Crossing Over   von konpaku
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                       Kapitel 3: Gathering Information
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Chapter 3 – Gathering Information

In Suna

When entering the building Rukia felt relieved. It was a lot cooler than the
heat outside would have suggested. The youngsters let her into a room that was
barely furnished. A table with a well matched chair stood in front of a large
window side that seemingly had no glass in them to block the desert winds. Yet
the heat wasn't too hard to bear here either. Across from the large desk was a
couch where she was told to sit down. The young Kazekage seated himself behind
the desk while his siblings positioned themselves between him and her
attentively, most likely to interfere if she tried to do anything to their
brother.
"Let me ask you again Kuchiki Rukia – san: Where are you from?" The Kage
demanded, his folded hands in front of his mouth.
"May I see a map, so I could show you?" Rukia asked politely.
Nodding to his brother Kankurou left to bring the item. A deep silence befell
the remaining. Feeling the boy's gaze Rukia kept her head lowered. This wasn't
the interrogation she anticipated, but that still could happen. Therefore she
needed to act wisely and according to her plan. Some minutes had passed when the
cat boy returned with a huge scroll in hands. Rolling it onto the desk Rukia
stood up to get a better look. Only to stare at it in disbelieve.
"What is wrong Kuchiki – san?" The Kage asked slightly concerned.
"N – nothing Gaara – dono...", she managed to reply still shocked about this
revelation.
Staring blankly at the map Rukia sat back down. This was not what she had
expected. This wasn't the human realm Ichigo lived in, neither was it any place
she had ever heard of. Thinking about it she noticed that the kids were able to
see her, even though she was certain that she was in her spirit form and not in
an artificial body, a Gigai.
"What happened?" She mumbled ignoring the concerned questions of the others.
"What do you mean?" Gaara wanted to know, asking in a tone that made her snap
out of her thoughts.
Remembering the situation she was currently in she answered honestly: "I have
never seen a map like this before. I do not know how I came here and why. The
last thing I remember is an explosion. The next waking up in the alleyway. My
brother and my friends are somewhere out there and I don't even know if they are
alright..."
The last part she had planned to show with some fake tears, but the real worry
for everyone made her eyes water. She wouldn't cry, she was too proud for that,
but the aching in her heart was real concern. Looking at each other the siblings
decided that she couldn't be lying. The sadness in her eyes and words was real.
"Maybe one of the other villages encountered some of your friends." Temari
suggested, sitting down beside the smaller woman, putting an arm consolingly
around her shoulders.
"There are more villages like this?" Rukia asked moving out of the hug.
"Not exactly like this, but they are Hidden villages as well."
Still looking confused Rukia waited for someone to continue.
Picking this up Gaara said: "I will write a note to the other Kages if they
encountered someone like you. When I'm done we'll explain the concept of the
Hidden villages. Is that alright with you Kuchiki – san?"
"Yes Gaara – dono. Thank you very much." She bowed again.
The red haired boy took out a piece of paper and some ink to write while his
sister left the room for reasons unknown to the Shinigami.
Having an idea Rukia suggested: "If it may help I could draw pictures of
everyone."
"That would probably be a good idea."
Fetching her notebook and some markers out of her robe Rukia started to draw the
missing people. Wondering about the odd pencils she was using the brothers
shared a look before Kankurou got to Rukia's side trying to catch a glimpse of
the picture. Noticing this Rukia pressed the notebook to her chest and sent a
death glare at him, telling him angrily: "No peeking!"
"Ok, ok" He exclaimed in defeat causing his brother to grin slightly.
Fascinated by her eagerness Gaara couldn't write his letters. The girl had her
tongue stuck out while the weird pencil scratched over the paper. Some minutes
past till she contentedly exclaimed: "Ready!" presenting the result to the
boys.
Not knowing what to say Gaara kept silence while Kankurou burst into laughter
and ended up getting hit by a pillow. For a moment fearing she would throw the
next one at him the Kazekage tried: "That's..."
"Nii – sama, Renji, Rangiku – san..." Rukia picked up pointing at each
figure while calling their name.
After she had finished Gaara tried again: "Do they all have bunny ears?"
"No silly, that's just the way I draw them." Rukia explained as if that would be
the most obvious thing in the world.
"Alright we should send that along then.."
"You nuts?" Kankurou yelled, still holding the pillow, but was silenced by his
brother's glare.
"It is better to have some description than none." He explained holding out his
hand for the picture.
Carefully Rukia removed the paper from her block and handed it to him.
Ignoring the doubtful expression of his brother Gaara finished the letter for
Konoha. He hoped at least the Hokage would understand this picture.

In the mountains

"Now as you know where you are it is about time for your departure." Madara
concluded his explanations.
"Who's that?" A young boy, who had just entered the room asked.
He wore rather short black hair and his irises held the same color. Next to him
stood a cloaked figure with the hood pulled up, his face hidden deep within.
Third was a man who seemed quite familiar to Byakuya. Though he couldn't place
where he had seen him before.
"This is our guest Kuchiki Byakuya – san, but don't get too used to him
Sasuke. He will leave us soon."
Looking at the foreign man the boy left with a shrug, muttering: "Whatever."
Seeing recognition in the third man's eyes and him starting to speak up Byakuya
interjected:
"And who is this scum?"
"Well, well, aren't we uptight this close to our departure?" Madara asked
rhetorically.
Meanwhile Byakuya noticed the plant – guy shifting behind him. He had to
distract the others long enough so he could make his escape in time without
losing his cover.
"This is Yakushi Kabuto, one of my allies. And this is one of our famous Ninja,
revived from the dead to serve our purposes."
When addressed the revived soldier stopped knowing what the Kuchiki had
implied.

"Interesting" Byakuya stated uninterested, an eyebrow raised.
Hearing these words and seeing the man in front of him proved, that these men
had powers beyond belief within them. If they could revive the dead, which he
could verify through remembering the soldier, then it was best to leave as soon
as possible. But he didn't have much time to think.
Right this instant the man behind him tried to enclose him with his parted body.
He more than not looked like a carnivore trying to devour its prey. Using Shunpo
Byakuya evaded his attacker leaving an afterimage behind.
Thinking he had caught him Madara smirked only to see the image disperse. Where
formerly there had been Byakuya with a fearful and surprised expression, there
now was only thin air.
"What?" The masked man then exclaimed.
Bearing witness to the Kuchiki pushing himself from the edge of the cave into
the sky Kabuto screamed: "Don't kill him! He's special!"
Rushing to where he had been just moments ago they only could watch him falling
farther and farther to the ground, only to stop shortly above it and to vanish
again.
"What the hell? Where is he?" Madara yelled angered.
"Don't look at me stupid! Catch him!" He then ordered Kabuto and Zetsu, nearly
pushing them off the mountain.
Byakuya meanwhile made his way back through the forest passing several meters
with each Flash Step. As he now knew what he needed to know, he started the
second stage of his plan: Finding Rukia. And everyone else.

In Konoha

"Leave." Tsunade ordered the two men, who obeyed with little protest.
"So who are you and what are you doing here?" She repeated her question.
"Honestly ma'am? I have no idea about the second part." The Shinigami
confessed.
"You don't know?" The Hokage replied surprised.
"I don't. One moment I was having fun with some friends of mine. The next I was
here on your rooftop." Rangiku explained sighing.
"Then where did you come from?" Was the next demand.
"It might sound ridiculous, but I think from another realm as I don't recognize
anything on this map." Rangiku revealed waving one hand in the direction of the
map, that hung on one of the walls.
"Another realm?"
"Have you ever heard of something like that?"
"Well..yeah there have been theories about it, but no one ever really crossed
over to one before...at least I don't know about it..."
"So what are you going to do with me now?"
"As this is too absurd to be a lie you are obviously telling the truth...so I
will have some of my Nin examine and interrogate you to find out how you came
here."
"Sounds fair to me." Rangiku agreed.
"I will have Iruka and Kakashi supervise you then. Don't take advantage of them
or I'll put you into a nice cell within our prison." Tsunade threatened, causing
Rangiku to shiver a bit.
"I'm far too pretty for jail. I'll behave." She replied eagerly grinning.
Returning the grin the Hokage straightened herself and turned to leave, swinging
her long ponytails behind her.

Shortly after her departure the teacher returned.
"Iruka – san would you happen to have little pins and small pieces of paper?"
Rangiku asked innocently.
"What do you need that for?"
"I feel a little creative today." She smiled at him making him obey her wish.

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