Zaraki no Apprentice

Disclaimer: I own nothing, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this, I'd be making it real. Duh.

Note: Characters will be about as old as they look. And if you can't figure out the main characters from the chapter 1 title, you're really stupid, or you just didn't read it.

Chapter 1

Scars, Pink, Swords, Fights, Missing Hair,

Feathers, a Peacock, and a Demon

(Wow, that's a long title)

It was an average, unremarkable evening in Fire Country, just outside the Hidden Leaf Village, when an odd group of travelers appeared from the forest surrounding the village. Leading them was a tall man in a black and gray haori and hakamas (think Bleach soul reaper uniforms, but gray instead of white, and no captains' overcoat or whatever the heck it's called). He was covered in scars and wearing an eye-patch over his right eye. Behind him were two young men, one was bald and was wearing the same thing as the apparent leader, and the other had feather-like growths around his right eye, seemed bit effeminate, and was wearing something similar to the other two, but his was indigo instead of gray. They were all carrying swords. The last member of this group was a little pink-haired girl, who looked about 5 or 6, wearing the same thing except for the pink where the others had gray or indigo, hanging off the tall man's shoulder. She was chattering excitedly.

'Yup, definitely weird,' thought the guards who were currently on duty.

By this point, the group had made it to the gates. They were about to walk through when they heard someone.

"HOLD IT," the person (whose name is totally unimportant you can insert a name if you want, though) shouted. The group stopped as a ninja dropped in front of them.

"Sorry, sirs," the little girl pouts, thinking the guy is ignoring her. Well, he is, but he really just wants to do what he needs to do, and get out of the man's presence as quickly as possible. He's actually about to crap his pants. "but I'm going to need your names and your reason for coming here."

The man chooses to speak up, so they can move on. "I'm Kenpachi Zaraki, this," he gestures at the little girl, "is Yachiru, she's my adopted daughter, and my students, apprentices, whatever, Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa. We're here to become citizens of the Hidden Leaf Village."

"Alright, sir, were you, or your students, ever shinobi?" the scared guard asks.

"No," was the blunt reply.

"Alright then, please follow me to Hokage Tower."

The man then proceeds to lead them through the village at a fast pace.

When they finally arrive at the Hokage Tower, the guard leads them up to the Hokage's office. Once they get permission to enter, the guard ushers them in. The group is surprised to find the Hokage is an old man.

"Good evening, sirs. I hope you like the village," says the guard. He then runs out like the devil himself was after him.

"Ah- hem," the elderly man clears his throat, "I'm sorry about that, but you do seem to be quite intimidating, at least to most people."

'Ya think,' was the thought running through Ikkaku and Yumichika's minds.

"Well, anyway, I suppose you should begin by telling me your reason for wanting to move to the Leaf."

"We heard the Leaf had strong fighters and wasn't uniformed and boring," was Kenpachi's reply.

"I…see," Sarutobi says, while sweat dropping, "I suppose that's a fair reason. So am I to assume you want to become ninjas?"

"Yup/Yes," was Ikkaku and Yumichika's eager reply.

"Alright then, do you have any idea what level you're on?"

"Hmmm… I suppose Yumichika would be high chunin, Ikkaku low jonin, and I guess I'd be high jonin."

"And your… daughter?" the Hokage asks, looking at the report the guard gave him.

"Yachiru don't fight, but I guess high genin." (And don't give me crap about this. She's spent most of her life around some of the most violent people in the world. She's going to be able to fight, and fight well)

Needless to say, the Hokage was shocked. It wasn't often such strong people came to join the village. "Okay, then, and your specialty would be kenjutsu, correct?"

"Yup, but we call it zanjutsu."

Ikkaku then said, "Our swords are different from the swords that other people use."

"How so?"

"Well, mine becomes four curved blades, and Ikkaku's turns into a naginata," Yumichika informs the man.

"I see. That is certainly different. I would imagine there was some sort of condition to activate its ability, yes?"

"We must call the spirit of the sword by saying a chant, which is very short, usually only one word, and calling out its name."

"Fascinating. You'll have to show me sometime. Anyway, it's getting late, so I'd suggest you say in a hotel tonight and we'll finalize everything tomorrow."

"Fine, we'll be back." And with that Kenpachi and co. leave the office and the Hokage Tower.

We next see the soon to be citizens of the Leaf wandering around, when they hear a scream. A scream of pain.

"Hey, Ken-chan, who do think that was?" (if you can't figure out who said that, then stop reading)

"Dunno, Yachiru."

"Should we go check it out?" wonders Ikkaku.

"I think we should, that sounded like a little kid," comments Yumichika.

And with that they head towards the sound, trying to find the source. What they find makes even Kenpachi and Ikkaku feel a little sick. A young blonde boy is being beaten by the villagers, ninja and civilian alike, with anything they could get their hands on.

"What truly ugly souls they must have to do this to that innocent little boy!" Yumichika exclaims in a quiet voice.

"Geez, Yumichika, I didn't know you swung that way," Ikkaku mutters.

"Stop thinking that way, Ikkaku, you know I didn't mean it that way, you have such a dirty mind," announces Yumichika.

"Would the two of you stop fightin' already, so we can stop these morons?" Kenpachi interrupts their fight.

"Sorry," was their reply. Kenpachi decides he's not gonna watch anymore and jumps down behind the boy. Ikkaku and Yumichika follow him, while Yachiru stays on the roof.

"Hello, sirs, I see you've come to help us kill the demon brat," announces a random villager, who goes by the name Felicia.

"What're you talkin' about; all I see is a bunch of idiots beating up a kid who can't fight back."

"Sir, I see you're new here, so allow me to explain-" Felicia's words are cut off when Kenpachi decides he's heard enough, draws his sword, and takes action. He then, along with Ikkaku and Yumichika, proceeds to cut down every member of the mob. The ANBU hiding nearby, who had just arrived, decide to sit and watch. What does happen surprises them. Kenpachi, Ikkaku, and Yumichika take down every villager in the rather large mob in under 2 minutes, while a little girl, sitting on a roof close-by, cheers them (Kenpachi) on. They leave to report to the Hokage.

Once all the villagers were unconscious (dead) or had run away (dead), Yachiru jumped off the roof and they crowded around the little boy. Upon closer examination, they saw the boy was still conscious and his wounds were healing rapidly. They, although they wouldn't admit it, were relieved.

"Hey there, are you okay?" shouts/asks Yachiru.

The little boy slowly gets up. "I'm fine, this happens all the time."

Yumichika gasps, "How horrible! No one should be able to say such a thing at your age!"

Yachiru giggles. "What's your name? I'm Yachiru!"

"Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki. So, you guys aren't gonna hurt me like everyone else does?"

"No. Why would we hurt you? And a better question, why were they hurting you?" Ikkaku asks.

"I don't know. Everybody calls me demon brat, and is mean to me, except for Old Man Hokage and the ANBU who follow me around. Itachi is nice to me, too; he doesn't hate me for doing nothing, like the villagers. And there's Teuchi-oji-san and Ayame-nee-chan at the ramen stand."

"Hmmm…Well, kid, why don't you come with us? We don't hate you."

"Really?" Naruto doesn't seem scared of Kenpachi. Which, when you think about it, makes sense. One, the guy just rescued him (by slaughtering a bunch of villagers, but I digress), two, he's been beaten and neglected all his life; Kenpachi's not gonna seem that scary to him.

He shrugs, "Sure, why not? By the way I'm Kenpachi, feather-boy over there is Yumichika, and the bald one is Ikkaku."

"Okay."

"Good then, let's go."

****************************************The next day, Hokage Tower****************************************

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in deep thought. The ANBU told him what had happened the previous night. He was surprised, to say the least. He never would have thought someone like Kenpachi would step in to save someone he didn't know, even if it was a child. However, he was interrupted at this point by his secretary.

"Hokage-sama, Kenpachi-san is here with his group to see you. And they brought Naruto-kun with them." (I know most people make the Hokage's secretary one of the people who hate Naruto, but she, of all people, would have spent enough time around Naruto to know he wasn't the Kyuubi)(ps Naruto is 4 and Yachiru is 6)

"Send them in."

**************************************************2 minutes later**********************************************

"Well, I must say I'm impressed. There are not many who would help someone they didn't know, even if it was a child."

Kenpachi had a strange look on his face. "Anyone who would beat up a little kid is a coward. And I hate cowards." Yumichika and Ikkaku nod in agreement. Yachiru is busy asking Naruto random questions on the other side of the office.

"Yes, well… as sad as it is, there are very few who would have stepped in without orders; most people don't like Naruto. But, anyway, back to business. I will have to have you tested before you are placed in the Leaf's ninja forces, but I have already had you registered for citizenship. The only thing we need to decide is housing, and, if you want, a way to make money outside of your missions."

"Aright then, why don't you just point me in the direction of a real estate agent, and I'll take care of that?" Yumichika asked, rubbing his hands together.

At seeing the expression on his face, the Hokage is slightly freaked out. "Alright then, I'll have my secretary escort you."

He then proceeds to explain to his secretary wants he wants her to do, then sends her and Yumichika off. There are a few moments of silence before the conversation continues.

"A-hem. Well then, is there anything else you wanted to discuss?" questions Sarutobi.

"Yeah. What about Naruto here?" Kenpachi asks, pointing over his shoulder at the blonde.

"Well, I suppose he'll go back to the orphanage." Naruto has a sullen look on his face at this announcement.

Ikkaku raises his eyebrows. "The kid doesn't look like he wants to go back."

"He has to; he has nowhere else to go; that is, unless, you want to adopt him." Naruto now has a hopeful look on his face.

Kenpachi shrugs. "Yeah, sure, why not? Besides, there's no reason we shouldn't."

Naruto's face lights up in joy. Then he whoops for joy.

"Alright, Naruto, calm down," is heard while the Sandaime attempts to calm down the hyperactive blonde.

"I'm ba-ack!" announces Yumichika," and I got us the most darling house."

Everyone just kinda stared. Then Kenpachi announced, "Alright, let's go." He got up and walked towards the door.

"I will get all the adoption papers together for you. I'll have them ready in two days; which is when your evaluation will be. Meet me here around 10."

"Got it."

*********************************5 minutes later, en route to new house************************************

"So. You're adopting Naruto, I assume?" Yumichika asks slyly.

"Yup."

"Cool."

Then Yumichika starts gushing over Naruto. "This is going to be so fun! I'm going to be the best big brother ever! I'll make sure you're not hopeless in fashion! Won't it be soooooo much fun, Naru-chan? I can't wait!" Naruto currently looks like a deer stuck in the headlights.

"Yumichika."

"Yes?" Yumichika replies dreamily.

"I think you're freaking him out," states Ikkaku.

Yumichika sticks out his tongue and the two begin to argue.

"HEY! Stop arguing! You're getting on my nerves."

"Sorry."

"Yeah, sorry…Hey! Look, we're here!" announces Yumichika. Everyone turns to see what Yumichika is talking about. The house had 2 stories and a large yard surrounding it. As they walked around, they saw there was also a dojo and a pond with a stream running through the back yard. The property was covered in trees. Then they noticed where the house was located. It was on the edge of the section designated for the shinobi clans.

"Yumichika, how much does this place cost?" queries Kenpachi.

"Ummmm…Well, who wants to see the inside?" Yumichika attempts to change the subject.

Naruto and Yachiru exchange looks. "WE DO! WE DO! WE DO!" they shout at the top of their young and healthy lungs. In other words, loud enough to make Kenpachi forget what he wanted, if only temporarily.

"Alright then, let's go!"

The inside was huge. They really didn't think it would be that big. The living room was large and spacious. The kitchen was like ones that are found in palaces. They even had their own library, not that they would ever really use it. The dining room connected to an enormous ballroom. Why? Who knows? Who cares? Back to the story. And that was only the first floor.

The second floor was dominated by a large, rectangular space that led to all the bedrooms, which totaled 11. That might not seem that huge compared to the first floor, but each of the rooms was as big as 2 average classrooms and the master bedroom was twice that size. So…yeah. It was really big. Each room also had a bathroom connected to it.

Kenpachi, of course, got the master bedroom, while Yachiru took the one next to it on the right, with Naruto in the room next to hers. Ikkaku got the one next to Naruto, and Yumichika ended up next to Ikkaku.

After they had finished exploring the house, they all went out to eat and bought furniture and toys, then brought all that back to the house. Kenpachi and Ikkaku did all the work while Yumichika supervised and Naruto and Yachiru played in the back yard with their new toys. After that was done, they went out again, this time for food, cooking supplies, dishes, silverware, clothes, sheets, pillows, supplies of all sorts, and various hygiene products, which they then brought back. They all helped put it away, except for Yumichika, who was busy making dinner. They ate, then went to bed, exhausted.

And it's done! That took a while. Hope you liked it. Review. Flames will be ignored. I'm immune to flames. Got that? And a question. Who do you think should get a zanpaku-to? And which zanpaku-to should they get? If you want them to use a zanpaku-to you created, give me the name, appearance (of the spirit and the blade), and abilities of the zanpaku-to. If you want them to use one from the show, give me the name of the zanpaku-to and its wielder. No aranncar zanpaku-to. You cannot use Ikkaku or Yumichika's zanpaku-to. Do not give me suggestions for Kenpachi or Naruto's swords. If you don't follow these guidelines, your suggestion will be ignored.

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