Author Note at end of Chapter, please read.

"Cero" Jutsu/Hollow Techniques/ Demon talk.

'Cero' Thought

"Cero" Regular Speaking

'Cero' Flashback thoughts.

"Cero" Flashback Jutsu/Hollow Techniques/ Demon Talk.

...Betrayer they called me... (for when a character thinks back to a previous event. A flashback but not quite in need of its own section.)

XxxXxxXxxXxxX

Suigetsu's grin took a more bloodthirsty look to it and he laughed loudly. "Finally! I've been waiting for us to go after that swamp-fish ever since I got out of pedo-hebi's fish-bowl!"

Ulquiorra could only shake his head as he looked to his default second. His Fraccion if he thought of it in Arrancar terms. The Demon of the Whirlpool was more excited than he was, and it was Ulquiorra who would be wielding Samehada.

The fact that the weapon currently in the possession of Kisame was sentient and chose it's wielders was irrelevant. Ulquiorra would tolerate no disobedience from any tool. Even one such as Samehada.

"You have been in command during my time indisposed. Do you know of Kisame's most likely location?" Ulquiorra asked, cutting into Suigetsu's continued excitement.

Suigetsu nodded with a cocky grin. "Of course, who the hell do you think you're dealing with here?"

Ulquiorra didn't answer, merely raising an eyebrow and waiting for Suigetsu to actually reveal the location.

"Fine then, spoilsport." Suigetsu rolled his eyes when he got nothing from the Espada. "He's in the Land of Lightning with his partner, scouting and looking for the Hachibi Jinchuriki."

"Strange." Ulquiorra noted. "Kisame and Uchiha Itachi are not best suited for such, quiet tasks."

It was then that Suigetsu shook his head. "According to Mizukage-sama's spies, the Uchiha Traitor is not with Kisame any longer. Apparently after you killed Sasori, Itachi replaced him as Dedoria's partner. We don't know who stepped in as Kisame's partner after that."

Ulquiorra nodded and placed a hand on Suigetsu's back and grabbed him by the back of his shirt. "Don't forget to breath."

Suigetsu didn't even have time to shout his protests when Ulquiorra smirked and pulled the earth-bound up into the air and shot off into the sky, pushing so much Reiatsu out that Ulquiorra, and a, finally, screaming Suigetsu shot through the sky so fast that those on the ground could only hear a loud roar of the sound barrier being broken.

XxxX

"Are you sure of your report?"

"Yes. The one known as Ulquiorra Schiffer has returned." Came a raspy voice, answering the question before a casual voice picked up immediately after. "We came upon a squad of slaughtered Konoha Shinobi just north of the Taki Crater. We could sense the unknown's strange energy leaving the region."

'Leader' frowned at Zetsu's report. It was most troubling. When Ulquiorra Schiffer, the unknown that had slaughtered Akatsuki member Sasori of the Red Sands had vanished in the aftermath of Kyuubi's destruction of Takigakure three months ago, it had been taken as a good sign.

Zetsu had reported that the Kyuubi had appeared without warning in Taki and proceeded to fight against Ulquiorra before inevitably defeating the unknown.

Zetsu had been forced to retreat lest the Kyuubi discover the Akatsuki spy and so had obviously not seen the truth of things when Zetsu had returned saying that Ulquiorra was dead and that the Kyuubi seemed to be personally interested in the unknown.

But now with Ulquiorra somehow back from the dead, it posed multiple problems. Ulquiorra was a threat to the Akatsuki's mission for peace through superior firepower but not only that. With him returned it would mean that the Kyuubi would return as well and attempt to continue whatever it wished of Ulquiorra Schiffer, making it that much harder for the Akatsuki to capture it as 'Leader' was certain that should Akatsuki move to capture the strongest of the Biju, that the Kyuubi and Ulquiorra would be more than capable of setting aside whatever lay between them to destroy the entire Akatsuki faction.

"Very well." 'Leader' finally spoke up, looking away from Zetsu and over to the holographic projections of Kisame and his partner, who was only seen as a large man in the Akatsuki robe with long spiky hair that tied back in a long pony tail. "Kisame, be alert, it is imperative that we locate the Hachibi without being discovered. Zetsu is attending to matters in locating the Kyuubi still and the Immortal duo are tasked with securing the Niibi. You cannot fail."

Kisame nodded, glancing to his partner with an unreadable expression. "Sure thing Leader-sama. But when we report with the location I want you to give me the order to bring the Hachibi in. I haven't had a good fight in too long a time."

'Leader' didn't answer one way or the other as he waved a hand and dismissed the projections and waited till Zetsu was gone before looking over to the dark shadows of the corner of the room he was seated in.

"Ulquiorra poses too much a threat for us to ignore any longer." He said to the darkness. "He needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later."

An Akatsuki member stepped out of the darkness as if birthed from it, an orange swirled mask with a single eye hole covering the head of the man.

"I am aware Pein." The masked figure spoke, his voice heavy and authoritative. "I will tend to this personally. Focus on the orders I have given and leave Ulquiorra Schiffer to me."

The figurehead of the Akatsuki, Pein, bowed respectfully as the masked figure began to fade away as if nothing more than a mirage. "Of course, Madara-sama."

XxxX

Danzo's face was a mask of stone as he looked at the corpse that had been brought to him and now lay at his feet.

His most loyal soldier, Fu had been found earlier that day when a building in Konoha's residential district had partially collapsed from a projectile hitting it. The projectile turned out to be Fu himself and the body had been brought before him at his order when he was told that the ROOT soldier had been killed prior to hitting the roof.

What he saw before him, brought a level of apprehension to him that he no longer believed he was capable of. The man's spine had been ripped from his very body, removed completely without disturbing the other bones that were once attached to it and had been apparently impaled right through his chest, piercing his heart.

Danzo could not name a single shinobi under his command, himself included who had the sadistic flare, physical strength and skill to do this to another. An examination of Fu's corpse had revealed that there had been no hesitation at the hands of his killer which unnerved Danzo slightly. Whomever had done this was not someone he could sway with words. Only death would banish this threat. And with difficulty at that.

"An awe inspiring kill don't you think?"

Danzo raised his head the unknown voice and looked to the speaker, not feeling threatened as he knew that the room was filled with ROOT operatives. When he saw a masked man standing off to the side wearing the identifiable uniform of the Akatsuki he frowned. Why was the Akatsuki here? They had no demons any longer. And who was this one, his spies had never reported a member of the Akatsuki who wore an orange mask. "Who are you?"

The masked man shrugged as if uninterested in Danzo's question. "I have many. But, you would know me as Madara."

This was unexpected as Danzo's eye widened instantly linking the name to that of the founder of the Uchiha Clan. Uchiha Madara the only other shinobi who had ever come close to beating the Shodai Hokage in single combat and could control any of the nine Biju with his Sharingan.

"Uchiha Madara? Should you not be dead?" He asked, recovering enough to speak with a casual tone.

Madara's grin could practically felt underneath that mask. "There are many things that should be that aren't. For instance the one who destroyed Takigakure should be dead but isn't."

Danzo forced himself to remain neutral in expression. "Takigakure? You know who destroyed that village?"

Madara nodded. "Of course. That is why I am here. At this time our individual goals have a mutual hindrance. And I am here to consolidate our power for a one time offer. You have the military power to deal with our mutual problems, and I have the information you require to make use of said power."

Danzo frowned. "Is not the Akatsuki comprised of several S-ranked Shinobi of infamous skill?"

Madara shrugged again. "The Akatsuki is too small a group to strike the required blow against the source of the problem that assails you and I Shimura Danzo. Now, I will give you the information you require and leave knowing that you will deal with this problem."

"What makes you so sure?" Danzo argued. Not appreciative of the assumption he could be the lackey of this Uchiha so easily. "I could simply direct this apparent common enemy towards you instead and rid myself of two problems."

Madara shook his head with a laugh, not threatened in the slightest. "I have not yet attracted the negative interest of our enemy Danzo. You have. Make threats as much as you wish I have no interest or need to heed them."

Danzo fumed silently before nodding. "Very well. But I expect compensation. Konoha and by proxy I will benefit from whatever plans you and the Akatsuki have in store."

Madara smiled behind his mask, his Sharingan almost glowing through the eye hole. "Agreed."

"Then give me your information and begone Uchiha." Danzo ordered.

"Very Well." Madara nodded. "The one who destroyed Takigakure was Ulquiorra Schiffer, the very same individual who spirited Senju Tsunade, her aid and several Konoha citizens out of your reach some three months ago. And, I know where they all are."

"Where?" Danzo's voice was even now, the prospect of vengeance against Ulquiorra who had irked him by freeing the Bitch Hokage and inspiring such disloyalty from the Inuzuka and Nara clans.

"The newly formed village of Uzushoigakure no sato." Madara answered. "Recently the village has begun rebuilding efforts and is slowly consolidating the power once held by that village with Senju Tsunade as its Kage."

Danzo was visibly enraged with each passing second. "And Ulquiorra Schiffer?"

"According to Akatsuki spies, the unknown Ulquiorra Schiffer has taken a position as Commander of the reformation of the Seven Swordsmen."

Danzo didn't even notice when Madara did leave the room and him to his silent glowering. All the Ruler of Konohagakure knew was that after an undefined amount of time he was walking out of the morgue with clear plans in mind.

Konoha was going to war.

XxxX

Ulquiorra paused, stopping his flight and straightening as he turned his head to look behind him, frowning.

"What-what are you looking at bastard?" Suigetsu asked, briefly covering his mouth when he almost emptied his stomach. He was a bit green behind the gills from the fast flying.

The Espada didn't answer at first as he looked out across the distance unsure why he had stopped but unable to shake the feeling that something was approaching just beyond the horizon. The future was going to get very interesting.

"Oi, bastard!"

Suigetsu's shouts snapped him out of his distraction and the two were moving once more. Suigetsu unable to scream as he was far to busy trying to keep his stomach contents where they were supposed to be.

It was perhaps another half hour of sheer hell for the acrophobic Shinobi before they returned to the blessed solid ground. When Ulquiorra did release Suigetsu the wielder of Kubikiribocho collapsed to the ground and began to try to hug the ground tightly as if it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Ulquiorra could have sworn he saw Suigetsu actually kiss the ground at one point.

Ulquiorra heard his ally say something and turned to look down to where Suigestu was still on the verge of dry humping the ground. "Pardon?"

"Never again." Suigetsu repeated with a glare before shakily rising to his feet. "I will give you a Kubikiribocho enema if you try and do that to me again."

Ulquiorra didn't respond further than turning away from the swordsman and walking off, pocketing his hands as he left the recovering shinobi.

When Suigetsu finally did regain his calm and join Ulquiorra as the Espada arrived to a cliff and stepped off the edge before slowly floating down while the other walked down the surface of the cliff. "So, The Land of Lightning is a rather big country you know, are you intending on looking under every rock in the entire country or do you have a plan?"

Ulquiorra nodded as he closed his eyes and continued to descend slowly and steadily. "It stands to reason that unless the Hachibi Jinchuriki is on a mission, he or she will most likely remain within a given distance of Kumogakure for security reasons."

"Right. And?"

Ulquiorra blew out an annoyed breath of air. It was like explaining things to Yammy all over again. "As we progress I will have my Pesquisa extended to its fullest reach to detect Kisame's Chakra presence."

"And do you know what that feels like?" Suigetsu asked, offering a question beyond that of Yammy's limited thinking. "I mean, I'm not a sensor but wouldn't you mistake it for just another strong Kumo ninja if you don't know what Kisame feels like specifically?"

Ulquiorra nodded. "It is indeed a possibility. However as the Akatsuki is comprised of S-ranked shinobi and travel in pairs, I will be focusing on similarly powerful individuals that are traveling in pairs. In addition, is not Kisame often referred to as 'a Tailless Biju'?"

Suigetsu nodded in agreement. "So he would stand out more so than any other notable signatures fair enough."

Ulquiorra said nothing.

It was almost a full twenty four hours of Ulquiorra keeping his senses stretched as far as he could while moving in the general direction for Kumo before he found something.

But, it was not two powerful forces moving together that he had found. It was three forces. Two standing together and facing a third.

Given that of the three one of the two was greater than the other chakra wise and that the solitary one was just as strong Ulquiorra made a conclusion.

Kisame and his partner had found and confronted a Jinchuriki. Most likely the Hachibi.

"Suigetsu. We have a target." The Espada voiced, opening his eyes and looking over to where the other Swordsman was leaning against a tree.

"About time, I'm starting to get worried that Kubikiribocho is getting rust on it." Suigetsu said with a smirk. "Need to work it off."

Ulquioirra simply walked over to the man, ready to make his day worse with some air time.

"Whoa there!" Suigetsu jumped away, brandishing his sword in a halfhearted manner. "Your promised no more flying."

Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow. "I made no such vows. You appeased your own discomfort with the fantasy on your own Suigetsu."

Suigetsu narrowed his eyes before reaching into his back supply pouch, pulling out a small scroll. "Well, how about a deal?"

Ulquiorra stopped his advance.

"Tsunade-sama seemed to have faith in the success of my previous mission in finding you alive. So she gave me this." Suigetsu said quickly and very clearly, as if begging for his life. "I'll give it to you if you swear that you won't make me go in the air again."

Ulquiorra pondered the offer for a moment before nodding in agreement. There were other alternatives available to reach Kisame's location without flying. "Very well. I swear not to take you into the air. This time."

Suigetsu resisted the urge to cry when his commander added those last two words as an afterthought. As if already considering a future opportunity for Suigetsu to take Air Ulquiorra.

But, a deal was a deal.

Suigetsu flipped the scroll open and unsealed the contents before throwing them to the Espada. "Here."

Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow when he caught the contents and was surprised to see that he was holding a clean white replica of his Espada uniform. Which was good considering the only clothing item on him that belonged to his original attire were his pants and they looked like they had been gone three rounds with a blender.

"Tsunade-sama said that knowing you, you would be wearing rags and she would not see the Commander of Uzu's Seven Swordsmen looking like a bum." Suigetsu grinned as he looked at Ulquiorra. "And you look like crap man."

Ulquiorra stripped off his ragged clothing and replaced them with the new Espada uniform before looking to Suigetsu. "Perhaps we shall see how you appear after being blown up by a demon such as the Kyuubi? Or perhaps we shall see how you look after I tend to you?"

When Ulquiorra raised a finger and pointed at Suigetsu, a small ball of green Reiatsu that Suigetsu now associated with fear, the white haired man shook his hands frantically, as friendly a smile as he could muster stretching over his face. "No need for that Ulquiorra! It's all good!"

Ulquiorra lowered his arm and dismissed the fake Cero he had formed and ignored the foreign urge to chuckle as he checked his Zanpakuto before nodding and stepping up to Suigetsu.

When he placed a hand on the human's shoulder he looked at him impassively when he saw Suigetsu's expression drop to one of abysmal horror. "Fear not. We will not visit the sky."

And Ulquiorra performed the first ever Sonido to ever leave a girlish scream in its wake.

XxxX

The Espada, and a very green, shaken looking Suigetsu appeared on the edge of the tree line on a cliffs edge overlooking a lake some hundred feet below.

Ulquiorra was thankful that his subordinate had ceased his squealing, even if it was because of risk of regurgitation. It would have been impossible to arrive as close has they had if the swordsman had been prattling on and flaring his Chakra as wildly as before.

"If you have quite finished the dramatics Suigetsu we have arrived." Ulquiorra commented as he indicated down to the lake below with a finger.

The wielder of Kubikiribocho swallowed a mouthful of bile and followed the instructions, turning his eyes down to the water below, mildly contemplating jumping from the cliff if only to escape his bastard of a commander. When he spotted two familiar cloak designs standing a short distance from a dark, chocolate skinned individual wearing Kumo identifiable clothing.

"Y-you think that's the Hachibi?" Suigetsu asked, dry heaving one last time before re-collecting himself.

Ulquiorra nodded with his usual expression that gave nothing away. "I can detect the Hachibi's unique demonic power. Remember, Kisame is our only target. The Hachibi and Akatsuki are insignificant."

Suigetsu nodded as he reached back to attach the handle to his Zanbato, readying for combat. "Orders?"

"Distract and detain. I will destroy Kisame shortly." Ulquiorra commanded without hesitation, a light burning in his green eyes. "This cannot delay us more than necessary. Tsunade-sama needs a report concerning the resurfacing of the Kyuubi no Kitsune."

Suigetsu nodded silently as he jumped off the cliff without a moments pause, dropping the hundred feet to the water below where he vanished from sight without even the slightest displacement of water.

With hand placed on the end of his Zanpakuto, Ulquiorra released a steadying breath before stepping forward, half turning as he vanished from sight with a Sonido.

On the surface of the lake, Suigetsu had in the split second it took for Ulquiorra to make his appearance before the Akatsuki duo and Hachibi released a water ninjutsu, forcing a miniature tsunami to force a division in the Akatsuki, forcing Kisame to separate from his white haired teammate.

"What the fuck?" Kisame swore as he looked at where the Tsunami had formed. "Has someone else come to play?"

"Hoshigaki Kisame." A voice called out, sending chills down Kisame, his partner and the Hachibi at how dead it sounded. "Your time has come."

The Akatsuki operative turned quickly to face the speaker and smirked when he saw Ulquiorra standing a surprisingly short distance away, secretly amazed that the white clad swordsman had managed to come so close without being detected. "Ulquiorra Schiffer right? I remember you when you stopped us from taking the Kazekage."

Ulquiorra didn't respond to the recognition as he kept his eyes locked on Kisame, sensing Suigetsu rise onto the surface of the water behind him, sword drawn and sneering at the other Akatsuki operative and the Hachibi container.

"Last we heard you got your ass handed to you by the Kyuubi of all things. Wonder what you did to piss it off?" Kisame laughed before turning to look at his partner. "Oi Jiraiya! You think you can entertain yourself? I want a piece of whitey here."

Ulquiorra turned to look at the other Akatsuki ninja at the mention of the Toad Sannin, surprised enough to blink when he saw the familiar appearance of his former sensei.

The Toad Sage nodded with a neutral expression on his face, momentarily glancing to Ulquiorra before rolling his shoulders as he turned back to Suigetsu and a still present Jinnchuriki. "Have it your way Kisame. But don't expect me to save your hide if you lose."

Kisame laughed out loud as he drew Samehada and brought it to bear. "This is going to be a riot!"

unfortunately the missing ninja of Kirigakure had long since grown complacent to dealing with opponents who were at the very least put off by his appearance and thus waited for him to make the first move.

But when he turned to face Ulquiorra, he had only time to acknowledge and widen his eyes when a foot crashed into his stomach, knocking the air from his lungs and sending him flying into the air.

Ulquiorra didn't allow Kisame the fairness of an even battle to return to the ground as he appeared behind the shark man with a clawed fist raised. He snapped the arm out to grasp the shinobi by the throat and without any mercy, crushed his windpipe easily. Within the span of five seconds, Ulquiorra had blown a hole into Kisame's chest where his heart lay with a bala and removed his head with a fluid swipe of his zanpakuto.

Kisame's headless body fell to the lake below with a crash, his head and sword in Ulquiorra's possession as the Espada slowly descended back to the earth.

"Suigetsu, disengage. We return home."

The white haired shinobi blinked in surprise and swing his Zanbato defensively in front of him to free up some breathing room before jumping back to where the Espada was now standing. "Geez you didn't waste time did you."

Ulquiorra shrugged minutely as he secured Samehada to his back with the use of some of the swords bandages to loop around his chest. "Kisame underestimated me, fatally so. Even the strongest of men should know that death comes in all forms, even those that are deemed impossible."

Turning from his subordinate, Ulquiorra looked to Jiriaya, cautious of the Sannin and where his true loyalties lay. Tsunade-sama vouched for him but Ulquiorra took no stock in anything that he could not confirm first hand.

"What you do now is up to you Jiriaya of the Sannin." The Espada said sternly, tossing Kisame's head to Suigetsu who sealed it within a spare scroll. "If Tsunade-sama has told you even a fraction of recent events then you should know there is no safety to be found allying yourself with the Akatsuki."

Jiriaya snorted and relaxed his stance, making it clear to everyone that he wasn't about to be hostile any longer. "Nothing about a shinobi's life is designed for safety brat. I have a few things to do before burning my Akatsuki cloak."

Ulquiorra nodded and finally turned his eyes upon the Hachibi Jinchuriki. "As you can determine forces are pitted against you. It would appear logical for you to seek refuge in your village and take steps to ensure your own safety."

"Yo I know but I ain't gunna go!" The man called out, taking an odd stance that had the Espada questioning the relative sanity of the Kumo ninja. "You've shown that you a real friend. So Kirabi wants to see this through to the end."

Ulquiorra flicked an eye over to Suigetsu to see that the water ninja was just as confused as he was. After a moments silence Ulquiorra returned his focus to Kirabi and took a stab at what it was that the man was trying to elude to, drawing in patience from having dealt with Yammi and other oddities like Ichimaru Gin.

"If you wish it, you may approach your Raikage with the suggestion of approaching Uzushoigakure with friendly intentions. Until then, farewell."

Although he kept his expression stoic and thoughts to himself. Ulquiorra took a considerable amount of enjoyment and pleasure as he reached out and placed a hand on Suigetsu's shoulder, taking note that the swordsman paled and started to turn green when he foresaw the immediate future.

And the sky was split with more ungodly shrieking as a sonido was performed and the two left Kirabi and a laughing Jiraiya behind.

XxxX

When Ulquiorra finally returned to the ruin of Uzushoigakure no Sato, now fully rebuilt and populated by the various clans that had fled Konoha and families that had migrated from the Land of Waves, he felt a small sensation of pleasure wash through him as he simply stood there.

Of course ignoring the unseemly sounds of Suigetsu emptying the contents of his stomach, now completely unable to contain his fears of Ulquiorra's method for travel, the Espada slowly made his way from the main gate down the central road that traveled through the city village right into the heart where the Kage's office building was situated.

The pale skinned teenager could see the defensive structures that were hidden in amongst the civilian stores and buildings, making the street to have highly defensive capabilities in the event that the city was breached.

"They did rebuild rather quickly didn't they Ulquiorra-sempai."

The Espada simply nodded, already aware that Madoka had been standing behind him for nearly five minutes how, no doubt sensing his arrival and making her way to him shortly after he passed through the village gates. "I am aware that time has passed during my incapacitation, but to see the level of change before me. It is peculiar."

"Well then welcome home sempai." The woman said quietly as she followed after the commander, subtly shooting Suigetsu a fierce glare when the white haired ninja rejoined them, spitting out to the side as he fell into step. "While I wish you could explore the village in more detail. But Tsunade-sama has asked that you report to her the moment you returned."

Ulquiorra nodded in understanding. "Very well, if you will direct me to where Samehada can be stored with its brothers and sisters Suigetsu will report to the Hunter division to deliver Kisame's head."

Madoka nodded in acceptance as she recognized the presence of the legendary weapon that was resting on Ulquiorra's back, the commander apparently suffering no adverse effects from the sword that was infamous for affecting all who attempted to take ownership of it.

"Very well then. If you will follow me I'll show you to the Seven division building."

XxxXxxxXxxxXxxxXxxxX

Alright then, for people who don't know. This story has LONG since been discontinued, dead in the water, pushing up daisies, meeting with the Big Guy in the sky. I have reposted this chapter mainly to fix up an author note issue that I noticed as I don't want to run the risk of the site taking this story down.

I have tried to get back into Nihilistic Blade several times since I last put this on hiatus and then discontinued, but it has well and truly died, been buried and rotted away.

That being said…

I have a new story out for anyone who wants to read it. It is called 'Zero Chakra Plan.'

it is 'technically' a straight Naruto story with elements taken from Marvel's Infinity War (mainly Thanos) with Naruto having been born long before canon.

There are two chapters out with work progressing on the third and a long thought out story line plotted out so chances of hiatus are low.

Please read this and let me know if this is any good and, hopefully, potentially as good as Nihilistic Blade that you all loved.

Look forward to your reviews people!

Arhiman.