Chapter 1
"There she goes!"
"Kill her!"
"Don't let her escape!"
That's all I heard as I was running. Out of all my years living, the Soul Society with their 'Peace Keepers' has to be one of the worst additions to the Spirit World. All I did was step foot in the Soul Society and they suddenly start chasing and attacking me. What's wrong with these guys? I haven't done anythingwrong! My thoughts were soon interrupted when I stupidly turned a corner to be met with a dead end. I quickly turned around to see all of the Peace Keepers blocking the way I came.
"Why are you attacking me?! Please, just let me explain." I said, trying to reason with them.
"Like we'd believe a Demon like you!" one of the Peace Keepers said.
"In order to keep the peace, all Demons must be destroyed." another Peace Keeper said.
"Demon!? Now hold on!" I exclaimed.
That was when the few who were in front of the group, more like a mob, held up their hands as they began glowing red. Judging by the amount of Spirit Energy building up, I knew what was coming. So, just before the attack could hit me, I opened a Garganta and escaped back to Hueco Mundo. Since I was in a hurry, I only could tell I was there when I felt sand shift under weight. I looked back, making sure to have the Garganta closed. With any luck, the explosion from those Soul Reapers blast caused them to think I'm dead.
"Damn. What was that about? Those Peace Keepers need to get their information checked." I muttered.
I pulled on what little clothing I had left to make sure I was covered at least close to appropriate. These clothes that I steal from humans or those Peace Keepers never cut it for me, also considering that fact that I have the body of a 10 year old. Man, I still remember how before the Soul Reapers it was the Royal Guard of the Soul King who Killed Hollows for the Reincarnation Cycle. At least they didn't go over board and had some restraint when it came to killing Hollows. The Soul Society has gone down hill for sure. It's actually been years since I saw it formed, since many things happened actually. I mean, I am 3000 years old. That means I was here just as the Peace Keepers came into existent.
The main thing that bugged me, however, was that whole 'Demon' thing. A while back, I met the Royal Guard and we made a deal.
*Flashback*
I had decided to enter the Soul Society once again on some random day, which ended up me running into members of the Royal Guard. Knowing that their job was the same as the Peace Keepers, I stayed on guard most of the time they were present, but they didn't do anything.
"You aren't going to attack me?" I asked.
"You...you're an Arrancar, aren't you?" one of the guards asked.
"...Yes." I hesitantly answered. All of the guards in front of me began whispering something to each other. After a few moments of waiting, one of the guards approached me.
"Tell me, can you live without eating Human souls?" the guard asked.
"No." I answered, simply.
"And do you have any intentions of harming the Soul Society or the World of the living?" he asked.
"No." I answered again.
He looked very closely at me, but I didn't get nervous. He was probably just seeing if I was lying. I guess when he found out I wasn't, that was when we made a deal. The rest of the Royal Guards were informed of this deal and it appeared they all approved.
The deal was simple; I didn't eat any living human souls, I could come and go to the Soul Society as I pleased.
That's what bugged me about those Peace Keepers. The Royal Guard must have not told them or the Peace Keepers didn't know who I was. One thing was for sure, I had better wait until I go back to the Soul Society. Maybe the Royal Guard will have the Peace Keepers informed about me by the time I go back.
Also, when the deal was made, I was given this device that the Royal Guard said kept track of the days passing in Hueco Mundo. Since I was able to keep track of time, I was able to keep track of my training. Thanks to that, I was able to keep track of how long it took me to be able to unlock my two Resurreccion forms. With them, I was able to become even stronger than when I just fight bare handed. Well, I do have my other ability. It's to manipulate the senses, but I never use it though. I try to keep my life as peaceful as I can, well, with the exception of the often Hollow attacks.
I would never kill my own kind or anyone else without a reason, but I obviously get hungry and sometimes I would go overboard with my fights. Some did put of a good fight if I hold back, like the Peace Keepers, Menos or the Adjuchas, but it always results in the same way. But, they do help me deal with my time. Other ways I go about all the time I have is go and explore the world of the living. So far, no other humans have seen or noticed me. Well, seeing a 10 year old looking girl with blood red hair, blue eyes, with a fox shaped mask and barely any clothes would probably freak them out. Not to mention the hole in my stomach.
But, watching the humans has brought me some amusement. I've seen the good and the bad sides of the humans. The same goes for the Soul Society as I watched the Seireitei and Rukon Districts grew in size and numbers. Many souls of all ages and sizes came into the Soul Society. Some even ended up becoming Peace Keepers. It's weird how when humans die, they become either Hollows like I apparently did, or they go the Soul Society for a new start.
Now that I think about it, I actually must've died at the age of ten since I'm so young looking. It's just been so long that I've never really focused how long ago I've died or how I died.
"How did I die anyway?" I said out loud.
Shrugging it off, I began to walk aimlessly around the sand. As I was wondering around, I soon wound up at the entrance of the Menos Forest. It is the place I go to most often around here. And luckily, just as I got there and heard the howling of many Hollows, my stomach started growling, even if that is where my hole is. This my routine, eat when hungry, train, and explore. And who knows, maybe something new will happen in this world someday.
*1,800 years later*
I remember saying I wanted something new to happen someday, and now it happens. As I ran across Hueco Mundo towards the Menos Forest, I kept track of the spirit energy that suddenly popped up there. I could easily tell they were Peace Keepers. Oh, right, 'Soul Reapers'. I heard they renamed themselves after this incident with these humans called 'Quincies'. Somehow, they're even worse than how the Soul Reapers were all those years ago. They actually, truly, killed Hollows. No reincarnation, no repenting, no mercy or forgiveness. I hate them, more than any Soul Reaper. At least the Soul Reapers exterminated them.
Anyway, just as I entered the Menos Forest, the spirit energies I sensed has almost completely disappeared. I only sense one now. When I reached the spot where I sensed them, the only thing left was blood staining the ground. I concentrated for a few seconds before sensing the last one. I ran off in that direction and soon found who I was looking for. He was definitely a Soul Reaper, but I could tell he was tired. And with him, I saw multiple people lying around him. But, when I saw all of them stained with blood and didn't sense anything from them, I knew they were all actually dead.
"Poor guy." I muttered.
I stayed behind one of the massive trees as I watched him bury the other Soul Reapers. So, they did care about their comrades. When I looked closer, I also noticed that he carrying a Hollow mask. That made what little sympathy I felt towards him slightly decrease. I couldn't forget, he was a Soul Reaper. But still, finally someone to talk to I guess. Besides, I can't be like them and stereotype all of them. That was when I stepped out of my hiding place and approached the Soul Reaper from behind. At the moment, he was kneeling in front of the graves he had made.
"Seems like you had some bad luck coming here." I said. That caused him to shoot to his feet and spin around to face me, having to look down.
"Who are you!?" the Soul Reaper said, preparing to draw his sword. That's right. Soul Reapers now use these new weapons call 'Zanpakuto'. To me, their just spirits in the form of weapons. But, they are weapons, and powerful ones too.
"Look, I just want to talk." I said.
But, that idea came crashing down when I saw his eyes land on my mask and the hole in my stomach that was visible since the clothes I was wearing revealed my stomach. That was when he did draw his sword and swung it at me. I easily jumped back out of the way, landing a few feet away from him.
"You! You're an Arrancar, aren't you?!" he said.
"Yes, but-" I tried to reason with him again, but he just tried swinging his sword at me.
He kept at continuously, but I just kept dodging him. I had no reason for hurting him and he's already beaten up plenty. I kept dodging for quite awhile before he finally grew tired. When his swings were further apart, I swiped my leg at his feet to cause him to fall flat onto his back and losing his grip on his sword. Now I stood over him.
"Go ahead. Finish me." he said, glaring at me. With a loud sigh, I walked over to his sword and picked it up.
"If you would've listened, I was trying to tell you that I wasn't going to hurt you. And I'm still not going to." I said, dropping his sword into his hands. I backed up and let him get back onto his feet to sheath his sword.
"But, why? Aren't you a Hollow yourself?" he asked.
"Yes, but I actually don't enjoy killing and eating people or other Hollows if I can help it. By the way, my name is Zera." I said.
"...Ashido." he finally said.
"So Ashido, just what are you doing here?" I asked. That seemed to be a bad topic because his face became downcast after that.
"My men and I followed some Hollows here after they attacked the Soul Society. Unfortunately, that resulted in everyone but me being killed." Ashido explained.
"And what? You thought I would finish the job?" I said.
"You're a Hollow. Of course that's what I thought." Ashido said. I glared at him for a few seconds before shaking my head.
"I guess I have no room to say you're stereotyping, because I probably am no better." I said. I could tell he was staring at me after hearing that.
"Even if I said I wouldn't, deep down I keep thinking that all Soul Reapers are the same. They still act like Peace Keepers did all those years ago and slaughter Hollows without remorse. But...you do somehow seem different. I mean, you're actually sad about your friends right?" I said. I looked at him as he wore a bewildered expression on his face. When he didn't respond, I kept talking.
"Ashido, I'm sorry what happened to your friends. And hey, if you want, I'll help you get back to the Soul Society." I offered, walking past him and picking up the Hollow mask he had. In all honesty, I did feel sorry for him but I couldn't understand how he felt. I mean, being this old and not having anyone to talk to doesn't really leave many chances to make friends.
"What!? Why would you help me?" Ashido asked.
"You came into a weird world and lost your friends. Something tells me it's the least I could do." I said, walking back towards him and placing the mask in his hand.
"But, what about..." Ashido said, looking back at the graves he made.
"I'll take care of them for you." I said. He looked down at me in shock.
"Really?" Ashido said.
"Of course. Wait! Before I help you, maybe you cold do me a favor?" I asked. He looked at me like I was up to something.
"And what would that be?" Ashido asked.
"Unless it's necessary, do you think you could not kill Hollows?" I asked.
"What!? A request like that is insane! Especially to a Soul Reaper!" Ashido exclaimed.
"They're my own kind. It just doesn't feel right to know that your own kind is dying for nothing right?" I said. That seemed to really make him think about what I said. I mean, his own kind just died too.
"...Alright. I promise to only kill Hollows who attack the World of the Living." Ashido said.
"Thank you. So, are you ready?" I asked, holding my hand up to him.
He hesitated and looked back at the graves of his friends and at the mask he held, but he eventually took my hand and I lead him out of the Menos Forest. It was kind of sad that a young guy like him was being lead around by someone who looked like a little kid. Anyway, we soon made it out of the forest. I easily opened up a Garganta to get him back to the Soul Society.
"Well, this is your stop." I said, gesturing to the Garganta. I could tell that he was nervous about going through the gate I opened for him.
"Come on. You can trust me. Aren't we friends now?" I said. That made him give me an odd look.
"Friends?" Ashido said in a confused tone.
"Well, you're the first person I've had to talk to around here and I am helping you, so isn't it alright if we're friends?" I asked. He stared at me for a few seconds before he actually smiled.
"Alright. We're friends." Ashido said, ruffling my hair. I puffed my cheeks in annoyance, but I soon let out a small laugh. No one had done that before.
"And you can keep the mask, keep it as a reminder of all of your friends in Hueco Mundo." I said, smiling. He nodded at me and left. Having a friend, it's a nice feeling. Maybe I'll make another friend someday, somewhere.