Chapter 2
Las Noches
"Well" he called mockingly, gripping his weapon with both hands "You seem like more than just a little house kitten, don't die on me too quick!"
He was right in front of her, his sneering face barely a couple of inches from her own. On instinct she ducked the decapitating blow of his weapon, feeling the blades slice off tiny miniscule hairs from her cerulean mane. Looking up, seeing the opening left from the swing Yugito went for it. She rose to two feet, two huge claws digging into his arm and chest. A powerful set of jaws chomped down on his shoulder blade, crushing the bone and spilling blood.
There was a small problem. Her claws barely nicked the skin, and her jaws, capable of ripping flesh and armour, barely left a set of teeth marks. This creature's Hierro was in a whole other league from any other armoured skin she had seen in the past. What was worse was that, now that she gained a closer look, it seemed as thin and delicate as Naruto's.
Her blood froze when she saw his tenacious grin, and the way he was positioning his crescent moon shaped scythe. She jumped away, a cero forming between her teeth. She felt pain as he swung his scythe, the blade cutting a shallow gash along her chest, causing her own blood to squirt. The strange Hollow opened his mouth just as he finished the swing, a cero of his own forming on the tip of his tongue.
She fired.
He fired.
The two doom blasts met in the middle, colliding, melding and exploding in a mass of cerulean and orange energy that sent shockwaves throughout the forest of Menos. The shockwave threw her back, but Yugito was able to right herself in midair, landing on the ground and skidding to a halt.
The former Jinchuriki couldn't see the condition of her foe, the mass of dust and smoke kicked up from the point blank blasts made that nearly impossible, even for her own hyper-sensitive eyes. The laughter dampened her spirits. It was maniacal, gleeful, and bloodthirsty all in one.
"Not bad little kitty, not bad at all!" the Arrancar screamed in pure glee "Just because of that I will tell you my name, so you will know who killed you" the dust and smoke cleared, showing the darkened silhouette of her enemy, a single glowing crimson orb the only other colour "Octava Espada, Nnoitra Jiruga!!!"
He vanished in a blur, reappearing beside her, blade already swinging to slice her in two. Jumping away from the strike, Yugito dodged to the right before lashing out with her right paw, claws exposed and ready to slice into her opponent. To her surprise Nnoitra did not try to deflect, or even dodge her attack. Instead he took it head on, the paw latched onto his shoulder blade, claws biting into his flesh.
The Arrancar grimaced in pain, before another shit eating grin spread across his face "Got you"
She watched as he raised and swung his blade, aiming to disembowel her with an unnaturally powerful swing. The demon cat vanished in a Sonido, much to Nnoitra's surprise and annoyance "So we're giving out names" she asked, her head just an inch from his ear "Then I'll introduce myself before I kill you; I am the Nibi no Bakeneko, Yugito Nii"
Her two tails curled up and lashed forward with blurring speed, like those of a scorpion delivering a deadly sting. The Octava watched in muted fascination as they doubled, tripled, then quadrupled in length. He vanished via Sonido before they could pierce him, and saw them dig inches into the charred dirt. He looked up, and cursed as he saw her charging up another cero. Nnoitra saw that he was to close to be able to dodge, and it was to late for him to counter with his own doom blast.
Yugito fired.
Nnoitra closed his eyes and smiled, finally someone who could kill him.
The inevitable blow never came, and the Espada opened his eyes to be met with a body in front of him, form darkened by the incredible light given off by the cerulean cero, which had expanded like it was a water balloon slamming into a brick wall. Nel stood between them, a single elegant hand stretched out, eyes calm and emotionless. She opened her mouth and took in a deep breath.
Yugito watched in both awe and fear as her cero was swallowed whole by this strange woman, the last wisps of cerulean entering her mouth before she closed it, cheeks puffed out and eyes closed. She opened her eyes, orbs radiating determination. The Nibi Jinchuriki felt a sudden spike of spiritual pressure and moved to get out of the way.
Too late as Nelliel opened her mouth in a scream which was muffled by the cero escaping her lips, her own doom blast added to the attack to double its range and killing efficiency. The cero unleashed was not cerulean, nor the light green of Nel's own attacks, but rather a brilliant turquoise which shinned, illuminating the darkness of the forest of Menos.
Yugito was caught in the flames of the aftershock, and screamed in agony as she was carried through the forest as if caught in a tidal wave and carried by its current. She slammed into a tree, the pressure of the aftershock and the unforgiving crystalline pillar shattering bones and charring skin.
The flames abated, and in the blink of an eye the woman stood before her, green hair flying in the wind, almond eyes starring down upon her. Yugito tried to rise, but found the action impossible. In a flash the woman drew her sword, and levelled the tip of the blade at her throat.
"Surrender" she said quietly "Aizen-sama wishes you alive"
"Tch" the woman's head turned slightly to the side, watching as her partner came up beside her. His long crescent moon scythe leaning against his right shoulder, a sneer of contempt on his face "She's too weak to become an Arrancar. I say we kill her now!"
"Oh" the woman replied "Really? I could have sworn she had you with that cero"
"Shut up" her snarled back "She just caught me of guard!"
"Indeed" she replied, whether she believed it or not Yugito couldn't say. Her tone with him was emotionless and monotone.
"Alright then" he growled as he stepped in front of the woman, towering over her, face split in a grin and crescent war scythe held over his head in preparation for a downward stroke "Goodbye little kitty!"
He brought his weapon down, and Yugito closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable killing stroke, which never came. She waited for several heartbeats, before weakly opening her eyes and gazing above. A silhouette stood between her and the man, a single hand reaching up, gripping the blade of the crescent scythe.
A voice cut through her fuddled mind "Stay away from her"
The male Arrancar jumped back, releasing his scythe from the stranger, Naruto's, grip. He slowly came down in a crouch, not turning away from his enemies who had moved twenty meters away from them courtesy of a few well placed Sonido. A hand was pressed against her flank, warmth swept into her broken body.
"Hang on Yu-chan" he whispered so only she could hear "You'll be as good as new in no time"
He spoke again, only this time it was not directed at her, but the two Arrancar "Oi, listen up 'cause I hate to repeat myself. If any of you lay another hand on her I will kill you!"
His eyes met the male Arrancar, who returned his gaze with a maniacal grin. His type was easy to figure out, and immediately the blonde knew he had a fight on his hands. The other was considerably more difficult to read, her eyes were emotionless, well guarded, but there was something familiar about her. He locked onto her almond orbs, and saw her frown.
Nelliels frown stayed in place as she analysed the boy, she had seen him, but where? She had seen those eyes before. Both were attacked by memories, their eyes unable to leave each other.
"Hiss, Rey Del-"
Before he could finish a spiritual pressure ten times his fell upon the area, this time Naruto did come down to a knee, using every ounce of pride and strength to stop himself from falling to the ground below. The new power even made Orochimaru stop in his tracks. There was a blur and another silhouette appeared directly behind him, a slender hand gripping the blade of the snake Sannin's Zanpakuto.
"You have overstepped yourself, Orochimaru"
He looked back with a snarl "Nelliel Tu Oderschvank"
The woman standing behind him was tall and, besides the situation Naruto could tell by her skin tight white battledress that she was very well formed. Her long, unkempt light green hair stretched down to her waist, her skin was olive coloured, a long crimson line stretching from cheek to cheek. Hazel eyes which were piercing and almost eerily calm starred stoically into the snakes without flinching. The remains of a mask were present on the top of her head, the top half of a demonic skull with an upper jaw of sharp teeth and two curved horns.
"This game is over" she spoke, her voice sweetly musical yet calm and stoic.
"Oh, and what game might that be" Orochimaru asked with that sickeningly calm mirth filled voice of his "I thought our lord wouldn't mind a few less Shinigami to worry about"
"He told you to leave them alone" was her answer, her hand still gripping the snake's blade "And to let him worry about the Shinigami"
"Ah yes now I remember" was the Sannin's reply "But I got so bored"
She glared at him for a moment, before raising her free hand "We're leaving"
"As you wish Tres Espada"
"I know you" he muttered as he starred into those hazel eyes, never shying away, not even for a moment. Nelliel Tu Oderschvank… Tres Espada?
"This boy" Nelliel herself muttered under her breath, so that not even Nnoitra could hear her. I've seen him somewhere before, but where?
He suddenly unleashed his rietsu, and the Tres Espada's eyes opened wide in silently shock at what she saw. A massive form began to emerge high above him, as if his rietsu had unconsciously sent her this image. It was of a giant creature, a fox with crimson fur, dagger like teeth, eyes that shined with a scarlet glow and nine flowing tails fluttering and sweeping behind him.
Nine Tails? She thought frantically. He was the one they had been sent to search for. He was the one Aizen-sama wanted. Yet she felt his spiritual pressure, and knew that even if Nnoitra and she attacked him together they may have some trouble. This child's rietsu was disturbingly powerful, unnaturally strong, yet unrefined. It was obvious to her that he was unable to completely control his power, and that might give them an edge, if a slight one.
Perhaps there was another way. Perhaps in this instance diplomacy was a better option than fighting. In a quick motion she sheathed her Zanpakuto and raised her hands in surrender, ignoring her partner's look of utter disgust. The boy made no move, offensive or defensive. He simply remained crouched down in front of the Hollow, a dim crimson light illuminating his hand, resting on her flank.
What is he doing?
The light dimmed further, and vanished. A moment later the two tailed cat stirred and rose to her feet, shaking herself before turning her gaze upon them. She looked ready to attack, but was stopped by a calm hand on her shoulder. She turned to the young man, their eyes locked and after a moment of fierce internal argument she backed down.
"What do you want?" he asked, his eyes turning to them.
Nelliel met his gaze unflinchingly "To talk"
A dry, humourless chuckle escaped him "Talk? That didn't look like talk to me"
"Forgive my partner, he is easily excitable and foolish" Nnoitra turned a glare to her, but wisely remained quiet "We have a proposition for you"
"I'm listening" he said after a moment, ignoring the questioning gaze he got from his Adjuchas ally.
"Our master wishes to meet with you, to speak with you about the possibility of some sort of alliance" she spoke.
Naruto was silent for a moment, before nodding "And if I meet with your leader and refuse his offer, what happens then?"
Nelliel unconsciously found her hand twitching near her Zanpakuto "That is between you and him"
Once again the blonde seemed to be in deep thought, before to the surprise of the two Arrancar and his Hollow ally he nodded his head "Very well, I will speak with your leader, but there is one condition to my coming along" he turned to Yugito for a moment "She comes too"
Nelliel, surprised by his sudden acceptance lowered her hands to her side "Very well" at that she abruptly turned, her hair flowing around her from the sudden movement "Please follow us"
Nnoitra hesitated for a moment, before quietly cursing under his breath and turning to follow his partner. He had wanted a chance to fight this man, but it seemed that it wasn't necessary.
Naruto and Yugito walked behind them, the former Nibi Jinchuriki finding her muscles stiff and tired. Naruto had healed her battle injuries, but sadly his gift could do nothing about her stiffness. She looked up at the backs of the two Arrancar. They were a couple of meters in front of them, before turning her gaze to Naruto.
"What are you doing?"
His eyes met hers "Just a hunch I have"
She sighed "A memory came up huh?"
"Yup" he replied with a small smile "And that green haired woman was in it. I have a feeling that if I follow her then I may be able to remember more of my past life, and hopefully regain my lost memories…and maybe, just maybe it can help you as well"
She was silent for a moment, before sighing and nodding her head in agreement. Naruto's gut had never led them astray before, and over their time together she had learned to trust him and his decisions, still "Just be careful Naruto, those two are Arrancar, Hollows who have forcibly removed their masks to gain more power…and there are rumours that they are the underlings of a powerful Shinigami"
"A Shinigami" he asked "Why would a death god be here?"
She shrugged "It's only a rumour, might not even be true"
Naruto nodded, but somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that the rumour was very, very true.
------
It turned out that the forest of Menos wasn't the surface of Hueco Mundo, which surprised both Naruto and Yugito. The blonde looked over the landscape, a huge desert of white dunes stretching for as far as the eye could see. Clusters of rock and small shrivelled trees stabbed out from the surface in certain places, and Naruto wondered if they were the tops of the massive pillars far below. He looked up and saw the sky of this hellish world for the first time. It was a starless abyss, the odd wisp of cloud just barely seen from the eerie light of the crescent moon.
The Arrancar stopped, watching their two charges as they looked around in wonder. It was the woman, Nelliel, who spoke "Is this your first time above ground?"
Both nodded, and Naruto replied "We always thought the forest was the world, never expected this over our heads"
"Heh" Nnoitra said with a superior sneer "What tiny minds you have, thinking that that pathetic little wasteland below was the world"
Yugito snarled, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder "Don't let him get to you Yu-chan. It's obvious he's just pissed 'cause you nearly beat him"
"You say something"
"You heard me" Naruto replied unflinchingly.
Nnoitra slowly raised his scythe, only for his partner to place a hand, gently yet firmly on the pole. The two shared a heated look before the male Arrancar backed down. Obviously the woman was the superior of the two.
"Enough, all of you" she said firmly, as if she were talking to children "Nnoitra, Aizen-sama wants these two brought to Las Noches alive and unharmed. Incur his wrath if you wish, but I will not"
Nnoitra snarled in barely controlled annoyance, before turning and taking a few steps, muttering a barely audible stream of curses before vanishing in a Sonido. Nelliel sighed before turning back to her charges, a small disarming smile on her face.
"Come along"
It was several days of travel until they saw their destination. Naruto had heard rumours of Las Noches, the great fortress of Hueco Mundo where the Arrancar resided. He knew it would be impressive. The fortress consisted of a main domed building, surrounded by several large cylindrical towers and other, slightly smaller flat roofed structures. On top of the dome were six smaller tower-like structures. All of the buildings were coloured white, like the surrounding sands, locations for important rooms he surmised. Even when they saw the fortress it took another day to get there, and both Jinchuriki could only watch in awe at how large the fortress of Las Noches was. To be able to see it from such a distance was a true testament to its sheer scale.
Finally they came to one of the entrances, massive titanic gates of white stone, which automatically opened and closed at the very presence of the two Arrancar. They were then led through a vast maze of corridors, leading Naruto to assume that a good portion of this fortress was underground.
No words were spoken between them. Nnoitra was still seething over the little exchange in the forest, and trying to hold a conversation with him could lead to a loss of a limb or two. Nelliel had also been silent as she led them all through the mass of tunnels. Yugito had not left Naruto's side the entire journey, and by her fidgety stance he knew she did not trust these two. Not that he could blame her.
Finally Naruto broke the silence "So who is this guy…Aizen"
"That's Aizen-sama to you brat" Nnoitra spat.
The blonde shrugged "Whatever"
"Aizen-sama is our commander, our leader" Nelliel explained, cutting off her partner "He is the one who turned us into Arrancar, turned us from bloodthirsty monsters into what you see now. All for one purpose"
"What purpose?" Naruto asked, intrigued.
"To wage war with the Shinigami and the Soul Society"
"I see" Naruto replied, feeling a sudden feeling of unease. He squashed it quickly "Is it true that he is a Shinigami himself?"
She looked him in the eyes, and nodded "It is true that he is a Shinigami, but a powerful one"
Naruto nodded, he knew the name Aizen, something in the back of his mind was telling him to be wary, but once again he squashed it. Finally after what felt like hours they came to a chamber, covered in shadows. Most of the eerie light coming from a massive wall window at the other side of the chamber, allowing the light of the crescent moon to filter through. A large set of steps led up to a platform, on this platform was a large high backed white throne.
Sitting on this throne was a man, and almost immediately could feel that he was immensely powerful and dangerous. Brown eyes looked down upon him, widening ever so slightly before returning to normal, his hair was a dark brown and swept back, a single long strand hanging over his face. This man wore black robes with white trim. A long white coat of some kind neatly folded over one side of his throne, and a Zanpakuto leaning against the other side, fully sheathed.
So the power I felt was you, eh Naruto-kun? Aizen thought as he rose from his position and walked down the steps with deliberate slowness, allowing his steps to echo through the hollow chamber. His eyes fell upon the Adjuchas Hollow beside him, and widened ever so slightly again in surprise. Carefully he brushed her with his mind, and marvelled at how similar her rietsu was to young Naruto's. If I am not mistaken that is the Nibi no Nekomata with him as well, how interesting that two Jinchuriki meet in the wastes "Welcome friends to Las Noches"
His eyes fell on Naruto again, and he held his gaze, checking with incredible subtlety to see if there was any recognition. There was none, not even a flicker in those expressive oceanic eyes. It looks like that blow to the head, coupled with the stress of Hollowfication, has led to amnesia.
Aizen had already had several plans thought out of in his mind. He needed to get Naruto on his side. He wanted to harness his power, study his natural Hollowfication and gain a powerful ally in his eventual war against the Soul Society. The Nekomata was another possible boon for his plans, he could see by how close she stayed with him that wherever Naruto goes she was likely to follow. Once he had her he would put her through the Shinigamification process, and make her into an Arrancar.
One step at a time
"You are wondering why I have asked my soldiers to bring you here" Aizen began as he glided over the last few steps to the main floor, stopping a meter away from his two guests "And the answer to that is simple, I want you two to join our ranks"
Naruto saw Nelliel and Nnoitra vanish in a cluster of Sonido, reappearing on the tops of elevated platforms he had not noticed before "I hear you are planning a war with the Shinigami of the Soul Society. Tell me why would you plan for war with your own, and why with Hollows, your supposedly sworn enemies?"
"A good question" Aizen replied "And my answer is this. The Central 46, the Noble Houses, the Goteijusantai, the entire governmental system of the Soul Society is corrupt to the very core. A select few influential beings live in the lap of luxury while many others live in poverty and despair, in lawlessness and pain, and those with power purposely ignore them. Even the Spirit King and his royal family, safe in their ivory tower know of this and do nothing" he looked both in the eye "I plan to change everything, bring down the old regime of the Soul Society and replace the heads of state. Change everything for the better"
"Hollofying" Naruto turned the name around in his mind "What the hell is that!?"
"Your feigned ignorance will do you no good"
"You are charged in assisting Kisuke Urahara in illegal experiments concerning Hollowfication, and using this knowledge on the Captains of third, fifth, seventh and ninth Divisions, as well as the Lieutenants of eighth, ninth, twelfth and the Kido Divisions"
"A noble goal" Naruto returned, immediately distrusting this man, but he needed him if he were to regain his lost memories. This man was the key. He knew it in his soul. But there was one problem. What about Yugito? He could tell that she was nervous and scared, in truth by sensing all of the powerful beings scattered within this place he too felt a tinge of fear.
He leaned in close to her ear, whispering just under his breath so this Aizen was just out of range "If you are uncomfortable with any of this-"
"I will follow you" she replied, cutting him off "So don't ask me if I want to run away"
"You're sure?"
"Yes"
"Alright then" Naruto replied with a small smile, before setting his gaze on the Shinigami once again "We will join you. But do not think that it is for a utopia. I join you because I wish to regain my memories, and I feel you are the key, same for Yu-chan. Is that understood?"
"Quite clearly" Aizen replied with a small smile "But I am afraid that in order for your friend to become a member of this army she needs to become an Arrancar"
He looked back at his friend, only to see her look at him, and nod "She accepts"
Aizen smiled "Good"
------
It was an hour before the first stage of the transformation was complete, and as Naruto was led into the chamber where the final stage was to take place he found that he was not alone. On platforms scattered across the chamber were Arrancar, at least a half dozen of them, each taking a place on a platform to watch the proceedings below.
He recognised Nelliel on a midlevel stand, beside her were another three Arrancar, but they remained back just beyond his sight. An old man with his mask remains consisting of a crown of white horns stood on another. On another was a bored looking individual with shoulder length black hair and a well trimmed goatee. Others were about, but their spiritual pressure was so minute that he did not even spare them a glance.
Then he brought his attention upon the centre of the room, where a humanoid form was on its knees, covered in a layer of bandages with her arms stretched out, obviously a woman. She was surrounded by an orange barrier, shaped like an inverted pyramid. Aizen stood beside her, and turned his head to see Naruto as he approached "Ah, your right on time. I was about to begin" he glanced at several other empty platforms "Wouldn't you like a prime seat for the show?"
He shook his head as he came up beside the architect of Hueco Mundo and watched the prone form, waiting for the ritual to begin "I think she would be relieved if she felt I was near"
"Very well" Aizen replied and reaching into his coat retrieved the neo-Hōgyoku and held it in front of him, watching as it shone with an unnatural light before shattering with a loud crack.
For a moment nothing happened, and then a massive explosion of spiritual pressure struck the area. So powerful that some of the weaker beings in the room fell to their knees. Both Naruto and Aizen's clothes and hair were whipped back by a sudden gale force wind. A cerulean tint took over the orangey glow of the inverted pyramid and a scream of pure agony, sheer and near deafening escaped Yugitos lips.
Naruto, slightly disturbed turned to Aizen for answers, only to see him leaned back, his eyes wide and a dumbfounded look on his features "This is new"
Like someone had broken a dam the inverted pyramid shattered, sending forth a powerful shockwave which sent both Naruto and Aizen flying across the chamber, both righted themselves in midair and skidded to a halt, watching as spiritual pressure of the deepest azure seemed to explode from Yugitos bandaged form like blood, the tendrils of cerulean swirled as if they were a whirlpool, the noise near deafening. The air chilled, and a feeling of immense foreboding struck all in attendance, it was as if the air itself had become foul. Something was wrong with this spiritual pressure, it almost felt like they were starring death in the face.
"What is going on" Naruto yelled to be heard over the dull roar of the gale and the pained screams.
"I'm not sure" was Aizens reply "But this is not normal. Something is wrong!"
The spiritual pressure was so volatile that it seemed to form a tornado above Yugito, a continuous mass of swirling spiritual energy. Cracks appeared on the walls. The pillars that supported the upper platforms shattered and fell over like fallen trees. And through it all a distortion began to take shape in the spiritual pressure. A head was forming in the midst of the tornado, yellow eyes, whiskers and fur, piece by piece the head of a nightmarish cat took shape, feral and murderous, like a head was edging through smoke.
It seemed to look at everyone, and snarl.
Sorry about the delay in posting this chapter everybody. I've come across a little dilemma in that I have posted too many stories in the same timeframe. I don't know about you but I am a guy who likes going one story at a time, and four at once is a little much.
Anyway I am definitely putting my Battlestar Galactica/Stargate crossover on hold until further notice and try to focus on my three other fics (Including this one so don't worry). Once again I am sorry for keeping you guys waiting, so here you are. My gift to you!!! Peace out.