A/N: This chapter will explain why Kokuei has Shinigami powers and why he defected from Aizen. The Naruto universe part of the story takes place approximately one year before the whole save Orihime arc. I'm sorry but this is a flashback chapter.

Kokuei's Thoughts italics

Present regular


Chapter 3

Shadow of the Dawn


My name is Kokuei no Akatsuki, but that was not always so. I had a name, in life, not that I remember it. Although seeing the eyes of Uchiha Saskue makes me think I should.

I know that I have been "dead" for over 500 years, about a hundred of those years I spent at the peak of a Menos Grande's power. Vasto Lorde, the most powerful hollows that still have their mask. They are easily three times the power of a Shinigami Captain.

That is my background, but this is my story. First let me pose a question; what happens when a spirit is Konsoed half-way into the hollow transformation? I found out the moment I entered Hueco Mundo. I opened my eyes and I saw not just the endless desert but the wooden floors and walls of a building. It took me months to realize that I was seeing through another's eyes. Instead of blocking it out completely, like anyone else would have, I used it and let my subconscious learn. The foolish Shinigami were teaching me their secrets. As I grew in power my counterpart rose in rank. He became a captain. For a reason I could not fathom, it made me proud to see him in the position of power.

He a captain, with his squad. Me a Vasto Lorde, with my comrades. There was Sombra, and Kumori, my shadows since the beginning. My two greatest friends were not my shadows but two Vasto that were destined for greatness, Grimmjow, he was kinda crazy, but a welcome member of our little ragtag group of hollows, and Ulquiorra, he was quiet, but in that 'if you disturb my calm you will die' kind of way.

One day we met a Shinigami by the name of Aizen Sosukue, naturally we tried to kill him. When we woke up our Ajuukasu followers were nothing but bloodstains in the sand. Aizen stood there smiling his smile. It sickens me. Then he made a proposition, he offered us power, the next stage of our evolution. We agreed, although when I think of it we agreed to fast for my liking.

Then one day I was in the real world on Aizen-sama's orders, scoping out those with high spiritual pressure, so that they could be brought to Hueco Mundo, expand Aizen-sama's army you know. Then I felt it, an enormous spiritual pressure, Captain Level. I turned to look at him, and I was shocked, I could tell that he was too. When I looked at him, I saw myself, through hiseyes. I had found my counterpart. He had his vice-captain with him. AShigekuni Genryuusai Yamamoto if I remember correctly. The captain was Kuro Akegata. Dark Dawn. He called me Ko, Sin. He made Yamamoto retreat, and we fought. I was victorious. As his soul merged with mine several things happened at once; First, I got all the knowledge he had that I didn't. Second, my Reiatsu grew, so much so that it could not be contained by my mask. In the whirling Reiatsu my mask broke. Changing me to a much more…human form. Third, my hollow powers were sealed into not a blade, but what appeared to be a simple pocket watch. And last, but most assuredly not least, Akegata's blade appeared in my hand. I became an Arrancar, a hollow with a broken mask. But I had a broken mask, a watch, and a Shinigami's Zanpak-to. Weird huh.

The realization that Akegata was me and I was Akegata is the basis of my name. Kokuei no Akatsuki, meaning Dark Shadow of the Dawn.

Aizen was amazed, I was the first true Arrancar, and for a time I was Espada Numero Uno, but others were stronger, and I became Espada Numero Cuatro, the number four sword. My superior Espada Numero Tres, was Nereiru Tou Odderushuvanku, was always being challenged by thefraccione of Espada Numero Cinco, the Shadows and I called the fraccione SpoonHead because of his ridiculously large collar. He finally defeated her by way of treachery. It was soon after that that I defected from Aizen, realizing that I, the Shadows, and Nereiru wereso different from the others. That is how we came to Naruto's world, what became of Nereiru I know not. We only seek peace, but there's not much of that in Naruto's world, Shinobi are very combat oriented.

Now the Shadows and I will get a month of peace the it is back to the grind, we need to fight in the Chunin Exam Finals, I'm supposed to fight last, but I have a feeling that the last fight will never even happen. I hope it's just that, a feeling.

Ten figures stood in a loose triangle formation, backed by a large number of other figures. They looked upon Konoha with contempt.

"Yo, Ulquiorra, when do we get to kill this village?"

"When we get orders from Aizen-Sama, no sooner, no later. Am I understood, Yami?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"The full might of the Espada and the Fracciones will descend upon this village, and its inhabitants will serve Aizen-Sama."

Afraccione appeared next to Ulquiorra, "Ulquiorra-Sama, three Arrancar have been detected in the village. One is Espada level."

Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow, and Grimmjow smiled. "Well do you know who the hell the so called 'Espada' is?"

"Yes, the Arrancar have been identified as former Espada Numero Cuatro, Kokuei no Akatsuki and his fracciones, Sombra del la Luna, and Kumori no Koukon."

Grimmjow's grin widened even further and he started to laugh. "OY! All of you listen up! Ko is mine! If you get in my way I WIL KILL YOU!!"

"No."

"What was that Ulquiorra?"

"No, you will not fight him."

"Who then? You? You were his little lapdog before he left! Why would that change now!"

"I you keep talking like that there will be a new Espada Numero Seis. Haru will kill him."

They looked at the Espada Numero Cinco, his mask just the lower jaw of some carnivorous beast. He shifted his massive sword, "Sure I'll do it," the man smoothed back his mess of hair, "I want to see if he learned any new tricks while he's been away."

"Then we attack tomorrow."


A/N:

Yes Konoha will burn, even without Orochimaru, and yes Espada Number 5 is currently Haru from Rave Master


Name: Haru

Name Meaning: wind

Occupation: Arancar

Appearance: just picture Haru in an Arrancar uniform with the lower jaw of a carnivorous animal on his face

Weapon: A very large broadsword, has a musical note near the base of the blade.