distract Nanao from whatever she was doing.
Anything to rid himself of the Kyuubi was good in his book.
Especially if it would render the Fox powerless, so that it couldn't take over Hell or something after being sent.
But then, Nanao started the second phase of her technique.
And it started to tickle.
Naruto had to fight down the laughter... But to no avail.
He chuckled. It was most definitely a chuckle, and not a giggle. Because guys don't giggle.
Unfortunately, that 'chuckle' wasn't such a good thing.
Nanao had just removed the Kyuubi... But his chuckle caused a reflex action throughout his body, much the same way a sneeze does.
In the same way that a sneeze makes you close your eyes... His chuckle clenched his reishi. Due to the way his reishi was being manipulated by someone else, as well as the seal being tampered with (on top of it being damaged)... Well, it all came together that Nanao got stuck.
Of course, before he could even ask about what had happened (and how he could feel an energy attached to him that was most definitely not his), Nanao poked him with a sword she produced from nowhere.
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"What the hell? Was that Konso?"
And so Naruto appeared, in the 21st district of Rukongai. It looked like a fairly nice, upper-middle class town.
He found it odd that no one even gave him a second glance, but he shrugged it off as them being used to it.
Of course, the second Nanao appeared behind him... People began to take notice.
If anyone were to ask Naruto why he wanted to become a Shinigami in the first place, he'd give an answer like "I get to kick Hollow ass!" or "I have to defend human souls from Hollows."
But the real reason was that he saw the respect that everyone just gave to Nanao.
The respect that he had craved his whole life. They saw her uniform, and immediately acknowledged her as someone worthy of respect, of recognition.
Of course, Naruto hadn't expected Nanao to follow... And when questioned, Nanao admitted something went wrong.
'Of course... things always go wrong in my life... Especially when the Kyuubi is involved.'
But Naruto bounced back, when Nanao said that they were going to go get it fixed. Whatever 'it' was.
So they walked.
And Naruto saw the progression in quality of living as they walked.
Nanao gave him a mini-tour as they went, explaining the various districts as they passed through them.
'She'd make a pretty good teacher, with how much she likes to talk about boring stuff.'
And then they reached Seireitei.
And Naruto was left awestruck.
Not at how beauitful the place was (which it was), or how many Shinigami walked the streets.
No, he was shocked at seeing how goddamn big a person could get.
That Jidanbou guy was freakin huge!
After entering Seireitei, they began to encounter people that actually knew who Nanao was. And it impressed Naruto even more, because they all gave her a level of respect Naruto rarely saw amongst ninjas.
And it made Naruto respect her even more, though it wasn't something conscious.
Of course, there were some... Odd moments, but for the most part, the walk to the 8th Division Headquarters was fairly routine.
'Talking to that creepy white-faced guy was even worse then talking to Orochimaru! And he kept on talking about wanting to experiment on me...'
Of course, Nanao told Kurotsuchi-taicho (as Naruto found out he was) that Naruto wasn't available for that sort of thing...
But it didn't stop Naruto from wondering how on earth the guy had found him.
'He must have some kind of 'weird radar' that lets him know when someone interesting comes by, or something. Orochimaru would have loved something like that...'
After being accosted by one of Nanao's friends from the Shinigami's Women's Association, Naruto was shocked to see someone who had breasts that could compete against Tsunade's.
'And she flaunted them even more... I can't believe she called me a 'cute little kid', though. I wonder who her captain is, if he's apparently as small as me, though.'
Naruto was too flustered by the woman ('s chest) to really reply (mainly because it hung our so goddamn much), though.
But finally, before any other of the stranger members of Soul Society could find them (and, with Yachiru and Kenpachi wandering around looking for the 11th division HQ, it was entirely possible that Naruto could have met weirder people), they arrived at the 8th division.
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'I'm old enough to drink Sake here?'
Naruto met Kyoraku Shunsui. Just looking at the man, Naruto wasn't that impressed.
He was, after all, lying on a mat with a pink haori draped over him, a bamboo hat on his head, and a bottle of Sake in front of him.
But after watching the man tease Nanao for a bit, he was actually a little impressed.
'I wish I could have pulled of that sort of thing with Sakura-chan...'
It was one of those things were Naruto remembered to look 'underneath the underneath', and he suspected there was a lot more to Shunsui then there seemed.
But finally, Nanao had explained what was wrong.
'She's... attached to me? She's the odd chakra... reishi I've been feeling?'
Of course, this caused Shunsui to look long and hard at him.
Naruto was shocked at the sudden change in atmosphere, as Shunsui just sat, staring at him.
Almost as if he were judging him...
"Isn't he a little young for you, Nanao-chan?"
... Which apparently he was.
This caused Nanao to smack Shunsui on the nose again.
"Taicho, just come and take us to the archives, and look up who made that seal, so we can get this fixed."
Naruto looked on Shunsui sighed, and stood up. Naruto was actually shocked a little at how big Shunsui seemed to be when he stood... He had quite the presence.
Of course, Naruto wouldn't know that he was also vaguely sensing the man's reishi... He just knew that Shunsui seemed to be a lot stronger all of the sudden.
"I guess we should go, then."
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Shunsui took them to the records building, which was luckily nearby their HQ.
After easily getting pass the guards, they obtained permission to look up the needed info.
"... Nanao-chan... I don't think you'll believe this when you see it..."
Of course, it didn't mean that the news was GOOD news.
"... What do you mean, Taicho?"
"Well... The seaing of a Hollow as powerful as the Kyuubi is something that would only be left up to a Captain, correct?"
"Yes."
"Well, among all the current captains... Which one do you think would be the only one to volunteer to go after a hollow as powerful as that?"
"... You're not saying..."
Naruto wasn't quite sure what he was missing here, but it certainly seemed dire.
"Yes. It was Zaraki Kenpachi that sealed the Kyuubi... Or rather, it was Kenpachi that held off the Kyuubi, while YACHIRU applied the seal."
"... That's not good."
"So, uh... What happens now?"
The two Shinigami looked at Naruto.
Shunsui sighed.
"Well, Naruto-kun... Unless Yachiru-fukutaicho can remember what exactly she did... We will probably seeing each other quite a lot in the near future."
Really, who didn't see that coming?
I mean, who else would want to fight the Kyuubi BESIDES Kenpachi?
Yachiru drawing the seal on baby Naruto's stomach just seemed to be too ridiculous to NOT be done.
Of course, with those two being the ones who sealed the beast, theres no way that the problem will be solved in the short term. Any other captain, and it might have... But not those two.
So next chapter (or snippet) will deal with the meeting with the 11th division, and Nanao's dire need to keep Naruto from deciding that Kenpachi is the person he most wants to be like.
Especially because that would mean she would end up being around Kenpachi far more then she wants to.
The prologue was to give a basic outline of what was starting...But what I want to do is go into a lot of character building, to explain why they are doing things, instead of just that they are.
Thoughts?
It wasn't something Naruto was used to. Most of his teachers had just ignored him... That didn't stop him from asking questions, mind you. They were just rarely answered.
But Naruto was pretty damn confused. Upset. Angry. He had just died, and for absolutely nothing.
Sasuke had gotten away. And as far as Naruto knew, every single one of his friends might have died on the way. He hoped that they didn't... But he just didn't know.
And then out of nowhere, bam! This girl comes and says shes here to help him.
'I'm a Shinigami... This is my job.'
But Naruto was sure that if she was Death... Well, he wasn't sure why people was so scared of her.
Of course, Naruto immediately asked if she was THE Deathgod, which Nanao answered to the negative.
And began his first introduction to Soul Society.
Frankly, to Naruto... It sounded like a pretty nice place.
You lived out the existance of your afterlife, before being reincarnated once more on the human plane. Rukongai, the various districts of which surrounded Seireitei, the Court of Pure Souls, sounded just like any other city. Or set of cities, since they were rather huge.
They were good parts and bad, and generally if you worked hard, you could move on up.
He was sure this Nanao was leaving stuff out... But hey, it sounded cool.
Especially being a Shinigami... You got a neat sword and everything! You went out, saved souls, and fought demons. To Naruto, that sounded like a pretty good life.
'Yup... Just add Ramen, and it'd be perfect.'
Of course, that immediately prompted Naruto's next question, 'Is there Ramen in Soul Society?'
Nanao went about answering his questions, telling Naruto all about the Gotei 13, and how each had different purposes, however slight they might be. He even laughed when Nanao described her own division, at the way she frowned a little when she used her own Captain's description of the division.
Naruto immediately noticed that about Nanao; She took herself very seriously, and expected everyone else to act at that level, too. Very prim and proper, without being pompous or arrogant. She didn't seem to have much of a sense of humor, though.
But Naruto listened to what she had to say... It was, after all, quite possibly the single most informational lecture of his entire life.
After all, how many other people out there had the entirety of death explained to them by a pretty girl who called herself a Shinigami?
Well, a lot of people did... But Naruto didn't know that.
So as Nanao answered his questions, Naruto became more relaxed. She really seemed to care about his well-being, which was a little disconcerting.
Then she explained why exactly she was here, and what she had to do.
And it all came together to Naruto.
His first impulse was disgust... 'People only ever seem to be interested in the Kyuubi, not me...'
He didn't let it show, though, and continued to think it out.
'But... If she was only here for the Kyuubi, why did she spend so much time explaining everything to me?'
The more he thought about it, the more it made him think on WHY Nanao was being so nice.
And then Nanao reached the part where she would be leaving behind the Kyuubi's reishi ('Just think of reishi like chakra... It's sort of the same thing, but not quite.')
And then he thought he understood again.
'So she wants me to do something for her afterwards? Does she want me to do something with the Kyuubi's chakra? Or reishi, whatever?'
But Nanao didn't seem to want anything of him.
In fact, the only thing she mentioned about his future was that he would almost definitely be sent to the Shinigami Academy, so that he too could become a Shinigami. Or, as she put it after Naruto looked puzzled over it, 'You'll learn how to fight demons and use a sword.'
Which, even if he might be manipulated into it, sounded pretty cool to Naruto.
And then she asked him to take off his shirt.
It wasn't THAT big of a deal. He'd gone swimming in his boxers around Sakura-chan before, after all. But the way she put it, as if it was completely normal for a kid his age to undress around a woman hers, put him off a bit.
So he was understandably nervous when she placed her hands around the seal.
It got even worse after she opened a gate to Hell.
It scared the crap out of Naruto, he wasn't afraid to say. Or think, rather. Because he certainly didn't want to distract Nanao from whatever she was doing.
Anything to rid himself of the Kyuubi was good in his book.
Especially if it would render the Fox powerless, so that it couldn't take over Hell or something after being sent.
But then, Nanao started the second phase of her technique.
And it started to tickle.
Naruto had to fight down the laughter... But to no avail.
He chuckled. It was most definitely a chuckle, and not a giggle. Because guys don't giggle.
Unfortunately, that 'chuckle' wasn't such a good thing.
Nanao had just removed the Kyuubi... But his chuckle caused a reflex action throughout his body, much the same way a sneeze does.
In the same way that a sneeze makes you close your eyes... His chuckle clenched his reishi. Due to the way his reishi was being manipulated by someone else, as well as the seal being tampered with (on top of it being damaged)... Well, it all came together that Nanao got stuck.
Of course, before he could even ask about what had happened (and how he could feel an energy attached to him that was most definitely not his), Nanao poked him with a sword she produced from nowhere.
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"What the hell? Was that Konso?"
And so Naruto appeared, in the 21st district of Rukongai. It looked like a fairly nice, upper-middle class town.
He found it odd that no one even gave him a second glance, but he shrugged it off as them being used to it.
Of course, the second Nanao appeared behind him... People began to take notice.
If anyone were to ask Naruto why he wanted to become a Shinigami in the first place, he'd give an answer like "I get to kick Hollow ass!" or "I have to defend human souls from Hollows."
But the real reason was that he saw the respect that everyone just gave to Nanao.
The respect that he had craved his whole life. They saw her uniform, and immediately acknowledged her as someone worthy of respect, of recognition.
Of course, Naruto hadn't expected Nanao to follow... And when questioned, Nanao admitted something went wrong.
'Of course... things always go wrong in my life... Especially when the Kyuubi is involved.'
But Naruto bounced back, when Nanao said that they were going to go get it fixed. Whatever 'it' was.
So they walked.
And Naruto saw the progression in quality of living as they walked.
Nanao gave him a mini-tour as they went, explaining the various districts as they passed through them.
'She'd make a pretty good teacher, with how much she likes to talk about boring stuff.'
And then they reached Seireitei.
And Naruto was left awestruck.
Not at how beauitful the place was (which it was), or how many Shinigami walked the streets.
No, he was shocked at seeing how goddamn big a person could get.
That Jidanbou guy was freakin huge!
After entering Seireitei, they began to encounter people that actually knew who Nanao was. And it impressed Naruto even more, because they all gave her a level of respect Naruto rarely saw amongst ninjas.
And it made Naruto respect her even more, though it wasn't something conscious.
Of course, there were some... Odd moments, but for the most part, the walk to the 8th Division Headquarters was fairly routine.
'Talking to that creepy white-faced guy was even worse then talking to Orochimaru! And he kept on talking about wanting to experiment on me...'
Of course, Nanao told Kurotsuchi-taicho (as Naruto found out he was) that Naruto wasn't available for that sort of thing...
But it didn't stop Naruto from wondering how on earth the guy had found him.
'He must have some kind of 'weird radar' that lets him know when someone interesting comes by, or something. Orochimaru would have loved something like that...'
After being accosted by one of Nanao's friends from the Shinigami's Women's Association, Naruto was shocked to see someone who had breasts that could compete against Tsunade's.
'And she flaunted them even more... I can't believe she called me a 'cute little kid', though. I wonder who her captain is, if he's apparently as small as me, though.'
Naruto was too flustered by the woman ('s chest) to really reply (mainly because it hung our so goddamn much), though.
But finally, before any other of the stranger members of Soul Society could find them (and, with Yachiru and Kenpachi wandering around looking for the 11th division HQ, it was entirely possible that Naruto could have met weirder people), they arrived at the 8th division.
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'I'm old enough to drink Sake here?'
Naruto met Kyoraku Shunsui. Just looking at the man, Naruto wasn't that impressed.
He was, after all, lying on a mat with a pink haori draped over him, a bamboo hat on his head, and a bottle of Sake in front of him.
But after watching the man tease Nanao for a bit, he was actually a little impressed.
'I wish I could have pulled of that sort of thing with Sakura-chan...'
It was one of those things were Naruto remembered to look 'underneath the underneath', and he suspected there was a lot more to Shunsui then there seemed.
But finally, Nanao had explained what was wrong.
'She's... attached to me? She's the odd chakra... reishi I've been feeling?'
Of course, this caused Shunsui to look long and hard at him.
Naruto was shocked at the sudden change in atmosphere, as Shunsui just sat, staring at him.
Almost as if he were judging him...
"Isn't he a little young for you, Nanao-chan?"
... Which apparently he was.
This caused Nanao to smack Shunsui on the nose again.
"Taicho, just come and take us to the archives, and look up who made that seal, so we can get this fixed."
Naruto looked on Shunsui sighed, and stood up. Naruto was actually shocked a little at how big Shunsui seemed to be when he stood... He had quite the presence.
Of course, Naruto wouldn't know that he was also vaguely sensing the man's reishi... He just knew that Shunsui seemed to be a lot stronger all of the sudden.
"I guess we should go, then."
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Shunsui took them to the records building, which was luckily nearby their HQ.
After easily getting pass the guards, they obtained permission to look up the needed info.
"... Nanao-chan... I don't think you'll believe this when you see it..."
Of course, it didn't mean that the news was GOOD news.
"... What do you mean, Taicho?"
"Well... The seaing of a Hollow as powerful as the Kyuubi is something that would only be left up to a Captain, correct?"
"Yes."
"Well, among all the current captains... Which one do you think would be the only one to volunteer to go after a hollow as powerful as that?"
"... You're not saying..."
Naruto wasn't quite sure what he was missing here, but it certainly seemed dire.
"Yes. It was Zaraki Kenpachi that sealed the Kyuubi... Or rather, it was Kenpachi that held off the Kyuubi, while YACHIRU applied the seal."
"... That's not good."
"So, uh... What happens now?"
The two Shinigami looked at Naruto.
Shunsui sighed.
"Well, Naruto-kun... Unless Yachiru-fukutaicho can remember what exactly she did... We will probably seeing each other quite a lot in the near future."
Really, who didn't see that coming?
I mean, who else would want to fight the Kyuubi BESIDES Kenpachi?
Yachiru drawing the seal on baby Naruto's stomach just seemed to be too ridiculous to NOT be done.
Of course, with those two being the ones who sealed the beast, theres no way that the problem will be solved in the short term. Any other captain, and it might have... But not those two.
So next chapter (or snippet) will deal with the meeting with the 11th division, and Nanao's dire need to keep Naruto from deciding that Kenpachi is the person he most wants to be like.
Especially because that would mean she would end up being around Kenpachi far more then she wants to.
The prologue was to give a basic outline of what was starting...But what I want to do is go into a lot of character building, to explain why they are doing things, instead of just that they are.
Thoughts?
.