Run, keep running. Can't stop, it'll catch me. Then… *gulp*
Grass bent beneath my heels as I jumped a ditch, the soft thuds of steps painfully loud in comparison to the silence of the creature behind me. I wouldn't have even known, it was so quiet, but thankfully it's pressure tipped me off before it could catch me completely off guard.
And as I ran, so did my thoughts.
If I couldn't even stand up to an unseated 5th division, what hope would I have against this thing?
My feet pounded the pavement, I vaulted a small crater.
I should never have cut through the compound. I should have listened to the rumors*. I should have... have…
I should have focused on where I was going.
My feet came down next to an especially large crater. It must have been fresh, though as the soil was still loose from the disturbance. I was tumbling head over heels down the side, crashing to a halt against the steep side of the hole.
As the stars left my vision a sense of dread began to pool in my stomach. The crater I was in wasn't just big, it was irregular. The projectile must have come in at an angle, as one side was far steeper than the other. I was backed into a corner.
A shadow fell on me.
It had arrived.
I pressed myself against the heat-blasted earth behind me. Maybe if I don't move it won't notice...
That measly hope was shredded as it stalked down the flatter side of the crater, eyes locked on me. Claws like knives dug into the soil as it approached. My head whipped around frenetically, frantic for any escape routes. Any options not ending in claws and horns. But there was nothing.
As it approached I realized that it "only" came up to my mid-chest**. Then it reared up on it's hind legs, I could only think:
Oh.
And then:
Please, please, please don't eat me, please don't eat me, please don't eat me…
I couldn't even look my killer in the face, my eyes refused to go past those horns.
As it opened it's mouth and lunged I squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn't bear to watch those teeth close on my throat.
But the end never came.
No blood, no pain, just pressure on my chest and a tugging on my clothing.
Then, I wasn't even touching the ground. I swayed a bit and reflexively opened my eyes -catching a glimpse of white and red- flailing for a moment before curling up and squeezing them shut again.
What was happening? What was it doing with me? Am I still going to die?
I could feel my carrier pick up speed, going from a slight swaying to a fuller bouncing. I curled up even smaller. Where was I going? Is it dragging me off to it's lair?
Then, we slowed. The sound of the steps changed, the softer padding of the earth turning into more of a hard thud-tink. I could feel us going up some incline for a short while and make a few turns before we fully stopped.
I was dropped without warning, and given even less before something pinned me beneath its bulk.
Where are we? What is pinning me? Could it… but wouldn't it just eat me?... but, the thing on me was both furry and scaly, and it had been so close... Finally, I couldn't take the questions any more and managed to pry my eyes open.
Only to immediately shut them at the blinding brightness of my new location.
I took a breath. Not some dark cave then. And, I noted absently, I was lying on a rug. I was pretty sure that hollows didn't furnish with rugs.
Having learned my lesson, I squinted a bit before fully taking in my situation.
I was… in a house? There wasn't really much to see from where I was, just a corner to my left with a small table and a plant, and to my direct right was the back of a chair. And framing my vision on either side were two MASSIVE paws.
Filled with trepidation, I twisted my neck and looked up.
Just in time to catch a glimpse massive teeth and a faceful of thick tongue.
The tongue was a bit rough, like a cat's, but thankfully dry enough.
"Well that's new."
I would've jumped if I could, but as I was only gave a jolt. The beast gave a small snort at the sudden movement, but otherwise just continued to lick at my hair.
I managed to shake the hair out of my face to see a man peering around the chair. He seemed more perplexed, or perhaps amused than scared. A good sign… I think.
"Um, sir? Could-"
"It's Ichigo, and you are?"
"Uh… Ha-Hanatoro, sir."
"And I see that you're already acquainted with Shiro"
He nodded towards the beast above me.
"Could you, perhaps... maybe... help... me, please?"
"Mn… sorry. It seems like there's nothing I can do."
My devastation was evident, I didn't even try to hide it. He got up to stand before me.
"Hey, don't be like that. You're fine."
"Wh-What?"
A small smile crept across his features, more of a smirk than anything else.
"You're small, and weak, and look young,"
Yes… weak. Not even worth the time. Apparently even the hollows think so...
"He seems to be under the impression that you're a cub."
…that's really not where I thought he was going with that. A cub?
"A cub?" I echoed.
"A cub, a pup, a youngling," He grinned, "a child."
He squatted in front of me.
"Someone who's a bite-sized young'un now, but with the potential for great growth."
I turned my eyes up to the masked visage crouching over me, finally able to look into the hollow's eyes. It gets much easier when you're not positive that you're looking into the face (or mask) of your killer.
Shiro stared right back at me, amusement in his eyes and what I could only think of as a… I think the others called it a shit-eating grin imbedded in his mask... or maybe it was more affectionate. Does it even really change?
"So… he's not going to eat me?"
The responding "Nope!" was almost startlingly cheerful.
At that, he got up and left the room, calling out, "He's probably gonna groom ya though!"
That was… reassuring. Maybe.
.
.
.
He still wouldn't get off. Hey, was that Kaien?
"Kaien! Kaien! Help! Please!"
He looked at me, at the hollow, then backed slowly out of the room.
I think he was muttering something about drugged drinks, but I can't be sure.
*The rumor of the Shiba hollow. Or monster depending on who you ask. (or cousin, but we're not sure how sane that guy is)
**Lower chest-waist height on an average sized person
