Another lunge, another parry. This dance was coming to an end, and he knew it.
Shuuhei felt the nauseous fear rising in his throat as he desperately tried to fight off another hollow, the muscles in his arms tautening as he pushed off of the hollow's claws by using his blade. Landing a little distance away, he barely had time to breathe before another hollow lashed out, emitting a high-pitched howl. The shinigami frantically dodged the whiplike attack that instead connected with the ground, sending shockwaves through his whole body. Inside his mind, he was overwhelmed with his own flurry of unanswered questions. Where did this Huge Hollow come from?! How come I couldn't sense his presence? And what about the barrier squad...? He had already made the frantic call from his communication device, and each passing moment brought even more urgency than the last. Why aren't the reinforcements here?!
Another Huge Hollow let off a large blast, which he promptly dodged in a hurry. Kanisawa...and Aoga...I just saw them--
No. I can't think about that now. I've got to kill this Hollow before...
The academy students…the freshmen...this thing would tear them apart. Already he could hear the screams of the fleeing academy students, merely flashes of red and blue uniforms. Save for one, rooted to the spot as she watched on with an expression of fear and confusion.
…I have to protect them!
The line of thought was interrupted by yet another hollow attack, but Shuuhei had allowed himself to be distracted at the very wrong moment.
The searing pain ran down the right side of his face like white-hot heat, leaving three deep gashes from forehead to chin. The blow threw him backwards, fingers clutched at his face as a ragged cry of pain unlocked from his throat. This was it, he thought. This was the end. A prickling of tears threatened to overwhelm him as he grew more frustrated within his own thoughts and lashing out half-blindly, trying so desperately to fight. As the hollow descended upon him, his mind reached out for a brief moment to a memory Shuuhei was sure that he had forgotten, flickers of a scenery long past…
A younger version of himself, running for his life. Behind him, he could hear the hollow's cry. Tripping, falling, closing his eyes and waiting for the final blow that never came.
"Blow, Tachikaze."
Looking up at the figure of his savior. His hero. And watching the hollow disappear, just like that.
"Shuuhei, eh?"
A tall figure, pulling him off of his knees, making him stand. A shinigami.
"That's a good, strong name."
Grey hair, with an intense gaze and furrowed brows. A commanding voice that shook his small frame.
"Now quit crying!"
As he turned away, the tattoo on his chest. 69.
A low growl resonated from his opponent, coupling with the sound of Shuuhei's heartbeat pounding in his ears.
How can I lead if I die here?
The hollow's claws descended upon him, and he charged with a fierce passion, determination rising up like a persistent flame.
How can I become just like him if I die here?
Waiting for the final blow that never came.
"Hisagi-senpai!"
The clash of three blades stirred him from his memories, brought to his attention the forms of three other individuals around him. Blonde. Red. Black. Blue and red uniforms. Swords.
Looking up at the figures of his saviors.