Chapter 3

The Uninvited Guest

It had been several weeks since the grand fisher attack, and Ichigo was finding out the hard way gaining power meant being beaten into the ground over and over again.

"Damn it," Ichigo shouts as he tries to force himself up again to look at Naruto standing across from him holding a double edge long sword with a bone hilt and pink sphere at the end. 'Even with your help Zangestu,' Ichigo thinks as he glares at Naruto, 'The difference in power is still just too great.'

"Calm yourself Ichigo," Zangestu's voice rings out as Ichigo takes a few seconds to calm his breathing. "Naruto is unlike Shinigami or Hollow and yet he is both and worse then either."

'What do you mean,' Ichigo ask before having to raise Zangestu over his head to protect himself from Naruto's downward swing that causes a crater under the teen feet.

"Focus on the fight Ichigo," Naruto lectures before sending a fierce kick to Ichigo's stomach and sending Ichigo flying towards a tree, "If you don't want to die," Naruto lectures further, as he jumps back towards as Ichigo dashes at him swinging.

"Shut up with your lecturing," Ichigo shouts as he grabs the hilt of Zangestu with both hands and glares at Naruto, "I mean come on, you always talk and never show."

"So be it Ichigo," Naruto mutters as he dashes at Ichigo who holds Zangestu in a defense horizontally in front of him just barely getting a defense up in time causing Ichigo to skid back across the ground, "No more holding back!!!!"

'Shit,' Ichigo thinks as he is forced on the defense.

Watching from the tree line Yoruichi starts to wince as Ichigo starts taking a beating. 'Now this is just unfair,' she thinks as she watches Ichigo fly through a tree, 'I almost pity him.'

"GETSUGA TENSHO," Ichigo shouts from the broken tree as a gash of spiritual energy from the trees just to have Naruto swings his hand and deflects the blast harmlessly away.

"Got to do better then that Ichigo," Naruto taunts as he dashes at Ichigo who dashes at him in return meeting in the middle swords clashing releasing an enormous amount of power as the ground is ripped apart around them.

'The gaki is progressing rapidly,' Yoruichi thinks watching the battle change the landscape. 'He's already on par with most of the high ranking officers,' she thinks as she watches Ichigo struggle against Naruto's power.

"Not bad Ichigo," Naruto comments as he holds his long sword in one hand pushing Ichigo who's holding Zangestu with both hands.

"Thanks Naruto," Ichigo replies as he tries to push Naruto back, 'but your still not going all out yet.'

"He is slowly increasing his power with each strike," Zangestu tells Ichigo mentally, "Forcing you to use more strength then before." Suddenly Naruto stops his attack and side steps sending Ichigo stumbling forward to feel his backside hit with Naruto's sword.

"DAMN IT NARUTO," Ichigo shouts angrily as Naruto only smirks at him.

"That'll be it for today Ichigo," Naruto tells the orange haired teen as he walks away towards Yoruichi, "Two much longer and your girl friend might get worried."

"GIRLFRIEND," Ichigo shouts in surprise as Naruto walks away towards Yoruichi.

"Say what you will," Naruto tells him as he sits back against a tree Yoruichi walking up to him, "I mean it's obvious you got some feelings for both Orihime and Rukia."

"Yeah, whatever," Ichigo mumbles walking away, "See you later."

"He's improving," Yoruichi comments as Naruto scratches the back of her ears.

"Think you can start teaching him Shunpo," Naruto ask Yoruichi as she looks up at him curiously, "I'll make it worth your while if you get him to know all the basics by the end of the week."

"And what could you give," Yoruichi questions jumping up onto Naruto's lap.

"Person access to my private Hot spring and a massage," Naruto offers as Yoruichi eyes him. "What," he asks looking towards the cat's eyes.

"Didn't pick you to be a massage type," Yoruichi responds before jumping off his lap and following behind Ichigo, "But I'll hold you to it."

"Where've you been Ichigo," Rukia shouts as Ichigo steps into his room through his window, "We've been getting…"

"What," Ichigo questions as he notices Rukia go silent.

"Your powers grown," Rukia comments as Ichigo steps into his body.

"So," Ichigo shouts back as Rukia looks at him, "I've been working out so."

"Um alright," Rukia comments as she watches Ichigo lay down, 'but the way its growing is unreal.'

A week later Yoruichi lays back in a hot spring as Naruto massages her shoulders.

"I see you've made great strives with the brat," Naruto comments as Yoruichi purrs under the feeling of the massage, "Must be one hell of a…"

"More massage less talk," Yoruichi tells him as he can only sigh, "and don't forget the lower back."

"You've said that before Kitten," Naruto comments as he massages her upper back.

"Lower," Yoruichi comments as he starts going lower, "Lower."

"Yoruichi," Naruto tries to tell her as he massages her lower back causing her to pull away and turn to face him.

"I said lower Foxy," Yoruichi says seductively as she wraps her arms around his neck, "And I meant it." Sudden Naruto feels himself pulled into a deep kiss as scent enters his nose.

'Is she in heat,' Naruto comments as he feels Yoruichi invade his mouth with her tongue as she pulls him into the hot spring, and running a hand down his stomach causing his eyes to widen, 'I take that as a yes.' "Yoruichi," Naruto tries to say before a pressure comes down on the two causing both to go wide eyed and look to the sky to see black wholes open up. "Sorry Yoruichi," Naruto shouts as he pulls away, "But I should check this out."

'I didn't think he got involve anymore,' Yoruichi thinks as she watches him dash away before going wide eyed. "Naruto!!! How dare you leave me feeling like this?" Yoruichi shouts angrily as she grabs her clothes.

'Why are so many hollows appearing,' Naruto ask himself as he tries to find Ichigo as he destroys hollow after hollow, "and why do I got the feeling Ichigo is somehow involved with all of this."

"Naruto," Ichigo's voice cries out as Ichigo appears next to Naruto.

"What's going on Ichigo," Naruto ask as Ichigo holds the hilt of Zangestu, "This number of hollows is not normal."

"Some guy calling himself a Quincy released something called Hollow bait," Ichigo explains as Naruto's eyes narrow.

"There could be hundreds," Naruto says as he comes to a stop atop a building over looking the city, "We need to draw them away from the innocent people."

"They go after spirit energy," Ichigo comments as Naruto glances at him, "So let's head to the training area and release as much as possible."

"And lure them in," Naruto finishes with a smile, "but the training area is too far."

"Then the park," Ichigo offers as Naruto smirks and jumps towards the park with Ichigo following him.

'What is this power,' a teen wearing glasses thinks as he fires off several energy arrows, 'It's not a shinigami or a hollow and Kurosaki is with him.'

"AHHHH," Ichigo and Naruto start yelling as a crimson aura erupts around Naruto and a blue aura around Ichigo.

ROAR

"Their here," Naruto says as he holds out his long blade as Ichigo holds out his sealed sword.

"Then lets get to work," Ichigo shouts as both jump apart cutting through the hollows as the glasses wearing teen soon arrives watching the two cut through the creatures.

'Whose that,' the teen with glasses ask himself as he watches Naruto and Ichigo fight the hollows, 'He's defiantly not a Shinigami.'

"ICHIGO," Naruto shouts as he raises his blade into the air as Ichigo moves his sword to his hip nodding.

"ZANGETSU," Ichigo cries as he swings the blade from his hip sending a wave of energy from his now cleaver of a sword. "Let's go, Zangetsu," Ichigo shouts as he starts cutting into the hollows repeatedly as he stands back to back with Naruto, "Naruto!!!"

"Jaō Ensatsu Kokuryūha," Naruto shouts as he grabs the hilt of his long sword with both hands as a several black flame dragons emerge from the hilt and cut through hallows.

"GETSUGA TENSHO," Ichigo shouts swinging Zangetsu parallel to the ground sending a wave of blue energy out cutting through dozens of hallows.

'Incredible,' Uryu mutters mentally as he watches the attacks devastate the hollows, 'Such power.'

"Quincy," Naruto shouts angrily as Uryu glances at Naruto who's staring right at him, "If you don't get your ass down here and help clean up this mess I'll personally make sure you can never use your bow again."

"Don't think you scare me…" Uryu starts only to find Sounga at his throat, "Shinigami…"

"I am not a Shinigami Quincy," Naruto says angrily before spinning around slicing through several hollows at once as he glances at Ichigo, "But I am far worse, now help out Ichigo or loose both your arms."

"HAI," Uryu replies as he jumps down to meet Ichigo before jumping towards Kisuke who had been watching with Rukia and a few others.

"Namikaze-san I assume," Kisuke says only feel a wave of killer intent come from behind him causing him to glance over his shoulder to see Yoruichi stalking towards them in her orange jacket it black tights.

"NAMKAZE UZUMAKI NARUTO," Yoruichi shouts her amber eyes narrowed on the blond man as he steps back.

"Now Kitty-chan," Naruto replies as he puts his hands out in front of him.

"YOU ARE SO MAKING IT UP TO ME LATER," Yoruichi tells him as she jabs him in the chest with her index finger.

"Uh…who are you people," Rukia ask as both Yoruichi and Naruto glance at her.

"Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto says happily shoot past Yoruichi before shaking Rukia's hand and glancing off to his right to see several men in black outfits. 'The special forces have really lost their touch since your day Teme,' Naruto thinks as he shakes his head, "and this lovely lady is Yoruichi-chan."

"Don't think were through Namikaze," Yoruichi warns Naruto as she crosses her arms in front of her and looks to Rukia. "It is a pleasure to meet you Rukia," Yoruichi tells Rukia with a slight nod.

"Plea…" Rukia starts before a wave of energy comes down on the group and they all turn see a tare in the sky appear and a giant black creature in a white mask wearing what looks to be white gloves and boots. "A menos," Rukia mutters as Naruto gives a low whistle.

"Talk about trial by fire," Naruto says almost happily as Rukia looks to him in shock, "Ichigo and the Quincy boy are going to have their hands full."

"You can't be serie…" Rukia starts to argue before finding Naruto glaring down at her causing her to feel a new pressure she had never felt before, causing her to collapse to her knees looking at him.

"Please refrain from harming Kuchiki-san," Kisuke says almost mockingly as Yoruichi pops Naruto on the back of the head.

"Kitty-chan," Naruto wines as he rubs the back of his head before glancing out at the battle field, "What fuck are they doing?" Everyone glances over at Ichigo and Uryu and start to snicker as Naruto starts to laugh. "I need a camera," Naruto says looking towards Kisuke as he produces a small camera, "This is going to be good."

"Naruto," Yoruichi says calmly as she snickers glancing towards the increasing number of special ops.

"I know," Naruto replies, still smirking as he lines up Ichigo and Uryu in the lens of the camera, "I'll deal with them in a few minutes."

"AHHHHH," Ichigo begins to shout as he charges in Zangetsu in its cleaver form as he skids to a stop before going wide eyed as the beast just fires a blast of crimson energy.

'Ichigo,' Zangetsu shouts as Ichigo braces Zangetsu against his wrist as the blast collides blade dividing the blast.

"Take it all Zangetsu," Ichigo mutters as Zangetsu starts to pulse, "Take all my power to protect all the people here."

'It will drain you to the point you won't be able to use my Shikai for a few days,' Zangetsu replies as Ichigo only grunts as he pushes back against the blast forcing the blast of energy back.

"It doesn't matter," Ichigo shouts as he cleaves the blast in a blast of blue energy, "GETSUGA TENSHO!!!"

Naruto only smirks as he watches the Menos split in half by Ichigo's attack, surprising all but Yoruichi and himself.

"Not bad Ichigo," Naruto mutters under his breath, "Not bad at all."

"Naruto," Yoruichi starts to question as Kisuke eyes Rukia, who's gone wide eyed.

"Already on it," Naruto tells her before vanishing in a flash of yellow.

"He defeated a Menos Grande," one of the ninja dressed men says in surprise as several of his fellow comrades seem to stare in awe, "Even we can't do that."

"That tells me how far the Special Ops have fallen during Teme's promotion to Zero," a voice says behind the men causing them to jump back to see Naruto standing behind them. "Now I'll tell you how this will play out," Naruto says calmly as a wave of power forces the men to their knees, "You will go back to your Captain and tell them that you found Rukia and that she gave her power to a human in order to save complete her job after being gravely injured with no way of contact Soul Society for back up."

"And if we don't," the leader says calmly as he forces himself to his feet.

"I'll have to pull some strings and get you so far demoted that you'll be cleaning up dog crap for the rest of your Shinigami career," Naruto says calmly as the men feel a weight lifted off them, "And give Old man Yammato my regards."

"Good work Ichigo," Naruto says calmly after leaving the Special ops to check on an exhausted Ichigo, "You might have to potential to do the impossible like me."

"Incredible," Uryu mutters as Naruto glances at him in annoyance.

"Your Grandfather would be disgusted with what you did today Uryu," Naruto says calmly as he picks up Ichigo and vanishing causing Uryu to go wide eyed.

Two days later

"Can't we talk about this Kitty-chan," Naruto pleads wearing a plain white kimono as he back into a wooden wall, "I mean really didn't mean…"

"Shut up and take your punishment," Yoruichi says sickly sweet as she slams her hands on either side of Naruto's head to prevent escape as a white kimono hangs loosely on her, revealing a rather large amount of cleavage.

"But Yoruichi…mmph," Naruto mutters as Yoruichi presses her lips against his in a passionate kiss. "Wow," Naruto mutters as Yoruichi just smirks at him.

"Now are you going to take your punishment like a man or a…." Yoruichi starts before being interrupted.

'In the end,' a black phone with an orange spiral on the back shouts only to have Naruto flip it open and answer.

"Hello," Naruto questions as Yoruichi just glares at him with her yellow eyes muttering several curses under her breath. "What's up Kisuke?" he asks as Yoruichi's eyes narrow even further.

'I'm going to get that bucket hat idiot,' Yoruichi mutters sitting on the ground in front of the hot spring cross legged.

"What do you mean he engaged two experienced Soul Reapers in his weaken state," Naruto shouts getting Yoruichi's attention, "Is Ichigo alright?"

"Naruto," Yoruichi questions as she watches a crimson aura surround the blond as his features become more feral.

"Alright," Naruto finally says after a long pause, "You get him to regain his power and I'll handle the rest." Naruto then hangs up the phone and leaves the spring leaving Yoruichi staring at his back. "Kitty-chan," Naruto says calmly as he tosses the white kimono to side before grabbing an orange mid sleeve shirt and black pants, "Can I ask you to train Chad and Orihime-chan to use their powers?"

"Why," Yoruichi questions nervously as the aura around Naruto pulse with dominance.

"Because we are going to have to save Rukia girl of Ichigo's from Soul Society," Naruto replies calmly as he slides on a pair of shinobi sandals, "And if Ichigo's going those two are not far behind."

"And were you going," Yoruichi questions as Naruto summons Sounga to his hand.

"To talk to an old friend of mine and issue a challenge," Naruto says calmly before slamming the long sword into the ground and causing sparks to fly as an old fashion sliding door appears before him, "And to beat the crap out of someone."

"Naruto," Yoruichi shouts as he vanishes beyond the door.

A Few minutes later

"So you've returned," an elderly man in a black, with a white hoari over his shoulders says calmly as he opens a dark eye towards Naruto who's standing his blue eyes glaring at him, "But why would you return after so long?"

"Two of your Shinigami attacked a boy given powers by Rukia Kuchiki," Naruto says angrily as Naruto clenches his fist.

"Indeed," the elderly man replies calmly only to find a pressure come down on him.

"That boy was its current container of its consciousness," Naruto says calmly as he clenches his fist as the elderly man's eyes widen slightly, "and if he had died…"

"If I had known," the elderly man tries to explain only to find the blonde's eyes become slitted as they look at him.

"And he is of my blood," Naruto says calmly his fist unclenching, "And you know how my family is to people they care about."

"You mean he'll come to save her," the elderly man questions as Naruto smirks, "Your supporting him aren't you?"

"Yes," Naruto says as he turns away. "And to let you know Yamamoto," Naruto says calmly as he glances back at the elderly man, "He was weakened after defeating the Menos or he would of defeated the Lt you sent after Rukia." Yamamoto eyes narrow on Naruto as the blond vanishes in a flash of yellow.

"This could be a problem," Yamamoto mutters before glancing out his window see storm clouds approaching. He then stands up and heads towards the far wall opposite of his desk with an eerie smile, "Guess I should let Zero division know."

3 days later

"So you've recovered your powers," Naruto says calmly as he walks towards Ichigo in Kisuke's underground training ground.

"Yeah," Ichigo mutters rubbing his chest, "But I won't be here long."

"Going after Rukia," Naruto says calmly as he closes his eyes rubbing the bridge of his nose, "Guess we'll have to step up your training then."

"Step up," Ichigo questions curiously as he barely gets Zangestu in the path of Naruto's long sword, "WHAT THE HELL?"

"I am no long going to be hold back," Naruto says coldly as he adds more pressure make a small crater forms under Ichigo, "I'm going to push you so hard for the next ten days that you'll loose all feeling and if you fail…"

"And if I fail," Ichigo questions struggling as he tries to push back.

"I'll stop you going myself," Naruto answers he sends his foot flying at Ichigo's face and across the field, "And to pass all you have to do is hit me."

"Hit you," Ichigo mutters forcing himself up with a trickle of blood escapes his lips, "That sound easy."

"Don't kid yourself Ichigo," Naruto says calmly as his blue eyes become slitted as a crimson aura starts to swirl around him, "Because now all bets of you winning are off."

"Wha…" Ichigo mutters as he is sent flying again by Naruto's fist into another boulder, "Son of a…"

"You wish to save Rukia with such weak power," Naruto says calmly watching Ichigo force himself up, "You have all the power to save her last time, but you lacked something…"

"And what's that bastard," Ichigo shouts as he shunpos at Naruto only to find Sounga to his throat.

"Only you can answer that Ichigo," Naruto says calmly as he sends a gash down Ichigo's chest as he jumps back.

"Do you know what I'm missing Zangetsu," Ichigo questions as he looks at the cleaver like sword.

'You are lacking of one thing,' Zangetsu voices as Ichigo finds himself with Zangetsu look towards Naruto, 'But like Naruto said; 'Only you can find the answer to that.'

10 days later

"ICHIGO," an orange haired girl shouts as all can only go wide eyed as Ichigo holds his beaten bloodily body up with Zangetsu.

"Ichigo," Uryu mutters as he glances at Naruto with not even a scratch, "What have you done to him?"

"Showing him what he lacks," Naruto says calmly Sounga pointed forward towards the carrot top, "But he has yet to find it after all this time."
"Ichigo," the tall Mexican says loudly before getting ready to charge Naruto.

"Stay back Chad," Ichigo shouts as a black cat walks in on the fight with Kisuke not far behind.

"But Kurosaki-kun," the girl tries to say only to get a glare from said teen quieting her down.

"Stay back," Ichigo mutters forcing himself up as Yoruichi and Kisuke go wide eyed at the gashes across Ichigo's body, some of witch could prove to be fatal, "This is my fight."

"You have failed to find the answer," Naruto says sadly as her grasp both Sounga causing a pulse of energy to fill the field causing all to fall to their knees except Ichigo, Kisuke and Yoruichi, "So I'm going to end this in one blow and Rukia's fate will be sealed with yours."

"What's he mean by Rukia's fate," Uryu questions as everyone looks to Kisuke.

"If Ichigo can't hit him," Kisuke starts as he pulls his hat over his eyes, "He won't let any of you go to Soul Society."

"What," all three teens shout in surprise as they glance at Ichigo as he grasps Zangetsu in both hands.

'What it I lack is,' Ichigo shouts angrily at himself as he starts releasing power, 'If it's not power or skill…' Ichigo's eyes widen slightly, 'is it resolve.'

'You still look for the answer,' Zangetsu mutters as Ichigo feels Zangetsu's power over comes him.

'Old man,' Ichigo mutters as Zangetsu overlaps Ichigo's own body to hold the cleaver.

'Naruto has come at you to kill,' Zangetsu says calmly as he tries to stop Ichigo bleeding wounds, 'Yet you have not returned it in kind.'

'I don't want to kill him,' Ichigo questions as he looks down at the hilt of Zangetsu.

'And that is why you'll loose,' Zangetsu says calmly fading from sight as Ichigo goes wide eyed.

'Is it really because I'm not going for the kill,' Ichigo thinks as he grasps Zangetsu tighter, 'Then so be it…'

'His eyes have changed,' Naruto thinks as he watches a blue glow surround Ichigo's eyes as the aura around Zangetsu changes from blue to black. 'This is it,' Naruto thinks with a smirk on his face, 'What I wanted him to reach.'

"I hope your survive this Naruto," Ichigo shouts as the black aura starts to increase as Yoruichi and Kisuke go wide eyed as Naruto smiles.

'Has Naruto started him on the path to Bankai,' Kisuke questions as he watches Naruto erupt in a crimson aura that starts to rip the earth below him apart.

"Then lets do this Ichigo," Naruto says calmly as he dashes at Ichigo, who does the same.

"ICHGO," all shout as the two collide in a shockwave of power forcing all to seek a place to hide and protect themselves.

"Damn," Ichigo mutters in the dust cloud settles Naruto's back to him glancing back at him with a smirk looking at Ichigo to see Ichigo dressed in a long flame like coat holding a small black zanpakutou, before being engulfed in black flames as his outfit returns to normal, "I was only able to manage a grazing blow…" Ichigo adds before falling forward face down in the ground.

'Congrats Ichigo,' Naruto thinks as he runs his thumb over his cheek as a small trickle of blood drips from his cheek, 'You're the first since Yamamoto to hurt me.'

"Kurosaki-kun," the girl shouts rushing over as Naruto walks towards Kisuke and Yoruichi.

"Was that," Yoruichi questions as Naruto only nods.

"He tapped into his Bankai," Naruto replies calmly with a smile, "Even if it was for a short time."

"How," Kisuke starts to questions as Naruto smirks.

"He is a Namikaze," Naruto says calmly putting Sounga across his shoulder as he watches the girl heal Ichigo, "Our birth right it Bankai."