From the desk of Elvengirl10.

My brain cells are fried.

Wecome, everyone, to my brand new fanfiction. As stated in the above comment, getting here has taken a long time. Getting the idea, planning, putting it all together, writing, getting interuppted by an english project, losing my brain, finding it. Yeah, it's been a long road.

I won't spend to much time here, as you probably want to get onto my fanfiction and not listen to me babbel. I just want to say a few things regarding the way this story is put together.

It is not Bleach with Naruto characters. It is not Naruto with Bleach characters. It is Naruto characters in a Bleach setting. I want to make this clear, and avoid review saying things like: "What are you going to do for the Soul Society Arc?" or "Why is Orochimaru the captain of team twelve? He and Mayuri are alike." This is my fanfiction. It's not Naruto. It's not Bleach. It is my own idea.

That being said, this story will not be following the Naruto plot or the Bleach plot. Those said plots will affect it, but I'll be following my own ideas. Also, I'm going to be using the terms that are found in the Bleach dub, which to my knowledge aren't any different from the subbed version.

Well, I've said all I needed to. Thanks for reading and please enjoy my fanfiction.

Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. The idea is mine.

Prologue 01.

The day was proving to be long.

Orochimaru hated days like this. The type that, no matter how hard you tried to prevent it, seemed to crawl by. When you sat for what you thought was twenty minutes, but turned out to be only five. Irritably, he shifted in his chair and tried to concentrate on what the teacher was saying. No such luck. 'Sometimes, I wish that stupid hollow would just show up so I could get this mission over and done with already,' he thought, glancing outside, hopefully.

In truth, Orochimaru was a soul reaper, a death god. Someone who's job it was to make sure that all souls passed on to the next life, or the Soul Society. The other part was to defeat Hollows, evil spirits who liked to feed on the souls of humans. Under normal circumstances, most people wouldn't be able to see Orochimaru, and he shouldn't have even been there. However, the Hollow that was causing trouble was proving difficult to find, and therefore needed a little more coaxing. Which explains why Orochimaru was occupying a gigai, an artificial body, sitting in a normal high school class, pretending to listen to a teacher. He'd been the one chosen as bait.

Quite frankly, he didn't think that he was the best one suited for the job. He was the assistant captain of team eight, after all. This wasn't his place. No, this job would have been better for one of the special forces. At least that's what he thought. Both the Commander, and his Captain had thought otherwise, and so he found himself here. He sighed again, and focused his attention towards the class itself. They weren't exactly the best behaved class, but Orochimaru had seen worse during his days at the Academy. He only wished that they would stop asking him questions, or try to get to know him. He was trying to avoid such things, as it would only result in difficulties once he went back to the Soul Society, moreso for him, rather than the other students. His ambiguity had worked on most of his classmates, aside from Jiraiya.

Orochimaru's gaze drifted to other side of the class, where Jiraiya was bent over his desk in supposed concentration. In reality, he was reading manga or something similar most likely. The white haired boy had done nothing but pester Orochimaru with questions since he'd arrived. Where was he from? What was his old school like? Questions like that. Ones that Orochimaru technically couldn't answer without giving away his identity. Even so, Jiraiya didn't seem suspicious of him, and it seemed to come from a genuine friendliness, so Orochimaru put up with it. Jiraiya had proved helpful when several upperclassmen had targeted him for being different.

After what seemed like an eternity, the class finally ended and the lunch break began. Orochimaru shook his head, trying to wake himself up from the half-sleep daze he'd been in.

"Oi, Orochimaru, we're eating on the roof," Jiraiya said, coming over. He stared down at his friend with a grin on his face, the red lines that ran down it streched as far as they could go.

"Alright," Orochimaru replied, still rather tired.

"You know, you could adress me with a little bit more superiority," Jiraiya nodded, leaning against Orochimaru's desk.

"Why? We're in the same class. The only thing you have on me is that you've been here longer."

"I could be older than you. When's your birthday?"

Good question. One, Orochimaru wasn't quite to sure of. He tended to celebrate it from when he had arrived in the Soul Society, and even then it was the Captain who'd pushed the celebration.

"October...twenty-seventh," he said, tentatively. That sounded right.

"Damn. You're older by a few weeks," Jiraiya muttered.

'And several hundred years,' Orochimaru thought, getting up.

Orochimaru leaned against the wall, eating the small lunch he'd prepared for himself earlier that morning. It had occured to him why Jiraiya was so determined to eat on the roof. His crush, Tsunade, as well as her friends, were also eating up here today. He watched the young blond girl chat aimably with her friends. She was nice enough, but at the same time had a mean temper. Orochimaru had learned that, when she'd caught Jiraiya peeking at her in the public baths. Orochimaru had made a mental note to not incur her wrath anytime soon. He needed his strength for the hollow.

"Stop staring," he said finally. "It's impolite, and you don't want to end up in the nurse's office again."

"She hasn't noticed."

"Yes she has. She's coming over here," Orochimaru said. Tsunade was indeed coming over to them. Jiraiya blushed, trying to think of what to say. Orochimaru sighed.

"Do you need something?" Tsunade asked. Jiraiya opened his mouth, and closed it. Clearly what he was about to say, hadn't sounded that good.

"No, Tsunade. Sorry for bothering you," Orochimaru said, covering for his companion. He didn't exactly consider Jiraiya a friend.

"So, he was just staring at me. Like usual."

"Pretty much."

Tsunade sighed.

"Why do you hang out with him?" She asked. Orochimaru didn't bother responding. He wasn't entirely sure himself, and so the question had become almost rhetorical. Maybe it had been the instant trust that was there since their first meeting. He'd figure it out eventually.

"Jiraiya, did you have something you wanted to say to Tsunade?" he asked, noticing his companion's eyes glaring daggers at him. It annoyed Jiraiya to no end that Orochimaru was able to talk to his crush so easily. However, he recovered quickly.

"Uh...yeah, actually. Tsunade, I was wondering if you wanted to...um...go to the movies with me this weekend?" he asked, as friendly as he could. This, Orochimaru had discovered, was a usual routine. Jiraiya had made it apparent to Tsunade that he liked her rather early on in the school year, and now asking her out occured bi-weekly. Even in his short time of existing at the school, Orochimaru had yet to see Tsunade say yes.

"I'll think about it," Tsunade smiled, walking back to her friends. Jiraiya seemed stunned. Orochimaru blinked, and waved his hand in front of Jiraiya's face.

"You still there?"

"She's never said that before. Orochimaru...I think I'm making progress." Jiraiya seemed elated.

Orochimaru was about to follow that with a less-than-plesent comment, but decided instead to hold his peace. He'd let Jiraiya have the moment, before he spoiled it.

The day was over, and Orochimaru was walking home. Or rather, the apartment that he was occupying for his mission. He'd have to send another report tonight. Nothing yet.

'Why is it hiding?' he wondered to himself. 'It doesn't make that much sense. I'm sure it doesn't know I'm here, and I've been supressing any extra aura. Not to mention there have to be several potential targets around.' The soul reapers who were supposed to be watching this area where quite lax in preforming konso, sending ghosts to the Soul Society. He sighed, trying to think about the report he would soon be writing. How could he make "Nothing yet." into a page-long report? The governing body could be such sticklers sometimes.

"Hey Orochimaru," said Tsunade, coming up beside him.

"Huh? Oh, hi Tsunade," Orochimaru replied, a little out of it. He'd been too deep in thought.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Oh, nothing."

"You were sure concentrating alot for someone thinking about nothing," Tsunade laughed. Orochimaru shrugged, The two walked in silence for awhile.

"Did I shock Jiraiya at lunch?" Tsunade asked.

"Yeah. It was rather entertaining. He could barely contain himself during class."

Tsunade smiled.

"I'm not surprised. I'm not sure what I'll actually say this time though. I mean, he can be sweet sometimes. I just don't want his perverted tendancies to get the better of him, you know? Sorry, I'm just babbling."

"No, it's alright. I don't mind."

"You're weird, you know that? "

Orochimaru shrugged for the second time. He was more weird than Tsunade knew.

"I guess I'm used to it. I've been told that alot."

"I'm not surprised," Tsunade nodded, playing with Orochimaru's long black hair.

"Alright, stop it,"

"Sorry," Tsunade smiled, jumping back a step. Orochimaru knew she was just playing, but his appearence was a sensitive issue for him. With his pale skin and gold eyes, he'd been a target for more than enough people. It didn't help that his appearence was slightly feminine. He kept walking.

"Why are you always so distant?" Tsunade asked, jogging to catch up. "You don't seem to want to get close to anyone."

"My family moves around alot," Orochimaru lied. "I'm rarely in one place long enough to make friends or something like that. I find that it's better to remain distant."

Tsunade was quiet for awhile. Orochimaru supposed that what he had just said was rather harsh, but it was partially true. Once he went back to the Soul Society, no one would remember him. He'd just stop existing in the world. He sighed.

"Sorry. That sounded less harsh in my head."

"It's alright."

They continued to walk in silence. Tsunade stared off into the distance.

'Maybe,' Orochimaru thought, 'if I existed in this time, we could have been friends, Tsunade.' He smiled, finding the thought a nice one. It had been a long time since he had felt wanted.

"I've got to go this way," Tsunade said softly, as they stopped at an intersection. Orochimaru nodded. "I'll see you tommorrow."

"Yeah, I guess so," Orochimaru nodded. 'If the hollow doesn't show up first.' He watched Tsunade walk down the block, before continuing onwards.

By the time Orochimaru had reached his apartment, the sun was starting to set. He started up the stairs, and that's when he felt it. A massive soul pressure was bearing down on him, so much that he had to grip the railing in order to stay upright. He swore mentally. The hollow had shown itself.

He waited for it to pass, and then sprinted up towards his room. He flung open the door, discarding his gigai in the front hall. Grabbing his zanpaku-to, he fled into the growing dusk. He stood on top of the apartment building, trying to sense where the hollow had gone. North. His heart sank. That was the direction Tsunade had gone in. Taking off at a run, Orochimaru began his wayward course after the hollow. He jumped from rooftop to rooftop, glad that no one could see him. He was getting closer. He landed in an alley, looking around to make sure there weren't any other hollows around.

"Sorry," someone said, running headlong into him. Orochimaru looked up. He was staring at Jiraiya.

"What are you doing here?" Jiraiya asked, "and what's with the outfit? Are you doing cosplay or something?"

"You...you can see me?" Orochimaru said, surprised. By all accounts, Jiraiya should have just run straight through him, as if he wasn't there.

"Plain as day, "Jiraiya replied, "Why wouldn't I be able to?"

Orochimaru looked around. How could he explain this?

"Orochimaru?"

"Look, I don't have time to explain. I have to go."

"You're after that creature, aren't you?" Jiraiya was serious all of a sudden. Orochimaru didn't think he'd ever seen him like this.

"You saw the hollow?"

"Yeah. I started chasing it after it grabbed Tsunade. I lost it though." Jiraiya seemed to be angry with himself.

"Which way did it go?" Orochimaru demanded.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because I have to kill it before it eats Tsunade's soul."

"How? You look weaker than me."

"I'm a soul reaper. It's my job." Orochimaru snapped back, shrugging off the comment.

"A soul reaper? What is that?"

"It's nothing you need to know about. Where'd the hollow go?"

"Yes it is. I've seen people like you before. Sending ghosts somewhere."

"You can see ghosts?"

"Yes."

That explained everyhing. Orochimaru nodded.

"I'll explain everything later. Just show me where the hollow is."

"First tell me what a hollow is." Jiraiya demanded.

"It's an evil spirit. If we don't hurry, it's going to eat Tsunade's soul."

Jiraiya grabbed Orochimaru's arm and began dragging him east.

"It went this way," he said. "We've got to save her."

"No. You'll just be in my way!" Orochimaru yanked his arm free, and sped ahead of Jiraiya. "And you'll be a target for the hollow."

"Why?"

"The stronger a soul's power is, the more the hollows like it. That's how they survive."

"I don't care. Tsunade's in trouble. I'm going to rescue her."

Orochimaru didn't reply. They were getting closer. He could tell. He gripped his zanpaku-to, so hard his knuckles were whiter than usual. Jiraiya noted the grim expression on Orochimaru's face and stopped asking questions. He felt afraid, though of the creature that Orochimaru called a Hollow, or of Orochimaru himself, Jiraiya wasn't sure.

They paused at the edge of a clearing, deep in a small forest on some temple grounds. From where they squated in the bushes, both could see Tsunade and the Hollow clearly.

"We made it in time," Orochimaru sighed, relieved, "It hasn't eaten her yet."

"What are we going to do?" Jiraiya asked. He to, was relieved.

"I'm going to attack the Hollow. While I do that, I'll leave it up to you to rescue Tsunade and get out of here," Orochimaru was studying the Hollow as he said this. It had it's back to them, and sat like a gorilla. It was muttering to itself, and had not suspected that they were there. Good. He'd have the advantage of surprise. He was about to make his move, when Jiraiya stopped him,

"What?" Orochimaru snapped.

"Are you going to be alright? Should I come help you, once I've gotten Tsunade to safety?"

"No. Just stay away. There's not much you can do against an opponent like this," Orochimaru replied. "I'll be fine. It's not like I haven't done this before." He smiled, confidently. Jiraiya smiled back.

Orochimaru leapt out of the bushes, drawing his zanpaku-to quickly. He swung down, slashing at the hollow's head. Before the attack could connect, the hollow's arm came up, throwing Orochimaru into a tree. The Hollow turned to face him, laughing.

"You thought I wasn't paying attention, weren't you boy? Well, I knew you were there the whole time. I just wanted to draw you out so I could have a better meal. I didn't expect a soul reaper though. How fortunate." The red eyes glaring down at Orochimaru were filled with joy. Orochimaru returned with a stoney glare. Now he had a clear view of the heartless. It was large, and gorilla-like as he had first assumed. The white mask was etched with a perpetual smile. Orochimaru stood up, brushing himself off. He held his zanpaku-to out in front of him.

"Come forth, Kusanagi." He said. A faint light surrounded the sword, shaped liked a katana. When it faded the sword had hardly seemed to change. From where he was hiding, Jiraiya blinked. Orochimaru seriously thought that he could win with a flimsy sword like that? He was going to get clobbered.

Without saying anything, Orochimaru ran towards the Hollow, who swung his giant arm down, hoping to crush him. A cloud of dust arose from impact with the ground. Jiraiya couldn't see Orochimaru. The Hollow began to laugh, thinking that it had won. A flash of light soon stopped the laughter, as it cut across the Hollow. Orochimaru landed a few meters away, yanking his sword back. It was made up of myriad blades connected at their tips, forming a deadly whip-like sword. Orochimaru smiled, a grim, confident smile. He struck out again, this time hitting the Hollow's arm. A large cut found its way there. The Hollow blundered towards him, his great arms swinging. Orochimaru darted away, drawing the Hollow with him. Hopefully. Jiraiya would understand that it was his time to act.

He led the Hollow deeper into the forest, attacking whenever he could. He wanted to wear him down, making it easier to strike at the head. Although he figured that was going to take longer than he thought, narrowly dodging another wild swing. He jumped up into the tree, pulling his arm back for another attack. The Hollow's fist barrelled towards him. Orochimaru dodged again, but this time the Hollow was ready, and swung around with its other arm. The impact sent Orochimaru into another tree, the force of the blow making him drop his zanpaku-to. Orochimaru swore and got up. The Hollow was coming towards him.

"Ye Lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandimonium, the sea barrier surges, March on to the south! Shakkaho!"

The blast of red energy flew at the hollow, connecting with it's cheast. Orochimaru lunged at his sword, twisting to avoid getting squashed as the hollow flailed around in pain. Now was his chance. He leapt up behind the hollow, gripping Kusanagi with both hands, and swinging down. The multiple blades flashing dangerously as they headed towards the Hollow's head. The Hollow stopped flailing, and caught Orochimaru off gaurd with another swing of his arms.

"You aren't bad, kid. That last one hurt," He grinned down at Orochimaru. Orochimaru was up again. The Hollow raised it's foot, planning to stomp Orochimaru into the ground. Orochimaru couldn't see a way out.

'Do I have time to use kido?' he wondered, preparing another incantation in his mind. He lost it when something slammed into his side, just as the Hollow's foot came down.

"Jiraiya, what the hell are you doing here?" Orochimaru yelled, once he'd recovered from being tackled by the larger boy.

"I came to help. I got Tsunade to safety, don't worry," Jiraiya grinned.

"Do you have any ideas on how you were going to help me?"

"Didn't think that far."

Of course. Orochimaru looked up, and saw the Hollow lumbering towards them. It was laughing to itself. It's meal had come to it. Orochimaru's grip tightened on Kusanagi. He looked around for an escape. They were closed in by trees on all sides, with no available branches. Orochimaru might have been able to reach the higher branches, but that would leave Jiraiya vunerable. Did he have time to use kido? Pushing Jiraiya back, Orochimaru began the incantation. 'This won't do much damage,' he thought, noticing that he was running short of breath, 'But it should buy some time to escape and come up with a better plan.'

The Hollow was almost on top of them, its mouth open wide in a drooling visage of doom. Jiraiya was tense, not sure what he could do to help. Coming back to help didn't seem like such a good idea now. The Hollow raised its fist, ready to bring it down and crush the two boys.

And then it stopped. Jiraiya blinked, watching as the Hollow seemed to split apart and then disintegrate. There was a figure standing in front of them. He was dressed similar to Orochimaru, in the black kimono, except his was covered with a white overcoat, the character for eight embroidered onto the back. Orochimaru stopped chanting.

"Captain?" he said, confused. Jiraiya looked at him. Orochimaru knew this guy?

"Not bad, Orochimaru," said the man, turning to face them. He was an older man, his hair and goatee grey. His eyes were the type to not miss anything, and it was clear that they used to hold a battlelust that had since mellowed out. He held a well-worn zanpaku-to. "You still hesitate to much though."

Orochimaru took the criticism silently. The Captain sheathed his sword, and walked over to them.

"Relax. The mission's over."

Orochimaru nodded, the multiple blades of Kusanagi folding back into just the one. He sheathed the sword.

"Sorry I got you involved," he said, not turning around. Jiraiya shrugged.

"Don't be. I got myself involved. I feel you do owe me an explaination though. I want to know what's going on."

"Alright. I'm a soul reaper. I make sure spirits pass on to the Soul Society. I also defeat Hollows, which are evil spirits." Orochimaru gave the most basic description he could. It was a rather complex subject.

Jiraiya nodded, sort of understanding. He blinked, a thought coming to him.

"So...would that make you..."

"Yes. I'm dead, Jiraiya." Orochimaru replied. He had been trying to avoid this particular detail. Jiraiya looked very confused. "It's a long story," Orochimaru said, dismissing the subject.

The Captain of Eighth company, Kazuo, to give him a name, watched as Orochimaru tried to explain himself to the other boy. He smiled, noting the confusion and frustration that was begining to cloud the air. It appeared Orochimaru had found a friend, whether he liked it or not.

"Orochimaru, it's time to go," Kazuo said.

"Go where?" Jiraiya asked.

"Back to the Soul Society. My mission's done, so I've no reason to be here anymore," Orochimaru replied. Kazuo sighed. Blunt as always.

Jiraiya looked down at the ground.

"Guess it's only right since you're dead and all," He said, reluctantly accepting the reality. Orochimaru nodded. He felt almost sorry about leaving, and was surprised he felt that way. Maybe Jiraiya was more of a friend after all. Tsunade as well.

"Orochimaru, come on. I can't keep the gate open much longer," Kazuo sighed. Jiraiya blinked, wondering when the Japanese-style door had materialized. He had to squint away the bright light.

"Coming. Oh yeah, Tsunade does like you. Just don't act like a pervert around her and you'll be fine," Orochimaru smiled. Jiraiya blinked, surprised at the news. He was about to ask, when Orochimaru turned and headed for the gate.

"Come back and visit some time, alright?" he said, as way of parting.

"I'll see what I can do," Orochimaru shrugged, walking into the gate. Jiraiya watched it close, and then disappear. He was alone now, amoung the trees. He looked up at the sky, considering what he had just learned. That was until a new thought came to him. Orochimaru wasn't just older than him by a few weeks. There could tens, hundreds, even thousands of years between them. But why did Orochimaru look his age? It didn't make sense.

As he passed the gate back into the Soul Society, Orochimaru sneezed. Someone was speaking ill of him, and he smirked. Jiraiya must have figured something out.

Reviews are welcome. Criticism accepted...tell me what to fix. Flames are not accepted, because if you're going to tell me what I'm doing wrong, you might as well offer suggestions on how to fix it.

Please don't spoil anything for Bleach past Episode 71. Thanks for reading...and reviewing, if you so choose to.