Hollowfied

By: Finn Mertenz

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR BLEACH! I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN THEM!


Chapter 13: Long Lost Heir! Like Father; Like Son.

Tuesday 10:32am, August 30th 2020 A.D.

"If he's wearing that outfit..." Naruto's squinting eyes of teal were ablaze.

Mentally comparing the Soul Reaper in front to the very same that once invaded his own world. Both Kimimaro and Guy wore the prestigious shihakushō and haori of a Captain.

"Your guess is correct, but you might wish it wasn't." Anko meowed.

Still suppressed by bellowing currents of Reiatsu, Shibuki himself found no way to muster footing. Enabled just enough strength to breathe as twin shoulders were left quaking and jolted.

Scrambling to catch a glimpse of the tattered and war-torn attire beyond, teeth gritted under weight. Knowing too many of the savage stories and forlorn tales once told about the Captain he faced.

"I'll be fair; one-on-one." Guy's demeanor was an odd shift between stoic and comedic.

Reaching with his free hand to pull and expose the black-robed fabric beneath his Captain's shihakushō. Scars without number and wounds devoid of proper healing were highlighted.

Encased by brightened rays from the overcast sun, further sight soon crept like injuries from old. Spread across Guy's naked abdomen before the bare edge of his Zanpakutō soon followed.

Akin to metal striking metal, sparks spewed loose as opposing forces were pitted to harshly grind. Drawing no blood nor bodily ichor as flesh remained too adamant to cut or sever in twain.

Fully aware of the numbered trio resting in front; only one managed to fully capture Guy's gaze. Noticing Shibuki and Anko yet failing to angle even a single glare towards either of them.

"Just like the old days!" Lunging forth without explanation, Moegi cheered him on.

Paved by clapping hands as his own feet sundered Sekkiseki; the Captain of Squad Eleven was fierce. Cackling like a madman as Naruto wildly flailed backwards with ever-stumbled footing.

"Stand firm and raise your guard!" Anko hissed a barrage of orders.

Splitting silence amidst the sudden collision of two Zanpakutō, weighed aftershocks resonated in tow. Blowing Shibuki back as Moegi jumped for joy amongst resonating clouds of dust.

Strangely secure in the center of this sporadic storm, Anko was the sole occupant that continued to watch. Stiff and stern as the foes she studied were quick to scramble and strafe.

"Why don't you help?! Instead of barking orders!" Naruto's plea went muffled as he ducked for cover.

Saved from the swift swipe of Guy's rustic Zanpakutō, the wall behind him took its full extent of damage. Cleaving straight through cemented Sekkiseki despite its stretched and spread radius.

Left to wobble as a shadowy colossus fell beside him, the giant in front failed to gift him pause or patience. Rolling away as the iron tip of a blade quickly trailed after his sprung ankles.

Estranged by enough distance to avoid this physical impact, the aftershock of its Reiatsu managed to strike true. Radiating with girth until plowing its desired foe through layered brick.

"Firstly, I'm a cat; I don't fight, and I don't bark." Anko's meow was nonchalant.

"And second... This is a one-on-one battle, I can't interfere." Even felines honored the codes of combat.

Gawking like a quivered child alongside boxing grown-ups, Shibuki strained to set sights upon a distant Moegi. Seated atop an overhanging roof as legs were left to freely swing and dangle.

Paving the path for Guy's spastic laughter, his joy was in stark contrast to the ruins that surrounded him. "Why are you running? This isn't like you; fight me like the good old days!" Words spewed on advance.

Mistaken as someone else for what must've been the hundredth time; Naruto knew little of its meaning. Oblivious to the historic ties and olden connections that once brought him into existence.

Parrying a horizontal sweep from the lumbering foe he fought, charred alloy flew beside his own stranded hair. Wild and uncombed amongst the pinnacle of damnation and destruction around.

Flung back for yet another time; his steep recoil was secured solely by the collapsing Sekkiseki abound. Still breaking off and away from the tumbling skyscraper that loomed above.

One of many but the only to suffer Guy's wrath, its width was equivalent to twelve middle school bleachers. All colliding against still-standing towers of stone until each were consumed by debris.

Partially caught beneath these dislodged bricks, Naruto's once evasive nature was trapped under mass. Earning disappointment from the very same Soul Reaper that sought to maim him.


Meanwhile.

"Did you hear that?!" Tenten stuttered with bated breath.

Strolling over an engraved balcony with polished planks and crimson railings aside, the sun sparkled. Disturbed and dissipated only by the repetitive tract of stepping feet that moved on whim.

While his Lieutenant came to a complete stop before gawking far-off into a distant cloud of rising rubble. Obito himself was aloof and unconcerned as his failed to offer even a curious glance.

Swallowed by the stretched fabric from his shihakushō; arms and his neck appeared to be nonexistent. Aided by the spiraled pattern of his orange mask alongside a cloth of black beneath.

"Let Guy fight his own battles... I'm not worried." Obito's footing never came to a single stop.

Stricken by sudden gusts in the middle of his stroll; the sewn kanji for 'five' upon his shihakushō was flailed. Wavering and bulged akin to the thread of a soaring flag held high in the breeze.

Rounding a corner to the left, one shihakushō multiplied into two as the silhouette of Danzo stood leaning. Resting his back against a wall of Sekkiseki with one forearm crossed in front.

With his scalp and right eye bandaged, the following section of his torso was also injured and wrapped. At least, that was the apparent deduction by many who caught sight of his maimed wounds.

"Oooh?! Danzo dear!" Obito's spastic nature took yet another shift.

Running up to this newly approached companion with arms outstretched to hug, a sole hand rose to stop him. Earning murmured muzzles of discontent before hanging his masked head low.

"Could you at least act serious? We're under invasion." Chided sneers were spoken.

Defined by his elderly tone and wrinkled skin, old age held no physical handicap save what others would see. Safely able to saunter and roam despite centuries of existence both alive and dead.

Glaring with singular vision upon the short Lieutenant beyond, Danzo began to squint, stutter and spit. Infusing the source of his vigor to shrink and shiver before cowering behind her Captain.

"Tenten... Could we have a moment alone please? He can be a tad paranoid." Obito's gloved hand scrubbed his black scalp.


Meanwhile.

"Captain, what are your orders?" Yugito Nii stood with bated breath.

The Lieutenant of Squad 8 and the same age since her death nearly a thousand years ago. Her figure was slim and muscular beneath a black shihakushō that contrasted the sun above.

"I've spotted two of the Ryoka... One of them appears to be injured." Ruby lips flailed for a reply.

Situated below an outstretched awning of orange tile; her Captain was silent and still instead of moving. Fast asleep with his back propped against an oaken railing for natural support.

Using his bamboo hat as shade and his cherry-blossom haori as a blanket, snoring eventually broke out. Distilling ire and rage from the once respectful eyes of his looming subordinate.

"Oh... Oh yea, just like that... Yugito." Jiraiya cupped the air with twin hands while drooling.

Enforcing her woven yet loose ponytail to waver as she rose her right foot high, its entire weight was slammed. Barreling fast into the unsuspecting groin of her Captain before waking him up.

Plunged deep below, Jiraiya's howling rang as the roof collapsed beneath him; soon swallowed and buried. Offered no help or aid as his Lieutenant was too flustered to care or count.

Dashing from sight as her cloth-covered chest was swung to jiggle, the Division Badge between was smooshed. Concealed by minor yet plump sections of flesh offering warmth to metal.


Meanwhile.

"Ew... Dango again?" Ino pinched both nostrils.

Sitting outside for lunch, rays of sunlight gleamed between lush and summer-ridden trees in mid-season. Sipping tea to take the place of food she refused to eat, protesting was engaged.

"I'll take em!" Kiba cut in with both voice and hands.

Gathered around ornate seating of barred alloy with cushions of enameled plastic, blue was its color. In opposition to the very same metal entanglement that held it aloft and raised.

Accompanied by the formal attire of Shino, Kin and Sai, ties were draped and paved as skirts pressed skin. Seated and relaxing amidst the pinnacle of the day hard at work and studying.

"I can't stand boys..." Loose strands of black were blown.

Ever out and proud, Kin's lesbian relationship with Ino was casually spoken and well-known by everyone. Knowledge often used in blind attempts as they each swung to bring in a third girl.

"Girls are so annoying..." Sai sipped juice.

Doomed to screech and scream while the other argued over sexes, both fell on opposing ends of the spectrum. One a boy who cared only for boys while the other was a girl that loved girls.

"Please stop." Iruka pinched the bridge of his nose.

Tiptoeing into sight as blades of grass crunched underfoot, disappointment was lain as words reached his ears. Begging the twin 8th graders in front to be a better influence for his own students.

"I know you aren't in my class, but they are, and their hearing this." Nostrils flared before bowing his head.

Quietly snacking in the midst of this verbal confrontation, Shino chewed and chipped a number of rice balls. Pushing up his dark tinted glasses up in order to hug and frame his beady eyes.

Earning muttered apologies from the same students he consoled, the bustle of lunch was abound and loud. Carefree and devoid of dread as a myriad of teenagers were spread throughout.

After a brisk interception of silence, and the wrinkled slit of his nose as it tilted to the side, sneezing followed. "And I meant to ask... Do any of you know where Naruto or the others have been?"

Asking the questions that few even thought about, it was met by shrugged groans and moans of confusion. Having three students reply at the same time yet failing to understand any.

"Naum...- Buf gah curies!" Kiba snapped with a mouthful of food.

Gagging with disgust as partially gnawed specks of gunk were spewed from this opened orifice, vomit came. Puking what little amounts Kin managed to eat before dumping it on the ground.

Straining to breathe after such a release, momentary relief turned to panic as realization soon set in. Accidently belching puke upon the pair of shoes in attendance from Iruka himself.

Hanging his head as regret swelled from approaching the gathered group he consulted, a deep sigh trailed. Turning to walk away before heading towards the showers, eager to clean his feet.


Meanwhile.

Gazing through a sunbaked window of glass, Koharu hummed as wrinkled cheeks were left to freely hang. Distilled and disturbed only by the repetitive tick from her clock in the room.

"They still don't know..." More experienced than most, knowledge was its side-effect.

One of the thirteen original Captain's to the Seireitei, such a life and existence was left behind long ago. Returning to the world of the living; the same world she once called home, centuries ago.

"I suppose it's better if they don't..." Solving the problems of others, she stroked her chin.

Surrounded by shelves and cabinets of antique oak, all were lavishly decorated with knickknacks from old. Gained and garnered from decades of undeath now spent beside those who lived.

Even the clock that now chimed was hand carved over five hundred years prior, during the era of samurai. Complimented by well-watered sakura trees that strangely survived the interior.

Despite her form of undeath, immortality was a given except much of the necessities were unneeded. Like the desire for sleep or food, now unwanted and unwarranted as the dead didn't eat.

Because while those beyond could freely travel between opposing worlds, their visited duration held affect. The longer they stay; the more certain aspects were lost and dwindled over time.

Destined to fade if they dwelled too long in the World of the Living, this realization meant little to most. Already doomed to exist without sensation and cursed to endure a life of loneliness.

Exposing the wooden sheath of her well-worn Zanpakutō-turn-stave, its age stretched before the Meiji Era. Truthfully older than Japan's industrial revolution by hundreds of well counted years.

That's why Koharu now lingered in this same spot from uncountable days past, the town she once lived in. Karakura; an ancient society of samurai and ninja now transformed into aristocratic civilians.

Originally named Konoha and inspired by olden tales of warriors who welded fire, such tales were told tall. Fantasy to most yet reality to the shambling lady that continued to loom and leer outside.

While discolored and wrapped strands of grey were pinned into a tight-knit bun, Japanese pearls were dangled. Releasing an ever-present tick of iron that continuously jingled and shook.

With a pristine kimono of snow and pink petals across her back, fabric was enthralled to simmer and dazzle. Bright and blooming amongst spread basking of sunlight pouring from abroad.


Meanwhile.

"What's your deal? Why are you still using that form? What kind of an Uzumaki are you?" Guy spoke without defense.

Glaring at piled rubble for what felt like minutes, drifting clouds with shadows were aloft as sun-cover. Waiting for unfettered moments as Shibuki gawked with a wide and flaring jaw.

"You used to be the only one who could give me a good fight!" Muscles popped as he swiftly lunged.

Scrambling from stacked stone as this towering Captain lurked towards him, Naruto dove for safety and cover. Dodging the vertical swipe of a Zanpakutō as it cleaved through graveled Sekkiseki.

Continuing on advance, the leader of Squad Eleven unleashed unnumbered sweeps from his rustic blade. Slashing air and stray whiskers as his foe narrowly managed to stay a secure distance.

Meeting this Zanpakutō with his own; Naruto's bout brought nothing save devastation as Reiatsu collided. Sweltering among levels far beyond the average Lieutenants that once gawked and glared.

Smearing stone underfoot as he strove to press forward, Guy used strength to fling his opponent back. Spraying glinted ash before correcting the angle of his blade in order to follow through.

Shoving this tip forth, the hand of Naruto unthinkingly rose to intercept it, given no option in timed reflex. An act that soon shed blood and gore as metallic yet olden alloy pierced his palm.

"That's the Minato I remember!" Chided remarks came with a grin.

Harkening back to bygone thoughts, words floated like a miasma of smoke to the boy he discussed everything. Too distracted by the sensation of pain that now rippled and throbbed in hand.

Pressing his own forehead against the blond locks in front, Guy's skull was utilized like the edge of a hammer. Further unrooting balance and stability from the bustling Ryoka he fought.

Barreled against a wall of Sekkiseki for the second time, its impact was cheered by the towering Moegi above. Clapping twin palms like the clank of a cheerleader among the side of a game.

If he can't save himself... There's no way he can save her. Anko's whiskers were as firm as her thoughts.

Left to pant with his back nearly broken and propped against a slab of stone; the invasive blond sulked. Far from home and beyond the reach of any teacherly aid or companionship.

Leaking crimson ichor from the blunt yet fresh scar on his scalp, its trail ran straight over his right eye. Enabling it to perpetually close amidst turmoil and ruin from sparkling scarlet.

"Just give up and run, Naruto!" Shibuki snarled while arms strained to rise.

Like most; if not everyone else, the child in front was seen as someone else, yet it held no sway on its viewer. Because this third seat of Squad Four knew better than most about his old Captain.

Hoping to risk limbs in order to buy time, he failed to stand as exuding pressure remained too high to combat. Earning a scoff of annoyance from the Captain of Squad Eleven as he sneered.

"Eh? Naruto? Who's that." The eyes of Guy fell upon his foe.

Passing examination and visual study as droplets of red freely fell from the tip of his suspended Zanpakutō. The drawn-out hum of curiosity was all that echoed as features were peeked.

Possessing hair eerily similar to the man that came before him, Naruto understood little of its meaning. Akin to his jutting whiskers and sky-blue eyes, features without any owner of origin.

Groaning with squinted eyes of curiosity, features were studied and compared to his forgotten companion. Left alone and aloof for narrowly over a decade since the Night of Deception.

"You're looking at him!" Canine fangs curled as teeth gritted.

Leaping forth in defiance, the sight from one pupil was enough to stabilize footing as Naruto limped. Scarring crumbs of Sekkiseki until he managed to heave and raise his Zanpakutō high.

Parrying blow after blow against this raging Ryoka, Guy snickered with a gapping jaw as laughs echoed abound. Soon lowering his guard in order to purposely endure stabbed wounds.

"Yes, yes!" Glee felt gallant.

With Naruto's Zanpakutō piercing his left shoulder, Guy gave no delay before reaching out to snag him with knuckles. Lifting his whiskered foe above by gripping the collar of his shihakushō.

"But it's not good enough!" Words were followed by a slanted slash of verticality.

Severing flesh from nerves as the collarbone of Naruto was his target, bodily ichor spewed in retaliation. Dislocating needed bones for survival as fabric became too torn to save or secure.

Distilled by an abrupt shift in persona, the lust for battle was swiftly replaced by shame and disappointment. Hoping for a great war like old, instead reduced to a mere bout of minutes.

"You're nothing like the Minato I remember." He tossed Naruto's still torso to the earth before kicking him.

Blown back and forced to roll from the weight of such a blow, conscious understanding soon slipped as blood poured. Left to quake and tremble atop cold Sekkiseki as stone below was soaked red.

"He's not ready... Anko." Snarls of disgust emanated outward.

Losing the teal brightness that once kept both eyes alight, each now gazed with grey lens and unblinking responses. Denied the ability to listen or see as everything caved in around him.


Meanwhile.

Struck by endless droplets of water moving too fast to count, each managed to bombard naked and weary skin. Unseen yet felt as eyes were held close while chilled gusts gave sensation.

Twitched and jittered as lightning arched overhead, pupils sprung in stark reaction to rain striking whiskers. Awakened among a field of rainfall as the skyscrapers of Karakura surrounded all.

Standing still and mentally slurred; Naruto gazed upon the familiar sight of home with gapping breath. Observing the minor details of store signs in what he could only describe as a dream.

Pouring without pause or patience as this deluge unleashed itself over the mirrored aspect of Karakura. Once a village, then a town and now the industrial mega city sprawled in front.

Ringing for eternity as concrete was soaked, whiskers wavered as their host soon noticed his positioning. Stranded sideways upon a pristine sheet of glass in the midst of downtown Karakura.

While gravity carried weight and impact on everything around, Naruto himself was save from its reach. Causally suspended in place over three-hundred feet above solid stone below.

"Do you even realize how much I hate the rain...?" A near voice sounded as if it was far away.

Words to most yet discerned only as a guttural moan to Naruto; audible recognition was hazed and blurred. Hearing the stark twirl of an unkempt cape with crimson and thick fabric.

"And I've already told you; when you're sad or feeling ill, it rains so easily in this world." Strands of scarlet blew loose.

Embedded beneath free-flowing cloth, legs and arms were shrouded by its flailing make up of curtains. Exposing nothing save the pale and spotless expression from Kushina's face.

Emboldened by rumbling above, Naruto finally turned enough to notice this autumn-colored figure. Stationary and resting atop the edge of an overbearing roof that stretched far atop.

Realizing that he no longer held his own blade, this estranged Zanpakutō now rested below Kushina's feet. Used as a stool by twin limbs nonchalantly spired atop the hilt designed to carry it.

"It never stops raining here, it never stops." Eyes of faded violet were left to partially close.

No longer apart of the physical world; Naruto had since switched over to the other side of his own domain. A mental cache employed and used by the unknown powers that dwelled inside.

"But you could make it stop... If only you could hear me." Words drifted like a whisper.

Seeing this mouth move yet unable to comprehend any noise; Naruto was left to wonder and ward any ill feeling. Now clinging with hands and knees where he casually stood just moments ago.

Climbing to scaled heights without the downward baggage of gravity, peaks of cement were surmounted. Heaving hard as shoulders coiled to yank and pull their host to higher slots.

Offered an outstretched hand of help in order to regain his footing, its aid originated from Kushina's cloak. Extended yet wrapped as her waving cape clung fast and tight despite weather.

Bridging this distance in hope of rescue; the cry of a hollow rang too stark to follow or track with eyes. Instead losing stability as the impact of demonic Reiatsu became too much to bear.

Quaking the air beneath tangible aura's which carried harsh taint, pitched howls sundered adjacent glass. Shedding an uncounted myriad of enamel to sprinkle and mix with freefalling rain.

Spread and striking foreign signs and posts below, radiant wind from the appearance of a hollow blew each. Scraping roofs underfoot as heels were coated and covered in white hollow-skin.

Swarmed and swatted by unordered and torn tatters of cloth; these remnants of a shihakushō were sliced. Scarcely able to wrap around the waist and thighs that now loomed before them.

Shirtless and naked with vast swathes of hardened enamel, spry limbs stretched from an armored torso. Muscular and indent with artificial plating birthed from heinous and dark Reiryoku.

Paired with jagged yet smooth horns that shone like marble under clouds, eyes were yellow and slitted. Glaring without delay as steamed breath poured betwixt protrusive fangs of lust.

Garnering chills from the verbal bill of might that exuded from this newfound host, spit was swallowed by Naruto. Unable to hear either foe or friend as two now found themselves in front.

"Ruuaaah!" Yearning with rage, a name was cried yet its discernable features were lost.

Flinging strands of orange in the wake of such destructive words; not distance nor time could halt it. Growing to such extremes that cement itself was left brittle and battered and broken.

As free flowing as ever falling rain around, locks swayed at the length of shoulders but never kempt or combed. Only loose and ragged with knots from war-torn bouts long forgotten and lost.

Recoiling the linen-wrapped hilt of a Zanpakutō with the sheer force of Reiatsu, nailed fingers were brought to close. Clenched and clutched as dusted Sekkiseki was blown back under weight.

"I see... You can't hear him either." Kushina's voice was serene despite hostility.

The sole source of stability in a scene now distraught with chaos, red locks waved in parting gusts. Mirrored and matched by the familiar fabric from her fabled and far-reaching cloak.

Stuck between two conflicting forces as Reiryoku seeped and spurted, conflicting colors were poised. Pinched and pressed against one another as the colors of scarlet and orange were met.

Lunging with nails as sharp as blades in opposition, miniature manes of fur encircled each wrist to entirety. Howling with unrecognizable tones as honed edges were swept and swung.

Slashed outward before being parried by hastily thrown silhouette from Naruto's Zanpakutō as it rose. He stretched the gap of five skyscrapers as bound might became too much to endure.

Caught in the center of this torrential strike, Naruto broke cement as bones were left battered and bruised. Plummeting straight through rub-bar and steel as Reiatsu pushed him forward.

Dispersing rubble on the final exit from this continuous prison, shadows blindsided him from behind with speed. Sensing breathes of steam as a slim and stern Zanpakutō was raised overhead.

Flinching to respond with narrowly a moment of delay, sparks sprayed across his whiskered face with grim muck. Overpowered for the second time before being thrust below in an instant.

Landing in a crater as the blow from this fall became too severe for the environment, debris bellowed loose. Swiftly displaced by howls from above as the fiending hollow leapt to follow.

Baring blades against one another, conflicting pressure was overwhelmed by the twisted rays of a beast. Shredding the very currents that made up surrounding air, substance became heavy.

Unleashing one war-cry after another as a fanged mouth was shaped and shone with repetitive lust and gore. "Calm down! I don't even know who you guys are!" Naruto stammered.

Zooming to jump over the structural ledge beside him; ducked reflexes came in time to avoid total devastation. Diving over a hundred feet below as weighted aftershocks rang above.

Shattering pre-placed glass as a stretched mile flew by in the span of a second; reprieve was nowhere to be found. Chased as closely as flies followed food as a demon neared behind.

Coiling in the midst of this wild plummet in order to swing and slash, twin Zanpakutō met in a fright of formation. Physically different yet eerily familiar as Reiatsu radiated like rays abound.

Pitted at the bottom of this strike while gravity itself continued to deny its own existence, leverage soon swelled. Billed and bulged like a left-over carton of milk from weeks past in school.

Plunged with such mass that stone sundered on impact, Naruto was burrowed and buried deep amongst a sewer. Secluded for but a moment until gritted teeth howled mere inches in front.

Never able to even taste the delight of rest as further weight slammed against him, concrete held no resistance. Forcibly cleaved and cut by Naruto's own body as limbs bore blunt bruises.

Straining to straighten posture as whiskers blew beside fast currents caressing his face; eyes winced for sight. Strengthened solely by the sudden eruption of red that now enflamed him.

"I will pay any price and give up any item... As long as you can stop the rain." Kushina's words went unheard yet heeded.

Far from home and no longer in the invasive domain that housed the pink-haired friend Naruto sought to save. Regret and worry were foreign emotions as his search for purpose triumphed all.