Bleach and all related media (characters and techniques etc.) belongs to Tite Kubo.
Naruto and all related media (characters and techniques etc.) belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
All original techniques and characters are mine.
Well, here we are again. I promised a chapter in February, and here it is! Okay, warnings.
I've got a lot of essays, exams and coursework coming up, so I'll still be slow on the updates. Yeah, yeah, I know you're angry. Secondly, Ulquiorra is going to be doing some psychological warfare, so expect him modifying his life in Hueco Mundo to horrify people.
There'll also be some revealing of the wider world now. I hope you enjoy it.
Oh yeah, there's a spar with Might Guy.
Chapter Ten
"How dare they! Those filth dare decide, they dare-"
Ulquiorra was cut off by Suigetsu. "I'm sorry, Ulquiorra-san." He drove his fist into Ulquiorra's throat. Anyone else would have broken their hand, but then again, not many were able to liquefy themselves or were heralded as the 'Second Coming of the Demon'. His blow managed to just about stun Ulquiorra. Given this window of opportunity, Jugo took his chance to carry him to his room and lay him on his bed. Karin stood over him and her hands flew into a strange but familiar seal.
"Gogyō Fūin," she murmured, driving her hand down and into his chest, narrowly missing the Hollow hole. He shuddered and found himself unable to move.
"Forgive me, Ulquiorra-san," she said sadly. "But, you were right. We can't act so soon."
Ulquiorra ignored her. He knew he'd be unable to move, but he still tried to rise. He had to get to her, soon. Suigetsu gently pushed him back down.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Karin is right. Don't give me that look. You said yourself. We have to get stronger and plan more."
"Meanwhile she gets closer and closer to marrying that trash. I refuse to allow it."
Jugo cleared his throat. "Ulquiorra-san, I think we would know when she's marrying him. Two clan heirs marrying is not an ordinary event; I think we'd notice the preparations."
"They'll be no preparations. I'm going to consume him. I will never let him touch her."
"Neither will we," Karin replied.
Ulquiorra went silent. His gaze turned to the ceiling. The tear slowly crawled down his cheek, a single sparkle against his snowy hide.
"Leave me be awhile." The others looked at each other nervously, before leaving, closing the door behind them.
'They dare give her away to that trash! She is mine. How dare they. What right have they to do that? How can they do that to her? Bind her to that trash.'
Ulquiorra closed his eyes, lest he lose control. He forced his breathing under control. If he had learned this earlier, he would have thrown caution to the wind, killed everyone and taken Hinata. Though she might not have taken it well. The more he thought, the more he realised his stupidity. He had to remain calm. 'How would any sane person react when a complete stranger, heralded as a ruthless killer, revealed that they were the returned corrupted spirit of their one true love?' It was a rhetorical question. He knew how they would react. He'd be lucky not to be sealed in a lunatic asylum. He'd need to befriend her, again, and slowly reveal it. Then, then…
"I love you Naruto-kun…"
"Glad to see you've come to your senses."
Ulquiorra sent the memory a glare. As ever the shadow ignored it and left.
He lay there for another hour or so as he waited for the seal to wear off. When it did, he had returned to his silent and stoic self. He rose and stalked from the room. His companions were sitting in one of the two unused rooms. They had been rather busy in his absence. A desk was there with chairs for all of them. A collection of closets and filing cabinets, as well as a rack for equipment and scrolls also filled the room. They were sitting in front of the desk, patiently, but worriedly, waiting.
"My office? Thank you." With a few strides he was sitting behind his desk. "I…believe I owe you an apology. I lost my self-control. I am sorry. We will return to the original plan."
The others relaxed, obviously pleased. No doubt they had worried that he would punish them.
"However, it grows late. Go to your beds. I must make the first part of our plan."
"No, Ulquiorra-san," Karin responded, folding her arms. The other two glanced at each other in worry. Was she asking for trouble? "Uquiorra-san, you may have arguably a power equal to a biju, but you are still human. I am a medic-nin, and so the care of my comrades is my priority."
"Bullshit."
Karin ignored that one. "So, I demand you get some sleep yourself. It's been a stressful day, and you need to sleep."
Ulquiorra's eyes fixed on her for some time, until she began to squirm. "Fine," he murmured, standing. "I will sleep."
XXXXXX
Breakfast was a simple affair. Grilled mackerel, egg and tea with a small helping of rice. Small talk filled the air, until a knock came at the main door. Jugo, with a sigh, stood, stuffing a last bit of fish in his mouth, and left. A few minutes later, he returned, with Anko and Shikamaru. Ulquiorra finished his last mouthful with a calculated slowness, designed to show he was calm and relaxed. Anko grinned and waved at him. "Hey, cutie. How ya feelin'?"
He swallowed and sighed. "Mitarashi-san, Naara-san, would you care for some tea? It's sencha."
"Got anything stronger?" asked Mitarashi, licking her canines. Ulquiorra turned to Suigetsu.
"Fetch the sake please."
"Alright." Anko grinned as the cup was placed before her. She drained it in a single draught. Ulquiorra's eyebrow tilted infinitesimally as she poured herself another. Shikamaru rolled his eyes as she sat down and began to help herself to some food.
"Such a drag," he muttered. Still, he sat down and poured up a cup of sencha, taking a sip.
Ulquiorra watched them closely. Anko quickly devoured a healthy portion and Suigetsu was forced to fry up a little more. Eventually, when she had finished her repast, Ulquiorra asked them what they were there for.
"Well," Anko suddenly interrupted Shikamaru with a loud belch. Ulquiorra's dispassionate glare had no effect on her. Then again, it hadn't before. "Well, Tsunade-sama thought you might want a guide around Konoha. We can show you the sights-"
"Which are very obvious," Anko chimed.
"Show you the stores-"
"There are signs and maps everywhere."
"The restaurants and inns-"
"He can follow his nose."
"And we can get you some more clothes and belongings."
"My clothes are fine."
"How many pairs of clothes do you have?"
"This one."
Ulquiorra had never seen Shikamru look more bemused.
"Erm…Don't you think you need some more clothes?" Shikamaru pointed out.
"I don't think he needs more clothes," said Anko, "More like less."
Jugo choked violently, Suigetsu's eyes widening as well.
"I suppose my comrades need new clothes."
Karin rolled her eyes, but stopped at his glare. "You do need some other clothes Ulquiorra-san."
Suigetsu nodded. "She has got a point. When was the last time you had a change of clothes? Suna? They're beginning to smell."
Jugo, recovered at last, looked at him apologetically.
"Fine. I'll wash these when we return."
XXXXXX
Ulquiorra sat in the tailor's, his hands folded in his lap. He looked at the selection before him.
"I think green."
"White."
"Black."
"White."
"Blue."
"White.
"Orange?"
"…Who do you think I am?"
The tailor looked between him and Shikamaru, who shrugged, looking more bored by the moment. The tailor was a fat, slovenly man, well dressed, balding. Ulquiorra didn't like him. Bad memories.
"Sir, we have many fabrics and colours. Whatever you want, you may have."
"White." Ulquiorra looked at him with a cold dead glare.
"Ulquiorra-san, is it alright to buy this?"
"Karin, you may buy whatever you desire. That goes for you two as well."
The tailor's shop was a large building, patroned by the Konoha elite and shinobi exclusively. Anko was standing a little way off, grinning like a snake in an orphanage.
"Come on, Ulquiorra, let it rip. Wear whatever you want."
"White."
"Imaginate aren't you," she muttered, with a sigh.
"White is the colour of my old homeland, Hueco Mundo. White is my colour."
"What about the clothes you were wearing?"
"Gifts."
Suigetsu sighed and walked over. He was now wearing a purple-black hanten with his clan crest on the breast, over a purple shirt with white trousers and black boots. It gave him a noble bearing, offset somewhat by the massive blade across his back. Jugo was now wearing all black; cape, shirt, trousers and boots, with orange birds spiralling across the clothes. Karin…
"That dress suits you." Karin blushed at the attention. It was a long furisode of deep red with a series of white whirlpool designs.
"Thank you, Ulquiorra-san."
"Oho," cried, Anko, smirking. "Is she your special someone?"
Karin winced. Ulquiorra resisted the urge to fillet Anko. "My special someone…?"
Even Anko felt the deep pain that radiated from him. Shikamaru started towards him before Ulquiorra managed to whisper, "Just…bring me something in white."
"Ulquiorra-san," Karin started.
"Something in white. Now." He stood and retreated to the fitting room. He stood while the tailor made a large number of measurements across his body. The man tried to start a few conversations, but there was something alien in his silence, so the man gave up. Ulquiorra was in deep and melancholic contemplation. Words and phrases echoed in his skull.
"Special someone? Special someone?"
'Is it true? Could what I have felt for so long be fading? Is Karin no more fair then-No!' He crushed that though in a heartbeat. 'Hinata-chan is still mine. And I am hers. Karin is a good friend and nothing more.'
His breath hitched at that. Friend. The word that had killed him twice in his life. It was fast becoming his least favourite word in any language.
Were they his friends? Were they? The conversations with the onna returned. Friendship.
That in his opinion was another word for betrayer.
There was only one person to rely on, and that was oneself, and the strength of one's sword arm and how quick you are to cut before the foe.
The tailor cleared his throat. "Hozuki-sama is waiting to speak, Ulquiorra-sama."
Ulquiorra, fully aware of his ally's presence, turned to look at Suigetsu, who was looking at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"Ya know, that crazy snake slut has a point," he said, waving at the dozens of fabrics and hundreds of patterns. "You could be wearing something more befitting of an Espada."
"Former Espada."
"Still, you were number four. That made you, what, the fifth strongest person in Hueco Mundo?"
"Before the release."
"Ah yeah. Forgot about that. The point is, why not indulge?"
"Silence Suigetsu, and get out."
"I'm just-"
Ulquiorra's eyes focused on his and Suigetsu fled with more haste than a whipped dog after its collar is released.
He stood in silence for some time more, before a long suffering sigh startled the tailor. "Fine. A coat. White, silver and green designs."
XXXXXX
In the end, Ulquiorra was satisfied. He was wearing white trousers and tall black boots. A black undershirt was under a long sleeved white shirt. A black belt bound with a silver buckle in the shape of a sickle moon was around his waist, Murciélago hanging at his hip. Over this, he wore a short sleeved white coat with an emerald trim, with black and silver bats with emerald eyes across his back and shoulders, with a pair of crossed katana under a single emerald eye over the right of his breast. Personally he still would have been just as happy with an all white uniform, but perhaps a modicum of self-indulgence would not be remiss. The others stood around waiting for him, Anko looking particularly withdrawn. The awkward silence ended when Shikamaru coughed and said, "Bats?"
"My clan symbol."
"Oh," said a familiar voice. He turned. Might Guy was there, getting messured for another of his obscene suites. "A very strange symbol! It gives your youthful face an old man's skin!"
Ulquiorra said nothing and turned dropping a large pile of ryo to the tailor. He slowly glided out, but Shikamaru, catching up, asked, "Clan? What is the Cifer Clan like?"
Ulquiorra had developed a rather sophisticated and twisted method of pscyological warfare. It was for this reason that Aizen-sama had chosen him to guard the onna; to break her into a thousand pieces and stitch her back together.
"The Cifer Clan is dead."
"Oh." There was the traditional awkward silence. Ulquiorra carried on, pushing back towards his home. He pulled to a sudden halt. "Wait here, I will return in a minute." With a crack he was home and he threw his cape over his shoulders. Satisfied with his appearance he returned to the others. Guy was them as well. He resisted the urge to sigh at the man's idiocy.
"By heaven, that is the true power of youth you possess!" He struck a dramatic pose, his legs splayed and his knees bent, his fist raised in challenge. "Let us see who is the most youthfull! I challenge you to a race!"
Only the suicidal brand of optimism that Might Guy possessed could make him overlook the sheer power of the man before him. Ulquiorra, ever keen to prove his superiority to others, agreed.
He didn't know how much he would regret it.
XXXXXX
"First to the Hokage Monument wins! Go!" And with that, Guy was a speck on the horizon. Ulquiorra sighed and sonido'd after him. He leapt over buildings and glided across the bridges and rooftops. Soon, he had caught up to Guy, his hands in his pockets. They skimmed across the Village, dust kicked up in their wake, blinding those around them. Ulquiorra noted that he held the advantage and prepare to pick up the pace, when Guy called out, "STOP!"
Ulquiorra was so surprised he did. The sheer force from his halt caused the building they were standing on to shake.
"What is it?"
"Well, I just thought of a way that we could make this more interesting."
"Yes?"
"Let's spar as we move!"
"…You do recall that I have killed multiple foes of a calibre at least equal to you?"
"Yeah, but I am the master of the Eight Gates! The Sublime Green Beast of Prey of Konoha! A mighty foe for which to test your youthfull strength and power!"
Ulquiorra glanced between him and the Hokage monument, before, rationalising that it couldn't hurt, said "Very well."
Almost the instant he said it, he felt a powerful blow cross his jaw. He stumbled back a pace, seeing stars. When he recovered, letting loose a silent growl, he saw Guy was well ahead, leaping like a frog over the buildings. Ulquiorra rubbed his jaw and sucked his teeth. He was above such petty idiocy. He was not a brute. Naruto however…
"Let's see who wins, baka," he said, before streaking ahead.
He leapt over buildings, across the roads and under archways. He caught up in a matter of moments, swinging a hand out, smacking Guy into a wall and leaving him behind, speeding ahead. He leapt over a bridge, hands in his pockets, when he felt a kunai strike his back, hierro blunting the blade. Spinning he tilted his shoulder, knocking all the flying blades away. Guy was in his face and swinging his fist in an instant, his grin wide. Ulquiorra lifted his knee and blocked the strike and kicked him away. Guy, spitting blood, spun away, landing with a crack, breaking the stone beneath him. Ulquiorra moved off again, leaping across several buildings. A few moments later, as he landed on a small deserted house, there was an explosion as Guy fired an arrow with along trailing tail of explosive tags into his back. The explosion was immense, and a huge cloud of dust, smoke and debris settled over the area. Ulquiorra sniffed. His coat was singed at the cuff. He estimated the cloud would remain for about another minute, so he sonido'd into the air high above the Village. The explosion had garnered a lot of attention and soon several ANBU members were around Guy, including Kakashi and the whole of the Konoha 10 and their team leaders.
"What the hell Guy! I think you just killed him!"
"I-I-I didn't Kakashi-san!"
"Bullshit! Look at the destruction! He has that iron skin kekkei genkai, but still, it'll be a miracle if he survived!"
"Relax," Suigetsu interrupted. "He tore Sasori into a dozen pieces, cut Orochimaru down and has killed Kami knows how many people. If that killed him, then I'm a fucking monkey!"
He knew Karin was resisting the urge to make a snarky comment.
He heard a sigh then, "Why are we standing here? Why don't we search for him instead?"
"Good point Hinata."
Ulquiorra started. 'She cares? No, she's just being herself. She doesn't truly care about me. Still…'He had to once again resist that growing urge to leap among them and take Hinata away from this festering cesspool. It was a hard battle.
He watched them comb the debris for a while before Guy was berated some more.
"Guy, you fucking baka! I think he is dead!"
"N-N-No, he's here-somewhere!"
"Ahem."
The looks on their faces. That look of shock, surprise, horror, fright. That look was absolutely priceless. Though it did not look right on Hinata. He would not allow that look to be upon her face.
"Might Guy tell me can you fight?"
Guy slowly managed to shake himself free of his distress to groan out, "Yes."
"Really? Besides shooting like a drunken fool?"
Guy, feeling his pride being insulted, called "Yes!"
"I see. It's just that I've eaten children who could hit harder than you."
He let that sink in a moment. There were only two people who could say that in the Shinobi Realm who could pull that off and make people believe that; one was Ulquiorra and the other had been eaten by him. So, there was a definitely sick look to their faces. Then, he dropped down like a tongue of lightning, smashing apart the rubble and sending them back with the air pressure. He looked at Guy and removed a hand, waving at the ruins. "Your aim is a little off as well, Sublime Green Beast of Prey. I once saw a little child shoot a man clean through the eye at a mile away with a bala. Admittedly," he continued, ignoring the growing distress of the others, "He was later captured and raped to death by the man's friends before they ate his corpse. Forgive me," he looked back at Guy, "I believe you attacked me. Allow me to return the favour." He plunged his fist into Guys face, sending him across the plaza into a cart. Ulquiorra glanced between him and the others. "If he wakes up, tell him I've won."
"Not so fast!"
Ulquiorra felt a powerful kick smash into his side, and the damned shout of "Dainamikku Entorī!"
He flew through a building, exploding out the other side. He moved his body, sweeping up and grabbing Guy's throat and hurling him towards the hokage monument, before flying after him. They met in midair in a flurry of strikes. Guy kicked and punched repeatedly, smashing Ulquiorra across the torso and face, Ulquiorra responding in kind. They landed on top of a tall building, Guy drawing his nunchuk and sweeping it out and around, striking Ulquiorra's upraised arm. Ulquiorra kicked him back and swept his hand like a blade, breaking Guy's left forearm. Guy stunned him in return by slipping under his guard and using his Konoha Goriki Senpu broke the lower ribs of Ulquiorra's left side. Ulquiorra vomited up blood and Guy followed through with a violent strike to his groin with the nunchuk. Ulquiorra retaliated by breaking his nose. Guy leapt back and cried, "Time out!"
Ulquiorra halted in mid blow. "Yes?"
"I thought it was a race to win, so…" They both glanced at the monument, both looking rather the worse for wear. They looked at each other again, just in time for Guy to unleash his Konoha Reppu, knocking him away, before he swung his leg up, around and down, cracking it against his skull. Ulquiorra, dazed and bleeding, struggled to rise, his baleful glare fixed upon Guy's back.
"Oh, you're gonna burn Might Guy!"
"Shut up, Naruto," he growled, feeling his bones knot back together again. He tried to stand, but couldn't, slipping to his rump. He let out a long, tired sigh. Despite his own incredible power, Might Guy was a ridiculously fast man. He sighed and sat for a moment or two more before a soft tugging at his arm told him Naruto didn't want to lose. He rose and followed swiftly, moving like the shadow of the bat in the dead of night. Ulquiorra found Guy halfway up the nose of Sarutobi Hiruzen, climbing like a frog. Ulquiorra stopped and looked for a moment at the old man.
'If you had lived, if Hinata had confessed to me before, would it be like this? That is of no consequence.'
He floated down and landed gracefully beside Guy, walking up the face of his former guardian. Guy, glancing to his side, saw him. He ground out, from between clenched teeth, "By Kami, you still have chakra to-"
"I have no chakra, remember. Bar that which all living things possess."
Guy, with a grin that made Ulquiorra wonder if someone had removed what was left of his brain in the last three years, cried, "I'll see you at the top!"
Ulquiorra was about to fly up, when Guy stabbed a kunai with a smokescreen tag into Ulquiorra's trousers. Ulquiorra, unperturbed by the smoke, flew up and past the shinobi before landing gracefully on the crown of the mountain. He turned and sat in a graceful pose, his poise perfect, balanced elegant. He reached out with his pesquisa and felt the approach of the others. He knew it was his subconscious, but, the feel of Hinata's soul was bright and warm. He felt like sinking his hands into the light and embracing it.
Guy scrambled over the lip of the mountain, and seeing Ulquiorra sat in serene meditation, in a surprisingly solemn moment from a man whom he had always seen as a fool; Guy sat down opposite him, nursing his wounds. Soon the others had arrived. Hinata's skin had a soft sheen to it from sweat and exertion. He swiftly forced himself to calm down and resisted the urge to watch her like a hawk.
They looked between the two of them in surprise, unsure who had come out worse, due to Ulquiorra's blood stains on his new clothes but unmarked body, and the bloodied and battered Guy.
"Who won?" muttered Kiba, the first to speak.
"He did!" cried Guy, giving Ulquiorra a thumb up. "The power of your youth is stunning!"
Ulquiorra remained silent but he did bow his head somewhat in acknowledgement. He looked back at his clothes and murmured, "I had better return to the tailor and ask for some new clothes."
Guy winced as Sakura ran up and began to heal him. "Sorry, Ulquiorra."
Ulquiorra did not respond. He was gazing off into space, his entire body still and stiff as his body began to regenerate properly. However, aside from the pain, he was distracted by Hinata's soul. Something about it was foul. Darkness enshrouded it, like a dank vapour. He felt pain curl its claws into his breast and he couldn't help but feel a rising panic. How long to the marriage? How long before that son of a bitch had her?
To his…delight, Hinata, looking at him with a vague coldness, sat down nearby and watched him, her byakugan active. 'Is she, staring at me? No, she's looking at the process of regeneration.'
Ulquiorra let out a long sigh and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was nose to nose with Akamaru. The dog sniffed at him awhile, his dark nose an inch from his face. The hound stood still, its eyes, slowly opening and a low growl of fear rising, rising till, eyes wide with fear and breathe heavy with terror, he leapt away, yapping in fright. Kiba hurried to hold his hound, but the beast strained and hauled at him, desperate to flee. Nearly everyone was rather disturbed by this, wondering what it was that the dog had smelled.
"I would not worry, Inuzuka. Your beast is perfectly fine. Animals in general dislike me."
There came the flapping of wings, and a crow settled nearby, flint eyes glaring about them, till its gaze settled upon Ulquiorra. With a tilt of its head, and a sinister croak, it scarpered over to him and settled upon his shoulder. Ulquiorra looked at for a long moment, before he murmured, "Crows and bats."
"What happened to no animals liking him?" whispered Rock Lee to Shikamaru. The crow turned its empty eyes upon him and let out a shrill, "CAW! CAW!"
Ulquiorra turned to Guy. "Your techniques are good."
Guy chuckled. "Thanks."
Kakashi spoke at that moment. "Erm, earlier, you said about eating children…"
Ulquiorra turned to look at him. "Yes. If you must be sick Haruno, do so in private. Showing weakness is deplorable."
They were all looking ill by now, except Hinata. 'So strong.'
There came a small cough from behind him. Tsunade, Danzo and several other leaders were there, looking at him like some strange and twisted beast pulled from the darker depths.
"You ate people?"
"It is a part of the culture of Hueco Mundo, and our kekkei genkai."
Danzo tilted his head. "Culture? Cannibalism?"
"Ah. I see the confusion. No, we don't eat the flesh."
Relaxed. "We devour the soul." Tensed.
"What?"
"We devour the soul Yuhi. The soul of our enemy is consumed and added to our own. What you see before you, is the amalgamation of thousands of souls. Killed by my hand, age, plague, nature, and the souls already collected by my victims. Much in the manner of Orochimaru, by consuming souls, we gain strength, added to our kekkei genkai, and so we have built our culture around the acquisition of the soul."
A stunned silence. The crow let out a cry that sounded like laughter. Ulquiorra was beginning to like the crow. "I suppose you could call it our faith. Part of our faith dictates that one day, all the souls of Hueco Mundo shall be inside one man, and he shall then ascend to a higher realm of existence, all the souls of the dead shall exist in a realm beyond the kami, beside Reio-sama, Himself."
There was a long silence, deeply awkward and uncomfortable. Ulquiorra felt satisfaction. Psychological warfare at its finest. Reveal a twisting of the truth, and make yourself less of a demon then you really are. A less commonly used aspect, but still effective. "The power of my people comes from the souls we have within us. The more there are, the stronger we are."
Ulquiorra slowly rose and made to leave, before Anko stepped forward. "Ulquiorra-san-"
Before she could finish, he had raised a hand. "Do not mention it." The crow, still perched upon his shoulder lowered its beak and set forth a mournful keening. It then went silent. Ulquiorra was about to leave when Danzo spoke. "Ulquiorra, would you care to walk with us all? You and yours have not seen all of Konoha. It would be a pleasure to show you our home. And perhaps you could tell us of Hueco Mundo in turn."
Suigetsu coughed. "It would be a better bet than running around with eyebrows there and nearly breaking a nail."
"Hey," yelled Guy and Lee as one, and that set them to chuckle. All but Ulquiorra whose gaze was on Hinata.
XXXXXX
Ulquiorra felt like an old man who had returned to his hometown after a lifetime at sea and finding half his memories were dead. Here was the home of that kind blacksmith who had given him shelter as he had run from the children of the town. There was a house where he had once been beaten black and blue. There was… a memory best left forgotten. He did notice though that Suigetsu and Tenten were leaning together. He wondered mildly about how to manipulate Suigetsu's growing feelings for her. Perhaps, he could trick her into joining him thus forcing him to act in a certain manner. Or he could just say that she was one of those that had hurt him before, and Suigetsu would be obliged to act in her defence by obliging him.
Here and there children danced and scampered across the Village, innocent and pure. He felt a short bitter pang of jealousy, but he was too distracted by the woman at his side. Hinata was not talking much, just adding her contribution to the conversation every now and then. He would have much rather just talk to her. He knew it was pathetic, but he wanted to reach out and touch her hand. Images flashed through his mind. Naruto and Hinata walking together, arm in arm and a little blond haired girl with byakugan and her baby brother kicking within Hinata's womb. He refocused on the Village and the conversation. He slowed down to a gradual halt as he neared his old home. The tall apartment building was unchanged, dilapidated and old. Ulquiorra looked over it. The others followed his gaze. Kiba cleared his throat, "Ulquiorra, what is it?"
"Nothing. The building is familiar." Surprising himself, he walked forwards, ignoring their calls, coming to the doors and pushing them open. Cobwebs and refuse littered the floor, pieces of broken glass and splintered wood lying about. A riot had made its way through here, a few years ago, if he was any judge. A sudden dread for his home came upon him, and he loped up the stairs, hurrying to his old room. The door was hanging on its hinges, shattered. Disquiet upon his brow, he pushed the door open.
The rioters had torn apart his rooms, destroying all his furniture, slashing the bed and curtains and piles of ash sat where his belongings had been immolated. He stepped forward and heard glass crack beneath his foot. He lifted his boot and saw a picture. It was him, age seven, sitting with Iruka and the Sandaime Hokage at his birthday. They were smiling happily. Ulquiorra knelt and gently picked it up, blowing the dust from it and holding it up. He deftly folded it and pocketed it. He looked around the rooms, and walked through; searching for anything else that was undamaged. In the end, he could see nothing but ruin. He stopped by his bed and knelt down to look at the small shrine he had kept to the Kami. There, sitting like a swan in a desolate landscape, was the head of an ajisai, blue and violet blended like smoke and water. He knew who had laid it there.
"Ulquiorra?" It was Tsunade. He could feel everyone waiting outside. Some were angry, some sad, some calm. "What is it?"
"I feel pain. Loss. Loneliness. Who lived here?" His voice was calm and measured, but inside he was cold and furious as a winter blizzard. Hinata was nearest him, her soul heavier now, and dark with rage. She was glaring at him, kneeling by the flower.
"A boy. Our jinchuriki."
"I see. He is dead then."
"Aye. He was…a madman and well…"
"I see."
Naruto was glaring at his kinswoman, his eyes filled with tears as he ineffectually attacked her. Finally he gave up, letting out a scream of hatred and pain before he left. Ulquiorra rose, carefully blocking everyone's view of the flower.
"He must have been a very lonely child," he said. "I can feel the traces of his emotions here. He was…Forgive me, you were his comrades and you would not want to hear it."
XXXXXX
Hinata stared at him. 'He can feel Naruto's emotions in the building? Oh.'
"I know there is more of the town to see, but, I would like to walk alone for a while."
Tsunade nodded and smiled serenely, though she looked slightly worried at the earlier conversation.
"Of course. We shall show the town to the rest of your comrades, if they want. However, how about Hinata remains with you and guides you a bit?"
'What? Stay with him? Though, perhaps I could try and see what he feels about Konoha. Perhaps get him on our side.' However, what she really wanted was to see if he could feel Naruto. Even if it was darkness, it would be good to see what he had really felt.
"Of course, Tsunade-sama. I'd be willing to stay with him, if he so chooses."
Ulquiorra sent her a strange look, before he nodded. "Thank you."
Tsunade and the others left. Hinata had no doubt that she and the Konoha elite would be trying to get inside information on Ulquiorra from his allies. Once they were far enough away, Ulquiorra shocked her by asking, "He was dear to you, wasn't he?"
She gulped, her heart beating a mile a minute. "Who?"
"The jinchuriki. Am I wrong?"
"N-No." She sighed. Something about Ulquiorra worried her. He felt familiar. He seemed to remind her of someone. "He…taught me to stand up for myself. He was my nakama."
Ulquiorra slowly nodded. "And you want me to see what I can feel?"
She didn't answer, but the shaking of her shoulders must have done. "I feel hatred. I feel pain. I feel…loneliness. But," he said as a fat tear slid down her cheek, "There is something else. I think there was something precious to him. I can't tell you what though."
'Not a what. Who.'
She rubbed her eyes and smiled bitterly. 'I wish I had told him sooner.'
"I did not mean to distress you."
"Its fine, I assure you." She smiled at him. "I'm sorry. He was very dear to me."
"The flower says that very well."
"How did you know it was from me?"
"You were angry. You thought I was desecrating his home, and that I would reveal the flower." He reached into a pocket and withdrew a picture, passing it to her. It was little Naruto at his birthday, with Iruka-sensei and Hokage-sama. She couldn't help it. She let out a sob and began to cry. She held it to her breast and let out long choking cries. Ulquiorra watched her keenly, a gleam of some foreign emotion glistening in his eyes.
When at last she was calm, she gasped, "T-Thank you."
He looked at her in a manner that told her that her gratitude meant nothing and yet a lot to him.
"Shall we go, Hinata?"
"Yes," she said, not noticing the strange tilt to the way he said her name.
They left the building, walking out and across the village. They walked for some time, Hinata showing him the sights and attractions of the Village. Eventually, they drew near the Ramen Ichiraku. Teuchi and Ayame stood behind the counter, serving a fairly large number of customers. Ulquiorra stopped and looked at the restaurant, before commenting that he was hungry and whether she would recommend the food there. She smiled and said, "It is the best in the whole Village!"
Not long afterwards, she and Ulquiorra were sitting at the bar, eating from two large bowls of chicken ramen. Ulquiorra was silent for the most part, eating his food like a gourmet. Once they were finished, he paid them, thanking them for the meal.
"You are always welcome here, Ulquiorra-sama," Teuchi said, and he meant it. Something about the boy was familiar, despite the alien form.
"I know," was Ulquiorra's only reply. They were about to leave, when a sonorous drone echoed forth. Hinata froze in horror and hurriedly pushed Ulquiorra back as a rushing crowd ran past, heading towards the nearest square.
"What is going on?" he asked, frowning at the crowds.
"A week ago, a group of criminals were found in Konoha. They're accused of being assassins, attempting to kill the Heads of the Clans."
"'Accused'?"
"Yes," said Teuchi, leaning into the conversation. The rest of the customers were outside watching a man being brought forward by two ANBU members, struggling like a cornered boar. "The evidence is dodgy. They're from Yu no Kuni, one of the annexed lands."
"How many lands have been annexed by Konoha?" Ulquiorra murmured as a man read out the crimes of the man, mentioning how his fellows were being executed in other squares around the town.
Hinata sneered and ground out, "Kusa no Kuni, Kawa no Kuni, Taki no Kuni, Shimo no Kuni and Cha no Kuni. Mostly through diplomacy," she added, her sarcasm blatant. Before she could say anymore, the reader spoke the last line.
"…And so, for these crimes against Honō no Kuni and the Hi no Teikoku, you shall be put to death by the severing of your head." He waved his arm and in a single brutal, silver flash, the man was cut down. The crowd cheered, and the head was lifted up. The official cried, "Glory to the Hi no Teikoku!"
"Glory to the Teikoku!"
Hinata was happy Naruto was gone. He would have been forced to be the weapon of conquest, and he would have loathed to serve such a nation.
'Naruto-kun…'
Yeah, Konoha are dicks.
Now, for translations.
"Honō No Teikoku"=Empire of Fire
"Ajisai"=Hydrangea
So, as you can guess, things are coming along quite nicely. I should say though that he'll be in Konoha for a few more chapters. I want to move this story along steadily, not like a bloody cleaver.
Thanks, R+R and I hope you enjoyed it.
Oh yeah, the harem will be going up in a chapter or so.
Thanks and goodbye.