Black trails shall flow. Can we survive and make something good out of them?

-Scripturae Musa

Chapter 11: Sinister Six


"So…. Mei-san, do you want some other tea?", the leader of the Arrancar, Sosuke Aizen, asked his new hostage, the young Shinigami Nekoru Mei. The situation was not one of force, Nekoru was forced to become an hostage. He did not even need an order or being told so. Even if he could have defeated Mendocera now (something he was already doubtful of) he would have not even hoped to fight Aizen and live. So he had to play along with him. Mendocera, on the other hand, was less than amused about this. He hoped for Aizen to be more… straightforward with this thing, instead. A thrust of a zanpakuto in the heart, to be accurate. The best solution was the easiest. He was even dismissed away by the Shinigami. It had made him raise quite a brow.

"… - Nekoru tentatively replied – uhh… yes, Aizen, thank you…. Is that …. A new haircut?"

Aizen faced him with a smirk before nodding with a smirk and resuming speaking: "You know, I had been waiting for a lot of people to save Inoue Orihime… but even you. I guess the Gotei is really desperate if they have sent you here…"

"Well, I am not alone, Aizen. Most of the other people who came with me are seated members, with four captains and three lieutenants after you. Your Arrancar will have a tough time", he said, only to realize that he had accidentally been tricked to spill the beans over the other Shinigami who had gone to Hueco Mundo with him, his widened eyes meeting the former captain's narrowed ones as he poured the tea.

"Interesting… four captains… just the right number…. There are only other six, then… three of them will suffice then, as I had expected", Aizen mumbled interested, only to catch Nekoru's attention.

"What do you mean, Aizen?", he asked, attempting to get some information about his plans from him, but the older Shinigami was not fooled not even for a second, instead countering by switching topic at the spot

"It's the third time in a row you called me Aizen , Mei-san. Aren't you the one who always called me Captain Sosuke Aizen-sama?", he asked him with a piercing stare which made Nekoru shiver.

"Well…. Uh… - Nekoru said mumbling slowly, but gathering every strength to speak back to the Shinigami, gripping his Zanpakuto tightly – I…. don't think you are worth such title Aizen… you… betrayed Soul Society as a whole out of lust for power, from what I could gather. You built even an artificial sky. You… are nothing but a power-hungry traitor!"

Yeah, show him what you are made of. Don't be afraid!, his zanpakuto encouraged him in his mind. Mendocera, now far away, looked at Aizen's enormous reiatsu and saw it starting building up and put himself into a stance of defence. Before the young Shinigami could do nothing the former captain let out a wave of reiatsu which made Nekoru fly off the chair and sent him, along with the cup of tea, on the floor.

He showed us back, damn it, Nekoru thought rubbing his lightly burnt face due to the boiling water

"You should be more careful when standing on a chair, Mei-san – Aizen mocked him by making it seem it was Nekoru's fault, his face framed somehow by shadows – I still consider myself to be more of a visionary. But I don't expect from one who lacks ambitions like you to understand. I once gave you a choice to be a strong Shinigami… and somehow you wasted it. You failed everyone, me included. In other words, you, little one, bound by thousands of limit, should not even dare to speak back to me"

Had you at least achieved Shikai, you could have been of further usefulness being another pawn for my treason of Soul Society, Aizen thought looking at the weaker Shinigami with scorn. That being… so weak… it was essentially everything he hated. Impotence. When people limited themselves…they were pathetic in Aizen's eyes.

The younger Shinigami attempted to stand up, but found himself bound to the ground. In horror he realized it was still Aizen's doing: he was using his reiatsu to keep him down on his knees. The air itself felt heavy, and the young man was having difficulties to breathe. It was…. unbelievable. Just how much strong that former captain was?

"You see, Mei-san, I am a man with broad horizon. I hate thinking of all bounds who can suppress the full freedom of expression of a man. Emotions, morality, hierarchy… the King… - Aizen said walking up near a pillar, picking up something, oddly taking a small pause when he said the latter part - … so I decided to …. Break every single boundary which could be limiting me. Even though I was a captain… I still had to obey, and I was as bound as everyone to the rules of the Gotei 13. So I in the end got something which could do what I wanted. Dissolve every limit in the boundary of reality… this is the … Hogyoku"

At this Aizen made a thing roll down. Nekoru looked at the small luminescent sphere… mostly confused then amazed and raised a brow.

Just what the hell is this? – Nekoru wondered inwardly – It's … a lot of energy. I can't even call it reiroku… it's even more than Aizen… how in the world

As he attempted to grab it, but to no avail, due to the spiritual pressure crushing him he asked in realizations: "What is this made of? Souls?"

Aizen looked at Nekoru for a second and smirked at this then turning back again he replied: "Nope. Not at all Mei-san. I did think of it. It was then I changed project, though. You should ask Urahara about this. He could answer you …. for I plan not to"

Nekoru then had an idea: as Aizen was turning his back on him, he whispered his shikai command, turning his sword into Ink sucking the Hogyoku inside it. He then then released a substitute making it glow with his silvery spiritual power to disguise it. He let an heavy pant at doing this, promptly sealing the zanpakuto as Aizen turned back and picked up the fake orb.

"To be fair, you almost outlived your usefulness… although you could be used as another prisoner. I will call soon some Arrancar to take you in. Are you sure you don't want some other delicious tea?", the megalomaniacal Shinigami asked with his usual affable tone, which was met by Nekoru shaking his head, clinging to how little of his willpower was left. Aizen, pretending to ignore Nekoru's fatigue, stopped using his reiatsu and nodded, then offhandedly he asked something which nearly froze the younger Shinigami.

"Then can you give me back the real Hogyoku, please?", Aizen asked examinating the fake. It was well done, but Aizen had spotted the switch at the first glimps. He had simply wanted to lull Nekoru into a fake sense of security.

Nekoru, lightly twitching his eye, attempted to hide the horror at being sussed and answered: "Ex… excuse me? I have no idea what are you talking about!"

Aizen shook his head. Had he been at least a bad liar. But that younger Shinigami did not even speak convincingly. At least he had been a quick thinker.

"You know Mei-san… you are… quite bad-mannered. I act gentlemanly, you should do the same out of respect, at least, as you are my guest…", Aizen said with a menacing look, his face looking framed by shadows, a sadistic smile on his face, the fake orb cracking into dust just at his reiatsu.

"I guess I will have to teach you good manners, Mei-san", Aizen said, his hands at the hilt of his sword. Nekoru was scared by the mad shinigami but was noticing something weird. If the former captain could freeze him to the ground… why was he not do…

Then a scream from his zanpakuto: MAN! DUCK TO THE SIDE

Nekoru was surprised but obeyed instinctively rolling on the left… just as he felt something which was going to cut his right side. It was not deep but still was lightly bleeding. Behind him there was another Shinigami as he noticed turning for a second.

Ichimaru… I could not felt his reiatsu due to Aizen's distracting me, Nekoru thought as he held his wound, recognizing the other captain which was mockingly waving at him from around a dozen of feet from him, his sword retreating to a normal size

"Good reflexes Mei-san. And nice to see you not clouded anymore with that Kido, Gin", Aizen said with a smirk looking at both of the other Shinigami.

"How long have ya known I was here, Cap'n Aizen?", Gin asked still with his unnerving grin and closed eyes, his head turned at Nekoru though, who was still looking with his zanpakuto drawn, too nervous to notice the tension between the two allies.

"Since you were born – Aizen replied with nonchalance before switching topic – Gin, I was about to look for you. I need a favor, please. You see this Shinigami? He had been acting rather rude despite my politeness. Might you help me teaching him good manners?"

Somehow, maybe his vision distorted by the sheer horror caused by the proposal, Nekoru saw Gin's smile becoming even wider and heard him replying: "

"My my...as former Cap'n of the Third Divison it is up to me ta be sure Shingami know their ediquette. I s'pose I shall help, Cap'n Aizen"

Oh no, not another captain tag team, Nekoru complained exasperated as Gin again swung his sword. Thanks to his shunpo he avoided to be cut in half, but his arm got another bleeding cut, and jumped up landing on the table, clenching his fist to suppress the pain of his wounds. Nekoru then raised his sword and again decided to release his Shikai. After all, he simply had no other chance to win. The two formers captains simply looked amused at him being able to release his swords, but they were not impressed at his rise of reiatsu. Nekoru aimed at Aizen, just as the megalomaniac seemed about to cast a kido. From this, Nekoru got the idea to mirror him, so he used a low level Kido to spin his sword like a drill, and created the biggest dart he had ever made, around half the size of his whole sword, and quickly shot it with the all of his power. The projectile sped against Aizen, aiming at his heart, but a few inches before it could even touch the former captain, it faded to dust, much to Nekoru's shock and terror.

I swear it was not my fault, the zanpakuto said as surprised as his wielder, who then turned at the smirking Aizen whose hand was glowing with a deep blue reiatsu.

"I have to admit I did not expect you to have Shikai, Mei-san – Aizen said – and one as simple and versatile as ink manipulation, to boot. Your sword turns your spiritual power into a semisolid substance which allows you to manipulate. Due to your low reserves spiritual power, you have also a reasonable speed in manipulating the ink, allowing you to compact it in varying solid states… quite handy… but there is a weak point. Your raw is low… and you waste too much of it for moves which would be more effective without your excesses"

Did he understand EVERYTHING about my shikai just from a single attack?, the Shinigami though

Yep, it's kinda creepy, man.

Sadly, their inner conversation was stopped by the following words: "Hado 58, Tenran"

Nekoru, already stunned at Aizen's immediate understanding of his shikai, got flown around by the widening tornado caused by the Kido and saw Gin, completely unfazed and still attempting to slice the younger Shinigami apart. Even worse was that he was clearly holding back, out of a sadistic glee of sort, no doubt... and yet, even despite Nekoru's best efforts to dodge, he still managed to give the young shinigami cuts all over his body, remaining surprised thought not to be able to scratch the armored glove Nekoru had on his left arm. At this Nekoru was even forced to create a huge splash of ink to partially cover the visual of both of them, covering the floor with ink. As soon as he was going to land, Aizen charged with a Kido the area Nekoru was going to land onto.

Okay, I have an idea, man. Just get your sword half solid, the spirit said. Nekoru understood and shaped the blade into a spring to bounce away from the area using a kick to go through the wall and escape the two former captains, though he got one more cut to the shoulder from Gin's sneak attack, landing on a large room with several windows, most of them facing the endless desert of Hueco Mundo. Aizen with a single swing of his sword created a large shockwave which cut in half most of the floor, only to stop just before Nekoru. The surprise bought Gin's enough time to sneak behind Nekoru and stab him on the side, pinning him to the wall. He was going to cut him in half, but a stare of Aizen made him stop, though he did not spare a devious smile of his neither to his opponent nor to his ally.

"That was …. Fun, Cap'n Aizen", Ichimaru said sealing his sword and placing it back in his sheat, looking at the half battered opponent… well, more chew toy than anything else to him, but still. Aizen looked at Nekoru amused and walked up to him, his zanpakuto pointed at him.

"Now Mei-san… might you hand me , with the little energy you have left, the Hogyoku back?", the former captain asked with a smirk. It was not like Nekoru had any option though. He was so weakened that the older Shinigami had not even bothered to keep him down with his reiatsu. And to think they both were holding back. Nekoru weakly looked up at him. He faced his zanpakuto for a second, making Aizen realize where ithe orb was hidden, then he pointed it at the leader of Hueco Mundo quickly shotting another jet of ink.

"Such a weak technique aga…", Aizen said while he was about to black with a single swing of his hand the wak blow from Nekoru and Gin had decided to give Nekoru a deep wound for his trouble... but before he could act, the jet of ink got somehow through Aizen's hand, piercing it, and then getting him right in the chest, which started bleeding profusel. The former captain did not scream in pain out of pride , but still had to back away several times from the unexpectedly successful damage. Even Gin was for a second dumbfounded. How could one like Nekoru manage to wound Aizen of all people?

We wounded him. GREAT!, , The Shinigami thought in surprise as he saw Aizen using the wall to support himself.

No, it's more like CRAP! We wounded him. He's gonna get pissed once he shrugs off the pain, the zanpakuto rightfully observed as the former captain recovered. At this, Nekoru did the only thing he could do: exploit the moment of carelessness of the his enemies and jumping out of one of the several windows in the room, just in time to avoid a Sokatsui from Aizen, which would have incinerated him had it properly landed. Sure, now he was on a free fall… but at least he was safe.


"That bastard", Aizen hissed with his eyes narrowed, looking at his own wound, especially his pierced hand, finally having won the unexpected pain. Gin was looking at him still slightly surprised at what had happened, but promptly igured it out immediately as soon as he looked better at Aizen's chest.

He correctly guessed the Hogyoku's nature was superior to any reiatsu… even mine. So he disguised it as a ink jet and shot it at me at point blank. I was careless… Still, a minor setback…. And soon going to fix itself, Aizen thought coldly.

Gin was at first going after the young Shinigami, but Aizen stopped him with a single gesture on his hand.

"No need to deal with him, Gin… I actually think… his action benefitted me much more than he would have liked to wish", Aizen mused looking at the cross shaped wound of his, with the Hogyoku at the center. He could clearly feel it. It was communicating with him… their minds attempting to understand each other as the veins slowly turned blue and luminescent at the merging of the Shinigami with the legendary artifact.

"I will have to fix this wound to allow a better merging though… SO let's go, Gin. We have more important businesses to attend", Aizen said dismissing the pain.

"'n' we are goin to let that youngling live?", Gin asked, to which Aizen smirked his face engraved by shadows.

"We are. The Exquias I am going to send him might not!", the older Shinigami replied with a light hint of bloodlust.

Gin nodded but, as soon as Aizen had turned, he had lightly opened his eyes. He was very amused at the wound.

Your ambitions are growin… and with this your carelessness, Cap'n Aizen – the silver haired Shinigami thought - That weak Shinigami managed to wound ya, even though at an high price. But still... he did it. Yer becoming vulnerable… and if ya can be wounded… ya can be killed.


I still can't believe it YOU wounded AIZEN, the Zanpakuto told Nekoru, still in its shikai state, shaped like an hand to help Nekoru climb up the walls of Las Noches.

Well, he asked us for that orb, I gave him that orb– Nekoru thought panting a bit while climbing up Las Noches, close to the border of the roof of the hollow fortress– Still, I hoped it would have just killed him instead of just wounding him.

We still spent over half of our power for an attack it failed even to land on his opponent, the sentient blade complained, to which Nekoru was about to reply, but at moment moment he blacked out and hadn't been for his zanpakuto tightening the grip on the wall he'd have fallen down.

Damn it – the young man thought gritting his teeth - Had Ichimaru not wounded me so much… I'd not be in such a fatigue… But still I need to get out of their reiatsu or I am not going to survive… Need... some help

As he was about to reach the roof, and hand grabbed his wrist and helped the young man up, saying with a kind tone: "Here!"

Nekoru was about to thank his helped, but stopped as soon as he recognized the face with the smile he had learnt to fear after just a single day. His stare hardened and attempted to look as composed as possible despite the several wounds he had recieved.

"How did you find me?"; Nekoru asked attempting to struggle out of the grip, which the Arrancar tightened.

"Buddy… I had never lost track of you. I wanted to see how your fight against Aizen was going… - Mendocera replied with his grin - I am slightly disappointed. I knew you were weak… but I kinda hoped you would have killed him… or at least, taken him down with you"

"What the…. Mendocera, why did you…?"; Nekoru muttered confused.

He trusted me into killing him?, Nekoru wondered in his head, much to his and his zanpakuto's puzzlement.

"I don't know", the Arrancar coldly cut him off. It was the truth. He was not very sure himself of why he had placed on that Shinigami such trust. He had thought of it since he had talked with that girl who kept muttering 'Kurosaki-san'… that woman held so much trust in that person…

Did I want to do the same? Trust somebody to do the impossible? Why? How could I think he could have defeated Aizen, Mendocera wondered seriously worrying about this, and in response squeezing further the grip of his friend or enemy. As Nekoru lightly hissed in pain, Mendocera smirked.

"It's useless buddy, your energy is barely half of your full extent and I know for sure you can't break my Hierro not even with your full strength", Mendocera said with an hint of coldness, only to be cut off by Nekoru's armored glove smashing against his face. Not only he had not seen it coming in his arrogance, but it had even wounded him, making him cough up some blood and lightly breaking the bones of his face. He did not care about the damage as it could have been regenerated soon, but the fact a Shinigami had done this... Before he could react, he felt slipping due to strange pool who he was sure it was the Shinigami's doing.

Nekoru's face though was more determined, a bit because he had been a bit frustrated during the duel with Aizen and Gin, and secondly because Mendocera had that punch coming for all the things he had done.

"I just – Mendocera said furiously – don't understand. Why are you so … SHINIGAMI-like? You just think about fighting me…"

"You were the one who manipulated me into fighting Aizen so that we could kill each other", Nekoru said upset as he stopod up and turned at Mendocera, his eye roaming around enchated by the sky of Hueco Mundo. For a second, the Shinigami was distracted by the sight and smiled, accidentally switching topic.

"You know, buddy – Nekoru stated – Hueco Mundo ... from some points of view…. Is not bad at all. It would be worth getting painted. Do you think the same?"

Mendocera's stare hardened as the Shinigami said that, and even though he appreciated the compliment to the land who was to him undoubtedly superior to Soul Society, replied sternly and bluntly: "I am blind, buddy"

"But the worst part is that you achieved nothing – the Fraccion continued with his cold tone – You are alive and Aizen is alive. DO you think he is gonna let you go after the fight? He is gonna be sure you won't leave Las Noches alive… and I can't stand it"

Nekoru blinked at the weirdly places last sentence, and confused decided to ask: "You mean… you care about me?"

Mendocera nodded and replied: "Not as much as Marina… but I consider you a valuable person… useful for my projects… weirdly enough… there is only a thing … which makes me feel horrible"

"What?", Nekoru said confused and worried for his friend. He was pretty curious to know about this for a simple reason. Mendocera was an hollowm which meant he had somehow lost his heart. And yet, Nekoru had successfully befriended him. There was no doubt: Mendocera still craved his humanity back… and Nekoru wantedto help him... least he could do to thank him for over three decades of friendshi. Before he could react, Mendocera, having felt a familiar sensation, had his arms around his neck strangling him.

"YOU ARE A SHINIGAMI – Mendocera said with an hint of glee in making him suffer – When I feel your reiatsu… it makes me throw up in my mouth. Shinigami… are by far the most disgusting thing on the planet, your their holier than thou attitude and pathetic excuse to hunt down hollows, the perfect race. Don't you understand? You are made to die… Your corpses are going to be the basement of my hollow utopia. ALL OF YOU… and this is good…. I'd like you to … die once for all. You have been sitting idly in your reign for too long… but as we Hollows rise… you will fall! So either you die… or run for life and prepare yourself for your imminent fall"

At this Mendocera slightly weakened his hold over Nekoru's throat, although the Shinigami had gotten what Mendocera meant…. Just in time to be thrown out of the roof of Las Noches with a slash from Mencoera's zanpakuto large on his chest. Nekoru let out an half suffocated scream as he just feel down and away from Las Noches until he was not visible anymore.

Luckily he was weakened… and despite this he left me such a nasty injury… he'd have been a nastier fight had we fought head on on instead of tricking him to go against Aizen… stupid Shinigami, growing stronger only after a few hours of being unchecked, Mendocera thought looking down as if he was aimed at a specific area. He then turned at the other Arrancar who had just reached him

"Well done Fraccion Mendocera – Rubodon, leader of Exquias said – you have been swift in your kill… just as expected from the likes of you"

Mendocera smirked at the leader of the Exquias and with a bow he answered: "As soon as I felt his reiatsu here, I tracked him down and killed him. I was disgusted that he was a Shinigami in Las Noches. Every single Shinigami existing should deserve to be crushed under the heels of the Espada"

Rubodon nodded and said: "You are serving well lord Aizen, Mendocera. I am deeply impressed of your dedication to his cause"

Mendocera just smirked wider at the leader of the Exquias as they were parting ways, in his head thinking: Have you not heard me carefully, Rubodon? I said EVERY SINGLE Shinigami EXISTING

The Fraccion just calmly walked normally finally turning his attention back to the fight of the Espada against the other Shinigami.

The Octava, the Septima and the Cuinta are fighting…. With the exception of the Sexta Espada… I am not tracking him everywhere… weird… same for Rotoga… but there are too many Shinigami here and I am fearing more are to come… should I go to take Marina back to the forest of Menos?, Mendocera thought again looking at the direction of the deserts of Hueco Mundo, shaking his head.

I might have rushed a bit due to Rubodon's coming… and yet ... I. can't believe it that, despite every single word I told you was truth, that…. I let you live again, buddy


Bakudō # 37. Tsuriboshi

Those were the last words of Nekoru before fading to unconsciousness. The Kido had drained him of every spiritual power necessary to remain conscious, but at least had made him survive. Mendocera had saved him somehow and for some reason by telling him to prepare. I mean, come on, 'prepare yourself from the imminent fall'. He had given out too much generously not to be on purpose. Nekoru was still not sure whether he really was on his side though

Sure, his acting was A BIT too convincing, but he had felt the reiatsu of the other Arrancar before Mendocera attacked him. At least it meant Mendocera had really attempted to save his life and Nekoru had survived.

Slowly all sense were coming back. He had been feeling some bandages around the wounds Gin had given him. Then he heard some voices muttering about the fact he was looking fine and finally he opened his eyes. Two silhouettes were waving at him, and he managed to weakly wave back at them. He finally had managed to get a clear sight of them. And was wishing not to have had it. They were hollows… no, their spirit pressure was similar to Arrancar.

The first was a humanoid Arrancar whose head is almost completely covered by his mask, which resembled an insect-like head with large mandibles and horns whose large left eye, yellow in color, is visible through an eyehole on the front of his mask. The other had a large, heavyset body with short appendages and small hands and feet, whose Hollow mask was whole, covering his entire head resembling a typical tiki mask.

At first he tightened the grip on his sword, but the smaller Arrancar just replied to him kindly: "Hello"

"Uh… ah… uh… Hello?", Nekoru said confused rubbing his head, his zanpakuto sealed to spare his energies. He was feeling refreshed to say the least, his spiritual power slowly growing back. One of the few advantages of having low reserves.

"Was it…. You to bandage me up?", Nekoru asked, to which the larger Arrancar nodded.

"Yep, it was us, you were bleeding everywhere. Luckily we had a …. Uh… 'special elixir' to improve your wounds, don't cha know?", was his reply

"Everything for a fellow Arrancar", the other said with a thumb up, making Nekoru sweatdrop.

They mistook me… for an Arrancar?, Nekoru thought in wonder so that his zanpakuto could hear.

Explains why they patched you up, man. At least they are nice, if not too bright, which seems good to us, for now, the sword replied, making the Shinigami nod as he thought of a reply.

"Oh… yeah sure… I am an Arrancar. YEAH, ALL HAIL AIZEN-SAMA, DEATH TO THE SHINIGAMI AND… All the other stuff!", he said histrionically, proving he would not have a career as an actor.

"Wow? Now there is other stuff? Sure Las Noches changed" both Arrancar said wide eyed, they then extended their hand and told him their name

"Nice to meet do, Dondochakka and Pesche, I am called Nekoru", the Shinigami said shaking their hands

"So, Nekoru, how did you get here instead of Las Noches… and all bloodied up to boot?", Pesche asked him scratching his head confused

"Ooo, would you believe it? One of my cohorts threw me out of a tower!", Nekoru blurted out with a nervous chuckle, realized he had maybe talked to much.

"Really? – Dondochakka asked him raising a brow – Cool, we too got thrown out of all Noches, don't cha know? TWICE. The second was a psycho, though… and so we wander again in the desert with that…."

"Ehi, Dondochokka, do you think he can help us with this problem, then? We have already sent help but….", the shorter Arrancar asked his companion to which Nekoru raised a brow.

I smell battle, the zanpakuto stated worried, giving an hint to release again his sword, which he obliged, making it so his new allies would have not noticed it. It was a luck that Urahara had convinced Nekoru and him to team up, otherwise they would have never survived five minutes there. Still, the fact he was using it up so much underlined how desperate he simply was in these situations.

Before the duo was able to speak, Nekoru was able to feel another reiatsu. It was bigger than the both of them, no doubt, and of course superior to his own, but had gotten used to fight stronger opponents. Then finally an azure blur rushed towards him, full of bloodlust and rage, and attacked him

Indeed it was once more an Arrancar, and as Nekoru was able to feel as he punched the anti Hierro armored glove, much stronger than he could think, as the fact he was still flung across a large dune of the desert made him realize. His unknown opponent had quickly caught up to the young Shinigami, nearly forgetting the two preys he had been hunting down for now (he had still labeled them as 'snacks for later'), especially because unlike them he was a Shinigami, therefore an opponent more similar to his intended final target.

A kick met again Nekoru's armor, though it seemed to be starting to feel strained at the attacks. Nekoru then attempted to slash the chest, where he could see an already rather large scar, but he was blocked by the Hierro of his enemy.

That's more resistant than Mendocera's. Much MORE resistant, Nekoru thought upset as he managed to jump away and got some more distance. A punch in the gut arrived and he was slammed against the sands of Hueco Mundo. Nekoru was shocked at the punch, even though he had used the reiatsu to soften the blow. It was by far one of the strongest. No doubt, this time his opponent was NOT holding back.

I don't get it. That punch… the only thing stronger were Yoruichi's punches when she broke the anti Hierro armor. This guy should be captain level… but … why is his reiatsu so low? Sure, way superior to ours but still…, the Zanpakuto observed to which Nekoru nodded. He then looked at his clothing…. Blood. A lot of it. Not from any of his wound. Whoever that enemy was, he was seriously injured… and still completely outclassed him.

"Yer not Ichigo – the Arrancar finally said, stopping attacking to take a breath, much to the relief of a panting Nekoru – but yer not friggin' bad. I'mma have fun kicking your ass with my claws"

Nekoru's eyes widened at hearing Kurosaki's name. This guy had fought Ichigo? No wonder he felt so impotent against him. Had he been at full power, he'd have hacked the young Shinigami to pieces.

"Who are you?", Nekoru said to keep regaining some energies, his zanpakuto ready to swing. His foe's appearance was something feline and predatory, with jagged and sharp teeth, black claws as hands and feet, similar to that of a cat, along with a slender whip-like tail. He had long and flowing azure colored hair, and two markings around his eyes extending to the tips of his cat-like ears with a sort of a headgear on his forehead, which topped the form-fitting white segmented armor, with a large hollow hole on his stomach.

The Arrancar smirked at this and pointing at him his claws in a fighting stance, his expression distorted into a bloodthirsty grin said: "Remembah this name, fella, cuz it will be yer last. I'm Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Sexta Espada"


Marina licked up every single drop of the pink foo before finishing swallowing up the last bone of the half dead creature she had found. She was rather pleased that her stomach had been satisfied. Her last meal, unknowingly to her actually Rotoga's released form, had been her greatest meal of her life. It was worth a whole army of Menos Grandes and she had left nothing of it, except lot of stains of blood around her mouth and dress. And all of that reiatsu… was making her go ditzy. She was a bit losing her focus and felt too heavy. So much that she completely powerless when a gigantic hollowed showed up and brought her up its mask. Marina rubbed her head confused and she was patted in her head by a friend. She made a wide smile.

"NEL-CHAN!", she said happily as she recognized her friend. But somehow she was changed. Not physically, but her expression was somehow more mature and adult. It reminded her of Harribel for some reason she could not phantom

"Mawina – Nel said still with her lisp, but a more calm less childish tone – Sowwy to have taken you all of sudden, but I need your help. Have you seen Dondochakka and Pesche? I have been looking for them everywhere…. They have been thrown away by Las Noches and now I can't find them anymore"

Marina tilted her head a bit confused as much as she could due to the high reserves of reiroku ingested and finally managed to weakly shake her head and reply: "Nu"

Nel shook her head upset, but she had another plan, having expected it would have failed and then again inquired the small child.

"Mawina, wanna help me enhance my Pesquisa by handing me more reiti?", the greenhaired child asked, to which the small redhead nodded with a wide smile and placed her arms on Nel's mask and started making all the reiroku overflow… especially the excessive one taken by eating Rotoga. Nel at first just felt a power flow surge… but then it was too much for her. Nel cried in surprise at this as her mask glowed and was enveloped by a column of light, much to Marina's surprise and Bawabawa's delight, who knew what it meant.

As the smoke faded away, the two hollows saw the new form of Nel, formerly known as Nelliel TuOdelschwanck, Tercera Espada, a full figured woman with long waving hair, but otherwise similar features. At first a bit surprised, she remained composed at her return to her normal form and let out a large sigh. She then turned at Bawabawa and then with a wide smile, she gave the huge tapeworm like hollow a BIG hug, nearly suffocating him, as it could be seen by its waving his tail at first fastly and then nearly losing every strength to struggle free from his mistress' hug.

"I missed you to be in this form… - she said releasing the giant hollow from the hug, only to notice something – where is Marina?"

As she looked down, she found Marina with her arms wrapped around the former Tercera and the head buried in her chest.

"I had promised you back in the Bubble forest, you remember it?", the small child like Arrancar said with a cat-like smile which made the former Espada caress and pat the little red head, even though she had no idea what the smaller Arrancar meant. After the sweet moment, Nelliel turned far in the desert. Her power of Pequisa, due to her transformation, had increased drastically. He felt them.

"Marina, we have to go! Dondochokka and Pesche are in danger… Are you going to help me?", she asked, making the child look up from her comfy zone

Marina thought for a bit. She was actually going to find her Meido-chan… but hadn't he always told her that hollow should help each other?

"LET'S GO! YAY!"; She said waving her arm excitedly.


"YA FRIGGIN SUNUVABITCH! Get back here"; the bloodthirsty Sexta Espada yelled in rage at his opponent. He had been wrong with his assumption he was similar no Ichigo, he was nowhere as skilled as him: after all, Ichigo was one who fought right on with attacks intended to crush the enemy, along with all of that 'I have to protect everyone' rant which gave him so much willpower; Nekoru, on the other hand, was one who was doing his best to get away from his range and whose attacks barely tickled. And while he was bombarding him with Bala, the weaker opponent knew enough Kido to dodge and block them, though none of his barrier went unscratched. Finally he managed to get an hold of him strangling him with his claws and scratching his throat while doing this. What he found was first a face full of ink… literally, then he was hit by a strange slick which made him slip, most likely coming from the hidden Fracciones who were supporting the weakling, and then Nekoru fully hit him in the chest with Shakkaho, a red sphere of energy made of kido.

It barely scratched the Espada, even despite his injured state, as he showed when he growled manageing to kick Nekoru, scratching his leg: "YA FRIGGING BASTARD!"

Indeed, the blow did enrage him thatm even though the Shinigami missed, was enough to create a punch so powerful to create a huge shockwave which sent Nekoru far away, then caught up to him and kicked the flying Shinigami, who still managed to par the blow with the anti Hierro weapon. Shortly after, the Espada found ropeds around his wrist and neck, with Nekoru holding them in a weak attempt to strangle and subdue him. He was violently whipped by Grimmjow's tail for his troubles, making his back bleed, then thrown violently across the dunes by Grimmjow's sonic roars, immediately followed by five darts of his move Garra de la Pantera, but Dondochakka helped the now helpless Nekoru by swinging the darts away with his zanpakuto, a gigantic mace.

"Sorry man, we did not want you to overwork so much against such an opponent. We thought you'd be stronger, don't cha know?", he said turning to the young Shinigami, surprised by the strength of his ally, who was soon taken under the sand by Pesche to better hide against the raging Espada, just as his companion was hit by Grimmjow's Bala.

"Don't worry, though, you did your best… and failed…. But you DID try… and failed", the smaller Arrancar said in a failed attempt to reassure Nekoru.

You are an idiot allied with a bunch of idiot against a bigger and badder idiot, the zanpakuto said in a fit of rage for the fact the fight was still so much onesided.

And you?, Nekoru thought to his zanpakuto in a defiant stare

I am the biggest idiot, because I have not found a way to escape yet

Damn right you are, Nekoru stated only to turn at Pesche and ask him: "So what is this underground system"

"Oh – the Fraccion said – must be a bunch of hollow. You too did it once, I suppose. I guess they have been scared off by Grimmjow though… I suppose so at least…"

"So … this tunnels spread though all of our current battlefield, right?", Nekoru said with a smirk, formulating a plan. At first he created a pair of ink bubbles and then run up to Grimmjow's reiatsu and decided to stab up the terrain attempting to hit Grimmjow. Only to discover that he was not able to pull it down. He understood that Grimmjow had taken hold of it and was only able to say: "Oh hell".

Immediately after he was pulled up to the surface by the Sexta Espada who immediately tried to scratch him but between Dondochokka's bala, then Pesche's who jumped up from behind the Espada, who was distracted for enough time to allow Nekoru to turn his sword liquid and slip away from the grasp. Grimmjow, successfully scratching and kicking away Pesche against the Shinigami and the other Fraccion, charged up a Cero and shot it at the trio who managed to counter with a combination of their own Ceros and Nekoru's . Before he could react though a fourth Bala, crimson in color was shot toward the stronger Arrancar. As everyone had a moment to react who was the one who had shot that Bala from out the sand two long chains with spiked balls at the end came out the sand, Grimmjow parried the first, but Nekoru, exploiting the opening to hit Grimmjow with acid ink in the eyes, allowed the second zanpakuto to strike and due to the slick still on his paws making the Espada fly away a bit. From the sand a new figure jumped up, much to everybody's surprise. It was a small redhead Arrancar with the bone cheeks as remains of the mask and little cute dress. Her eyes were serious, as the ones of an angry child, but her pose and stance could remind the movements of a predatory reptile

"You meanie – Marina said with an hint of a growl and her childish voice – let my friends go, or I am gonna be angry"

She then turned at the two Arrancars and smiled widely at them, yelling: "DONDOCHAKKA! PESCHE!..."

She then looked at Nekoru and raised an innocent brow, for it was the first time she had ever seen not only him, but one looking like him. Due to Mendocera forcing her to live in Hueco Mundo for all this time, she had never seen any of them. Mendocera had once simply explained her that a Shinigami is 'not an hollow, therefore you can eat him'. From the smell she could feel, Nekoru was not an hollow, therefore she called him.

"BREAKFAST! YAY!", Marina yelled in joy, as Nekoru just blinked nervously

"Wait… what?", he asked with his eyes twitching to which Marina nodded happily and licked her lips.

She then turned at Grimmjow, who had gotten up uninjured by her attacks, and returned serious: "Haven't you heard Meido-chan? We hollow should help each other to create an hollow utopia against all the rest. It is what hollowity is about. And Meido-chan talks a lot. TOO MUCH!"

At this actually Nekoru raised a brow and noticed all the things she had said.

Hollow utopia? Hollowity? Those words reminds me of …, he thought as his zanpakuto cut him off

Yep, no doubt, those are Mendocera's weird speeches, it must be the daughter he always talks about - the blade confirmed, making Nekoru nod – I still remind you he said she is a bit voracious, so beware

Grimmjow just laughed at Marina's speech and replied: "Reminds me of that obnoxious batshit insane Fraccion of the ol' fart. No matter ya are a child, I'mma beat ya up too"

Marina snarled at this. How did that Espada dare not to admit she was cute? Plus he wanted to beat her up and her friends. And even worse he was much stronger than her, she could feel it. When she looked at his eyes, she felt overwhelmed by his bloodlust. She felt forced to do a thing she somehow knew how to do, even despite she had never done before. Merge with her zanpakuto.

"DIGEST, DIVORATRIZ! YAY!", the small Arrancar said swinging in circles her zanpakuto. The chains wrapped around her, forming from behind her two long lizard like tails, and from her back spouted the skeleton of a giant lizard with eight legs. Her dress extended both down to cover the skeleton and even upward forming a large hoodie which covered her hollow mask, now complete with teeth and tongue, only the eyes missing from the horned lizard like monstrosity, and floating in the air, connected only by the spine. Marina's face was slightly hidden by the hoodie, but now was that of a fully cutie kid, which made her transformation slightly more disturbing, especially considering she had grown 10 feet tall in total.

"Ain't I cute?", Marina asked Grimmjow, resurrecting from the first time

"Ew, ya are a lil freak!", The blue haired Arrancar stated aiming a Bala at her, only to have Marina's mask eat it and spit it back to him, though he easily parried it. Nekoru attempted to strike him with a tail whip, but Grimmjow sonidoed away and kicked him in the back further wounding his back but before he could impale him Pesche and Dondachokka made a combined sword, mace attack to parry the the thrust of the claws and a sonidoing Marina, who had grown faster thanks to the major number of legs, managed to knock the Espada back, even thought the damages were minimal to the Espada.

Promplty as Grimmjow backed away, Nekoru created a series of darts to further wound him, finally succeeding in lightly scratching his armor with such a move, but was met with the Garra de la Pantera, but as soon as Pesche noticed this he used his infinite slick to make the bullets harmless and grabbing them. As Dondochakka, now riding Marina's released form, started to make against Grimmjow a speed and strength assault, Nekoru created other darts out of Grimmjow at first useless one, finally making the Arrancar's back bleed and then Marina's Cero further opened the wound, making the Espada roll away from the dune.

He narrowed his eyes in rage at this. How could he start losing to those freaks? He had been defeated in a worth battle by Kurosaki Ichigo, and even despite Nnoitra's treacherous attack, he had managed to survive, though at first not able to fight. Luckily he had managed to feast on the reiatsu left on the corpse both of Nnoitra himself, ironically enough, and his fraccion just as he had left, but still too weak to resume his match against the Shinigami he hated so much. In the end he was forced to escape from las Noches and was slowly, even despite the injuries, getting back his power, hollow after hollow. He was to return strong, he was to fight against Ichigo again and this time to finally kill him for his dare to wound him back in his first fight. He was not like the other Arrancar, just trying to feed off Aizen's reign. No, he was more ambitious. He wanted an higher rank, he wanted more power, he wanted to replace Aizen one day. Already getting defeated by a15 years old was humiliating enough, but that now even a much of weaklings were getting through him due to their teamwork was… ridiculous.

Roaring in rage, he rushed against his enemies and managed with impressive speed to get from them all a taste of blood: the Shinigami was scratched in the face, then Pesche's face met first his foot, lightly cracking the mask, then grabbing Marina's tail violently slammed Dondochakka against the sand and then threw Marina's thick bone mask against him, furthering wounding the duo with a Bala.

"Ya know, ya got me very mad, bastards. I'mma tear ya'll to pieces", he stated by summoning his strongest attack, Desgarrón, making his claws glow and with a slashing motion creating giant "claws" of solidified energy from the end of each finger. Nekoru's eyes widened at the high level of reiatsu coming out of those attacks, and the warning of his zanpakuto did not help

Rest in Peace, man!, were his solemn words, as he saw literally no way out of Grimmjow's final attack, and both the Fraccion and himself were exchanging sorrowful looks for having dragged each other down to this hell, to which none of them had already gone unscratched. Only the small child was happily smiling at the situation, even though her mask was slightly broken, having lost four out of her five left horns.

"I'm still the Sexta Espada, fuckers. Ya were no match for me", Grimmjow stated, only to have Marina raise her hand.

"But we too are six, meanie! We are even", she said in triumph, sticking her tongue. Everyone else was just as dumbfounded by what she said for a second, at first thinking she did not know how to count, which was plausible.

"Nel-chan wanted to make a surprise, but she told me to release to warn her if I needed help!", she explained with a wink at the two Fracciones, who partially understood what she meant, but were not able to grasp the grandness of the news. The same could be said for Grimmjow, who, not giving a damn about the child's nonsense, decided to end it there and to move his Desgarròn to conclude soon that insult of a match. As soon as he was rushing, from the air Bawawa lowered down to land and running up was the child like Nelliel, with a cold and prompt determination, ready to join the fray.

"Nel-san!", The two Fracciones said, worried about their little friend's safety and were about to tell her to run away as soon as they could but a spectacle befell before their eyes, as the small child in a flash turned to her adult form of Nelliel, her zanpakuto drawn. Marina cheered alongside Dondochakka and Pesche

"NELLIEL-SAMA!", they all happily said, the two Fraccion with shiny eyes.

"Friend, we won!", Pesche said with a happy thumb up to Nekoru, who was partially relieved

"And then I will eat you YAY!", Marina said, making Nekoru turn anxious, and even more when he noticed on Nelliel's back the tattoo of Tercera, as she rushed to block Grimmjow's attack and knocking him back due to the surprise.

What the hell did I saw? From sucker to bitch in five seconds?, the Espada thought as he swung again his claws against Nelliel.

"Now I remember ya, bitch. I thought Nnoitra had offed ya with the latest fight. Finally a decent fight", the Espada said to the woman, who did not reply but just blocked the attacks in a fury of slashes and trusts. Due to the closed range fight, both the opponents seemed evenly matched, with little to no movement.

"So I guess those wimps are yer Fraccion, right? Well, after I am gonna deal with ya, they are the next snacks!", The panther-like hollow replied grinning wildly attempting to gain another answer from the Espada, but to no avail. The cold and silent opponent truly was not his kind of enemy. He'd rather have fought someone brash and loud, or who went with lengthy monologues of nonsense… but that silent woman…..

"WHAT THE HELL, WOMAN! ANSWER", The Espada growled apparently gaining the upper hand by making Nelliel back a bit. Finally the former Espada, looking straight into her eyes with her piercing stare replied.

"Grimmjow, I remember you are no better than Nnoitra when it came to fights – she replied with a cold and deathly stare - You should know a thing. My Fraccion are more than enough to deal with you"

With this charging her blade with her reiatsu, managed to slice through Grimmjow's attack, leaving him with no weapon. Immediately, leaving him no time for reaction she jumped away, revealing Grimmjow a unique spectacle: Pesche on the top of Dondochokka riding Marina, the three of them charging at first their individual Ceros, who then started merging with a gigantic attack

"Hasta La Vista Kitty - Pesche said with a triumphant tone –Perfecto Cero Sircretico"

And at this the sphere was charged. Before Grimmjow could try to sonido away from the attack, a second voice from the Shinigami came, proclaiming: "Explodens Encautri Bullae"

And so the four ink bubbles who had been lurking under the sand of the dune where the huge fight had been ongoing rose from the sand to encircle the Espada in an explosion of reiatsu, sand and ink. While they barely harmed the Espada, they made him lower his guard just in time to be invested by the beast of energy which was the Perfecto Cero Sircretico, who made him let out a mix of a roar and a scream of pain and agony just before he was engulfed in what Nekoru could define as the biggest explosion he had ever seen yet.

After the huge cloud of dust faded, Nekoru checked the reiatsu on the area.

I can't feel Grimmjow's reiatsu anymore. Either he died or he was thrown afar from the attack. Both cases, he is in no condition to fight anymore… and so am I, Nekoru said as he was about to collapse

Are you sure we are not going to fight now the Tercera? You know, I'd not be surprised, the zanpakuto said nervously, transmitting the anxiety to Nekoru, who looked at Nelliel, who seemed to be facing him

"Uh… uh… Please ma'am. I yield, Don't wanna fight … we can nego..", the Shinigami weakly said, only to be cut off by Nelliel all of sudden speaking in a childish voice.

"DONDOCHAKKA! PESCHE!", She yelled happily and immediately she gave a huge glomps to the Fracciones, who nearly got their bones crushed by the strength of their mistress Espada. But they did not care. How much time had it passed? Too much since she had been turned into a child who held no memories of her life. But finally they were together again. Like friends. Like a family.

"We missed you Nelliel-sama, don't cha know", Dondochakka said between all the rivers of tears he was letting out.

"I could not even imagine in the sweetest of the dreams to see you again", Pesche said crying tears of happiness as well

"Me too, guys – Nelliel said keeping squeezing them tightly – Me too. I will have to change back to my Nel form to avoid dispending all the reiatsu though soon… but it feels good to hug you again with my old body"

"As long as you remember us is fine Nelliel-sama", they said laying their head on each of Nelliel's shoulder.

Nekoru, instead, now relaxed, looking serene at the scene, thinking a lot at the singular spectacles of hollows sharing a tender moment.

I can't believe Mendocera was right, Scripturae Musa mused.

Apparently, he was half right at least. Arrancar seems to be much better than hollow are, if they are driven by the right emotion and find a way to fill their missing heart. Apparently, with Mendocera thinking of Marina… and these three. Apparently, it's loneness what makes them evil… but together they can find their hearts, the young Shinigami said with unusually rhetorical and poetic words, shedding a light tear at the beauty of the scenario and the realization


"AWWWW! – Pesche said looking at Nekoru to Dondochakka, still being hugged – look at our friends getting moved to tears"

"What, it's because of us… Oh! I thought it was because of Marina was biting down his leg, don't cha know?", the other Fraccion answered looking at the small Arrancar who had returned into her normal form sinking her fangs into Nekoru's calf.

"Oh yeah… maybe it's because of this", the thin Arrancar replied with a thoughtful nod.

After a brief silence, Nelliel too noticed it: "Oookay…. Shouldn't we… … help him?"

"We will – the two Fraccion said in a dramatic tone to deliver the final punchline – IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!"

TO BE CONTINUED….