Phase 7: The Forging of a Vaizard

The next morning was a late wake for Kira and Karin. The night before had been eventful, and neither of them had very fitting sleep. When Kira finally did sleep, he found his face all wet, and a piece of white material on it. Wha-! A Hollow mask fragment? Why, what… Am I becoming… The thought voided from his head when Ichigo walked into his room with Karin, who was holding a plate of food. "I'm not as good a cook as my sister but…" Her eyes fell on the mask fragment, and she ducked behind Ichigo. "Kira, there's a mask piece-" Kira quickly interrupted. "I know, I don't know what is happening." Ichigo just walked up to Kira and looked at his eyes. "It's stage one." He said blandly. "He's fine, Karin. I went through the same thing before."

She instantly let out a breath of relief and closed her eyes. "Thank god…" Was all she let out before Ichigo spoke, "He'll be alright, for now." Kira quickly got out of his bed. "Sorry for giving you a scare, Karin." He said as he grabbed the food she had obviously spent the morning making for him. "I'm fine, really." The words never helped, though. I've never been good with these situations. Instinct drove him then. It seemed like another version of him came out. He felt what he was doing, but he wasn't doing it himself. What's going on? Ketatamashii Kaze- Is no longer talking to you, Kira. Not until we get along. Said a semi-metallic voice that was similar to his own.

Who are you? I am you, kid. Your other half. Kira only scoffed lightly. My other half? What, you mean something like another me that is inside? Exactly, kiddo. More precisely, I'm a Hollow that lives inside of you. We'll meet again soon. Kira visibly shuddered, and both Ichigo and Karin saw it. "Kira…" Karin started saying, but Ichigo stopped her and began himself. "He's talking to you, isn't he?" Kira looked at him with a curious face. "Your Inner Hollow. He's talking to you, toying with you, correct?" Kira nodded. Ichigo sighed. "It's stage two. Next time you see him, it'll be the final stage, and if you survive, you'll be a Vaizard. There is no turning back."

Seems you got yourself a nice little tutor, kiddo. Can you please just leave me be for now? Hell no, Kid. I'm not leaving you be until you give me that body of yours. Not going to happen. So said almost every poor sap who got taken over. Kira lightly shook his head as he ate Karin's food. The whole time Ichigo looked over him like a Hawk. "You know, Kira. I can help you. There's only one way to conquer that thing." Kira looked up at Ichigo, inquisitively. "I'm going through Hollowfication, aren't I?" Ichigo got caught unawares with this question. "You know of it?"

Kira smiled. "Tsuba-ojisan used to talk about it. It seems he had a few friends who went through it. It turns out that those 'friends' were the ones who trained you." He looked at Ichigo pleadingly. "Can you help me? I can't do this alone, I know that for a fact." Ichigo nodded. "I'll go contact Shinji." And with that, Ichigo shunpoed out of the house, leaving the two alone. Karin grabbed Kira's hand, holding it with a light but firm grasp. "I'll be here with you." Kira leaned back into the wall beside his bed, staring into Karin's eyes. "If I don't win this… I want you to look away. If I fail the hollowfication, I'll become a true Hollow. And they will kill me on the spot." Karin's eyes steeled themselves. "You won't lose."

Ichigo and Shinji returned to find Karin and Kira in an.. intimate embrace. "Kira…" Ichigo started advancing on him, but Karin stood in front of him. "Ichi-nii. I chose this. I know what… what could happen." Shinji looked at Kira, smiling his toothy smile. "So, the new guy Ukitake is so proud of happens to be like us."Suddenly the captain grasped Kira by his collar and drug him outside, where a large man sat. "My name is Hachigen, it's a pleasure to meet the newest member." Placing both palms together, the large man formed a barrier around Kira, and Shinji yelled. "Add 5 more layers, Hachigen. This kid is quite possibly stronger than Ichigo was." The barrier grew a bit thicker as the man concentrated. Others could be seen around the courtyard as Shinji placed his palm on Kira's head. "Hope yer ready, Kid."

Kira's consciousness faded as the hand fell away from his forehead, his mind drifting into another place. His eyes opened to reveal a wandering plain of flowing wind, the grass of crystals swaying in the breeze. "Where am I?" Kira said, his voice echoing throughout the vast field. "You're in my home, kiddo." Whipping around suddenly, Kira stared into the yellow eyes of his albino twin for a mere second before the albino sent him flying with a punch. "Who the hell are you?" Kira yelled as he tried to regain his breath. "I'm your other half, kiddo. The name's Aerik." Kira glared at him, then slowly began to recognize the surrounding. "So… this is me…" Aerik smiles. "Glad you're not a dumbass." Upon Aerik's side formed a blade identical to Kira's. "Let's see how much you want to keep your body."

On the outside of Kira's body, Hachigen dropped several pillars of light onto his back wordlessly while Ichigo stood inside of the barrier, waiting for the kid to stand. "You don't survive this, and I'll kill you myself." Slowly the white mask material formed on Kira's face as the pillars began to shake. "It's coming." Ichigo said as Kira let out a beastly, otherworldly scream, causing Karin to run out. Lisa caught her before she ran to him, telling her that there was nothing she could do. Karin stabilized as she watched, seeing her brother there, girm faced. She turned to Lisa. "Why is Ichi-nii there?"

"Because if someone isn't in there to keep the transformation entity occupied, it would break the barrier in seconds and rush to find things. Things to destroy." Karin stared wide-eyed at Kira's body, knowing it's not him, but still surprised by what his body was capable of. "Ichi-nii went through this, too, didn't he?" Lisa nodded. "He did." Karin sighed with relief. "Then Kira should be fine."

Inside of Kira's Inner World, the two opposites clashed blades, Aerik able to match Kira in every way. Suddenly, Aerik knocked Kira's sword away, then Sonido'd to grab it. The sword changed into a pure white weapon to match Aerik's other one. "Looks like it's my win, Kiddo." Aerik said as he lunged at Kira with both weapons. Kira smiled. "This is where you are wrong. The entire time, you relied too much on your blade." As Aerik approached, Kira jumped, placing his hands on both of Aerik's shoulders, digging his thumb and index fingers into both shoulders. As he landed behind Aerik, the hollow turned to attack, only to realize neither arm would move. "What the hell?" Kira suddenly shunpoed at Aerik, driving an elbow into his gut. "Nerve strikes. Every being has them, and by applying pressure to the right ones, I can paralyze parts of my opponent." Aerik's legs turned into jelly, collapsing beneath him. Kira reached down and picked up his sword, as well as Aerik's. His changed back into it's normal form, and Aerik's flowed into his like a gust of wind. Aerik smiled. "You win this time, but I'll be back. The moment your resolve weakens. And that's when I'll have your body." The insane laugh continued as his body turned black and faded into the wind, swirling about around a single point. As the black wind subsided, a being emerged, looking half man, half bird. "Ketatamashii Kaze." Kira said with a smile.

Then, the world faded away, the last thing he saw with the Tengu's smiling face…

Outside, Kira's body had already broken free and was pushing Ichigo back. The barrier had just shattered, and the group was ready to kill Kira when the mask-covered body froze. "It's over." Ichigo said. Slowly, the mask material fell off of the body in clumps, all save the face. Kira's eyes remained the yellow hollow-like ones, but Karin could feel it was him. She rushed forward, grabbing him as he fell down. "I… just need… a little… rest…" Kira said weakly. Karin nodded and asked Ichigo to help her carry him to his room. Shinji smiled. "Desuka Kira, huh? Tsubasa, you got one hell of a kid."

Phase 8: The Endless Abyss of Hades

Deep in the dark of the night that forever hung upon the lands, a wolf with canine's a foot long stalked a man, watching his every move. The beast snarled and growled, calling others to its side, 'A feast' it said, 'We are given a feast.' The man walked, unawares, as the beasts edged ever closer, moving in the shadows that evaded the move's glow from under the canopy of sand held by the crystal trees. Swiftly, suddenly, two lunged, gripping the legs of the man as two jumped at his chest and throat. The man's body stood motionless, undamaged, at the surprise of the beasts. "Did you truly expect to harm me, young pups?" The man spoke to the pack, angering their leader, Lupen. "We do not fear you, Hades. We will send you to the abyss and feed upon your flesh. Then we will become Vastos. And Lord Grimmjow will grant us his blessing." Each wolf clinging to the man suddenly vaporized as the surge of dark energy came from him. "Tell your lord this: If he wishes me dead, don't send a half ass attempt. Tell him to come himself. At least then, there's a slight chance I will lose." The dark energy began to spread, eradicating the wolves one by one until they ran.

Hades sighed loudly. "This is getting out of hand. At this rate, we will be eradicated. We will eradicate each other. It is time to call it." The night began to wail as Hades' voice carried along the Forests of the Menos, and above to the Plains of Hueco Mundo. "Night of Lost Souls." From all corners of Hueco Mundo, Adjuchas gathered towards Hades. Whewn he deemed enough had come, he began to walk. Through the Menos Forest, to the Lost Caves of Time. Inside, he came to an ancient Gathering Pit, similar to the Mayan designs. "Welcome, my young Menos Children. I am Hades Quitacera, and I am offering you a chance at power. Power beyond a Vasto Lorde." A grin spread across the face of every being present.

One of the more intelligent ones came up to Hades. "How will we go about doing this? I did not think anything was stronger than a Vasto Lorde." Hades looked at the being with a smile. "I am. You will become like me, my children. An Arrancar, that is your destiny, should you pass the Trial of Redemption." The murmur amongst the beings silenced at the mention of the word Arrancar. "You… you are one of Grimmjow's men?" A being asked from the front row. Hades glared at him with his serpentine eyes, drawing the soul from his very body. The white husk of nothing fell to the floor as Hades drew his soul in. "No, I am not with Grimmjow. I am Hades Quintacera, the last of the living Self-Made Arrancar. The process to becoming one of us without that… thing Grimmjow has resides with me alone. If you wish it, I can tell you. But if you fail, I will do to you what I did to him."

"If you wish to back out, you are free to leave. But a single word of this meeting outside of this room will be your death. That is the power of Calling a Night of Lost Souls." Many backed away, leaving through the many doorways. Around two dozen remained of the hundred or so that were originally present. "Let us begin, then." Hades said as he placed an orb of his own Reiatsu into each of the Adjuchas' masks. The all froze solid. "Now, the Trial of Redemption begins. You will face your sins, not as a Hollow, but as a Human. You must come to terms with your Human side. That is our legacy." Hades sat upon the throne of stone in the centre of the gathering place, watching the new generation being born. "We hold the Law of Hueco Mundo in our hands. Therefore we must be just. If you cannot win this trial, you are not fit."

Phase 9: The Calm of the Storm

Kira sat up in his bed, awake for the first time since his 'ordeal'. Looking over him was the Captain Commander, sitting beside him was Karin, watching the old Shinigami suspiciously. Kira tightened his hand on hers to let her know he was awake. "Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genyruusei. I suspect this visit is not just to make sure I'm alright. It has to do with what just happened to me, doesn't it?" The old man looked up Kira, slowly nodding. "You succeeded in surviving Hollowfication. But, as we've witnessed with Kurosaki Ichigo, this is only the first trial you will face. If your resolve weakens, you will also. Therefore, we must make sure you are able to do your duty, no matter what." Suddenly, Yamamoto's Lieutenant appeared, his sword at Karin's throat. "If she were an enemy…" Yamamoto said as he surrounded Kira in a Hainawa rope. "Would you be able to kill her?" This question hit Kira. "I'm unsure, Captain-Commander…" Yamamoto looked upon Kira once more. "This is why I am here. To warn you. If your resolve breaks, you will be banished." He released the Hainawa as the Lieutenant moved away from Karin. "We need you, Desuka Kira. More than you could possibly imagine." A young female Shinigami walked in, holding an orb in each hand. "This is Yumeshi Hitomi. She has a very unique zanpak'to. It can see the future. In her left hand, she holds the Orb of Light. It shows the good outcomes of the events now unfolding. In her right, sits the Orb of Darkness. The bad outcome exists there."

Yamamoto's eyes rested on Kira's. "Both show you. You are the most important being right now." Kira's breathing became erratic as the revelation dawned. "I… I can't be that important, sir. I'm still a young man, barely out of adolescence." Yamamoto then did something that caught Kira by surprise. He smiled. "The Youth are more important to the future than anything, Kira. They shape the future when the old cannot. Be more proud of yourself, for you are the beacon of light for this world and the living one."

With that, the old leader left, Kira unable to decide how to feel. Karin stood and started walking out. "Karin, where are you going?" Kira asked. She turned and smiled at him. "You need some time to think. I'll let you do that. Ichi-nii wants to talk to me, too. Rukia is here." Kira wanted to ask her to stay, but he knew she was right. So much has happened that both needed to think and answer questions. Kira leaned back on his bed as his mind floated back into that world.

"Hello, Kira." Said an all too familiar voice. Kira's body spun around to look at his zanpak'tos spirit, Ketatamashii Kaze. Standing well over 7 feet tall, the being that looked like a humanoid bird smiled down at him with its toothless grin. Kira smiled. "I thought you were gone." The being laughed with joy. "I will not leave you. But I cannot interfere with him, it's one of the things our kind cannot do. But you beat him. As I thought you would." The bird-like hands fell on Kira's shoulder's as the being looked at him. "The world will not get easier, only harder. That is the way it goes when you grow. But you will survive, and I will Always be by your side. Remember that." Kira smiled as he placed his hand on the semi-metallic claws on his shoulders. "Thank you, old friend." The world faded back into his room, his eyes staring out of the glass roof towards the night sky.

Standing from the side of his bed, Kira walked out of the room, towards the courtyard. There he heard the sounds of training. Walking over, he saw Karin and Ichigo sparring, with what looked like a strange form of Hakuda. "Hello, everyone." Sitting at the side of the courtyard was Rukia, talking to his youngest brother, Hitaro, and his older brother, Kenshi. Behind them stood Shinn, to Kira's surprise. Hitaro and Kenshi ran to Kira, hugging him tightly. Kenshi then grabbed him by the collar and glared at him. "Don't worry me like that. When I heard you were in a difficult situation, I came back." Kira smiled. "I'm fine now, Nii-san. I'll be fine. I'm a Desuka, being unkillable is in our blood, remember?"

Kenshi smiled widely. "That's right, Kira. Don't ever forget it!" Shinn approached Kira after that. "Is it true. What Rukia said, I mean?" Kira looked at him for a bit before realizing what he was asking. "Yes… I went through Hollowfication." Kenshi frowned and Shinn looked at him with concern. Not concern for himself, but honest concern for Kira, his friend. "I'll be fine, guys."

"Like hell you will!" Kira turned just in time to see his sister's hand whack him across the face. "That's the reason Dad left, remember?" Kira glared at his eldest sibling with hate. "He didn't leave because he wanted to. Staying here would have endangered us. But… you were always too pampered to notice." Hikari glared at him with malice. The odd one out, Desuka Hikari had gained their mothers hair and eyes. She had the same green eyes as Kira and Hitaro, but her silver hair looked completely out of place beside the three sets of blonde on the boys. "He left because he felt like it, Kira. Get that through your naïve skull!"

Kenshi grabbed Hikari and Karin, sensing the situation's course, grabbed Kira, just before both Kira and Hikari reached for their weapons. "Both of you, stop it!" Rukia and Ichigo both yelled. Hikari merely continued glaring, but Kira let his hands relax. "Onee-san, you are not worth my time. Karin, would you like me to spar with you a bit? I learn some human Hakuda moves from Kensei-taichou before." Karin smiled as they both walked out onto the courtyard. Shinn leaned back on one of the pillars holding the awning up at the edge of the courtyard, and Rukia sat beside Ichigo smiling at the two and Icihgo's slightly disapproving frown. Kenshi and Hitaro watched Kira and Karin flow in their fight, almost as if dancing with each other, while also keeping an eye on their sister, in case she tries something.

Neither of them expected a shock to the back. Suddenly, as both of them fell onto the ground numb, Hikari dashed towards Kira, her body flowing with lightning-like energy. As she approached him, she spoke to him. "Soifon-taichou taught me this one day. It's called Shunko, and I'm going to finally beat you with it." She said as she dashed at him. Karin stood in front of him, and kicked at Hikari with an impressive strike, but Hikari brushed it aside like nothing and pushed her out of the way. Kira's anger rose, and without even realizing what he was doing, donned the mask he had so recently acquired. Hikari gasped at the event, as she drove a kick which was blocked by Kira's sheer Reiatsu. "Onee-san. You just did something unforgivable…" Kira said in a metallic voice as his hand grabbed her leg, spinning his body and tossing her across the courtyard. She rose, staring at Kira with fright. "Mon… monster. You aren't a Shinigami, you're a monster." She said just before she Shunpoed out of the courtyard.

Kira's mask faded as his body fell limp on the ground. His two brothers ran to him, looking upon him carefully. "He's still Kira. That mask means nothing." Hitaro said to Kenshi, ensuring him. Kenshi nodded as he picked Kira's body up, and brought him into his room to rest. Karin stood beside Ichigo crying. "I just want to help him, Ichi-nii. He's got such a burden. So much more than he knows. But I'm… I'm not strong enough." Ichigo grabbed her hand and brought her to the yard before the gates to the manor. "I can give you the power, but it's dangerous. Are you willing?" Karin nodded.