Zenray : (throws down towel and sunglasses)
Ichigo : I thought you were on vacation!
Zenray: I am silly
Ichigo: so why didn't you update last week?
Zenary: oh yes you see I went with my dad to Durban and Sabi Sabi for a small get away. Thus I couldn't right.
Ichigo: Excuses, excuses I won't forgive you this time!
Zenray: ah really, but I brought you a souvenir.
Ichigo: really is it cool
Zenray: it awesome a wood carving of a lion
Ichigo: that reminds me to much of that idiot Kon you can keep it.
Zenray: Okay do you want the eagle then?
Ichigo: (raises eyebrow) fine you're forgiven this time.
Zenray: Yippy, enjoy the chapter
Continuation of flashback
The sun's rays so powerful and intense broke through the darkness of the night to illuminate the sleeping town in her grace. One by one the occupants of this small town awoke to this bright and glorious light, each getting ready for the day to come. Shopkeepers opened there stores, birds flew into the sky in search of food and children ran out to play.
All in all it was a peaceful day the towns people were happy and content and the fields were flourishing. Everything seemed to be going smoothing for nearly all households.
"Huhchooo" the sneeze bounced off the walls of the small room echoing throughout the house for all occupants to hear. Carefully placing his hand on his brother's forehead Aizen shook his head, unpleased with the results off the small test. "You're not going anywhere today Hitsu." Aizen said. Hitsugaya's eyebrows furrowed when he heard his brothers words, "but nii-sama I wanted to show Yamamoto the valley where the yummy apples grow today." Hitsugaya wined and crossed his arms over his chest as he sat up in his bed. "Sorry little guy you're way too sick to go outside today."
Hitsugaya looked away from his brother facing the window whilst pouting. "Don't be mad it's for your own good. What would I do if anything ever happened to you, hey?" With this Aizen pounced on top of his little brother, his arms lunged at Hitsugaya's sides and his fingers started to tickle the boy in his most vulnerable spot. "Hahahaha stop it… nii-sama …it tickles!" Hitsugaya panted out as he was viciously attacked. "Oh really, it tickles you say, where does it tickle… could it be here?" Aizen continued, as he too started to laugh at his brothers feeble attempts to sneak away from the tickle attack. "hahahahaha… yes…there." The tickle war ended when Hitsugaya went into a coughing fit.
Aizen frowned at seeing his brother so sick and carefully handed him a glass of ice cold water. Oddly enough Aizen began to shiver; it seemed as if the temperature in the room lowered with every cough Hitsugaya gave off. Shrugging it off as nothing Aizen lowered Hitsugaya into his bed and covered him with the thick blanket that had carelessly been tossed aside during the tickle fight.
"I have to go out to buy some medicine but who can I get to watch you while I am gone." Aizen thought aloud as his scratched the top of his head. "Hey I am old enough to look after myself you know!" Hitsugaya shout out. "Not when you're sick young man." Aizen replied with a small smile.
"I would be happy to take care of Hitsugaya while you're out" the old horse voice sounded from the door. Aizen's eyes narrowed as Yamamoto came in and sat down next to Hitsugaya's futon. "Welcome back Yamamoto-san" Hitsugaya happily said and gave Yamamoto a big hug. "I don't know" Aizen said as he turned away. "Ah please nii-sama Yamamoto and I will be fine!" Hitsugaya said these words with such a gorges smile on his face that there was no way Aizen could refuse. "Alright, if you say so." Aizen finally gave in; "Yippy" Hitsugaya shouted in joy and gave his brother a hug too. Aizen stood to leave "I'll be back in an hour okay Hitsugaya." Hitsugaya nodded happily in reply. "Yamamoto-san may I please speak to you quickly outside?" Aizen asked. Yamamoto nodded and stood flowing Aizen as he left. "I wonder whats up with them they've been acting wired ever since that hollow thing attacked." Hitsugaya thought out loud as they left.
Outside
"Yamamoto I have said this once but I will say it again, if anything and I mean anything happens to my little brother you will highly regret it." Aizen hissed his back turned to the older man. "I have grown very fond of the young one I would never purposely allow anything to befall him." Yamamoto replied taken back by the tone of Aizen's voice. "My brother has been through too much, our parents died when he was very young and I only now realize it was due to these creatures you call hollows." "That is terrible my sincerest apology" Yamamoto replied. "Answer me this "soul reaper" where were you and your kind the night they died the night my little brother watched in terror as his parents were taken away from him."
"Soul society is very young at the moment we have only just begun to grow in numbers of soul reapers. We have not enough men to fight off each and every hollow. Again I am very sorry we were unable to assist you in your time of need."
"Sorry indeed" with this Aizen walked off to get Hitsugaya his medicine. Yamamoto stared at him as he walked off for a few minutes before he returned to the ill boy.
Back in the house
"Hello Hitsugaya how are you feeling?" Yamamoto asked as he once more sat besides his futon. "Honestly not so great." Hitsugaya replied. "Then why don't you rest whilst I make you some soup?" "But I am not tiered. Could you uhmmm maybe" Hitsugaya began to blush as the thought arose. "Yes what is it young one" Yamamoto asked with a raised eyebrow. "Could you maybe tell me a story." Yamamoto genteelly smiled at the young boy "Very well." Hitsugaya's smile brightened and he leaned forward, only to be pushed down by Yamamoto who placed a cool wet cloth on the boy's warm forehead.
"Now let me see… ah yes I shall you the story of the guardian." As Yamamoto spoke Hitsugaya became very interested but he too could feel the drowsiness begin to set. Yamamoto who saw this decided to keep the story short and sweet. "In my world off soul society many people speak of a great guardian that is born once a few billion years, this person is not born human but is born on a separate plan of reality where humans and nature(meaning the great elements) are one. This guardian is a being where the elements and mankind's hopes, dreams and values come together to form a creature of immense power. They say can be half human half creature of any type and that once the guardian has someone meaningful in their life they strive to protect them with their entire being. It is also…" Before Yamamoto could continue the even breathing off a certain young boy snapped him back into reality .Said boy was fast asleep with a small smile on his face. "Rest peacefully young one."
Back in soul society (the present)
Everyone was so consumed with the story and their thoughts they did not realize that the old man had stopped. He was silently staring at the ground in his own world.
"Yami-gee what's wrong?" Ukitake asked with a worried expression. All occupants in the room turned to the older man who put his fingers on his temple slowly rubbed it. Once he regained his composer he stood straight once more and looked over to Ukitake.
"My apology the next part is quite difficult for me to talk about as it is my greatest failure."
"It's okay Yami-gee we all make mistakes." Ukitake said with a small smile.
"Not one as great as I did." With that Yamamoto continued his story.
Flashback
The sun in all her glory and power had began set, Aizen returned as promised with the medicine but once more had to run to buy more blankets as the house was truly becoming too cold for his liking. So he one more left Hitsugaya in the care of the old man who he did not fully trust.
At the time Hitsugaya was sitting playing a game of cards with Yamamoto in his room. Yamamoto had only just shown the boy how to play this game called old maid and Hitsugaya was becoming quite good at it. Technically he already beat Yamamoto four times to tell the truth. Yamamoto inwardly sighed "he is truly clever to catch on so fast" he thought to himself.
Yamamoto was broken from his thoughts when he felt a shrug of power and what a great power it was. He dropped his cards and stood trying to search for the source of this power. Hitsugaya was dumbfounded at what the old man was doing, "is this part of the game?" he thought "Yam…" Hitsugaya was cut off when a figure crashed through the wall and tackled Yamamoto through the next one into the garden.
Startled Hitsugaya was about to go see what had occurred when a rough hand grabbed his shoulder. Slowly, shacking in fear the young boy turned to the unknown person. "Now where do you think you're going, hey?" the hollow mused at the small child. It was the largest hollow the boy had ever seen: it was at least three times Aizen's size. It bodied was midnight black, with the monsters back covered in array off spines. Its white mask was that off a laughing man with large tusks and to make matters worse it has four arms, one of which held the trembling boy firmly. "Let go of me" Hitsugaya shouted as he struggled to break free from the monster with no such luck. The creature laughed as he watched the weak human its voice was hoarse and deep it's sounded as if it rumbled the floor beneath the boys feet.
"Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle! Hadō Raikōhō" Yamamoto's clearly unhappy voice rang from outside the house. A loud bang was heard as the shot fired "You missed you old fool" the other hollow shouted but before more could be said the yellow kidou entered the house with tremendous strength knocking the great hollow off Hitsugaya. Yamamoto could then be heard shouting towards the young boy "Run Hitsugaya go now!". Afraid and trembling Hitsugaya got off the floor and ran out the door tears running down his face. "Please be careful Yamamoto-san" he thought as he ran.
Pleased that Hitsugaya was out of the way Yamamoto moved to fight the hollow which tackled him but was shocked at what he saw. The hollow before him was not the normal type of hollow the old man was used to fighting, it was small the size of a human to be exact and its Reiatsu was greater than a normal hollows much greater.
"Who and what are you." Yamamoto asked sternly. "My, my no please how rude," the creature mocked "but that alright I forgive you. My name is Araña (Spider) and I am a Vasto Lorde, a hollow." The creature was as tall as Yamamoto, he had two humanlike arms but underneath eight long spider legs purple in colour. (Four on each side.) It then too had normal human legs. It was covered in a black armor or exoskeleton all except its purple mask. The mask covered his entire face exept for an opening from ear to ear for one to see the eyes. They were deep green and again human. "A Vasto Lorde I have never heard of such a thing." Yamamoto said as he took in the hollows appearance. " Haha you shinigami are so uneducated I suppose I will just have to explain." The hollow shrugged and crossed its arms.
" Though most Hollows are simply transformed Human souls, a sub-group of Hollows known as Menos exist I am sure you've met some. Menos are conglomerations of hundreds of normal Hollows, resulting in a single composite entity of far greater strength than any normal Hollow. Menos are created when the void within an ordinary Hollow's heart becomes so substantial that Human souls are incapable of sustaining it, at which point it begins devouring fellow Hollows. These cannibal Hollows are attracted to one another, and a mass inter-devouring follows, this results in different types of menous existing each more powerful than the last. They are classified into Gillian, Adjuchas and then me Vasto Lorde. Gillian are the first and weakest of all Menos. In human terms they would be considered foot soldiers. There are many of them and they all look alike. In Soul Society, they are the "Menos" that are generally referred to in textbooks. Gillians are huge, but they are slow and have beast-like intellect. Adjuchas are the second classification of Menos. They are smaller than Gillians and far fewer in number. However, they're much smarter and stronger than Gillians. They're often the ones who lead Gillians into battle. Adjuchas are commonly solitary creatures rarely joining into groups. Vasto Lorde are the third classification of Menos and the highest level of evolution. They are extremely rare in number. It is said that you could count their entire number within Hueco Mundo with only the fingers of your hand. The Vasto Lordes' combat capabilities are above that of the captains of the Gotei 13." (Thanks bleach wiki )
"Hahaha you believe that you could beat one of my captains or me for that matter. You are strong ill give that but not strong enough to beat us." Yamamoto laughed
"We'll see old man." With that Araña drew his sword and launched at Yamamoto, the old man then used shunpo to evade the oncoming attack and drew his sword. Luckily Araña turned in time to counter Yamamoto's attack, his other legs then wiped out to hit Yamamoto who jumped into the air to avoid being stabbed. Araña soon met him in the air and they're battled continued.
Meanwhile
"I am home!" Aizen shouted as he walked in with the blankets in hand. Not for long as they dropped to the floor at the sight of the house being in shambles. There was a large hole in the wall and all furniture was tossed aside like it was rubbish. The alarm in Aizen's head went off, "Hitsu, Hitsu where are you?" he shouted as he rummaged through the house. Unexpectedly Aizen felt something hard hit his head and he crumbled to the floor.
Hitsugaya had stopped running, exhausted he fell beside a tree, tears still streaming from his eyes. He sat against the bark and brought his legs to his chest holding them firming with his arms. He felt so weak and useless; he was unable to protect those he cared for. He had run from the house when he knew the old man was in danger but he was so scared. It was just like the night his parents died he was afraid then too and just hide cowering in the closet hoping the beast would leave. What could he do? He just didn't know he most properly would have just gotten in the old man's way. Wiping his tears Hitsugaya stood "better go find nii-sama" he thought, his eyes widened at realization. "Nii-sama he went to fetch blackest from Miss Carow he said he would only be gone 30 minutes and that was at least an hour ago! No, no what if that hollow got to him. What do I do now? Maybe I can get help Yamamoto said there were more soul reapers but where do I find them?" Again Hitsugaya fell and leaned against the tree crying. Until he made his mind up, "nii-sama has always been there for me, he cared and looked after me even though I was responsible for our parents deaths he stilled loved me. I can't lose him; I cannot lose another person I love. I am coming nii-sama I will save you no matter what!" with that Hitsugaya ran home to save his brother.
Hitsugaya slowly crept to the house window. He peered inside and saw his brother unconscious on the floor at one side and the large hollow at the other side. He was determined to save his brother it was a promise he made to himself. So he grabbed a nearby steal pole and crawled to the side were Aizen lay.
Above him he saw Yamamoto fighting another enemy. It seemed they were evenly matched as one attacked the other defended and vice versa. Hitsugaya maneuvered to the hole and the wall Aizen lying right in front of it.
"Nii-sama, nii-sama wake up." He shook his brother's shoulder trying to wake him. Far too slowly Aizen opened his eyes and looked at Hitsugaya with a dull expression. Then all the memories came flooding back like a tidal wave and he pulled Hitsugaya into a hug. "Oh baby brother are you okay." He asked frantically. "Yes nii-sama I am fine but we must leave quickly." Hitsugaya whispered. "Is there a hollow here?" Aizen asked nervously, Hitsugaya nodded in reply. Both brothers ever so slowly got up and tip toed out hoping not to be spotted.
But like every other predicament this was not there day, as Aizen stepped onto a piece of rubble it fell creating a large noise attracting the hollow. "Now where are you going? Oh look who came back." The hollow snickered. With a large hand it reached out and grabbed Aizen by the waist lifting him into the air.
"Let my brother go you monster." Hitsugaya screamed at the creature anger taking away his fear. "Oh and what if I don't hey, maybe I'll eat his soul right here right now. Or for sport I could just crush him until he dies what are you going to do about it you worm." "Run hitsu it's alright just run." Aizen shouted. "Be quite maggot!" the hollow screamed and tightened the grip in his hand "argghhh" Aizen yelled in pain.
"Nii-sama I am not leaving you!" Hitsugaya rushed forward pole in hand and stroke the hollows leg but nothing happened. "Haha that tickled." The hollow laughed and kicked the smaller boy right into the wall ruble falling on his head. "Hits…arghh" Aizen tried to call his small brother but was crushed as the hollow once more tightened its grip.
Minutes past that seemed like hours to the elder brother and still there was no sight of movement from the rubble. " huh maybe I killed him." The hollow thought aloud. " No, no you freak, you monster I will kill you for what you did." Aizen screamed as he struggled against the monsters grasp. "Shut up pip squeak." The hollow tightened his grip again intending to finish the job this time.
Aizen blood curdling screams awoke a presence within Hitsugaya, he felt it stir it wanted to help him. He knew it was strong and powerful and now more than ever did he need its help. He needed the help of his inner dragon so he called and it answered.
The rubble burst as a white light shot through it, the temperature in the room dramatically dropped. Hitsugaya rose from the ashes the light embedded around his body. His white hair waved in the wind the massive power created it hid his eyes from view as he stared at the ground. "Let him go." Hitsugaya's voice was different deeper more persuasive. "Who's going to make me?" the hollow smirked. "I am" Hitsugaya said and lifted his head to reveal his eyes they no longer were family inherited brown, they were now ice blue the most gorges teal. His pupils were slits. To put it frankly he was really angry.
He raised his hand to the hollow and with one flick the ground beneath him turned to ice and massive spears of the cold solid lanced at the hollow. The massive hollow tried to evade but his large suture made him too slow and two spears hit him, one in the shoulder and the other the leg piercing through to the other side. Screaming in pain the hollow dropped the now very confused Aizen who ran to stand behind his brother.
"You little brat you will pay for that." The hollow screamed. The spikes on his back grew as they readied themselves, the hollow rolled himself into a ball and with one push the spikes flew into the air aimed right at the two brothers. Without blinking Hitsugaya did a wave motion with his hand and a large chunk of ice appeared from the ground shielding them. The hollow gasped at this, as quickly as it appeared the ice melted the spikes falling uselessly to the ground. "Now you pay for hurting my brother." Hitsugaya said as his eyes narrowed. He placed his arm in the arm his palm facing the sky. The sky heard his call and masses of black clouds gathered around the area. Soon large amounts of water gathered that structured themselves forming a large dragon of pure glory. Hitsugaya then brought his arm down in the hollows direction and with a loud roar the dragon soared at its opponent incasing them in ice before the hollow could defend.
The clouds then despaired and Hitsugaya fell to the ground Aizen by his side in mere seconds in the distance a cry could be heard and a great tower of fire was seen. Then Yamamoto reappeared and got into his gigai. Aizen eyes narrowed at the sight of him, he carefully placed Hitsugaya against the wall and walked over to the man. "Where have you …" before anything more was said the frozen hollow broke from its bonds mere steps from Aizen and lunged. The sound of flesh ripping could be heard and the hollow laughed as its body turned to ash.
Aizen opened his eyes intending to fell pain that never came; he slowly looked down and saw his younger brother on the floor in a pool of blood. Shacking Aizen bent down and picked his brother up cradling him in his arms. "Hitsu why, why did you do that?" Aizen whispered as tears fell onto his brother porcelain check. He was deathly pale from the loss of blood. Slowly Hitsugaya opened his now blue eyes and mustered a weak smile. "Simple silly because I love you too much to lose you, I promised to protect you." His voice was faint as his eyes began to gloss over. "No that's my job not your I am suppose to protect you." Hitsugaya slowly shock his head, "no it was mine from the start, now you can live peacefully without worrying about being attacked by hollows." "I don't care about that, not what so ever I just want you by my side." Hitsugaya lifted his arm and placed his small hand on his brother's check, in turn the older male held it there. "It okay nii-sama we will see each other again… until then thank you for everything and remember I love you and will always protect you." As the last words were said Hitsugaya's eyes closed, his hand dropped and his small body went limp against his brother.
Aizen screamed to the heavens and cried in his brother's chest. "I am so sorry" Yamamoto said tears in his eyes too. "Sorry, you're sorry this is your entire fault my little brother is dead all because you couldn't keep your promise and protect him. I hate you leave now and never come back." Aizen shouted. The e older man wised to reply but decided against it, he left and returned to his home.
Back in soul society (the present)
Most occupants in the room were devastated by the young captains death all Rangiku, Rukia, Unohanna were all in tears. Others such as Ichigo, Ukitake, Kyōraku Renji were fighting them back. Others such as Bakuya and Soi Fon were as usual expressionless.
"What happened then." Ichigo finally asked
"I made sure Hitsugaya passed on before returning to soul society, I soon heard that Aizen had died 10 days after his brother's death due to grief. Upon further inspection it seemed that Hitsugaya lost his memories due to the damage his soul toke on when he released his powers and was attacked. Oddly enough it to seemed Aizen lost his memories although as I now know that is false. " the old man said fighting back his own tears.
" Yami… his death wasn't you're fault you know that right?" Kyōraku said and everyone in the room nodded.
"I should've sensed the hollow was not completely destroyed the boy only just had complete control over his powers, I should've known."
"Yama…" Unohanna began to speak but was cut off "the meeting augured we will reassemble tomorrow to discuss our next course of action." With that the old man left towards his office to think for the umpteenth time about that day.
" Hitsugaya tomorrow we will be going to soul society." Aizen said as he tucked his tired brother into bed as the moon of Las Nonches shown through the window.
"how come?" Hitsugaya asked tiredly.
"Oh to free prisoners that are trapped there who should be in the human world."
Authors notes: hope you enjoyed the chapter please feel free to R&R it will be highly appreciated. Right hitsu?
Hitsugaya: Right please review (puppy dog eyes)