Ever since the day we lost Lord Aizen, the world of Hueco Mundo has never been the same. For the few of us that weren't killed by the path of destruction laid out by that orange haired human and his friends, loneliness, fear and anger had ensued. It felt like every day now that the soul society was sending troops into our home to wipe out the final "abominations" as they called us and finally bring back the control they had when we ourselves were mere hollows.
"DAMN THEM TO HELL." I screamed. "LET ME SEE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM ROT BENEATH MY FEET."
"My Queen. Whilst I understand your anger we mustn't act on impulse, our numbers are dwindling at a rapid pace, perhaps we should just surrender."
I raised my eyebrow in disgust, my lilac hair falling over my face as beads of sweat formed at my temple. I gritted my teeth. "Did you say surrender." I growled, glaring hatefully at the skinny man kneeling before me, his onyx hair and bright yellow eyes reminding me so much of him. "Did you forget that they murdered your brother Mr Vega? Or may I remind you once again that because of those soul reapers we will NEVER have anything to remember him by."
"My Queen please. Ggio's gone, but you're alive. He knew well in joining that battle that he may not have come back alive, he did it to protect you."
"It should have been me."
"We go through this all the time My Queen. You were unwell."
"I WAS WEAK. It was just a training injury. It should have been me Ryuken.
"Everything happens for a reason My Queen. But our lives will get better. I just know it." I watched as Ryuken took his leave, trudging slowly down the hallway that once burst with such chance and prosperity, but now only reminded everyone of the stench of death that it had ultimately led their friends, family and loved ones towards. I tightened the bandage on my right arm as the blood continued to seep through. The latest ambush had been the biggest one yet, they had begun sending ranked soul reapers through. If not for the weakened state that the bald, spear wielding soul reaper was in when he attacked, I myself would have met a much worse fate. I stood from the throne that the other arrancars had so hastily ascribed to my name, I hated the title, but if it gave them some sort of comfort I was happy to fulfil it. For I was Aizen's next in line, the 'number 11' arrancar, I was one too weak for the ranks, but too strong to work as an underling so I committed my life to training, hoping that I would rise to the ranks one day myself. I just wish it hadn't been this way.
Standing from what was left of the once pristine throne, I moved towards a small study nook I had crafted for myself out of the castles rubble. The spot was small, with just enough space for my narrow frame to squeeze in and masque myself from the world. Along the stone walls, I had carved the names of all the arrancars that had survived the war. Picking up my piece of charcoal, I crossed out four more names. "Aliya, Viveen, Gannon, James. We will never forget the fight you gave us." I whispered to myself as tears welled down my cheeks. The only thing worse than the feeling of despair was the feeling of uselessness in dire circumstances.
I laid back, resting my head on a piece of cobblestone, feeling its cool texture as it sent shivers down my spine. It had grown late, though time really was only a commodity in Hueco Mundo, but I felt my eyes draw heavy and wished my way into a peaceful sleep. "Please forgive me my fallen comrades."
...
"With all due respect Captain Kurotsuchi, don't you think you've gathered enough research material." I said, staring at the abundance or collected sands, severed limbs and strange relics that decorated the squad 12 barrack floors.
"How foolish of you to make such assumptions. These are merely samples.I know they're hiding something."
"What else could they possible be hiding?" I asked, annoyed at his decision to call me here. "Ichigo practically blew half the place up, it's all just a pile of rubble."
Captain Kurotsuchi raised his eyebrow at my remark. "A pile of rubble?" He questioned. "Pathetic." He spat, lifting an arm off of his desk and poking at it maliciously.
"Then what are we looking for?" I persisted.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"If it were obvious, would I be standing here wasting my time asking you?" I growled. I could feel a headache coming along from the pure energy I was exerting trying to talk to this guy. The captain rolled his eyes, placing his materials back down, he moved towards me, standing uncomfortable close.
"A hogyoku, Mr Abarai. Now was that so hard."
"The hogyoku was fused with A-"
"I never said THE hogyoku. I said A hogyoku. You should work on checking those ears of yours."
"It's impossible."
"Have you not yet learnt that nothing is impossible."
"Then explain how on Earth the very thing that is locked up under the soul society is also meant to be in Hueco Mundo."
"Mr Abarai. We at squad 12 have reason to believe that Aizen was attempting to create a new hogyoku from the essence he was able to extract from the first."
"But why?"
"Will you let me finish." Captain Kurotsuchi barked. Taking a deep breath he continued. "We have reason to believe that he would have used it as a further enhancement to he strength that the first hogyoku brought him."
My eyes widened in both shock and disbelief. "But former Captain Urahara said that it was nearly impossible to create the first one the way it was."
"I never said it was identical, nor do I know if it really is a hogyoku. But as a form of enhancement for soul reapers and hollows alike it resembles the same qualities of the original."
"So it's a hogyoku but its not a hogyoku?"
"Will you just get on with your work." He snapped, "The troops are waiting for you outside, bring Nemu with you to store anything you find. I expect good news and good news only."
"But why do we need it?
"LEAVE."
"Sir." I nodded before taking my leave. When Captain Kuchiki told me he had found me some work to do I hadn't expected helping squad 12 with their research would be what he had chosen for me. I sighed. "When I'm captain I am never making my Lieutenant do all of these petty chores."
...
I awoke abruptly to a surge in spiritual pressure and the sounds of fighting from beyond the castles walls. I took a deep breath, seeking comfort in my mask that worked its way beneath my eyes and over the bridge of my nose and prepared for the worst once again as I heard the soft tap of feet stalking through the hallway.
"Hello, anybody home?" A young, male voice that I was unfamiliar with called out. I held my breath, studying his footsteps. He was alone. I would wait for him to pass, and ambush him once his back was turned. I sat as still as a mouse, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man, to size up my target before launching towards him.
His footsteps had grown louder, echoing in rhythm to my pounding heart. I was nervous, just like every other time, but I would not let them take away my home or any more of my friends. I leant forward in the nook, careful not to make a sound, and poked my head around, searching for the man. Only when I looked right in front of me did I see the red headed man, adorned with tribal tattoos staring back at me.
Never before had I thought a soul reaper to be beautiful as I did to the one staring back at me.