Hollowfied

By: Finn Mertenz

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


Chapter 15: I Would Give Anything! Just For Her.

Tuesday 4:34pm, August 30th 2020 A.D.

"Naruto... That's his name, huh?" Guy gawked.

Crushed by the same pressure that gushed from himself, Sakura's estranged friend suffered the most. Unable to control or maintain the power that wrestled its place inside of him.

Standing firm despite the pouring gore from freshly inflicted wounds upon his already serrated chest. Cackled insanity from old now gave way to sensational bouts of respect and remembrance.

Partially nude and bare as his right torso was drenched in shared ichor from both him and his foe. Stiff veins and rigid muscles still held tight upon their grip to the hilt from his rustic Zanpakutō.

"Yes, and I suspect you already know why I'm here." Anko meowed.

Sitting on all fours as her seat was taken atop Naruto's unconscious chest, her tail freely swayed. Charged and churning from side-to-side in unsung unison with Moegi's clapping hands.

Consecutively struck by rippled yet dwindling rain with volume reaching lower levels every second. Both the whiskers of a cat and the host she protected were basked and dripping.

Stationary betwixt two enemies that each carried an intended mark left upon them by their opponent. Naruto was bloodied and battered while Guy was left with a gapping scar in front.

Denied attention or even the basic concept of concern; spread wounds meant little to their Captain. Thinking them more akin to honor-bound blows inflicted in battle by those he counted worthy.

"I do, the resemblance is obvious to anyone... Anyone that remembers." Guy croaked.

Many moons had since past after the resignation of those this Captain of Squad Eleven spoke of. Replaced in time by young souls recently passed to maintain the ebb and flow of spirts.

"So take him, take him away and train him. I want to see how strong he can become." Worn steel was raised.

Reclining the tattered edges from his Zanpakutō to prop it upon his right shoulder, respite was gleamed. Accompanied by the varied cries of conquest and compliments from Moegi above.

"No reason to finish off a weak opponent..." Wax was cleaned from one ear.

Swirling to correct his pose before grumbling a numbered list of complaints, long had it been since a fun fight. Bearing further fruit for his foes as Shibuki was ignored like his own wounds.

Lunging from uncounted heights to tumble atop the shoulder of her Captain; Moegi clapped in triumph. Leading Guy into isolation as every nearing second was spent in leisure strolls to leave.

Taking chance to steal and slip from reach, Anko lifted Naruto with paws before vanishing far. Stranding the very medic that had offered aid to lonely reprieve in the middle of ruined remnants.


Meanwhile.

A drip and lathered beneath sporadic blobs of red, Reiatsu swayed akin to the host that bore them. Steady and firm like a network of autumn colored coral beneath a blistering summer sun.

"Just get out of the way!" Dosu gutturally groaned.

Stepping over layered lines of Sekkiseki as twin feet rose to surmount steep stairs of white stone. Conflicting pressures battled as weighted bouts neared approach with every closing step

Permitted to unleash their reserved forms of Zanpakutō upon those that invaded the Sereitei. This privilege failed to apply towards the once friendly Soul Reaper now looming in front.

Inhabited by this very restriction as naked edges of iron and alloy collided against one another. An aura of ruby battled Dosu's newly-rising blanket of shadowy violet and unsung hues.

With facial cheeks the same tone as fresh crimson ichor, Tayuya cared too little to reply. Shedding nothing save a swift swing that wrought cataclysmic sparks during their impacted strikes.

Pitting blade-on-blade as both combatants shared the prestigious title and power of a Lieutenant. The secondary head of Squad Six held greater standing and resolve than her hunched rival.

Soon beaten and strained enough to lose grip beneath the slashed might from his feminine foe. Guy's third seat fell fast after being kicked and rocketed down already cracked stairs.

Garnering inspiration as this second collapse was witnessed; Ryūzetsu rabidly rose high to strive. Wreathed beside envied emotions with a mixture of distain and distasteful disgust.

"You'll regret that!" Pearled teeth were brought to bear like daggers.

Seething for revenge as the sheathed sword she carried was yanked from its flailing scabbard. The spanning distance between these enthralled reapers shriveled and shrunk in seconds.

Spinning to gain momentum as a wild lunge was leapt to secure stability on the frontier. Parried metal struck fast as grinding surfaces were brought into fierce constrictions of battle.

Gushing with bodily gore as freshened bouts tore olden wounds until they leaked, respite was ignored. Saving face and focus as nothing mattered save the numbered obstacles in front.

Stationary and implanted as weighted muscle met with familiar resolve, eyes of conflict were shone. Once sharing friendly shades yet now wrought with turmoil and devastation by betrayal.

Gritted by grinding fangs with force as angled directions brought these battling girls close. Ryūzetsu was the first to cave as pressure soon bulged from the very blade she met in battle.

"Unravel: Akai Ito!" Tayuya barked with blood.

Breaking the rule that bound so many, restrictions crumbled beneath the desired cry and calling for her blade. Not just for herself; but also the same girl she risked everything to save and seek.

Abruptly swollen with such Reiatsu that adjacent wind was captured and corralled to sway. Scarlet was as radiant as a tangible flag without control of its wavering gust or unbridled breeze.

Stumbling and swept aside by this very breath of red, Ryūzetsu suffered a blow from steel. Shredding flesh from fabric as crimson droplets trailed loose like uncounted drips and trickles.

Robbed of her once-tight grip as minor bones were separated from her shoulder, veins stiffened. Saved greater torment only by the sudden shove from Tayuya's left foot to kick her.

Meeting an end similar to Dosu as one tumbled atop the other, groans rang aloud and aloft. Coupled and piled upon the other at the bottom of Sekkiseki stairs lined with dried blood and crumbs.

"This is going to be a drag..." Shikamaru sulked after shuffling a hold of his hilt.

Leading this wave of realization as Ranmaru and Tenten mirrored his stance with haste. One Zanpakutō doubled to four as neighboring Reapers all prepared with reluctant hesitation.

"Don't do this, she isn't worth any of this." Karin snarled with chided concern.

Seeking to soothe with words akin to a salve, enraged fanaticism was all that took its place. Quaking with saucer-laden eyes as the howls from her former friend permeated in response.

Engorged by a deluge of gore too prominent to ignore, its passing was treated the same as a scratch. Honing every ounce of forethought and funneled direction upon the combatant beyond.

Pivoting in the midst of a sudden free-fall as legs leapt, strands of red wavered beneath coursing wind. Both from Tayuya and Karin as matching hair tangled themselves with the other.

Nearing one another with conflicting Zanpakutō that met in climax, sweat sundered and shriveled. Reverberating like rain that ricocheted off the collective mass of Reiatsu-lined air.

Captured within this bellowing bulwark as its girth grew to the size of a bloated and booming blast. Ranmaru shielded himself as Shikamaru soared to shrink with knees that bent to hide.

Bounced back by the calamitous impact from Tayuya's bloodied blade, balance was benign and dazzled. Incapable of standing strong against the released form and shape of a fellow blade.

"She's everything to me! She isn't the one in prison; I am!" Kimimaro's Lieutenant snarled.

While Sakura was physically entrapped, her former friend from old was the first to suffer and shed. Prying off the very dead conviction that once led her to revolt against all she held close.

Stunned in aftershock and analyzation as unfollowed edges managed to strike their intended target. Karin was showered by sparks as Tenten dashed to deploy aid amid battlements.

As tendrils wrapped and wringed around the well-lit face that confronted her, Tayuya cared not. Divulging nothing but distain as she disarmed and damaged the red head in front.

Soon surrounded by a mixture of both enthralled yet hesitant Reapers, blades battered the air itself. Drawing those that attacked further into their stupor; while Tayuya was left to mentally fade.

-Flashback-

"Hey! You two! Get back here!" A wooden table was flipped.

Divided into three-hundred and twenty separate districts, these Rukon hubs were erected outside every wing. Propped and piled like rickety mush and mess around the pristine Seireitei.

Elderly, feeble yet immortal; the spirit of an unrestful man was quick to lunge and launch himself forward. Gifting no pause between every hastily planted footstep on his wild advance.

Kicking empty baskets of woven and sheet shredded wood, his beard of grey was left to sway and bounce. Held in great contrast to his sparkling and bald scalp as the sun shone high.

Chasing after the young appearance of Tayuya and Sakura, neither found comfort or control in such a reality. Still solemn and seeking solace since the recent days of their death and passing.

"Is this the best you can do?! Come on, old man!" Tayuya chucked moldy potatoes like a ball.

Like all that surround them, even their clothes were tattered beyond the usage of cleaner or bleach. Condemned to disgust due to the sheer distance and depth between them and those that mattered.

Stealing for the thrill; not the need, there was realistically nothing to do in this limbo-like world and plain. Meant for lost souls to wander and wonder until crossing over, if they ever managed it.

Diving and dipping underneath sprawled layouts of rotten planks and poorly hewn lumbered oak. This marketplace for the seventy-eighth district was treated like a child's playground.

A nightmarish quagmire of robbery and debauchery for most, the Southern Rukon's remote regions were harsh. Named Inuzuri after the rabid pack of gangs and thugs that poisoned it.

Yanking pottery from an opened window as she madly dashed, Sakura threw it with force enough to shatter. Spewing flaked porcelain to blockade the path their foe sought too follow.

The untimely youth from their past deaths then came to advantage as their small stature gave chance for escape. Squeezing between a narrow passage of mud-molded walls lined with trash.

Gripping the final cloth from Sakura's pants, the olden shopkeeper they harassed was robbed of his hold. Kicked by Tayuya's well-placed sandal and dealing a swift blow to his forehead.

Taking command of the very sister she cherished, hands were held as firm knuckles were left to curl and wrap. Leading their charge through ever winding passages and alleys too dark to study.


Twenty minutes later.

"That was more intense than usual... The crowds are massive." Tayuya snorted as she scrubbed a bleeding wound.

Seated on a worn crate as Sakura fumbled to secure bandages to cover her friend, they were already dirtied. Eliciting defeat and turmoil combined with the collective weight of a lowered head.

Disturbed by dense feet damaging the landscape of garbage abound, visible windows were barred with maple. Offering no deposit of reprieve or rest as the only two entries were obscured.

"This is our hiding spot, and we don't share." Blood burst from a staggering stranger.

Straining to stand as blobbed spots of gore decorated the underground, one bandit was joined by several. Shining with splattered pools of crimson that leaked from freshly sliced scars.

"Be quick about it! If they find us..." Blond hair shook as a panicked female glanced over her shoulder.

Adorned and emblazoned in filthy garments deprived of order with the sole exception of matching armbands. Sewn lines of linen fabric and violet were congealed with dazzled and unruly droplets.

Hurling a planked and decayed husk from the crate she swiftly rose from, Tayuya took little to anger. Fueled further by sudden damnation as rustic blades were drawn and brought to bear.

Chunking rusted cans that littered the alley, Sakura herself joined in defense as teenage spirits were swarmed. Testing what minuscule amounts of infrastructure withstood the passage of time.

Utilizing experiences from school prior to death, the fatigue of a tennis player brought with it get resolve. Allowing Tayuya to leap over the sideways swipe of a blood-laden spear.

Landing atop piled debris that gave way due to deterioration, balance was lost as Sakura was soon struck. Beamed by charging mass from the backhand of a rampaging bandit beyond.

Sent into alarm as her own throat was squeezed; Tayuya kneed the groin that confronted her before surging. Giving distance to pass in the span of seconds as reflexes swelled with sense.

Beaten in the midst of this forward onslaught, a fragile stick splintered on strike with the side of her skull. Sending streams of gore that bore identical tone to her soothing scalp of scarlet.

Pummeled fast as breath was stolen beside tunneled toes bearing the burden of a potent and mighty assault. Sakura steeled herself before lunging to avoid then moving too intercept.

Shriveling and left to shriek as an edge intended for Tayuya found itself buried in her pink-haired companion. Veins were shredded from muscle by its regular blade; instead of a Zanpakutō.

Stricken by this visual torment enough to infuse and contribute towards memories from old; auburn eyes settled. Belonging too and denoting Tayuya's lack of concern for the nearing dagger close by.

Because this harrowing moment was the same; nearly an exact copy of the unruly circumstances that ended her. Dead for days and accepting it, but unable to fully understand why.

Yet this myriad of self-help and questioning fell fast upon the highlighted sight of her now endangered friend. Reminded of their very last moments alive, robbed by cars crashing under rain.

During this elder day of storms with slick asphalt and slim grip, a drunk driver was the final ingredient. Ramming, denting and demolishing the very car that once carried both now slain.

By itself, such a dealing of death could've been dampened and curtailed if enough safety was spent. A thoughtful dream as Tayuya remembered her lack of a seatbelt; refusing to wear it.

So instead, at that time when her own pain as doubled while Sakura herself was buckled and brim. This pink-haired company swiftly loosened her belt to dive upon her endangered sister.

Siblings not through blood but mind and heart; this final act was the harbinger of death for both. Enabling Sakura to pay the ultimate price alongside the same friend she sought to save.

Torn from these fleeting forethoughts of old; Tayuya lost thought as a stern shin struck the side of her face. Soaking skin beneath mud while Sakura withstood the brunt of a backhand.

Left helpless and hewn while one bleed as the other was bruised, misfortune forever followed them. Seeking an end to it all as emotion and sensation brought nothing save loneliness and pain.

Spreading droplets of gore in the duration required for gravity to carry its mass, hue held vibrant and bright. Sharing Tayuya's colored shade of red as strands of her hair were already clumped.

Spared the tipped wrath of a Zanpakutō as its length burrowed through the stout stranger and thief in front. Cloth was serrated and seared from flesh beside a single slice of precision.

"You're in my way." Kimimaro's cold tongue wiggled.

Separating numbed heads from shoulders with the ease it took most people to brush their dirtied teeth. This Captain of Squad Six gave scoffs of annoyance at the laden liquid now on his blade.

"They're not here." Kakashi's visible eye was left to squint.

Sternly standing with the Captain's haori for Squad Thirteen draped across each shoulder, hands were firm. Holding aloft his slim Zanpakutō as neighboring thugs decorated dirt abound.

"At least try to be civilized, Kimimaro cutie; innocents are watching!" Obito gawked with pointing fingers.

The Lieutenant for Squad Five yet oblivious to the prestigious inner workings of his rank, command was shrugged. Especially when his own Captain was brutally murdered the night before.

Looking for compassion as his orange mask spun, Guy was all he saw, leering with lust at the sight of the dead. Hoping to shed some blood for himself, instead watching others do the deed.

Discussing what dissidents shouldn't have heard, Tayuya and Sakura bore audibly witness towards hurried words. Divulging that last night; four Captain's and four Lieutenants all vanished.

More so, in the following hours, the defections of Minato, Anko and Zabuza only depleted the Seireitei of power. Losing several of their most skill guardians in the span of a single day.

Dubbed the 'Night of Deception' as Obito held free fingers high while shaking his butt, sandals smeared blood. Staunch in his senses yet blind with reasoning as a little jiggle burst into dancing.

"Shall I kill them, then? Lost souls are such a sad thing to see." The Captain of Squad Six raised his blade.

Ordered to search and skim through crime lords and gangs deemed suspicious, civilians were an afterthought. Evident by the sheer disconcerted nature that oozed and drizzled freely.

Intent on gouging the eyes that studied their conversation, Kimimaro planned to execute those in front. Earning ire from Tayuya as attention was shifted and swiveled at Sakura's stuck shape.

Thinking with guts instead not brains, hands raced to intercept and take hold of the very edge in front. Drawing blood that rolled down alloy before dripping upon already stained feet.

Parting lips to hum and awe at this expression, pressure bore fruit as Kimimaro's Zanpakutō sank. Burrowing and burying itself into the very flesh that curled and corralled to defend Sakura.

"They're not lost." Kakashi's sheath sung beneath his quickly covered blade.

Convinced to convert his desire to dispatch, the Captain of Squad Six shrugged before spinning to split. Leaving twin teenagers alone with the same Reapers that slew their would-be killers.


Twelve years later.

Bearing four Zanpakutō at bay with the husked remnants to a shallow portion of her strength. Teeth sneered like the snagging fangs of a beast as Tayuya rabidly howled with depravity.

The sole occupant of a released form to their carried weapon, this disgraced Lieutenant cared not. Far beyond the constraints and concerns that used to chain her as frequently as others.

Settled in placed as Ranmaru, Tenten, Dosu and Shikamaru bore bated breath, blood gushed in reply. Pooling from Tayuya's tightly pressed lips as contempt was her singular expression.

"You're in my way!" Enamel cracked under might.

Blowing loose stone to cinders as explosive radiation spewed outward, Tayuya was its epicenter. Detonating the pressure that built itself for so many moons inside its now booming host.

Enduring this intended blunt of physical mass meant for her far-off Captain, her goal stayed the same. To secure the very friend that she herself aided in their condemnation to death.

Allowing Karin to blitz through before embedding her bladed edge amongst the fleshy forearm of her foe. Tayuya withstood its pitched pain as rebounding strength bounced every adversary.

Pressing those in front while pushing those on her side, Haku's Lieutenant felt trapped as she stiffened. Disarmed and disrupting control as her former friend took hold of her tipped weapon.

"Let go! Just stop already!" Karin's freedom was fought for.

Shockingly strained to stand as an oozing aura of ruby permeated adjacent air, eyes widened to saucers. Captured like a caged chicken with no fleeting sensation or chance to escape.

Seeking to suppress what had already gone on for too long, words only revved the engine of resolve. Forcing the floodgates to funnel open from Tayuya's well-worn and drained soul.

Still grasping the Zanpakutō bared towards her, the hand upon her own hilt began to bellow with red. Harkening the call that only she could hear from the special connection she felt.

"Bankai." Her blade cried it first in her mind, before she repeated it.

Already swollen, such a statement elicited only greater devastation as parting lips triggered an aftershock. Sundering a crater that swallowed both her and Karin in the midst of floating pebbles.

Dazed by this display as threads of scarlet danced and dangled; cords coiled around exposed throats. Squeezing tight and lifting aloft before tossing those that gathered around.

Strangling Karin while tingling tendrils impaled Dosu and Ranmaru, ethereal currents waved like rope. Blockading well-timed strikes from Tenten and Shikamaru as each flipped and twirled.

Absorbing every power piled against her, this brunt force felt firm in its demolition and distress. Conflicted by the existent pressure from such a meeting, drops of blood sprayed in result.

Exposing shafts of crimson that sweltered with the fiery heat of a heart's desire, none held base. Suspended aloft and high by exuding currents too strong to sink or surmount.

Now noticing the lack of her own Zanpakutō, Tayuya gave it little thought before arching her free hand. Infusing a call to summon and surge with further whips of crackling red.

"You want this to stop?! I'll stop it! I'll stop everything!" Bile blew with breaths of air.

Bound by bloodied wounds and forbidden testaments, the use of their own Zanpakutō was obivious. Too call upon their released shapes and employ their own abilities in kind reprisal.

Yet such time was absent of approach and chance while the magnitude of betrayal led all into stupor. Still stuttering to process while pierced and slashed by glowing thread too quick to avoid.

Skewering all abound excluding herself; rods of ruby were hardened before penetrating stout Sekkiseki. Shredding straight through skin as sizzling sounds reverberated off towering walls.

Robbed from sense as their reactions were severed and cut off, none could save themselves or others. Suffering fast the red-headed fury of a once loyal reaper now gone rogue and random.

While impervious to the evisceration of such an assault, that didn't spare its host from the cost of action. Feinting fast next to coupled numbers of pummeled, beaten and soon silent Soul Reapers.


Meanwhile.

"Oh! Captain!" Obito beamed with a saluting hand.

Sharing rank and title separated only by named squads, respect was dispensed beneath an orange mask. Hit by lingering rays from the sun that failed to strike or sink their desired target.

Comforted by the confrontation of his singular eye settling upon Itach, twin reapers stood still and stiff. Situated beneath ruby tiles that lined the maple roof above and the awning beside.

Shifting gloved hands to form a waved greeting; pupils were puzzled by this sheer substance of strangeness. Stranded in place by rigid and unbuckling legs that refused to bend or kneel.

"Forgive me for bringing this up... But I've noticed you helped the Ryoka." Fingers rose to point.

Audibly wandering yet on point without saying so; both Captain's knew well what the other was doing. Spying, sneaking and sulking about in the middle of an invasion now days old.

"Shouldn't you be wearing a Zanpakutō?" Questions were asked with answers already known.

Squinting with a scowl obscured by the raised and clothed collar from his white and pristine Haori. Kankurō's Captain sent silence in reply as lips refused to part or pardon for words.

Secretly beholden to this sight with gawking vision, the Third Seat for Squad Three was staring afar. Defined by tinted shades of violet hair and a smooth chin next to grey-colored eyes.

An immortal spirit at the age of twenty-two, Arashi fought and trained well to earn his place of work. Devoting years to understand and comprehend the unique name his Zanpakutō bore.

These well-spent decades of service were what awarded him such skill; to spy on his estranged Captain. An unspoken improvement and compliment compared to capabilities long ago.

Well noticed by those that talked yet ignored due to lack of interest, ears were allowed to eavesdrop. Capturing that which so many sought yet failed to find or secure in countless days past.

"Go bother someone else, you have your own plans, correct?" Strands of black were parted by a slanting neck.

Truly odd and forever brought up in statement, the lack of Itachi's Zanpakutō was unprecedented. For a Captain of the Seireitei to be devoid of a Soul Reapers most prized weapon was foreign.

Stabilizing a switch in the very tone that infected the air, Obito's sole eye nearly closed to glare without delay. Humming aloud beneath the same mask that shrouded his make up in mystery.

Sucking winded air inward akin to a vortex next to bated breath; sighs exuded themselves in reluctance. Trailed by lingering limbs that limply leveled high amongst shrugging and puzzled shoulders.

"I just got distracted watching you... Isn't that odd?" Spewed spit was snagged.

Wetting the interior porcelain that coated the veil of orange he wore, one iris gazed through its hole. Garnishing nothing but a side-ways glance from the very target and ire of his vision.

Knowing well the secrets of one another yet dancing around their desired outcomes, neither sought to sell. Holding close every ounce and pound for whenever the need was most dire.

Split into silence by the sudden sprawl of white fabric floating aloft in a pressurized breeze, kanji glowed. Showing the same shade as Haku's ornately tied and banded ponytail with frontal locks.

"Stop bickering like a married couple; and tell me if you've seen Karin." The Captain of Squad Ten was stout.

Aware as well as any that eyes gawked from hidden gaps of stone, the search for their host went absent. More concerned with the swift disappearance of his valued companion instead.

Knowing well the sensation of Karin's Spiritual Pressure, Sekkiseki blocked the clearest path to find her. Obstructing what ordinarily would be a clear-cut journey to uncover and discover.

Scoffing in sneered annoyance as settled words gave chance for flee; Kankurō's Captain faded fast. Severed and dissolved into a distorted blur of movement amongst the sun's shrapnel.

Puzzled and paused by such docile delegations between those supposedly considered to be allies. Arashi was left in sizzled stupor as Haku stole clues and advice from Obito's helpful hand.