Next chapter is here!
Thank you reviewers:
Umbra8191, ZxZ Fic Hunter, Taeniaea, Silvdra-zero, bostafu, Impstar, fufukun, ParadiseRegained, and darkHollow.
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Naruto had stayed up all night. He wasn't tired, but he was extremely bored. He had forgotten how boring Las Noches was. Naruto recalled his place was the only housing that had a window showing outside the dome of Las Noches. Getting off his bed, he decided to venture around. It was true that Las Noches didn't have very much. In the past Naruto always sought people out and bothered them. Naruto used to hang out with Luppi, but he was dead now. Not that Naruto really missed Deidara that much. He wandered down the hall until he reached the outside 'garden', which was only quartz trees and sand and what seemed to be a small pond. Naruto didn't remember there being a pond. Then again, Naruto was forgetting many things. He couldn't think of his past very much, it was all blank. Expect for names and faces. He didn't, no, couldn't remember what the Konoha was like. He sighed and walked into the 'garden'. Looking up into the dome, he saw the fake blue sky. An illusion Aizen made.
"Well at least it looks realistic." Naruto mumbled and made his way to the pond. He wanted to see real blue sky, like in Karakura town. Though it would be pointless to go there. He had a home now. Looking into the pond, seeing his pale reflection he sighed. His memories and image seemed to deteriorate over the years. His world turning upside down. He had strange impulses to kill randomly. Maybe it was his hollow, or did he want this? Naruto couldn't tell any more. He wanted to destroy everything lately. Including Las Noches, Soul society, and that small town Ichigo lived in. Naruto growled and he felt another head ache coming on. He gripped his head, and closed his eyes. "Stupid Kyuubi and hollow." Naruto wanted to slam his head on something. It wouldn't do any good.
Once the headache subsided, he sighed. Hoping the two wouldn't start fighting again soon. He heard something behind him and looked over his shoulder quickly. Naruto was used to the fact of everything was the enemy, and needed to think quickly and see the opponent. Naruto saw a rather young looking Arrancar slowly chasing a small butterfly. Though the butterfly was technically was a very weak hollow. A small hole in its abdomen. The boy looked rather, absent. The boy's eyes wide and empty. The hollow butterfly glided across the air over to Naruto, and the Arrancar followed. Soon the small hollow landed on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto's eyebrow rose. The Arrancar looked at Naruto head tilted. Naruto's eyes narrowed at the Arrancar. "Guaa…." The Arrancar then lifted his hand. Naruto eyes widened. The Arrancar used bala at point blank range. "Haa." The Arrancar had a devious smile.
"That wasn't very smart." Naruto said from behind the Arrancar. The boy swung around using his fist, and Naruto caught it. The blonde Arrancar looked at Naruto in the eyes. Naruto for some reason could felt a little connected to this strange kid. The Arrancar slowly reached towards the butterfly and grabbed it, crushing it. The Arrancar brought back his hand to investigate its remains. Looking at the dead hollow, he frowned. Naruto sighed, "You killed it." He told the Arrancar. The boy looked back up with wide eyes. The Arrancar seemed to keep his mouth open slightly most the time. "I didn't do anything." Naruto said to the boy.
"Uwaai?" the Arrancar acted as if he was not even there. The blank expression and strange attitude from impulse. Naruto had never seen this Arrancar before. He had Espada level spiritual pressure. Obviously a very powerful being, but there was always a reason why one had so much power. Naruto closed his eyes and sensed the aura around the Arrancar was not as natural as the others. Something ripped from him. "Yuu." The boy reached out and grabbed Naruto's arm. Naruto watched carefully. This person was unpredictable. The Arrancar blinked and lifted his arm. "Naaam…" the boy looked into his eyes. Naruto noticed the boy was about the same height as him. Naruto didn't know what this kid was up to. "Nam?" the boy tilted his head, his mouth still agape. Naruto felt as if he should be saying something.
"Name?" Naruto asked. the boy looked at him. Naruto saw the boy nod a little, did the boy truly understand? "My name is Naruto." the blonde hollow said. The boy let go of Naruto's arm, and stared blankly at him. Naruto was a little surprised to see the Arrancar smile at him. Naruto couldn't understand this kid. The kid then impaled Naruto with his other had, with a smile. Naruto blinked, and glared at him. "I have had it with your game." Naruto pulled out the kid's arm from his chest. The Arrancar looked like he was a little surprised. Naruto with the arm that had impaled him threw the kid at one of the nearby buildings. He panted and grimaced as the wound healed. The Arrancar had gone through the wall, and now sitting in debris. Standing up without warning, he smiled and took in a deep breath. He released a cero. Naruto growled and closed his eyes, brought up his hand. The cero hit him; the bright purple energy consumed him. The Arrancar looked bored. Then Naruto appeared before him. Grabbing the boys head, "I have had enough!" he used his other hand to form Rasengan. Naruto saw as the boys eyes dimmed. Naruto frowned, Aizen wouldn't be too happy with him killing someone on his first day back. He really didn't like the idea of killing either. He wanted to, in fact, he really wanted to rip the kid to shreds. However, something inside disagreed. Not knowing what he wanted he growled a little. "Tch!" the sphere dissipated, and Naruto let go of the kid.
"Ru...to?" The Arrancar said, tilting his head. His purple eyes followed Naruto. Uzumaki stormed off, pissed off at this kid. "Ru…to.." The kid got up and followed him. Naruto went back into the main building, ignoring the boy. Naruto could hear the Arrancar's steps as he followed him. Naruto's eye twitched a little knowing he was being followed. "Ru…" the Arrancar called to him. Naruto saw someone walking towards him. He had dark skin and a band-like visor over his eyes. He could tell it was a shinigami by the reiatsu emitting from him. He stopped in front of Naruto, and the blonde Arrancar walked up to the shinigami.
"I wondered where you had gone." The man said the strange Arrancar. "Hopefully he didn't cause you too much trouble. Wonderweiss doesn't usually wander off." The dark skinned man said. Naruto didn't know who this guy was, but he seemed very nice. "I'm Kaname Tosen by the way. I already know who you are. Aizen told me about you." Kaname said.
"Wonderweiss is his name?" Naruto looked at the blonde Arrancar. Who was still looking at him. "He sure doesn't act like any Arrancar I have ever seen." Naruto stated, "I mean he attacked me multiple times." Kaname looked in the direction of Wonderweiss. "It's strange, he doesn't even speak…"
"Wonderweiss was modified." Kaname said. Naruto looked at the shinigami with a surprised look. "All forms of rationality, memory retention, speech, and intelligence were purposely removed to enhance his power." Kaname explained to Naruto. "He is a pure being, despite what was done to him." Naruto looked at Wonderweiss with a sad expression. He was made to fight and kill. Naruto was loyal to Aizen, but he didn't understand why he did this to the Arrancar. Naruto saw Wonderweiss was a bit like him. Both were just weapons. In being weapons, they were loyal. However, Naruto had a choice, while Wonderweiss had none. "I'm sorry that my friend had disturbed you." He stated.
"I guess I understand." Naruto said. He glanced at Wonderweiss for a moment. "I don't completely understand him, but I guess no one truly does."
"Very true." Kaname agreed in a calm tone. After a few moments of silence Kaname looked at the blonde Arrancar "Wonderweiss, let's go...of course it's your decision whether you want to go or not." Kaname turned around, and Wonderweiss gazed at Naruto with curiosity. Naruto smiled at him. Wonderweiss then followed the shinigami. Naruto sighed, what was he going to do now?
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Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to visit Grimmjow after twenty years. Grimmjow would probably beat the shit out of Naruto, but he had nothing else to do. Aizen hadn't called for any meetings, so there was no task for the moment. Naruto went to Grimmjow's 'palace' as Aizen put it. At the large door of the 'palace', he didn't know if he should knock or walk in. He wondered if Grimmjow was even around. He was about to knock on the door, the door opened. Grimmjow stood there with a raised eyebrow. "What the hell are you doing here?" He asked. Naruto stood awkwardly in the silence, and Grimmjow growled, "Well? What the hell is it?"
"I just wanted to visit." Naruto said in a timid manner. Naruto cursed himself for sounding like a child, he hated when he did that. Grimmjow smirked and laughed at Naruto's shy demeanor. "I just remembered how boring Las Noches is…" Naruto rubbed the back of his head. Grimmjow allowed Naruto in. Grimmjow's 'palace' first floor had a very large platform, where he trained. Naruto was reminded of all the brawls he had with Grimmjow. He noticed how quiet the place was. "Hey where is …"
"They are all dead." Grimmjow stated with no sign of remorse, "I thought they were stronger than they actually were." Naruto frowned. He had gotten to know all the fraccion. He spent most the time with Grimmjow, and they talked to each other often. He wasn't surprised by Grimmjow's reaction to their deaths. Grimmjow at the most never cared very much for them. Naruto sighed. "Besides they knew what they were getting into. They died on their own will." Grimmjow grinned. Naruto could sense a small amount of compassion.
Grimmjow showed more compassion now than he did so many years ago. Naruto was picked on by the blue-haired Espada, physically and verbally. Naruto at one point snapped, and was determined to kill him. That day was when Grimmjow changed the most.
Flashback
"What the hell! Why are you not going to kill me?" Grimmjow growled angry, "I should tear off your fucking arm! Am I not that great of a challenge? Am I too weak for you!" Grimmjow yelled. Naruto stood over Grimmjow, a few cuts here and there. He had forced Grimmjow into his resurreccion form, and Naruto defeated him. Naruto decided not to kill Grimmjow, for some reason there was no point. Grimmjow grabbed his ankle, "If you beat the enemy you might as well kill them! Now finish me off you coward!" Naruto kicked his face, but not too hard. "What the hell!" he growled wanting to rip Naruto apart. Naruto sat next to the fallen Espada member. "Don't you dare look down on me! You little shit!"
"You are a worthy opponent, Grimmjow." Naruto said, shutting up the angry man. "Killing you would be a stupid thing to do." The hollow told him. Grimmjow growled. "It was true my first intent was to kill you, but I realized how strong you are. You have a great spirit." Naruto sighed, "I couldn't kill an opponent knowing that you were defenseless against me." Grimmjow glared at him.
"You shit! You think you are better than me!" Grimmjow yelled.
"Grimmjow." Naruto said sternly, "I cannot die." He reminded him, "I challenged you knowing this, it was entirely unfair." Naruto sighed wanting Grimmjow to calm down. "Killing you would only prove I can't face my opponents directly. If I were to kill you, I would want to be more at your level." Naruto smiled, "Besides, if I could die, I would have never met you. I would have been dead a long time ago." He explained. "I believe you to be strong, not doubt." Grimmjow had calmed down. "You in the end would have survived longer, in a way, you are stronger." The 6th Espada hid his face from Naruto. Grimmjow didn't know whether to hate him or respect him. It was true; Naruto would have died a long time ago, if not for his immortality. It bothered Grimmjow knowing that Naruto was Espada zero. Naruto had power, beyond that of even Coyote, but Naruto never used it. In the years he had been at Las Nochas Naruto never showed any of his true power. They all knew he had strength, speed, agility, endurance, and a move called rasengan, but nothing else.
"You are one hell of strange kid." Grimmjow sat up, watching Naruto carefully. "Saying you are weaker than the enemy after you defeated them." Naruto shrugged. "You have some issues if you think you are weaker than me." Grimmjow smirked, and tried to stand. Naruto offered a hand but Grimmjow slapped it away. "Let me go off with the dignity I have." Naruto had a large amount of power and yet he never used. It pissed Grimmjow off. He always challenged the kid to see if he would reveal anything new, but alas, he saw the same things. Grimmjow stood up and glanced at Naruto for a moment, before walking away. The reason Grimmjow hated the kid was because he felt so damned weak. Like he wasn't even a challenge. He limped a little, ignoring his injuries. Nearly falling, he was caught by someone. "Hey I told you-"
"I don't care if you whine, I might as well help I've got nothing better to do." Naruto said simply not looking at Grimmjow. The 6th Espada snorted. Allowing the kid to help just this once. Naruto and the man's arm slumped around his shoulders. The two walked in silence. Grimmjow would have to seal his resurreccion form back into his zanpakuto when he got the time. For now, he had to find a way to make sure no one ever found out about this. Damn, the kid was growing on him.
End of Flashback
Naruto couldn't help but feel a bit happy that Grimmjow in a way cared about him. Naruto knew that Grimmjow's fraccion would never back down from a fight, even if they were to die. They all had the same stubbornness. Just like Grimmjow. Out of all the fraccion members Di Roy Rinker and Yylfordt Granz was one of Naruto good friends. Naruto tend to try to befriend everyone. Though Aizen told him not to, Naruto ignored his words. Aizen tried to explain that all Arrancar were merely servants and expendable at any time. Naruto wondered if he thought of the Espada the same way. Naruto pushed aside the thought. The hollow understood why Grimmjow wasn't sad over his fraccion's deaths. All of them knew what they were going against, no regret.
"I guess that's ok if they know what they were getting into." Naruto stated, and Grimmjow nodded. It was a little unusual to see Grimmjow calm and not wanting to fight him. Naruto looked around and saw nothing had changed over the time he was gone. The place looked the same as when he first came to Las Noches. Grimmjow leaned against the tall platform. "Las Noches hasn't really changed…"
"Well no shit. This place is boring as hell." He rolled his eyes, "Besides, you really think that Las Noches would be exciting at all?" Grimmjow questioned Naruto. Naruto thought for a moment. He really didn't know what to expect when coming to Las Noches. He shrugged and Grimmjow laughed, "Yeah didn't think you find this hole very interesting."
"It's better than a prison cell." Naruto stated. Grimmjow glanced at Naruto, "its dark. There's no light. Any sound echoes through the entire place. All you hear is the rattling of the chains." Naruto recalled the times when he was in the Underground city. He couldn't help shiver slightly, remembering how cold the cell was. The icy, jagged, damp stone that surrounded him. He got claustrophobic at one point.
"Well why the hell didn't you leave?" Grimmjow asked, looking at Naruto for a response. "If you hated it there so bad, why did you stay?" Grimmjow re phrased the question. "You could have completely destroyed the Soul Society." Grimmjow knew that Naruto could have blown the place to bits. Grimmjow just couldn't understand why he just stayed there like obedient child.
"I…" Naruto grew quiet. His eyes upon the floor.
"You what?" Grimmjow became more irritated.
"I though they would have changed…" Naruto said in a soft tone.
"What do you mean changed?" Grimmjow growled, "Say something that makes sense."
"I thought that the Soul Society would accept me. I thought they would care about me…because…" Naruto kept in his tears knowing Grimmjow would beat him if he cried. "They acted like they cared…they wanted me around…but, it was a lie." Naruto finished, his lower lip quivered a tiny amount. He cursed himself for acting like a child, but he couldn't help it. His mind was set on the people that reminded him of his friends from the Konoha. He was supposed to be forty years old, but that was his past. Like his friends, they weren't actually them. They were reincarnations. He felt like a child no matter what his past was. Grimmjow eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Oh, hell no. You better not cry! Or I will personally kick your ass!" Grimmjow yelled. Naruto obliged and his lip stopped trembling. "I don't why the hell you would believe all that shit? Why would a shinigami care for a hollow?" Grimmjow grabbing Naruto's arm to get him pay attention. "No one cares for us. Hell we don't even care for each other! I don't know why you would think that." Naruto looked up into the 6th Espada's eyes.
"I…I don't know." Naruto said truthfully. He had gotten used to the world of humans that he forgot what he truly was. A hollow, a monster, a killer. Naruto sighed, and Grimmjow let go of his arm. "I really don't know. Part of me wishes that they did accept me…instead of locking me away…but I should have known I was not welcome there." The room grew quiet. Grimmjow hated seeing the kid mope, it was pathetic. He tried to think of something that would cheer the hollow up.
"One thing is for sure; at least you are welcome here." Grimmjow said, he didn't want to sound mushy, but it was true. At least for the moment. He cursed at himself mentally for sounding as if he cared. "We may try to kill each other on a daily bases, but its home. One shitty home…" Grimmjow looked at Naruto's face. Seeing his eyes light up. He looked away. Next thing Grimmjow knew, Naruto had his arms wrapped around his waist. Grimmjow's face flustered, his arms lifted into the air.
"Thanks." Naruto smiled, his head rested on Grimmjow's abdomen. Grimmjow's eyes wide as he tried to compute what exactly happened. Naruto just hugged him. Grimmjow couldn't get passed the fact that the brat actually touched him. If anyone saw or knew of this, he could never live it down. Luckily, he had no fraccion to witness the event. They would have laughed their asses off. Grimmjow felt very awkward. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't think of anything but hitting the kid. Grimmjow was very happy with any type of affection. Naruto had done this maybe once or twice in the past, but it was just to piss him off. This was different, it was like Naruto was actually hugging him.
"W-What the hell? Get off me you brat!" Grimmjow punched Naruto's head. The 6th Espada couldn't think of anything else to do. Naruto let go of Grimmjow, and rubbed his head. Grimmjow eyes narrowed and his face a tinge pink. He couldn't believe Naruto hugged him. Sure, Grimmjow acted a bit like a brother, but he would never admit it, at least out loud. Even if was life or death. "Why the hell did you do that?" He yelled His face tinged with pink. Naruto laughed at him. "Hey! Don't laugh at me!" he snarled.
"You should have seen your face!" Naruto smiled, Grimmjow was glad that Naruto wasn't so mushy now. He smirked. Grimmjow noticed Naruto was a lot more like a child than the many years ago when they first met. It was strange, but Naruto was strange overall.
"Yeah, well let's see your face after I kick your ass!" Grimmjow growled, pretending to angry which wasn't convincing. Naruto's eyes widened as Grimmjow threw a punch at him. He moved away at the last second. Naruto kept laughing, even if it was a death wish.
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Naruto groaned, he hadn't fought that much in twenty years. His body sore from the brawl. Grimmjow lost, again, not surprising. However, Naruto could have lost if he gave up. At one point during the fight, he got dizzy. Grimmjow used that moment as an opening, but Naruto luckily knew substitution technique. He was on his way back to sense a familiar reiatsu. It was Ulquiorra. He hadn't seen his stoic friend in years, like everyone else. Naruto searched for the 4th Espada. Coming to the detention level, he found a few Arrancar in the area. He passed through the security to go to a wall. There was no door. He stood outside the wall a little confused. Suddenly he saw Ulquiorra standing behind him. "Naruto." Ulquiorra said with his usual blank expression. Naruto nodded.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Naruto said with a small smile. He felt happy to see his friend again. For some reason he was feeling horribly down all the sudden. Ulquiorra was silent; his green eyes bore into Naruto. "I understand why you wouldn't want to talk to me…" Naruto looked at his hands and twirled his thumbs in circles. It was very awkward for Naruto to confront Ulquiorra so randomly, after what he did in the past. "I'll be leaving…sorry." Naruto sped away from the 4th Espada; he felt a hand grab him.
"There's no point in dwelling on the past." Ulquiorra said. Naruto avoided his eyes, looking at anything else other than Ulquiorra. "It's rude to not look at who you are talking to." Ulquiorra said, Naruto sighed and looked at him. "I don't quite understand why you would fret over the past." He saw Naruto's discomfort.
"Because I did something regret. Like most of my past." Naruto said, and Ulquiorra knew Naruto had more to say. Naruto hid many things from people, and Ulquiorra could tell. His way of changing subjects, laughing at a question, smiling even if there was nothing to smile about, and allowing himself to be thrown around by some members of the Espada. Ulquiorra observed this the first few years. "It doesn't matter though." Naruto smiled, trying to dodge anymore questions on his past.
"If it does not matter, why do avoid talking about the subject? Surely if this did not matter you would not mind talking about this." Ulquiorra stated. Naruto eyes winced, knowing it was true. Naruto just smiled widely, as he used to in his old life. Ulquiorra was not very pleased with Naruto's attempt.
"Avoid talking about my past?" Naruto he had a fox like grin on his face. "There are better subjects other than my past." Naruto laughed, Ulquiorra still had his cold demeanor. "I'll put it simply. My past is full of regret." Naruto gaze half lidded.
"Regret." Ulquiorra repeated. He never experienced something like that. Thinking about it for a moment. That human he was guarding talked of human emotions; he didn't believe them at all. "What is regret? I know of the word, but I have never experienced regret. What is it a human emotion?"
"Regret…" Naruto whispered his eyes half lidded. "Regret is something you feel sorry for, something you wished hadn't happened." Naruto tried to define the term in a way where Ulquiorra could potentially understand.
"Why do you regret? You are no longer human. Human emotions are beneath your concern." Ulquiorra said curious of the subject.
"I may not be human any more, but it doesn't mean I can't feel. The same goes for you. It doesn't mean you don't have a heart just because you are different." Naruto said. Ulquiorra was perplexed. The human girl talked of hearts and Naruto had brought the up subject once or twice many years ago, but what were they? "You have an opinion, and have feelings as well."
"I still can not apprehend what the heart is. If you can't see it, it does not exist." Ulquiorra confessed to Naruto. "Still, I wish to find out what a heart is." Ulquiorra stated. Naruto laughed a bit. "Why do you laugh?" The 4th Espada asked, curious on the sudden behavior.
"The heart is there."
"If it is there, then why can you not see it?" Ulquiorra asked, "I do not understand."
"Ulquiorra, no one really understands the heart." Naruto smiled at stoic Espada. Naruto placed his hand over his heart. "It may be just an organ in the body, but it holds…strange qualities." Ulquiorra blinked staring at where Naruto laid his hand. Naruto blinked in surprise when Ulquiorra placed his had on Naruto's chest. Ulquiorra bent over looking curiously at Naruto's chest. It was a little bit funny that Ulquiorra was so interested. His curiosity reminded him of a child. Always investigating, trying to see what people wanted to explain.
"Where is it?" Ulquiorra asked. Naruto couldn't feel but a little sad. Naruto took Ulquiorra's hand and placed it over the 4th Espada's chest where the heart would be. Ulquiorra perturbed by the gesture. Naruto knew that Ulquiorra wouldn't understand at the moment. He gave Ulquiorra a small smile trying to lift his own uneasiness.
"You have to find your heart on your own." Naruto said and freed Ulquiorra's hand. "It is something everyone has to do." Ulquiorra looked at his hand. Bringing his hand up to his face to inspect it. Ulquiorra sighed, and placed his hand down. He was not satisfied with the answer, and still very curious.
"Until I see this heart, I do not believe it is there." Ulquiorra announced. Naruto gave a defeated sigh. "I should not delay time any longer. Aizen wishes to hear my report on our guest."
"Guest?" Naruto said in a confused manner. He looked at the wall where he felt Ulquiorra's presence. "I didn't know Aizen was holding someone prisoner."
"She is a human, by the name Inoue Orihime." Ulquiorra told the blonde hollow. "She too had been talking about human emotions, and the heart." He looked in the direction of the room.
"Orihime? If I remember correctly, some shinigami talked of her. She has some sort of healing powers." Naruto said.
"Souten Kisshun. Aizen states it is a rejection of events or time. I will explain later, but for now I will leave." Ulquiorra answered, walking away from Naruto. Naruto stood as he watched the Arrancar move away. Ulquiorra looked at his hand again as if trying to find something he lost. He didn't know what a heart was, but he was going to find out what it was. Real or not.
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Naruto had been very unlucky now. While trying to find something to do he stumbled on Nnoitra with his fraccion, Tesra. Naruto remembered all the beatings that Nnoitra gave him, and lessons he taught. Naruto tried to get away, but Tesra spotted him, "Naruto?" he said, Nnoitra turned swiftly and his eyes narrowed, and a grin formed on his lips. Naruto couldn't remember why he let Nnoitra beat him in the first place. Then thought of when Nnoitra abused Tesra. He talked to Tesra very few times, but he was a very nice person, even if he idolized a complete psychopath. The day Naruto saw Nnoitra beat the hell out of Tesra; he wanted to give him a break. Therefore, he got on Nnoitra's bad side. It was good Naruto couldn't die, or he would have been killed a hundred times over. Nnoitra walked over to Naruto, it only took about ten steps. He was very tall. He leaned down to Naruto's height, his face a couple inches away from Naruto's.
"Well if it isn't the fucking zero Espada?" His grin was wide, and covered most his face. Naruto didn't know how he could talk so clearly with his grin. "Hope you don't think I won't beat the fucking shit out of your pale ass just because it's your first day back." He smiled sinisterly. Tesra gave Naruto apologetic look.
"Of course not. Nnoitra." Naruto said, and the lanky man stood back up, his smile gone and looked at Naruto with an unimpressed expression. Naruto was a little nervous. Nnoitra was an unpredictable person. Naruto kept his head down while his eyes gazed up at the tall man's face. Naruto was looking for any type of malice.
"So, you remembered?" Nnoitra browed raised and he grinned again. "That's good you remembered my name, or I would have beat the shit out of you." He said. Naruto wasn't fazed by the threat, knowing flinching would get him nowhere. Nnoitra circled Naruto, his gaze only on Naruto. "I wonder if you remember…"
"Never show any signs of weakness to anyone around you." Naruto said, repeating what Nnoitra had once told him. Though, his vocabulary was much more colorful. "If you should flinch, or whimper you will be punished." Naruto added. Nnoitra had ingrained that into his mind. Nnoitra smiled.
"So you fucking remembered. That's good in all, but you forgot one thing…" Nnoitra grin grew even wider, "Never fucking interrupt." Naruto froze, hiding the surprise in his eyes. His body tensed. Tersa closed his eyes hearing a loud slap. Naruto fell to the ground, his right cheek glowing a bright red. He didn't make a sound; Nnoitra pulled him to his feet. Naruto was brought two feet off the ground. The tall man held him by his neck. Naruto brought up his hands, shuddering for a breath. "Wasn't that the first fucking thing I taught you? You little shit." He dropped Naruto on the hard marble floor. Naruto gasped, choking a bit. Tersa walked over to Naruto. "Interrupt me gain, I'll kick your fucking ass." He walked away from the two.
"Are you alright Naruto?" Tersa asked concerned for the hollow. "I told you this was not necessary. I am fine." Naruto shook his head. "Really, Nnoitra isn't as hard on me anymore." He wanted the hollow to stop sacrificing himself for him, but Naruto was too stubborn. "This is my entire fault."
"Lee... I mean Tersa, I wanted to do this." Naruto smiled at the fraccion. Naruto stood up and rubbed his red cheek, "What I can't understand is why you look up to Nnoitra. He isn't even nice to you." Naruto couldn't understand how this man could be Rock Lee. The bushy-brows he knew had lots of spirit, energy, and determination. The Arrancar before him was loyal, determined, and nice like Lee was, but he served the biggest ass in the world. Nnoitra beat Tersa when he didn't do something right, and even when he did it right he never thanked him.
"Nnoitra-sama is a very kind person." Tersa said with a sad glance, "I have seen it. He took me in, when no one else would." Naruto frowned. Lee was loyal to the wrong person. He had never sensed Gai's aura yet, he wondered what happened to Lee's sensei. "You understand what that is like?" Tersa asked.
"Yeah. I do." Naruto rubbed his cheek one last time before standing. "I know what you mean." Naruto still couldn't believe Aizen brought him back in. He smiled, "I guess you have a point of being loyal, but even behind his back you talk him up." Tersa nodded.
"Nnoitra-sama saved me from death. I am eternally grateful for it." Tersa explained, "It's only fair if I offer my services." He said softly, he looked at Naruto's cheek. "Your injury isn't too bad. Nnoitra-sama was holding back. You should be thankful." Tersa sighed.
"Tersa…you are too nice for your own good." Naruto said. Tersa smiled a little. "I just wish Nnoitra cared more."
"We can't have everything can we?" Tersa sighed.
"Tersa! Get your fucking ass over here!" Nnoitra yelled, and Tersa nodded at Naruto.
"I must be going, Nnoitra-sama calls." Tersa bowed a bit before running towards where Nnoitra yelled. Naruto sighed. Rock Lee was very different from what he once was. Lee was still kind, reserved, loyal, tolerant, and polite. Even if a person didn't deserve it. Lee was no longer his goofy, spirited self. It bothered Naruto, but he knew he was just another reincarnation. They weren't the people they once were.
"It's too bad." Naruto said, "You were always a good friend, and rival."
XXXX
Naruto had wanted to visit a certain fraccion member. It was one of Baraggan's fraccion. Ggio Vega was a person he rarely saw in his past. Ggio reminded him bit of Sui-Feng, but he ignored that thought. Reaching Baraggan's palace, he knocked on the large double wood door. The door creaked open, and Naruto saw one of Baraggan's fraccion open the door. "Eh? Naruto, what are you doing here?" the fraccion member asked.
"I was wondering if Ggio was around." Naruto said. The fraccion member opened the door letting Naruto in. He found the palace was dark, not very many lights. A giant throne where Baraggan would sit at, in the middle of the great hall. Stairs on both sides of the throne. "Do you know where Ggio would be?"
"Should be upstairs." Naruto couldn't remember the fraccion member's name. Naruto walked up the stairs and looked down a long hallway. If he recalled correctly, Ggio room was at the end of the hallway. Walking past several rooms, he made it to the last door on the left. He knocked on the door, not wanting to intrude.
"What the hell-" Ggio opened the door, and looked stunned. "Naruto? Wow. I knew Baraggan was sent on a mission to retrieve you, but I didn't think I would see you again." He smiled. Naruto shrugged. "It's good you came back."
"The Soul Society was hell." Naruto said, and Ggio smiled, "They locked me up again." Ggio rolled his eyes, "I could have broken out of that place. They all think they are invincible."
"Man, that does sound like hell." Ggio said, walking out into the hall and shutting his door. "I'm guessing they wanted to keep you locked up?" Naruto nodded, and Ggio laughed. "Shinigami sure underestimate you. Maybe it's because you look like a kid." The two walked down the hall.
"Yeah, everyone there deserves to burn in hell." Naruto growled, "They lied to me. They pretended like they cared about me." Naruto sneered and Ggio crossed his arms. "I hate everyone there."
"Well you aren't the only one. Hell, everyone here hates those bastards." Ggio stated, "Then again it's obvious, since we are trying to destroy the Soul Society."
"Shinigami are weak compared to the Espada and Aizen." Naruto smiled darkly, "I would like nothing more than to crush them with my own two hands." He looked at his fist, hatred evident.
"Well there's always time for that." Ggio shrugged and the two walked down stairs. "Hopefully I get to battle a real opponent. Besides the Gotei 13, there isn't much of a fight."
"I beat the 2nd Division captain into the ground. She wasn't much of a fight." Naruto bragged, "I could have killed the 10th division captain, but I was feeling merciful at the time. I should have just killed him though."
"Tch, Gotei 13 are nothing compared to Arrancar." Ggio rolled his eyes.
"I would have to agree with you." Naruto laughed, "Shinigami are nothing but spineless liars." Ggio could tell Naruto bore a large grudge against the Soul Society.
"You really hate the Soul Society."
"You have no idea."
"I think I get the idea." Ggio smirked.
XXXX
Day turned to night, and Naruto was tired. He walked around Las Noches the entire day; talking to people, he hadn't seen in a long time. Naruto walked to his 'palace' rubbing his eyes. His place was next to the wall. It was smaller than the other palace's, since he liked having a small place. He had gotten used to it as a kid in the Konoha. "Where did I live again?" Naruto asked himself. He couldn't remember. He shrugged and continued into his bedroom. He drug his feet as he walked, and sat on his bed. He wouldn't sleep, but he could look out the window again. He loved his bay window. He crawled across the covers over to the window and sat next to the glass. He took a pillow from his bed and put it against the glass, and leaned on it. He sighed, pulling his legs to his chest. It was another clear sky tonight. The crescent moon shown brightly, and the quartz trees glimmered. He smiled and laid his head on his knees. Naruto gazed at the moon of Hueco Mundo. His eyes closed for a moment, before he knew it he passed out.
XXXX
A few hours later, Naruto awoke with a loud gasp, he was shaking. He fell asleep. Not a good thing when you are plagued by nightmares. He kept himself from sobbing, but he couldn't help it. Another dream about his failures as a human. His friends dying and village coming to near ruin. "It's ok…" he told himself, some tears slipped out, "I-It's o-ok…" he repeated. Naruto shuddered, burying his face into his knees. The hollow appeared in his dreams, telling him Aizen would betray him. What if that happened? He would be alone. He felt a great fear run through him. His chest heaved painfully, and he hiccupped. What if he did end up alone? "I w-would kill everyone…" he mumbled to himself. He smiled crookedly, his eyes wild. "I would kill everyone, kill those who lied to me. I would kill those bastards." Tears kept falling, his emotions reflecting those of his hollow. "I would kill Toshiro, Aizen, Jushiro, Shunsui, Sui-Feng, Byakuya, Ulquiorra, Grimmjow, Ichigo…everyone!" he told himself. "Then I would destroy everything! I'll show everyone what happens when you mess with me!" He yelled.
His fingers started to dig into his skin. His eyes narrowed dangerously. "I would kill, and live for myself and only myself. Killing anyone I wanted to…" he couldn't get his mind of killing people. His dark, crooked grin only increased. His mind set to the blood that he could spill. Naruto paused from his thoughts. Was it himself that wanted to destroy? Naruto growled. He didn't even know who he was. The hollow's poison seeped into his mind, and now he couldn't even determine what he wanted. His dreams weren't his; his life was turning over to the hollow, his thoughts shared. The only thing that was Naruto, were his memories, which were slowly drifting away every moment that passed. His past, from memory, now starting from him training with an old man Jiraiya, for about three years. Any other fine detail was erased. He just remembered fighting. Naruto sighed, hiding his face further into his knees.
He heard his door open. Naruto looked up from his knees. He saw a figure of someone standing in his doorway. The person shut his door and proceeded to walk to the bed. Naruto couldn't tell who it was. The person stood quietly next to the bed, the moon reflected the white uniform. Tears still fell from his eyes, as he squinted to see the person. He shifted his legs to trying to get a closer look. "Who are you?" Naruto he sniveled. He could tell it was an Arrancar by the outfit. The person moved onto the bed and Naruto was a little bewildered. "Wonderweiss?" Naruto didn't know why the kid was here, or how he found him. Wonderweiss blinked staring at Naruto, his mouth open a little showing a small amount of his teeth.
"Naa..ruuto." Wonderwiess said. Naruto nodded, hearing his name. Wonderweiss blinked again, his purple eyes wide as usual. He moved closer to Naruto and then lay on the bed, back facing Naruto. The blonde hollow was confused on why Wonderweiss was doing this. The Arrancar looked back past his shoulder, curious on what Naruto was doing. "Wa?" Wonderweiss tilted his head. Naruto thought Wonderweiss might be curious on why he wasn't asleep. Naruto some how understood the kid.
"I don't sleep." He told the Arrancar. Wonderweiss tilted his head even further. "I am plagued by nightmares. Therefore I don't sleep, as much as it affects my awareness." Naruto explained to the kid. Wonderweiss appeared to nod, and looked away from Naruto. Wonderweiss snuggled into the covers grabbing a hold of one of the pillows. Naruto smiled, Wonderweiss acted like a child. Naruto looked out the window again, feeling at peace. Wonderweiss formed into a small ball, holding the pillow close to his chest. "Goodnight." Naruto whispered.
"Naaai." Wonderweiss mumbled into the pillow. Naruto wondered if Aizen had completely taken away everything human from Wonderweiss. He still had many human properties. Taking in a deep breath, Naruto closed his eyes again. Slowly he fell asleep again; for once nightmares didn't bother him. Naruto ended back on the bed, his back against Wonderweiss's back. Sleeping peacefully.
XXXX
Yep, more about relations and Las Noches. Some old friends and new ones. There be one more chapter on relations later. This was only a few.
On another note, some of you probably don't remember who is the reincarnation of some characters. I have made the list of the one's revealed. If you are curious about it, look at the list. I even put the chapters down where I mentioned it.
Tsunade-Hiyori (Chapter 6)
Shizune-Retsu (Chapter 12)
Orochimaru-Szayel (Chapter 10)
Kabuto-Mayuri (Chapter 12)
Asuma-Shuhei (Chapter 12)
Shikamaru-Izuru (Chapter 8)
Ino-Rukia (Yes, I mentioned this in Chapter 9)
Sakura-Sui-Feng (Also known as Soifong. Chapter 10)
Sasuke-Toshiro (Chapter 3)
Itachi-Byakuya (Chapter 8)
Deidara-Luppi (Chapter 13)
Kakuzu-Grimmjow (Chapter 11)
Hidan-Nnoitra (Chapter 10)
Sai-Gin (Chapter 11)
Iruka-Jushiro (Chapter 5)
Jiraiya-Shunsui (Chapter 5)
Naruto (piece of)-Ichigo (Chapter 9)
Kiba-Renji (Chapter 10)
Anko-Rangiku (Chapter 10)
Neji-Uryuu (Chapter 1)
Shino-Sado (Chapter 1)
Gaara-Ulquiorra (Chapter 11)
Temari-Tatsuki (Chapter 6)
Kankuro-Shinji (Chapter 6)
Kakashi-Kisuke (Chapter 6)
Kurenai-Yoruichi (Chapter 6)
There are more comparisons to come!
Hope this chapter was good. More of the friendship aspect rather than anything else, but of course there is a bit of unstableness. Trust me; there will be more dark chapters. I wanted a light-hearted chapter for once. Was it good? That is the question.
So, R&R! It makes me want to keep typing, knowing people actually read this, and like it.
Note: I merely write relations as friendships; how you interpret, it is up to you.
Until next time!