Blade of Emptiness, Maelstrom of Honor

Chapter 1: Sadness and Sorrow

Despair.

Pain.

Hurt.

Such were the emotions of one Uzumaki Naruto. He raised his broken cerulean eyes to gaze at the crowd in front of him. Cold, hate-filled eyes stared back.

0o0o0

Tsunade gazed at the beaten boy in front of him, her face devoid of emotion.

"Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, for failure of an S-ranked mission and the attempted murder of Uchiha Sasuke, you are held responsible. Furthermore, remains of the battle at the Valley of the End show copious remnants of the Kyuubi's vile chakra. For failure on your lifetime mission to contain the Kyuubi and protect Konoha, you are condemned. Have you anything to say?"

Naruto raised his eyes at his godmother and spat. His once life-filled eyes stared impassively back at the Hokage.

"I have done naught but follow the mission. I was ordered to bring Sasuke back and I was told to use force when force was necessary. Is this how you repay me? Has Konoha fallen so low?"

Giving no sign of having registered Naruto's protests, The Slug Sannin waved her hands, "The Jinchuuriki has been found guilty. He shall be put to death in three day's time on October 10th. Take him away."

0o0o0

The crowd below him jeered, crying out for the death of the Demon Brat. Naruto's expression did not change, he wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing his pain. I served you faithfully, he thought bitterly. And you pay me back like this, with betrayal...

0o0o0

Naruto's cell was cold, barren, empty. His lacerated arms hung awkwardly at his sides, hung aloft only by the chains that dug into his bloody wrist. If the chains had been replaced by a cross and he had been forced to stand, he would be a perfect image someone crucified. How fitting. His blonde hair was streaked with dirt and matted with blood, covering his dull sapphire eyes.

"You disappoint me Naruto."

Said blond gave no response save for a rekindling of his dead eyes with anger.

Kakashi gave him no mind. "Attempted murder of your teammate? Use of the Rasengan (Spiraling Sphere), a deadly technique only to used on enemy shinobi? The Yondaime must be rolling in his grave right now, you using his technique for such an immoral cause. You truly are a failure, Naruto, both as my student and as a shinobi." he murmured, his voice laden with sorrow. As if he actually cared.

At that Naruto flinched. He leveled his eyes at the silver haired Jonin and smirked, "Perhaps I am a failure. 'Those who break the rules are trash'? Perhaps I am trash." Naruto's smirk grew into a vulpine grin," 'But those who abandon their comrades are worse that trash.' What does that make you Kaka-sen-"

SMACK!

Kakashi stood with his hand outstretched, panting slightly, eyes - no, eye - wide with fury, "You dare..."

Naruto's grin widened and he began to laugh. He roared with laughter, an insane gleam in his eyes. Kakashi stiffened. The Cyclops Jonin spun on his heels and stormed out of the jail cell, Naruto's mocking laughter chasing him the whole way.

0o0o0

Naruto scanned the crowd, looking for at least one sympathetic face, one understanding soul. There were none. His fellow genins, those he thought of as comrades, were absent. Were they unable to watch their brother be falsely accused and killed? Or were they too arrogant to decide to grace the Demon brat with their company when he needed them most?

0o0o0

It stormed that night. The clouds rained down on the village as if crying for the lost integrity of the village. Lightning crackled and thunder flashed. It was dark. Much like Naruto's heart.

"Raise your head now, Dobe. Stand tall. After all, even the maggot should pay homage to the hawk that will devour him." Sasuke's somber tone was a sharp contrast to his mocking smile and his derisive laughter.

Naruto was silent. He would not give the Uchiha the satisfaction of letting him see his hurt. He had thought they were brothers, people who could relate to each other. What a foolish dream.

"No response?" Sasuke leaned in as lightning flashed, lighting up the lone window of Naruto's cell and illuminating an eerie shadow on his contemptuous face, "Well let me ask you a little question. Don't you find it odd that Tsunade sentenced you to death? The same Tsunade that kissed your cheek and gave you your beloved necklace that you wear right now?" he asked, his crimson eyes twinkling with twisted mirth.

Naruto stirred. His startlingly blue eyes shot sparks at Sasuke's scarlet, "How do you about that? Only those that witnessed it know."

Sasuke broke out into laughter, "Why? Because I wrenched it out of her pathetic mind! The bitch barely even gave a fight! AHAHAHA! She was moping around the office, mourning and crying and apologizing to you after we forced her to condemn you! I and a few helpers placed her in such a strong genjutsu that she has no hope to recover."

Naruto shook with anger as he connected the dots, "Don't you dare hurt her anymore Sasuke. I swear to god I'll hunt you down and make you wish you'd never cross me." He growled lowly. His eyes flashed crimson, "I'll show you despair."

Sasuke bent over as if punched, his bangs shadowing his eyes. His shoulder shook violently as if crying. Crying, yeah right. He threw his head back and laughed uproariously.

"AHAHAHAHHAAHA Dobe, you must've lost your mind! You are the one locked in here and I am the one roaming free. Do not presume to threaten me. I am the last Uchiha! I am Elite! I am-"

"You are weak. I pity you Uchiha Sasuke." Sasuke stepped back as if struck, his mood taking an 180-turn, his fury almost palpable.

A small smile flickered on Naruto's visage. "Wait for me, I will surely return. And I will enlighten you."

0o0o0

Naruto raised his head high, chin up. If he was to die, he would go out with dignity. Deserter? Traitor? No, It was I who was deserted, I who was abandoned.

0o0o0

Naruto opened his eyes and rubbed them with chained hands. Today was the big day. He had long since given up any sense of optimism and hope that the village would see sense.

The door to his cell creaked open and he looked up to see soft lavender iris' staring back at him, trembling with barely contained tears. "N..Naruto-kun..."

The blonde shifted himself into a better position to glare at the pale-eyed Hyuga. If he was going to get mocked, he might as well save himself a shred of dignity and stand tall. "What? Have you come to jeer as well? Well then, no need to hold back. I remember Kakashi and Sasuke expressing themselves quite poetically. Hell, even Sakura had some memorable words. Come, see if you can top them."

Hinata flinched at his harsh words and collapsed onto her knees, sobbing. Her shoulders shook violently and Naruto was racked with a sense of guilt. Perhaps he had been too harsh. After all, Hinata never really made fun of him before. He reached out a hand to pat her shoulder but hissed in pain when his shackles restrained further movement and dug into his chaffed, raw wrists.

"N..Naruto-kun..." she started, but stopped when a hiccup racked her feminine frame. She set her lips in a thin line and willed her tears to stop flowing. Her last words with her love weren't going to be with her being a sobbing wreak. "Naruto-kun... Forgive me."

It was Naruto's turn to flinch. Those two words had never been spoken to him before, they were as rare as three other words. "Excuse me?"

Hinata's tears ran anew despite her best efforts to still them, marking a shining track down her pale cheeks, "I..I'm sorry. I should have been stronger... I should have been there for you... I should have stopped them somehow... I should have-"

Naruto's eyes softened and he gently raised his hand to hold a finger to his lips. It was the best he could do as his bonds stopped them him from reaching to her. Damn these stupid things. "Hush Hinata. You've done enough. Letting me know you care is enough."

Hinata's eyes widened and she reached out a trembling hand to grasp Naruto's own rough one. "But it's not!" she cried out, her lithe frame shaking, with anger or sadness he couldn't tell. "Naruto... I wish we could've been closer. I have so many regrets. I wanted to talk to you, get to know you." She smiled sadly.

The Uzumaki's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, "Why though? I'm the village pariah. No one likes me, and I'm even being killed just to prove a point. Why me?" The blue-eyed jinchuuriki frowned when he felt a faint prickling in his eyes as tears threatened to form.

"Because..." Hinata strengthened her grip on Naruto's hands and leaned in to give him a chaste kiss on his lips, surprising herself with her own boldness. Maybe it was because she had nothing to lose. "You're always so strong, you never let anything depress you. You lift me up when I am down. You are my sun when I am left in the dark. You are my inspiration and I... I love you. And I'll always remember you."

Naruto's tears began to fall. Those three words. It was all he had ever wanted to hear. How long had we waited for somebody to utter those words to him? How many nights had he cried, wishing somebody was there to whisper assurance and love to his broken heart? Here she was. And he couldn't even reach out to her.

"Hinata?" he whispered softly, his voice breaking.

"Y-Yes?"

"I want you take my necklace."

Hinata shook her head vehemently. "No! It's yours, you earned it! That's the Shodai Hokage's necklace, it's a national treasure. Its worth could buy mountains and -"

"And it means nothing to me when I am dead. And you, you mean everything to me." Hinata's breath hitched. Naruto smiled as reassuringly as he could, "Besides, think of it as collateral. One day, I'll be back to retrieve it. I promise! And I never go back on a promise, 'cause thats-"

"our Ninja Way" (Nindo)." They said together. Hinata smiled.

Naruto smiled back. He raised her hand that was intertwined in his and placed it on his chest. "Go now. Remember. I am only truly gone from your heart when there are none left that love me."

0o0o0

I was forsaken by all. All but her.

0o0o0

Naruto stepped next to the alter where he would be tried and executed. He sent out a thought to the fox inside him, a parting message if you will.

'You ready?'

The reply was instant. Huh, maybe the fox was nervous too. 'That's a question I'd like to ask you, gaki.'

'I have my share of regrets. You know, one of them is never getting to know you.'

'GAHAHAHA! Brat, you're a odd one. Getting to know the demon who killed your parents and ruined your life? GAHAHAH!' Ok, maybe he wasn't nervous...

'Why not? I'm about to go out with a bang here, might as well leave by reconciling with you... you stupid furball"

'...Bah.'

'You know, I've always wondered what your real name was. It can't be Kyuubi can it? I mean, Nine-tails is a pretty lame name.'

'...'

Naruto sighed, he didn't know why he tried, it wasn't like he expected an answer. He held his head high as the Hokage and the Council approached the dais.

"Citizens of Konohagakure no Sato, we have come here to bear witness to the execution of former Konoha shinobi and jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune Uzumaki Naruto." Tsunade declared, raising her hands. The crowd roared their approval.

Naruto was dragged and chained to an alter, where his arms were bound straight out on his sides. He was completely immobilized and helpless. He hated it.

"As a former shinobi, he is given the honor of death through a fellow shinobi. He was brought into the world by shinobi, lived in a world of shinobi, and will die through a shinobi." Tsunade's inflection did not change, but strangely a solitary tear slid silently down her cheeks. "Will the appointed step forward."

Sasuke did, wearing a solid black kimono emblazoned with an Uchiha fan on the back. He raised his hands and they began to crackle with compressed lightning. "Chidori (One Thousand Birds)."

Tsunade raised her voice once more, "Has the condemned have any last words?"

Naruto raised his eyebrows and whispered to her, "I understand. I forgive you." The Slug Sannin's flinched and for a moment, the pain of her actions were etched on her visage. And it was gone, replaced by a cold mask.

Naruto panned the crowd in search on one face, and when he located her, he gave a warm smile, 'I love you too, and I'm so sorry.' he mouthed. She gasped and raised her hands to her mouth.

Sasuke clicked his teeth to regain the spotlight.

And he charged.

Naruto's eyes widened as he felt a jagged pain pierce his the area slightly below his sternum, puncturing the pathways of both lungs and nicking his heart. He coughed weakly, spewing a torrent of blood.

"I guess this is the end Dobe." Sasuke sneered. "You die, alone and hated, and I live, free and more powerful than you could ever be!"

"Y-You're wrong... Y-You could never surpass m-me..." Naruto coughed out. He leaned in and whispered in Sasuke's ear,

"You lack hatred."

As Naruto's vision began to fade to black, he faintly heard Sasuke's scream of rage and a light smile flickered over his face.

The Uzumaki, over the faltering beat of his heart, heard a whisper in his head. 'Kurama...'

'Hn?'

'My name is Kurama...' the fox muttered.

Naruto gave a huge grin inwardly, 'Ha, well it's nice to meet you Kurama, my name's Uzumaki Naruto!'

Deep within Naruto's mindscape, a bittersweet smile formed on an Kurama's face and the nine-tailed fox rubbed his eye. 'Goodbye, Kit. For what it's worth, it's been a ride."

'Likewise.' Naruto beamed.

And so Naruto Uzumaki left this world, a smile on his face.

0o0o0

(Hueco Mundo [Hollow World])

Naruto awoke. He raised a hand to rub furiously at bleared eyes and he eyed his new surroundings. It wasn't Konoha, that was for sure. It was more like Suna, if a bit colder and more dreary. The lands was drenched in endless night, the only source of light being a bleached crescent moon looming above him. White, granular sand stretched as far as he could see, marred only by pale, bare trees jutting out randomly in the landscape. He walked over to one and gently touched it. It wasn't made of wood, but rather a quartz-like material. He looked down as he felt a slight twinge of pain on his sternum. His eyes widened.

"W-What the hell is this?!" He cried out. Where his sternum was there was some sort of chain. He tugged on it only for the twinge of pain to increase.

Naruto had begun his short life as a Plus.

0o0o0

(A Week later...)

Naruto wandered the desert. He had learned a few things during his time in this goddamn dreary desert. The stupid chain, which was now barely a nub, was apparently called the Chain of Fate, and the desert was called Hueco Mundo, or Hollow World, and appropriately, was inhabitated by beasts called Hollows. These beasts differed in size and shape in almost grotesque manners, but they all had two marking characteristics. They all had a bone-like mask over their face and had a hole on their body.

Now, according to a young hollow that he killed (he's a ninja give me some credit), there were four classes. The first, the lowest, were the normal hollows, these guys were the weird ones, ranging from all different shapes and sizes, and generally weak enough to be killed by a well-placed Rasengan. The next groups delved into what were called the Menos, or Minus. The lowest of the Menos were the Gillian, mindless hollows that were all uniform in shape and ability. They were all about the height of the Hokage Monument and most had the same mask, a plain empty-eyed face with a long nose. The few that had different masks quickly evolved into the next stage, Adjuchas. These were normally the size of Gama (the toad that Jiraiya first appeared with, the one with the summoning scroll in his mouth, look it up.), but much, much stronger. These were as strong as a high-jounin to low-kage ninja. He himself had defeated one, but it took copious spamming of Kage Bunshins, and chakra depletion afterwards. Oops, not chakra, reiryoku. Reiryoku was just spiritual energy, not a mixture of physical and spiritual, like chakra. The final class was Vasto Lorde, and hoo boy!, these guys were scary! They stood at human height and most even looked human, if you ignored the creepy masks and the holes. But their power was immense. However, they were rare, thank Kami. The Uzumaki had only seen one, but he was sure that once was quite enough for a long, long time. The base level of power seeping from the monster was enough to send him to his knees when they came anywhere near his general area.

Naruto was broken out of his wondering when he felt an piercing pain arc through his body. It had begun again. He gritted his teeth and willed himself to stay awake and conscious through the whole process. His Chain of Fate had begun to erode once more. Gaping maws began to form on the length of the chain, and it began to rattle wildly. Slowly the chain began to erode away, until it ate itself away completely. The pain abruptly stopped and Naruto sighed with relief. Now that the chain was gone, there would be no more weird episodes of pain, right?

Wrong.

Without any warning, cracks began to spread across his body, intersecting with each other. He screamed as the pain escalated to a whole new level, making Sasuke's chidori feel like a kiss. As the glowing rifts cut deep into his skin and made its ways to his cerulean eyes, where they touched his eyes, the sclera began to spread a pitch black. Abruptly, the glowing cracks on his skin began to decrease in intensity and for one blessed second, there was relief. And then Naruto exploded.

0o0o0

(Hueco Mundo)

Naruto shook his head to rid himself of his most recent daydream. He sighed and shook his head again wearily, it was unlike him to think back on the past like that. If this god-forsaken desert had taught him anything, it was never to let his guard down, there were too many eager hollows waiting to take a bite out him and steal his power. The former jinchuuriki looked down at his hands. How they had changed. They were no longer the calloused, tan, human hands he once had. No, they had been replaced with clawed talons, pale as the moon.

Naruto's death had been anything but peaceful. Unable to let go of his sorrow and despair, he had remained a Plus, degenerated into a Jibakurei (Earth-Bound Spirit), and overcome by his turmoiling emotions, his body had exploded into a fine mist. He touched his chest lightly, feeling a twinge of pain from the phantom wound.

It was a curious experience, for his conscience to be spread so thinly around his surroundings, perhaps this was what being the wind was like. He almost laughed. But the instance of change was just that, an instant. His body formed again, but in a different form that he remembered. Different but appropriate, because now, the despair inside was matched by his form outside. He struck quite the intimidating figure.

He was near 6 feet, below average by hollow standards, but size was no indication of power here, as those that attacked him soon found out. He cut a willowy figure, and his limbs moved with dangerous grace. He had a pair of pitch black wings that jutted out of his lower back and long ebony hair of the same shade that billowed out of the back of his mask. His hollow hole was located slightly below his sternum, the same spot where years ago Sasuke had marked his death. A thin, whip-like tail swished back and forth behind him.

His mask was perhaps the greatest difference and his most striking feature. It hid a face that Naruto knew was different from the one he once wore, if the obsidian hair was any indication. It was bone white, and from the sides jutted two horns that were not unlike a bat's ears. The mask covered his whole face, save for his eyes. His eyes. They were a bright poisonous emerald, unlike the normal hollow topaz. The sclera though, was pitch black.

He sighed again as he wandered the deserts of Hueco Mundo, alone. Alone, as ever. He was different from his kin, the hollows. He was... strange. He was created, no that wasn't the right word, reborn at the bottom of a pit where no light shone. The darkest Hueco Mundo had to offer. As if pressed together by the darkness, uncertain of what to become, born under dark, dark sentiments, Naruto had a white form. Even in death, he was different. His brethren were robed in pure black, always hungering, always thirsting, they were little more than beasts.

The former Uzumaki clenched his hands, a huge indication of emotion for the now pensive Vasto Lorde. Was Kami mocking him? Even in death, he was different. His form was white, while his brothers were black. His eyes were the brightest green, his kin's a malicious amber. He was intelligent, they were not. Was it so hard to let him fit in? He had a lonely existence.

He walked, roaming the desert. Maybe, just maybe, if he walked far enough, he could see the edge of this world. It was an intriguing thought. Naruto raised his hands to eye-level and stared at them. He felt nothing. It seemed as he died, his emotions died with him. He heard nothing. He wished he could cry, could rage, could vent his emotions. But there were none. So he walked, and walked, searching for an answer.

Then he saw it.

It was a huge white tree speckled with sharp spikes. It drew his eye and he began to gravitate toward it, like a moth to a flame. It was huge and mighty, regal almost. But it too, was alone, in the middle of nowhere. He found it satisfying. It was like him. Naruto approached the tree, ignoring the stabs of pain as the spikes of the tree broke his hierro (Spanish for "iron", Japanese for "steel skin") as if it were nonexistent. He sank his body into the barbed tree, and as he did so, one sharp prong stabbed into his mask, snapping part of it, a small portion near his eye, and ended Naruto's evolution as a hollow. He continued, until he lay inside the trunk of the tree itself, and closed his eyes.

"Uzumaki Naruto is well and truly dead. My name is now Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra Cifer."


A/N

Alright, that was my first chapter ever written in anything! And to you dear reader, who has probably stumbled across this story by sheer luck or by mis-click, what did you think about it?

The premise of the story is actually a challenge by TheInfamousMan, shoutout to him. It's about Naruto becoming executed by Konoha after the Battle at the Valley of the End (I know I know, clichéd as fuck but what fanfic here isn't a branch off of a cliché?) and becoming Ulquiorra. Of course, Ulquiorra dies too, poor guy can't get a break, and guess what, he gets a break, the spirit king or kami or whatever you wanna make it sends him back to the Elemental Nations three years after his death as Ulquiorra. And you know, the rest of the story is original. Only rules are:

Naruto/Ulquiorra paired with Hinata/Um... Hinata.

Konoha Bashing. (I particularly don't like this, cause I actually like Konoha and I believe that the village slowly accepting Naruto is the perfect example of how he can be leader and make people change, but you know, hopefully I can make this work and perhaps you'll take it in stride too).

Right, Naruto can be any other male character that dies in the whole arrancar arc, as long as they play some important role, like Grimmjow (he doesn't really die though), Gin Ichimaru, Stark, hell even Aizen if you wanna go crazy. But Ulquiorra is preferred and I think it fits Naruto quite nicely (although Gin and his foxy smile could work well too).

WAIT Don't leave yet, just gotta explain some things, cause I know people with ask these, maybe.

Kyuubi and Naruto: The two of them have reconciled somewhat, even though they aren't the best of friends. Why does Naruto forgive Kyuubi? Well, he does have nothing to lose and Naruto's not really the person to hold a grudge. Canon shows that when he apologizes to Kyuubi and fistbumps him. Plus, my excuse is that the seal will allow Naruto to hear Kyuubi's thoughts from time to time if Kyuubi's agitated and knowing Kurama, he'll probably be cursing Madara whenever Naruto curses him and Naruto may have heard his thoughts. Which gives him enough excuse to forgive Kurama. (Also, I like Kyuubi).

The Origin of Ulquiorra's Name: There are several theories of what Ulquiorra's name means. There are two main theories that I've seen. One is where he is named after and architect named Patricia Urquiola. Another is a play on the words, "El Que Llora" or "he who cries". Personally, I like the second one better.

Oh, all of the other Espada's as well as the Privaron Espada (Former Espada) and a few minor fraccion are named after famous designers and architects as well. Here's a list, for anyone who actually cares:

Fraccion:

Ilfort Granz - Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort (Umm... Rabbi)

Pesche Guatiche - Gaetano Pesce (Architect and Designer)

Bawabawa - Geoffrey Bawa (Architect)

Tesla Lindocruz - Nikola Tesla (Inventor, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineer) == love this guy, Tesla

Privaron Espada:

Dordonii Alessandro Del Socaccio - Rodolfo Dordoni (Architect)

Gantenbainne Mosqueda - Gantenbainne (Architect)

I'm not sure about Cirucci...

Espada:

1st: Coyote Starrk - Philippe Starck (French Designer)

2nd: Baraggan Louisenbairn - Luis Barragan (Architect)

3rd: Tia Harribel - Harry Bell Measures (Architect)

4th: Ulquiorra Cifer - Patricia Urquiola (Architect) and Father Hubert Schiffer (he was survivor of Hiroshima, Tite Kubo is from Hiroshima)

5th: Nnoitra Gilga - Richard Neutra (Architect) [in Japanese Nnoitra pronounced quickly sounds like Neutra]

6th: Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez - Nicholas Grimmshaw (Architect)

Temporary 6th: Luppi Antenor - Italo Lupi - (Architect) [Note: Lucci from One Piece might be named after this guy too, just a hypothesis. I mean, they were both builders... right?]

7th: Zommari Rureaux - Cannot for the life of me find out who this creepy guy is named after...

8th: Szayel-Apollo Granz - Alejandro Zaera Polo (Architect)

9th: Aaroniero Arruruerie - Eero Aarnio (Furniture Designer)

10th: Yammy Llargo - Can't find anything on this guy either... Yum, yams...

OH MY GOD THAT WAS HARD TO WRITE! I sincerely apologize to all the writers of fanfiction out there whose stories I thought were poorly written, especially grammar-wise... This thing is hard as a mother-fucker to write... Especially the last part of the chapter where Naruto doesn't talk at all, cause you know, Ulquiorra isn't exactly the chatty type...

So, you know, don't flame. CONSTRUCTIVE Criticism is always helpful, and any ideas of what I should do next are great too.

Rate, Follow, Review all that good spiel.