A/N: I've been on this Bleach/Naruto X-Over fix, as any one of the subscribers to my C2 can attest to. No future plans with this just yet, but I will most likely come back to it at some point, Bleach/Naruto X-Overs have such a wide range of potential.
With the various fics at various levels of success, failure, and everything in between, I figured I'd take a crack at it.
No true title for this yet, not even a working title.
Now, this chapter isn't exactly finished yet, as I think more could be added to it, however, with everything it's got, it could stand alone as its' own chapter.
Let me know what you guys think of this, Good, Bad, Ugly...?
Chapter 1: Enter Naruto
Deep within a forest lay a sleeping figure.
He had been slumbering for so long, he had matted long blonde hair and rather strange clothing.
Strange cuffs with unique symbols and kanji kept him bound at the wrists and ankles. Similar symbols were placed throughout the mausoleum that kept him both preserved and slumbering, waiting.
Waiting for a world that would need him once more...
"You want my soul... Right?" asked an orange haired teen, his face was a myriad of expressions, ranging from fear, to rage, with a bit of resignation and more than a hint of desperation. "Then fight me face to face! No one else has anything to do with this! Try killing me and taking my soul!"
"Fool!" shouted a petite ebony haired girl.
With speed that should have been impossible for a creature of it's size and build, the being known as a hollow charged at the carrot topped teen.
However, as with a similar event many centuries prior, the woman, who was a Shinigami, acted on instinct and reflexes alone and moved herself in the path of the creature before it could harm the boy.
Unfortunately for them, she was injured to such an extent that she would be crippled for the duration of the battle.
The teen was overcome with helplessness. He had tried to valiantly do one of two things. The first was to brave taking on the creature and perhaps defeating it. Unlikely, but he couldn't just sit back while it attacked his family, could he? The second was nobly sacrifice himself to the creature in hopes that it would sate itself on his soul and leave his family alone.
The Shinigami then intervened and told him how much of an idiot he was.
"Do you want to save your family...?" she asked him.
He hesitated. Not many people wouldn't have, but his family was at stake and he could not allow them to come to further harm. He had to do something... ANYTHING...
"Give me the sword, Shinigami! Let's give your idea a try!" he demanded.
With that the Shinigami, named Kuchiki Rukia, ran her zanpakuto through the chest of a "normal" highschool teenager named Kurosaki Ichigo.
The result was a massive explosion of power that would have consequences in "Heaven", "Hell" and Earth.
The sudden spike of power washed over much in the town of Karakura, awakening the spiritual awareness and strange powers over those with energy levels high enough to be affected. However, for many of them, they just needed a slight extra push to make these powers and abilities manifest.
The wave was massive enough that it washed over the underground mausoleum within the nearby forest surrounding the small city.
Deep within the mausoleum chamber the being's eyes snapped open. He didn't know where he was, or what was happening. He only knew that he was trapped... Confined. Summoning up his powers, he broke the restraining cuffs that drained him of his powers and then forced himself out of his sarcophagus.
He stared out into the darkness, letting his eyes adjust. Then he let out a loud yawn and stretched out his muscles as he sat up.
Suddenly lights within the mausoleum activated, slightly startling the being. He looked around, seeing the seals all around the room. Closing his eyes, he tried to make sense of what was happening.
Perhaps he would remember who had imprisoned him... No, not imprisoned... Sealed... By whom...? Why...?
Memories then slowly returned to him. His eyes opened wide and he sat there just blinking a few times.
Looking around the chamber, he realized he was alone. Not only that, but it was still sealed shut. This shouldn't have happened, he shouldn't have been awakened. He was only supposed to rise if he was needed. Things must have been dire if outside forces could have summoned him from his near eternal slumber.
First things first. He would verify his inventory, then he would arm himself before investigating the world around him.
How much had changed in all these years?
"Renji..." said a dark haired regal looking man.
A red haired man with a pineapple hair cut nodded. "Yes sir."
Before he could swing his zanpakuto, he was stopped by the voice of a newcomer.
"By all rights... I should make you unhand the girl. She's done nothing wrong," said another voice.
The dark haired man, Rukia, Renji all turned in surprise. None of them had even sensed another presence in the area. Only the dark haired man managed to contain his surprise, yet it wasn't lost on the newcomer.
He was relatively short, standing about five foot, nine inches tall. He looked to be built well, but it was hard to tell underneath the white robes with the red flames. On his chest was a kanji for 'fire'. His most prominent features were his bright blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and six horizontal markings, three on each cheek.
With speed surprising them all, the blonde man simply vanished.
Rukia and Renji were shocked to say the least. Rukia could not follow his movements, and Renji on just barely.
'He's as fast as Kuchiki-taicho...' thought Renji.
He kneeled down and placed a hand on Ichigo. Suddenly, Ichigo was slightly glowing.
"He should be all right... He won't die at least," the blonde smirked as the glow around Ichigo faded.
The dark haired man glared at the blonde man furiously.
"Who do you think you are that you can interfere in the matters of Soul Society," he demanded.
The blonde man smirked. "When 'asking' someone their name... Isn't it polite to give your own first?"
The dark haired Shinigami's eyes narrowed. "Kuchiki Byakuya, Taicho of the Gotei 13, 6th Division."
"Uzumaki Naruto, Rokudaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato, and Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Youko," the blonde replied. A flicker of recognition flashed across Byakuya's eyes. "Now... I suggest you get going."
Naruto then stood straight up, but kept himself between both of the injured parties behind him and the three Shinigami in front of him.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with do you?" asked Renji incredulously.
"I don't care either. Neither one of you can take me with your powers sealed," challenged Naruto, "But you're welcome to try."
Naruto had to give him credit, Byakuya remained impassive as always. The only time his mask slipped was when he first appeared. However, Naruto had dealt with guys like Hyuuga Hiashi, Neji and Sasuke who had emotionless scowls down to a science, so he could still vaguely read the Division 6 Captain's expressions. However, he didn't need to with as open as Renji and Rukia were. He could almost imagine what they were thinking.
Naruto decided to give a little show, spiking his own power to easily surpass Renji's.
'Who is this guy...?' was the thought of the others.
Byakuya held Naruto's gaze, neither moving. "Renji... Let's go..."
Renji nodded, "Open!" he shouted as he slashed down with his Zanpakuto. Tow sets of traditional Japanese doors, that reminded Naruto of the Hyuuga Estate, suddenly appeared. Renji, Byakuya and Rukia then began to wordlessly step through the doors. Rukia slowed her step to look back at the weakened Ichigo.
"I'll take care of him, Rukia-hime," said Naruto with a small smile. As the trio of Shinigami disappeared, it began to rain.
Naruto looked down at both Ichigo and the bespeckled ebony haired kid, Ishida Uryuu. Both had passed out in unconsciousness.
"Now... What to do with the two of you..." Naruto muttered to himself. A blonde haired man in a bucket hat and holding an umbrella approached him.
"Perhaps I could be of assistance, Uzumaki-dono," said the man, "Urahara Kisuke."
"Konoha's gone... Just call me Naruto," replied the former Hokage.
Kisuke smiled, "Amazing... So much power and yet... You're human... And that strange energy... You are quite the mystery Naruto-san, however, little Ichigo-kun here needs to come with me so I can restore his Shinigami powers so he can go to Soul Society and rescue Rukia."
"I take it you have the means to get there?" asked Naruto inquisitively.
Kisuke nodded.
"Then... I'd like to go with him. It's been ages since I've had a good fight, let alone a real one..." said Naruto.
"Well... Even if you are who you say you are, fighting the taichos and fukutaichos of Soul Society is unlike any opponents you may have had before," Kisuke informed him.
"I'll take my chances," replied Naruto, "Let's get these two to someplace sheltered."