"Cero" Jutsu/Hollow Techniques/ Demon talk.

'Cero' Thought

"Cero" Regular Speaking

'Cero' Flashback thoughts.

"Cero" Flashback Jutsu/Hollow Techniques/ Demon Talk.

...Betrayer they called me... (for when a character thinks back to a previous event. A flashback but not quite in need of its own section.)

XxxXxxXxxXxxX

Several miles away from where Ulquiorra and Madoka were sealing the Sanbi, at some hidden location, several shadows flitted through the darkness to gather together, the only visible aspect of them that could serve as some identification being the black cloaks marked with red clouds.

The Akatsuki.

"The Sanbi has been taken."

This simple statement sent a wave of shock through the gathered members.

"Are you sure?" Another asked, looking to the first speaker, the man known as 'Leader'. "The Sanbi has been moving from one location to the other, how could it have been found before us?"

'Leader' looked to the second speaker for a moment before giving a minascule shrug. "How it was found I do not know Itachi, but Zetsu has reported the identity of the one who is responsible for the Sanbi's defeat and capture."

"Woah hang on there!" Another all but shouted. "You're telling us that a single shit-stain managed to take down the Sanbi? Shouldn't the weed have known about another S-ranked moron running around with the power to take out a Biju?"

"The culprit is already known to all of us." Zetsu spoke, looking to Hidan. "The captor of the Sanbi was none other than the enigma that killed Sasori. Ulquiorra Schiffer."

At this one of the shadows tensed and a single visible eye narrowed. "I'm going to enjoy turning that bastard into my greatest work of art, yeah."

"Calm down Dedeira." 'Leader' ordered. "As it stands we must reassess our opinion and course of action against this new player. This Ulquiorra Schiffer is obviously a powerful enemy."

The former Iwa-nin growled in anger before nodding reluctantly.

"Zetsu what else do you have to report? Has the Kyuubi been sighted yet?"

The Venus Fly-trap ninja shook his head. "No visual confirmation, only the aftermath of its movements. We do not believe that the Kyuubi has been sealed however, it would explain the sheer size of the destruction."

'Leader' nodded. "Alright then. Proceed according to the original plan. Dedeira you will be working with Zetsu for now until we learn where the Sanbi is being taken. Itachi, Kisame continue to search for the Kyuubi but I also want you to gather information on this Ulquiorra Schiffer if you can."

The two in question nodded and with everything said and done, the shadows vanished, one by one.

XxxX

"...And then you were like BANG and BOOM and then KAPOW! It was amazing, I've never seen anything like that!"

Ulquiorra felt another strange urge to beat himself over the head as he walked down the road towards Kirigakure. When Madoka had been sealing the Sanbi it had been possible to keep her quiet, however it seemed that it was a short lived relief. The woman hadn't shut up about the battle since they had left the now destroyed fishing village. He had to even wonder if she was even human as he was pretty sure she hadn't taken the time to breath in the passed hour.

"...Don't get me wrong when you did that weird thing with your Katana and that green rain and then you had those bat wings. How did you do that it was awesome and scary but still really cool!" She continued, still not stopping to breath.

'I wonder if I could release the Sanbi and fight it again, it would be a lot better than this ceaseless babble.'

Thankfully the two came to the crest of the hill they had been walking up they also came within sight of Kirigakure. Ulquiorra stepped closer to Madoka and placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from both walking and talking as she turned to see what he wanted.

"Hold still this will be over shortly." He said evenly.

Madoka went to ask what the teen meant when she felt a sensation like before when Ulquiorra had moved her onto the Sanbi. However this time, instead of finding herself standing on a giant turtle shell, she was standing inside an office with a kunai against her neck.

"Identify yourself!" The holder of the Kunai demanded.

Madoka's eyes widened at the cold bite of steel at her neck while Ulquiorra merely stood there, ignoring another futile attempt to cut his neck.

"A-ao-sempai?" Madoka stammered, recognizing the voice.

The Kunai was removed from her throat. "Shizuka-san? Sorry about that, Mizukage-sama ask me to increase security inside her office after Ulquiorra-san infiltrated it."

The Kunoichi turned around to the one eyed ANBU ninja who was pocketing his kunai and nodding to the other ANBU Officer who had a kunai pressed against the throat of a passive faced Ulquiorra. "It's aright Ao-sempai, Ulquiorra didn't exactly warm me when he brought us both in here."

Ao nodded and his eye shifted to the Urn strapped to Madoka's back. "You succeeded?"

The Jounin nodded and smiled brightly. "Yep! You should have seen Ulquiorra he took on the Sanbi all on his own and tore the thing a new one!"

Ao smiled softly and nodded before glancing at Ulquiorra who was suppressing the urge to groan at more hyper talking. The man smirked at this, amused that even someone as robotic as Ulquiorra was not immune to Shizuka Madoka's, eccentricities.

"Well Mizukage-sama is in a meeting with the Council at the moment. Madoka if you will come with me we shall have the Urn placed in a secure location, Ulquiorra-san, please remain here."

Ulquiorra nodded and stepped aside to allow the man to leave the office. The Espada went to seat himself at The Mizukage's desk when Madoka stepped up to him, her hands pressed against his chest to stop him.

"In case I don't get to see you again before you leave Ulquiorra-kun. Thank you for saving my life." She said quietly, a blush covering her face.

Before Ulquiorra could react or even process what was said and how it was said, Madoka had leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek before skipping back and leaving the room quickly after Ao.

Ulquiorra remained where he was long after Madoka left, his mind trying to figure out what had happened and why. Setting it aside for now Ulquiorra removed his Zanpakuto from his waist and sat himself down at the chair and placing the blade on his lap.

The time passed quickly with Ulquiorra amusing himself by meditating on his own power, checking on the status of his Reiatsu. He hadn't checked since before infiltrating Konoha. When he tapped into the pool of his Reiatsu his eyes widened a fraction. His complete power, while still diminished, was closer to his full power than before. Before he had been at around eighty percent of his complete power, but now he was closer to eighty-seven. Still not at full power but it was an welcome improvement.

But the question remained; how was he now stronger?

"Well, well, well. Looks like my little cousin is more than he seems."

Ulquiorra turned his head to look at Mei who was walking into her office, flanked by Ao and a blushing Madoka. "So it would seem. I trust you are pleased with the completion of the mission?"

Mei waited till she was seated before she looked at Ulquiorra sternly. "Madoka briefed me on your actions at the village and its destruction. Tell me, do you think that it was necessary to perform a genocide of that level against civilians?"

Ulquiorra frowned and nodded slowly. "As I told Madoka, the villagers would have attacked us during the confrontation with the Sanbi. They were the Biju's Thralls. At that point they were not mere civilians. If I had left them to their own devices there would have been no doubt that Madoka would have been attacked while I was preoccupied with the Sanbi."

"Shizuka Madoka is a Jounin of Kiri and fully capable of handling a group of rioting civilians." Mei retorted.

"And against civilians granted the Yokai of a Biju?" Ulquiorra asked. "I did not wish to run the risk of such a situation."

Mei brew out a sigh before frowning in contemplation of what Ulquiorra has said. It was all sound and did make sense in the right context. "Alright then. I'll have it listed as a preemptive strike." The female Kage opened a folder in front of her and jotted down a couple of notes. "Now then, the Sanbi has been stored away in our most secure vault until we have a more suitable container. I have to ask, is everything Shizuka-san said about your fight with the Sanbi true?"

Ulquiorra looked over to Madoka, who was still blusing and looking at him every so often before looking away as if shy for some reason. "And what was said?"

"That not only were you able to walk on thin air but you regrew limbs and performed some technique that was almost identical to the Sanbi's most powerful technique. Among other things."

Ulquiorra nodded. "I see. Before I reveal any of my secrets, what about my request?"

Mei smiled and clicked her fingers. Ao stepped up and placed a scroll in her waiting hand. "I have had all the necessary papers written up and signed. Uzugakure and its lands now belong to Ulquiorra Schiffer, Heir of the Uzumaki Clan. The papers are sealed within this scroll along with trade agreements and something for you to go through so we can table talks of a proper treaty that includes not only trade, but military and politics."

Ulquiorra nodded his thanks and took the scroll and dropped it into his pocket. "Good. Now to give answers to the questions you have it is, complicated. As you all are aware I do not possess a sufficient amount of Chakra to pursue a career as a Shinobi. What power I do have however, is called Reiatsu."

"And that would be?" Mei asked, leaning forward in curiousity.

"Chakra is result of the combination of physical and spiritual energy correct?" Ulquiorra asked, receiving a nod of confirmation in return. "Reiatsu is purely spiritual energy. I possess an extensive pool of Reiatsu. My ability to walk on thin air is akin to water walking only that I use Reiatsu to solidify the air beneath me."

"And the energy blast that was almost identical to the Biju's greatest technique?" Mei asked.

"Something only I can do. A result of me coming back from the dead as it were." Ulquiorra explained. "It is called a Cero. Hollow's Flash in your language. Like the Sanbi's technique which is a blast of concentrated Yokai, the Cero is a blast of concentrated Reiatsu."

"You know I can tell your not telling the whole truth Ulquiorra." Mei said after a short silence.

Ulquiorra shrugged. "Everyone has secrets. Besides, I have yet to discover who are my allies and enemies. Until then I will stick to half truths and vague answers."

The Mizukage nodded before smiling kindly at the pale skinned swordsman. "Well then I'll have to prove to you that you can trust family."

Ulquiorra looked at her with a confused expression before nodding his head slowly as he processed the promise. "I, look forward to it Temuri Mei."

"Ulquiorra we are family. To you, it is Mei." the woman pressed.

The Espada nodded. "Very well Mei. Now I must conclude this meeting, I need to get these documents to someone who understands politics."

With that Ulquiorra stood up and slid his Zanpakuto back into his sash and turned to leave when he stopped. Pausing for a moment he turned back to the Mizukage. "I would advise having the Sanbi's capture by Kiri kept as an S-ranked secret. There is an organisation out there that is trying to collect the Nine Biju, the Akatsuki. They have already kidnapped the Kazekage and tried to extract the Ichibi."

Yes I heard that the Kazekage was kidnapped." Mei said.

"Yes, the Akatsuki was responsible. They are composed of S-ranked missing ninja from what I remember. That and the fact that they can and have infiltrated one of the big five to kidnap a Kage should be enough for you to err on the side of caution."

Mei nodded. "Very well. I will have it kept secret."

Ulquiorra nodded and clicked his fingers. The three Kiri ninja all gapped at the sight as the space behind the Espada seemed to rip open and revealing a chaotic vortex of black and white within the rip.

"Good. Now then, it was a pleasure to meet you, and I will see you again." Ulquiorra nodded his head to Ao and turned to Madoka. "Madoka I enjoyed working with you."

With that the tear in reality closed shut over Ulquiorra and sealed shut a moment later.

As soon as Ulquiorra was gone Mei's smile evolved into a full blown grin and she looked at Madoka with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "So. Ao told me something interesting Madoka-san."

Madoka swallowed and looked to her Kage. "M-ma'am?"

"Ulquiorra-kun is it now? Did something happen during the mission to warrant such affection to my cousin?" The woman said slyly.

Madoka blushed like a tomato. "W-well, not really, that is, to say." she swallowed. "I mean, he did save my life..."

"Oh dear." Mei said still smiled. "Savior infatuation. And she's got it bad."

"Mizukage-sama!" Madoka tried to cover her face with her hands to hide the still reddening blush.

"Well you better move quick girl. Men who go out of their way to save others usually don't stay single for long."

XxxX

At the same time as Madoka's teasing, another Garganta ripped open in a small clearing by a river obscured in mist. When Ulquiorra stepped out of it he looked around and felt a profound sense of nostalgia.

He remembered this site from his life as Uzumaki Naruto.

It was a place where he had first come face to face with a real Shinobi, Momochi Zabuza during his C-ranked mission to protect a bridge builder.

As Ulquiorra looked around the area, to the river where Hatake Kakashi and Zabuza had dueled using Suiton ninjutsu and over to the tree where Haku had 'killed' Zabuza disguised as a Hunter-nin, he couldn't help but wonder if the feelings that had played a large part in the betrayal of Uzumaki Naruto had already existed then.

Had Kakashi and everyone else in Konoha hated Naruto at this point? Or had that hatred come at a later date?

'You'll catch a cold sleeping out here.'

Ulquiorra frowned and looked around quickly, the voice. It had felt as if the voice had been actually heard and that he was not alone yet he knew the speaker and remembered vividly the moment where he had died.

"Sentimentality." The teen mused aloud as he stopped the foolishness of looking for someone who had long since been dead. "A foolish notion."

Using the solitude, Ulquiorra pulled out a small scroll, the one that had been specially made for his use that stored his belongings and unsealed his civilian clothes. Disrobing from his Espada uniform, which was now in need of repairs due to the damage he had taken from his fight with the Sanbi, he pulled on the pair of blue cargo pants and clipped on the white and silver studded belt before slipping on the black undershirt and black dress shirt and pulling on the white coat.

As he dressed he looked down to his chest and noted that his hole, while still there (why wouldn't it be) , seemed to be a fraction smaller than he remembered. Odd.

"The hole found in all hollows represents the absence of a heart."

Ulquiorra looked at Aizen through his mask unfolding his wings from around his body to better look down to his own Hollow Hole. "I have often wondered this Aizen-sama. Other Hollows have been unable to answer my questions. They care little for the reasons of our existence."

"And you do Schiffer-san?" Came Ichimaru Gin's taunting voice.

Ulquiorra cocked his head to the side for a moment before shrugging. "A passing curiosity. It exists therefore must serve some purpose."

"Hollow are said to be formed during times of great pain and conflict, when a soul dies of violent circumstances or leaves the mortal world with regret or even anger. Upon the transformation from Plus to Hollow the 'Heart' of that hollow is removed, leaving an emptiness seen as a hole." Aizen explained. "It is said that all hollow then wear their hearts to hide themselves as a mask."

Ulquiorra nodded. "Then my 'Heart' is no more. I do not wear a heart, I wear a mask." The Vasto Lorde looked to the powerful Shinigami for a moment before bowing. "Thank you Aizen-sama."

Ulquiorra ran a hand over his shirt covered chest before reaching up to run his fingers across the mask fragment bound to the left side of his head. Was this his heart? His own, and not the one given to him by Orihime?

"The hole and absence of a heart is the mark of a hollow."

Ulquiorra looked at Orihime with an emotionless gaze. "Are you afraid woman?"

The orange haired woman swallowed before shaking her head and clutching her hands to her chest as if in prayer. "No. my friends, they all came for me. My heart, is at peace."

By now Ulquiorra was on his knees clutching his head as his memories assailed him. So much pain! Make it stop!

The Espada slammed his fists into the ground creating a massive crater before a cero formed at his finger tip as he pointed at the tree where Haku had saved Zabuza. "MAKE IT STOP!"

"Do you have someone precious to you?"

Ulquiorra froze as if his spine had been fused instantly at the voice. He had heard it this time, not as a memory, but in reality.

He turned around and blinked in shock when he saw the familiar face of Haku standing on the river a few feet away from him, the same smile on her face as he remembered. The only difference was the broken chain that was bolted to her chest, signifying that she was really dead.

"Do you remember me asking you that Naruto-kun?" Haku asked, looking at the fallen Espada, destruction littered around him. "Do you remember it?"

"You recognize me?" Ulquiorra asked, trying to calm himself back to his usual demeanor.

Haku giggled behind a hand and nodded. "Of course Naruto-kun. How could I not know the greatest Hokage of all time? Although, you have changed a bit. You seem empty."

Ulquiorra nodded. "I have not gone by that name in what seems like a hundred years. I cannot even think to know how to react like I once did."

Haku nodded sadly. "So you did forget. You forgot what makes one truly strong."

"My purpose makes me strong." Ulquiorra said quickly. "My purpose gave me the strength to become the Quatra Espada for Aizen-sama."

Haku sighed sadly. "You turned yourself into a weapon. You broke your promise to me Naruto-kun."

"It was my purpose. To serve Aizen-sama faithfully. It gave me a reason to exist."

"And your promise?" Haku asked gently. "Do you even remember it?"

Ulquiorra shook his head. "I forgot such a meaningless commitment the moment I was abandoned and killed."

"You promised to find your own way of the Ninja. To not become a weapon but be your own person." Haku continued as if Ulquiorra had not even spoken. "But you forgot, and in forgetting you lost the power you had."

Ulquiorra stood up and looked at the soul for a moment before sighing and looking down in defeat. "What is it you want? Have the dead come to torment one who would eat them?"

Haku shook her head. "I've always been by your side Naruto-kun. Following you as you took up your promise. When you came back after three years of death I found you once more. I was very sad when I saw you though. To see how weak you had become because you had forgotten where true power comes from."

"And where is that Haku? Remind me. You seem to know so much, tell me why I am weak?" Ulquiorra said sternly, growing impatient with this intrusive soul.

"Have you not figured it out Naruto-kun? I thought you would have when you fought the Sanbi no Kyodiagame." Haku titled her head to the side in confusion. "You protected that girl, Shizuka Madoka not once, but twice at risk to your own life. You protected someone."

Ulquiorra frowned and thoguht back, he did remember those actions, though he still could not answer to why he had done those things. But he remembered the feeling he had experienced afterwards. The drive to fight the Sanbi to keep the Kiri Jounin safe. And the power he had felt while doing it.

Haku smiled happily as she saw the Espada thinking. "You remember."

Ulquiorra nodded slowly as he started to piece it together. "When you protect those precious to you. Only then do you become truly strong."

Haku smiled and wiped a tear that had fallen from her eye. "Perhaps there is more of the old Naruto left than you think Naruto-kun."

Ulquiorra didn't react or answer to the statement instead he posed his own question. "Now what of you Haku? You have been a Plus for three years now. Sooner or later you will have to pass on to the Soul Society or risk becoming like I am, was. A Hollow."

Haku shook her head. "I can't. It isn't my time yet."

"I do not understand. You are dead. How could it not be your time?" Ulquiorra asked, confused.

"I am waiting." Haku answered, sounding as if she intended to wait for all eternity if it was required. "Waiting for someone to save me."

Ulquiorra shook his head sadly, an emotional response that surprised him. "You will be waiting forever Haku. The Shinigami do not come to this realm often."

"I'm not waiting for the Shinigami." Haku shook her head. "I am waiting for someone very special. He will help me start a new life when I find him. To find him I have to follow you."

"I am not searching for someone who will help you Haku. I am returning to The Land of Waves. To meet with Senju Tsunade."

Haku smiled and shrugged happily. "I have been following you to find this man ever since you came back to life Naruto-kun. I am prepared to wait a while longer."

Ulquiorra nodded and picked up his now completely destroyed Espada Uniform before sealing it away and pocketing the scroll as well as the Kiri scroll. "Very well."

As he turned to leave the clearing, the transparent soul of Haku following him, Ulquiorra turned and looked at her, giving her a genuine smile, albeit a small one. "It is, good to see you again Haku."

"You to Naruto-kun. You too."

XxxX

Several hours later Ulquiorra and Haku (who was invisible to everyone else being a Plus) stepped onto a mutually familiar sight the Great Bridge, built by the master bridge builder Tazuna. The site where Haku and Zabuza had both died and Uzumaki Naruto had made his pledge.

Ulquiorra kept his expression neutral as he walked across the bridge, trying to ignore the large memorial that identified the bridge as 'The Great Naruto Bridge' and the countless children running about playing a game called 'Ninjas and Baddies.'

It would have been a touching scene had Ulquiorra remembered how to react to these kinds of situations. He remembered that there would have been a time as Uzumaki Naruto where he would have run around shouting his awesomeness and balling his eyes out and the sight. But Ulquiorra Schiffer had forgotten such things.

"Look Naruto-kun. You see what effect your achievements have on these people." Haku pointed out, her voice unheard by all bar the Espada. "These people don't honor Uzumaki Naruto of Konoha. They honor Uzumaki Naruto, Hero of Wave."

Ulquiorra shook his head and replied quietly, so as not to appear that he was actually speaking to anyone. "Be that as it may, I am not Uzumaki Naruto. He was killed a traitor, I am Ulquiorra Schiffer. I have told you this before Haku."

Haku let out a sad sigh and nodded reluctantly. "Is this the identity you want Naruto-kun? To be Ulquiorra Schiffer who lives only for himself and takes power from his 'purpose'? Or Uzumaki Naruto, who lived to protect those important to him and was the strongest person I had ever met."

Ulquiorra didn't answer at first before he looked away. "Neither."

"Pardon."

"I wish to be neither. Uzumaki Naruto wore his heart on his sleeve, for all to see and died alone and betrayed because of his naivety. Ulquiorra Schiffer, I, destroyed my own heart for power to serve a man with a purpose that was not my own." The Espada reached up and pressed his hand against his mask fragment. "The short time I have spent back in the world of the living has shown just how out of place a Hollow truly is. It is a world not fit for neither of me. It killed Uzumaki Naruto who wore his heart on his sleeve and makes me weak, the one who destroyed his heart for power."

"So what will you do?"

Ulquiorra stopped and looked at the woman, for the first time in his life, both actually, having no answer, real or not and feeling quite uncomfortable for it. "I...do not know."

XxxXxxXxxXxxX

For those not keenly familiar with Bleach, a Plus is a regular soul

Alright then here is the next chapter number ten! woot!

For those of you who love it, let me know, I hunger for positive feedback. Also if your going to flame me, don't just flame. If i'm going to get a negative review at least tell me how to make it better nad fix things. If its just all negative with no thoughts on repair i'm just going to go to sleep and fantasize about bashing you flamers with my Giant Mallet of Doom

On another note, I hope this chapter didn't move things along too fast, it just seemed like a good place for a memory overload.