Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto; Masashi Kishimoto does. I Do NOT own Bleach; Tite Kubo does.

***Warning: Spoilers for the current Manga and Anime; as of June 20, 2009.*

AN: Another Slow Update. Though I put my other things on Hold, I have an idea for the Sequel to this and another idea for a Naruto & Harry Potter Crossover. Also Next chapter begins The SS Arc!

Interlude I

An Alliance Born in Deceit

He glanced at each of them in turn. They sat around the table with Aizen at its head; Gin and Tousen sitting directly to his left and right. He studied their faces; devoid of any useful emotion, and chuckled. He extended his hand towards on of the few bookshelves in the room. The was a faint rustling followed by a series of clicks as a small object walked into view.

It was smaller than the palm of a hand and shaped like a spider. Its metallic body glistened in the light from the lamps. It made a few more clicking noises as it walked up to his arm and into his hand. It folded its legs into itself leaving a small silver ball in its place.

He clenched his fist around it and tucked it into his pocket. He turned his attention back towards the three Captains sitting down. "Interesting conversations you've been having, ne?" He asked.

It was Aizen who answered. "Yes, I do quite like them." He watched as Mayuri's head cocked to the side, and Nemu standing motionless behind him; eyes downcast. "But the true question is; did you?"

He watched as Mayuri's eyes gained a glint to them. Inwardly he chuckled as e continued on. "As a scientist the idea must interest you greatly. To be able to give Hollows the powers of a Shinigami" He stopped for a moment as if considering his words. "…Or Shinigami the powers of a Hollow." He finished.

Mayuri stared at him for a moment with his amber eyes. "I will admit is does sound intriguing, but now that I have the information; why should I not conduct the experiments myself?" he asked.

Aizen took a sip of his wine and plowed on. "Because you would be banished from the Soul Society." Again he paused. "Or executed." He noted that the idea of execution didn't bring about the usual reaction of revulsion in Mayuri. He just looked bored.

"I was essentially banished once before, that does not frighten me." He said. "Execution? Hah! Don't make me laugh. The Sōtaichō may be hard as diamonds on those who break the laws of Soul Society but like the all the others he desires Peace." He snorted slightly. "Peace would be perfect; with no dissention. And I hate perfection. Perfection means that you can not ascend any higher; that you can't learn anything more." He stopped to take a breath. "It's ludicrous."

The calm, mild mannered Aizen melted away. His face hardened and his eyes became sharper. He glanced at Tousen who gave a small nod and let his reiatsu flow outward blanketing them in its embrace. It grasped two chairs from the other side of the room and pulled them to the table. "Sit down; I think we may find each other useful…" he smirked.

An: Factions arc Part One is done; Next is the SS arc; which entails it and the Factions arc Part Two.