Warning: Large dose of Crack at the start of this chapter....
Ichigo knocked loudly on the corrugated metal sliding door to the Vaizard hideout. They needed a safe location to leave their bodies, and to take care of any last minute details. Ichigo bashed on the sliding door again, as he couldn't hear any movement on the other side. He was about to kick it in, when the door was drawn upwards, revealing an overly happy and grinning Urahara.
"Welcome back, Kurosaki-san."
"We need to leave our bodies here." Ichigo told him abruptly.
"But of course. I have something for each of you as well." Urahara replied seriously.
Ichigo and Rukia shared a glance before entering the dark warehouse, hearing the door slide shut behind them.
Urahara led them off to a corner of the warehouse. "If the two of you would mind exiting your bodies?"
They left their bodies, Rukia using a gikongan and Ichigo using his Substitutes License. Rukia directed Pyon, the gikongan, to carry Ichigo's body after them.
They followed Urahara down the dark stair case that led to the basement. When they neared the exit, Urahara handed both of them what appeared to be a piece of dark cloth.
"Now would you put those on, please." His tone was serious, and had no trace of his normal mocking, but Ichigo still had to ask.
"We don't have to call out some crazy phrase, do we? Cause I ain't falling for that again."
Urahara chuckled slightly. "Don't worry, Kurosaki-san. I'm deadly serious."
Ichigo ran his hands over the cloth, finding what appeared to be a pair of sleeves. He slipped his arms though them, and adjusted the material so it was sitting comfortably on his back.
Urahara led them down the final steps, out into the harsh artificial light of the basement....and Ichigo let out a curse.
"What the hell Urahara?!?"
Urahara leapt away from Ichigo. "It's not what you think!" He insisted.
Ichigo settled for a scowl when Urahara remained out of reach. Standing behind him, Rukia peered around to see the source of his aggravation. When she saw it, she sighed.
Arrayed before the stairs, stood Soi Fon, Hitsugaya, Renji, Tatsuki, Inoue, Chad, and Yoruichi....all wearing inverted Captain's haori's reminiscent of Urahara's own. They were a dark, almost black colour, with white diamonds ringing the base. Rukia looked down, and saw that the outfit that Urahara had presented the two of them was a matching version. The thing that caught Rukia's attention the most, however, was the large banner that was spread across the two rows, and the lettering that scrawled across it.
"League of Defense for the Living World and Ex-Captain's Club?" Rukia face screwed up as she read the banner.
"LDLWECC for short!" Urahara was grinning openly now, as he danced out of Ichigo's reach.
"I don't believe this..." Ichigo muttered as he began to take his haori off.
"Wait, Kurosaki-san! You get all sorts of nifty little door prizes if you join!"
Ichigo turned to face those already wearing the haori. "That's how he tricked you guys into it?"
Soi Fon blushed slightly. "Yoruichi-sama asked me to do it..."
Ichigo turned to Hitsugaya. "It felt weird not wearing a haori..." Hitsugaya seemed embarrassed to admit it.
"..." Chad remained silent.
"Urahara-san gave me a cookbook!" Inoue seemed extremely enthusiastic.
"Well maybe she'll cook something edible for once." Ichigo muttered to Rukia, before turning to Renji.
"Urahara kept calling me a freeloader until I put it on." Renji grumbled.
Tatsuki blushed heavily before answering the unspoken question. "Renji said I looked good in it."
Yoruichi grinned. "You have to ask?"
Ichigo grumbled to himself. He knew Yoruichi did it to annoy him. "How did Ishida get out of it?"
"I refuse to wear a title used to honor shinigami." Ishida spoke up from his position leaning against a nearby rock. Then he coughed. "Besides, my Quincy outfit looks much better, and a cape is much more stylish than a haori."
"And of course, it was Ishida-san who so graciously sewed the haori's in the first place!" Urahara sang, flapping his arms. Ichigo noticed what appeared to be a Quincy cross on the inside of his sleeve, but decided not to mention it.
"What do we get out of this, Hat 'n' Clogs?" Ichigo regarded Urahara.
He smiled evilly. "Well, for Rukia-chan, I have a rather large selection of Chappy merchandise...."
Rukia's breath caught in her chest. "Chappy!"
"...as well as a years subscription to Chappy Monthly." Urahara finished smugly.
"I'll do it!" Rukia's eyes were shining.
"Traitor." Ichigo muttered.
"Don't think I've forgotten about you, Kurosaki-san." Urahara waved a finger at him, and produced a rather thick book. It appeared to be well worn, much loved, and filled with page marks. "For you, I have my very own, much used and treasured, Kama Sutra book! Now that you're with Rukia-chan, I'm sure you'll get much use out of—GAH!"
Urahara was sent toppling down the stairs, clutching at his bloody nose. The LDLWECC members couldn't help but chuckle at their antics, but Inoue appeared rather upset.
"Kurosaki-kun would never read a book like that!" She nodded fiercely. "And he and Kuchiki-kun are just friends!"
There was a dead silence. A very long, awkward dead silence. Before…
"I don't need any Kama Sutra book, pervert!" Ichigo shouted down at Urahara, his finger shaking as he pointed.
"Thinking up your own positions already, Ichigo?" Yoruichi called out, amidst more chuckling.
Urahara stood up sprightly as Ichigo blushed furiously. "In that case, I have your very own personalised decoder ring!"
Urahara bounded back up the stairs, but stumbled on the stair below Ichigo. He landed on his knee as his outstretched hand presented the ring to Ichigo.
There were a few twitters from their audience. When Ichigo realised that Urahara was down on one knee, holding a ring out for him, he kicked him in the face, propelling him back down to the base of the staircase, where he landed with a loud and painful thud.
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"You know I was joking about the Soutaicho thing, right?"
Urahara grinned - mysteriously - and flicked his fan over his mouth - mysteriously.
Ishida sighed. "It's too late for that, Kurosaki. It's all gone to his head."
Ichigo scowled. "Whatever. Are we done here? Cause the sooner we leave, the better."
You just wanna get some alone time with the Queen.
Ichigo's scowl deepened as he listened to his hollow. Urahara dragged his attention back to the present. "Here is your official LDLWECC decoder ring, Kurosaki-san!"
Ichigo brought his fist back to deck the eccentric shop owner in the face, but stopped when he realised just what he was holding. One small, black ring...
"You actually went back and found it?"
Urahara raised his eyebrows. "I'm flattered that you think I could track down a small ring that could be anywhere between Sereitei and Hueco Mundo, but I'm not quite that fantastic. This is just another reiatsu sealing ring that I happened to be lying about. They're quite often used by prodigy shinigami."
Ichigo puffed his chest out. "Hear that Rukia? Prodigy shinigami."
Rukia glared at him, and Urahara coughed delicately. "Prodigy five year olds, Kurosaki-san. Children who are incapable of controlling their reiatsu."
Ichigo blushed amidst the laughter of his girlfriend and so-called 'comrades'.
"That's it. We're leaving." He growled.
"Woah, wait up man!" Renji jumped down from his perch high on a boulder. Tatsuki leapt down after him, a frown on her face.
"Yeah, no goodbyes?"
Ichigo grinned sheepishly as Rukia sent him a reproachful look. "Sorry guys."
Rukia smiled at Tatsuki, stepping forward to embrace her. "We'll see you guys as soon as the Vaizard get back."
"Yeah. Don't go losing control until then." Ichigo told Renji gruffly, shaking his hand. He released his one time rival and friend's hand and stepped back, allowing Rukia to hug her childhood friend. Ichigo turned to Tatsuki.
"Keep yourself alive until we get back." Ichigo told her just as gruffly, pulling her into a rough embrace. Tatsuki blushed slightly as she responded, not used to showing affection to her friends.
"Worrying about me? You're the ones going to Hueco Mundo!" She retorted, as they pulled away.
Ichigo snorted. "Please. The Hollow are the ones who gotta look out." He turned to Soi Fon and Hitsugaya, who were watching the farewells from a distance with Yoruichi. For them he offered a smirk. Then he turned to his nakama, nodding to each of them, Ishida, the aloof Quincy, Chad, solid and dependable, and finally Inoue, enthusiastic and boun--
"Kurosaki-kun! I'm going to miss you so much!" Inoue ran towards him, close to tears. Ichigo swore he could see stars in her eyes. "You've got to return safely, so I'm giving you something to look forward to when you get back!"
"Inoue, what--"
Ichigo was cut off when his well-endowed friend grabbed the side of his head fiercely and planted her lips on his own. Ichigo turned bright red at the unwanted kiss. It was awkward, and somewhat slobbery. He felt relieved when Inoue pulled away, slightly embarrassed. The relief turned to irritation when he saw Renji giving him a lewd wink, and then to fear when he saw the expression on Rukia's face. It became full blown panic at Inoue's next statement though.
"I made you some food for the journey too! Wait here so I can get it!" Inoue dashed back up the stairs.
Ichigo paled dramatically. "Fuck that."
Grabbing a still fuming Rukia, who was about to give Inoue a very thorough piece of her mind, Ichigo tore open a Garganta and ran hurriedly through it.
The expressions on those remaining were varied, to say the least. As the Garganta slammed shut, there were several low chuckles, namely from Renji, Chad, and Urahara. Soi Fon and Hitsugaya merely looked indifferent, while Yoruichi and Tatsuki looked like they had a bad migraine coming on. Ishida looked slightly annoyed.
Inoue flounced back down the stairs, holding a container of dubious content. She frowned. "Kurosaki-kun already left?" A grin broke out across her face. "He must be eager to get back! I think I know why..." There was a victorious expression on her face. "Now, who wants to eat?"
There was a mass exodus of the immediate area.
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Ichigo stepped onto the sandy floor of Hueco Mundo, his eyes adjusting to the light cast by the crescent moon in the sky. He looked around, taking in their surroundings. Pale white sand, scattered trees, and a feeling of emptiness. Geez. You'd have more luck finding a Hollow in the living world.
"You brought us out fairly close to the Hollow encampment we fought at before..." Rukia stated, only half focusing on him. "How do you control where the portal leads?"
Ichigo shrugged. "Dunno. I just think about where I wanna go and that's where I end up."
Dumbass. It's cause I'm in here guiding ya.
Ichigo ignored his hollow as Rukia made her reply with a deadpan expression. "You mean we could have ended up anywhere in Hueco Mundo?"
"Nope. I just told you the Garganta ends up where I think about." Ichigo replied smugly.
Rukia seemed to sag, before sighing heavily. Then she delivered a savage kick to his shins. "Sorry." She spoke in a sickly sweet voice. "My foot just ends up where I think about putting it."
Ichigo scowled but didn't retaliate. "Let's get going then. You just know how eager I am to see Nel again."
"Maybe I can catch up with Grimmjow while you guys are talking." Rukia retorted, not liking the way she felt about the thought of Ichigo and Nel together. The way Inoue had behaved was bad enough.
"C'mere, midget."
Rukia gave a yelp when she felt herself being scooped up into a strong pair of arms bridal style. She stiffened, before settling into his embrace, albeit somewhat grudgingly, as Ichigo began to flash step towards their destination.
"I like my women dark haired, with fiery tempers, strong kicks, normal sized chests," Ichigo winced as her nails dug into him. "and short." Ichigo informed her, and Rukia allowed herself to enjoy her current position a bit more. "And while I know you have a thing for guys with weird hair colours," Here Rukia pinched him on the chest. "I also know you prefer orange over blue. So stop taunting me." Rukia began to smooth over the area she had so viciously pinched.
"That doesn't mean you can be all chummy with tall, big breasted women who have light hair." Rukia warned, remembering Inoue's 'encouragement' for Ichigo to return.
Ichigo shuddered, knowing what she was talking about. "Don't worry. I'm just as traumatised about that as you are. Probably more so."
Rukia smiled at his obvious distaste at Inoue's actions, glad that her man wasn't hypnotised by a pair of large, ample, oversized, dangerous, boun--
"How're we gonna handle things when we get there?" Ichigo cut across her thoughts. "I mean, last time we were here things weren't exactly friendly with the lower level Hollow. Those two Vasto Lorde, Tempest and Bard, seemed alright, but only cause they're more evolved than the others." He seemed worried.
Rukia breathed in his scent as she reassured him. "Don't worry. We'll just keep to Grimmjow, Nel, and the Vasto Lorde. Especially with my...condition...I think we'll be fine." She thought for a moment. "How come you brought us here anyway?"
Rukia felt Ichigo shrug. "Figured it'd be better to hang around some allies. With at least Nel there, it'll make things easier to force your Hollow back in if she comes out." Rukia made an agreeing sound from her place on his chest. "By the way, do you have a name for her?" Ichigo inquired.
Rukia frowned into his chest. "I just call her 'the bitch' and leave it at that. You?"
The bitch? That's not very nice Queen!
Ichigo chuckled, unaware that her Hollow had spoken up inside her head. "Hichigo does just fine, but if I want to piss him off," DON'T YOU DARE!! "I call him Shiro-chan." Ichigo finished, still chuckling.
"Shiro-chan?" Rukia asked.
"Yeah, cause in my inner world he's all white."
Rukia laughed softly, and in his head Ichigo could hear his Hollow shouting all sorts of threats and curses.
"Have you seen your hollow yet?" Ichigo asked, still flash stepping across the empty landscape.
Rukia paused before answering. "No. I haven't actually been into my inner world since then."
"Have you talked to Sode no Shirayuki?"
Another pause, longer this time. "No....I'm afraid that she'll hate me for letting a hollow into my soul." Rukia admitted. It took a lot out of her.
Ichigo's flash step faltered as he heard her reply. "Never think that." He told her firmly. "Zangetsu was never put out with me when I gained mine. He even brought him out to teach me a lesson one time." He finished.
"Really?" Rukia looked up at him, meeting his gaze. Her eyes seemed hopeful.
"Really." Ichigo replied firmly. "You need to remember that they're there to help us, no matter how bad we fuck up."
Rukia chuckled slightly, mentally scolding herself for being to stupid. "I'm supposed to be the wise one here."
"What does your zanpukutou spirit look like?" Ichigo asked curiously. When Rukia stiffened slightly, he wondered if he had asked an inappropriate question. She replied hesitantly.
"She's very beautiful. Smart, wise..." Her voice trailed off. "Tall." She added, and elbowed Ichigo in the ribs when he chuckled at the last comment. "What about Zangetsu?"
Ichigo replied immediately. "He's tall, and looks like a wise old man, but powerful too, not all white haired and wrinkled....he's...he's just there, you know?" Then Ichigo added, almost as an afterthought. "And he's got a kick ass cloak and a pair of really cool sunnies."
Rukia smiled at how proud Ichigo was of his zanpukutou spirit. A comfortable silence developed between the two of them as Ichigo continued to flash step towards their destination, Rukia content to spend the journey in his arms. After a while, Ichigo spoke up once more.
"Did I say the wrong thing by asking you about your zanpukutou spirit?" He inquired.
Rukia shook her head slightly. "No, it's just not something that is often talked about in Soul Society. It's rather private, actually."
"So I did say the wrong thing?" Ichigo asked guiltily.
"No, baka. I'm comfortable with telling you. I was just surprised, that's all." Rukia explained softly.
Ichigo grinned, content with her explanation. Not even ten minutes on their own, and already he was learning more about the petite woman in his arms. He couldn't wait to learn more.
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Ichigo came to a stop abruptly, as he approached the edge of the large sand dune that hid the Hollow base. Rukia leapt sprightly from his arms, resting one hand on her zanpukutou. She looked at him questioningly.
"I don't want a repeat of last time." He answered her unspoken question.
Rukia nodded, even as Ichigo removed the reiatsu controlling ring given to him by Urahara. "Nel probably already sensed us, but this way Grimmjow will know we're here too." Ichigo explained with a smirk, as his reiatsu began to flow outwards, a mix of Hollow and Shinigami.
"I heard that, Kurosaki." A scowling voice made itself known.
Rukia turned to face the newcomers, nodding a greeting to Grimmjow and Neliel. Ichigo was more verbal in his greeting.
"Suck it up Grimmjow." His smirk grew wider. "Hey, Nel."
Ichigo was knocked off his feet by a green blur, kicking up sand as he hit the ground. "Ichigo! You lied! You said you were just friends!" Nel sobbed hysterically into his shihakusho.
"Nel, wh--"
"Suck it up, Kurosaki." Grimmjow threw Ichigo's words back in his face. "She's been like this since I told her I caught you and the shinigami doing dirty deeds." He gave Ichigo a smirk of his own.
"Why did you do that?" Ichigo asked in irritation, even as Nel let him to his feet.
Grimmjow snorted. "Cause your woman asked me to."
Ichigo took one look at the smug look in Rukia's eyes before sighing heavily. There was only so much a woman would take from her man's female friends before making a stand. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Sorry Nel, but I'm with Rukia." He pulled her to his side, wrapping an arm around the small woman.
Nel gave one last sniff before smiling brightly at the pair. "That's ok! I knew you guys would end up together anyway!"
Both Vaizard looked put off by Nel's response. It was the complete opposite of what they were expecting (Ichigo had predicted screaming and a cat fight [torn clothing if he was lucky], while Rukia had been very much prepared to fight for her man).
"I knew you guys would take your sweet time unless you had some competition." Nel advised them wisely.
"I didn't need competition to start a relationship with Rukia!" Ichigo spluttered.
"Oh? So how long did it take you to make a move?" Nel raised an eyebrow.
"About two years..." Ichigo mumbled.
"Check and mate." Nel grinned victoriously.
A smug look came over Ichigo's face suddenly, and Rukia narrowed her eyes at him. What was he thinking?
"So Nel," Ichigo began. "If other women show interest in me, does that mean Rukia will give me more attention too?"
Nel narrowed her eyes at the orange haired Vaizard as well. She knew this was going somewhere... "It can." She replied cautiously. "Why do you want to know?"
Ichigo ignored her question. "So what would happen if another woman threw herself at me and stole a kiss, all while Rukia was watching?"
Rukia's eyes gleamed with painful intent. Oh, he was going to regret asking that question.
"First you would need to arrange the funeral for that other women. And Rukia-chan's reaction would depend on the type of kiss." Nel had caught on and was playing the game along with Ichigo, sending him a sly wink.
Rukia interrupted angrily. "First off, it wasn't a kiss, it was her drooling on your face! Second, my reaction will be to put you through a severe amount of pain to make sure you dodge any future attempts!" Her tirade was accompanied by an elbow strike to the ribs.
Ichigo rubbed his side painfully as Grimmjow interrupted their banter. "Why're you here again, Kurosaki? Last time I saw you guys, you were kinda desperate to get back to the living world."
Ichigo took on a serious demeanor. "We need a place to hide for a while. I'm not sure how long for."
That gained Grimmjow's attention. "What did you do now?"
"It'll take a bit of explaining. How bout we find somewhere more discreet?"
Nel and Grimmjow nodded, before leading the two Vaizard in the direction of their hideout.
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"...and Urahara sent us here, so Rukia's inner hollow wouldn't be able to take control as easily as she had before." Ichigo concluded his explanation, leaving the two former Espada to absorb his words.
Rukia watched for their reaction, examining them as she did. They were in a chamber similar to the one they had talked in when they were last here, and Nel was wearing a green tank top and short shorts, revealing her midsection and a dangerously long pair of legs. Grimmjow had found another white jacket, but had not managed to replace the white shirt he had been wearing when Rukia had 'confiscated' it from him. He still wore the traditional Espada pants.
Grimmjow snorted suddenly. "Friggin shinigami. That behaviour's pretty bloody typical of em."
Nel made her thoughts known. "We both owe you a debt, Ichigo. You are welcome to stay as long as you need."
At the mention of their debt, Grimmjow scowled heavily. He might be more tolerant to the idea of being weaker than another fighter, but he was still the same being he was during the first Hueco Mundo incursion.
Nel continued with a warning. "The only problem you might encounter is friction with the stronger Adjuchas." Her mouth twisted into a small mocking smile. "You remember that they--"
"Promised to kill you the next time you came here? Yes, we did."
Ichigo turned to face the newcomers standing in the entrance, his hand clenching around Zangetsu's handle.
Harpis, the Adjuchas that had threatened Rukia on their last 'visit', stood in front of a group of six Adjuchas, their eyes fastened on Ichigo and Rukia.
"You had your warning. Now your head belongs to us." Harpis sneered at Rukia.
Ichigo stood, relaxing the bandage sheath on his blade. These Hollow had no inkling of who they were threatening. He was taken back when Rukia stood and stepped towards them on her own.
"Cowards are always brave in numbers." She challenged coldly. "Why don't you put yourself forward and face me yourself?"
Grimmjow and Ichigo snickered at the look—if you could call it that—on the mask that was Harpis' face. She couldn't believe that the small shinigami was actually talking back. But then her expression turned crafty.
"Ajax. Maybe you'd like to show the shinigami your courage?"
The largest of the group, a hulking grey Adjuchas that was packed with muscles stepped forward, a cruel expression on its mask. It had short, stubby arms, that were tipped with savage looking claws. Its legs were extremely long, causing him to tower over his fellows, and they had several joints in them. Rukia treated him to her sickly sweet smile.
"Let's go outside, shall we? I wouldn't want to mess up your home."
Ajax nodded once, before turning and heading topside. Ichigo took Rukia aside before she could leave.
"You do know that using your power makes it easier for your hollow to take control?" Ichigo asked worriedly. "And they aren't going to back off when you kill one of them either, we'll have to kill them all."
Rukia placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Don't worry. I know you'll force her back in when she comes out."
Ichigo frowned. "When she comes out? Don't you mean if?"
Rukia gave him a genuine smile, before turning and leaving without another word. Grimmjow cackled at her cockiness, before following her out, Nel trailing behind him. Ichigo grabbed Nel's arm before she could leave completely.
"Be ready to shatter her mask." He warned her. Nel nodded, understanding.
Grimmjow turned back, overhearing the warning. "What?" He was confused.
"You'll see."
Rukia faced Ajax under the moonlight, as a gust of wind kicked sand up between them. It was a signal.
"Mae, Sode no Shirayuki."
Rukia wasted no time in releasing her zanpukutou, and Ajax barreled towards her, intent on crushing her under his weight.
"Tsugi no mae, Hakuren!"
Ajax was forced to leap to the side to avoid the powerful attack, caught off guard by the move so early in the fight. Landing heavily, he sprang forward—only to come face to face with another wave of ice. He leapt high in the air, giving himself more time to dodge any further attacks.
"Hadouno Sanjuusan, Soukatsui!"
A blue wave of kido roared towards the Adjuchas, forcing him to dodge with a buzz of Sonido. Rukia turned to face him, preparing another devastating attack. She had not moved from her original position, and now she faced Ajax as he hovered above Ichigo, Grimmjow and Nel.
Ichigo looked at her face intently, and grew troubled when he could see tendrils of black spreading across her left eye.
There was a much closer buzz of Sonido, and then Tempest and Bard were standing at the side of Nel and Grimmjow.
"What is the purpose of this fight?" Her words were soft spoken as always, but cut directly to the point.
"Yeah, nice to see you too Tempest." Ichigo grumbled. Tempest looked at him for a moment, before repeating her question.
"She's earning her right to be here. Talk to Nel if you want the full story." Ichigo answered.
Tempest turned to Nel, who launched into a extremely short version of Ichigo and Rukia's tale.
"She has an inner hollow. They need to hide out here for a while. The Adjuchas don't want that."
Tempest blinked at the explanation. After a moment, she managed a small, "I see."
Bard tapped Ichigo on the shoulder roughly. "Where's the short white one?"
Ichigo grinned at Bard's description of Hitsugaya. "He's in the living world right now. On the run from the Gotei 13, as it was. Actually, everyone you met last time we came here is on the run."
Ichigo turned to watch the fight once more, worrying about Rukia despite her reassurances. He almost missed Bard's next comment.
"I knew there was something good about him..."
In the midst of the battle, Rukia could feel the pressure of her hollow increasing. A murmuring sound filled her ears, building from the back of her skull.
You think your man will save you? This time, I'm taking control and keeping it, Queenie!
So why is it that you still call me Queen, bitch? Rukia snarled back within her own mind.
Hollow Rukia remained silent, but her efforts to take control stepped up.
Rukia was fighting two battles, one on the outside against Ajax, as she fired off Kido after Kido, inter spread with her zanpukutou Dance's, and one on the inside, as she fought back against her hollow, determined to fight even with the intention of bringing her Hollow out.
Rukia felt the pressure at the back of her skull building, and her sight was overrun by the tendrils of black that streamed across her vision. There was a hollow roaring in here ears, and the last thing Rukia heard before she blacked out was a high pitched giggle.
Ajax grinned viciously when he saw his opponent falter, her head bowing down. Her constant Kido attacks had worn her down, and now he was going to make her pay for her mistake. He sprang forward, intending to rip the small shinigami limb from limb.
Her arm shot up, catching Ajax around the throat as he lunged, claws outstretched, for her throat. Her fingers began to squeeze, slowly slicing into his skin as Rukia's head began to rise, revealing two coal black eyes, and a sinister half-mask, the eye underlined in deepest blue, and snowflake teardrops falling from it. Hollow Rukia giggled as she decapitated Ajax with her bare hand.
Sode no Shirayuki gleamed in Hollow Rukia's hand as she turned to stare at the remaining Adjuchas. She licked her lips in anticipation.
Ichigo held Zangetsu unsheathed in his hands, ready to spring in and shatter Rukia's mask. But something still told him to wait. Nel and Grimmjow stood ready at his side, getting over their shock at seeing an unrestrained inner hollow. While both of them had witnessed Ichigo's fearsome countenance while he wore his mask, they had never seen Hichigo himself out and in control.
"Why are we waiting?" Grimmjow demanded. Nel nodded, silently seconding his question.
Ichigo paused before replying. "I want the survivors to know that Rukia isn't someone to be messed with. If we want to stay here, all the lower leveled Hollow need to fear us."
Ha! Looks like you actually understand a little about us Hollow!
Shut up, Hichigo.
Rukia flash stepped toward the cluster of Adjuchas, landing in the middle of the pack. They turned to defend themselves as Hollow Rukia intoned the words that spelled their death.
"Some no mae...Tsukishiro!"
A column of ice exploded from the desert floor, consuming all but the swiftest of Adjuchas. Harpis and one other Hollow were all that made it out of the circle, abandoning five of their fellows to their fate.
"The only Hollow that gets to kill the Queen is me."
Harpis turned in fear as she heard Hollow Rukia behind her, only to be met by a sword point piercing through her skull. Hollow Rukia gave an insane giggle as Harpis dissolved, accompanied by the shattering of the column of ice behind her.
"Where's the King? We're gonna fight till you're nearly dead, and then we're gonna fuck until you are." Hollow Rukia announced, turning to face Ichigo.
Two bodies slammed into Hollow Rukia, pinning her down on the sand. She snarled as she saw Ichigo flying towards her, his blade aimed for her face. Ichigo pierced Rukia's mask and halted his blade's movement with iron control, before twisting the point and cracking the mask, watching it splinter and fall from her face.
The darkness fled from Rukia's eyes, and they regained their original lavender colour. Grimmjow and Nel stood back to allow her to regain her feet, even as Ichigo stepped forward to help her up.
"How bad was she?" Rukia asked in a shaky voice, as Grimmjow and Nel stepped back to confer with Tempest and Bard, giving Ichigo and Rukia some privacy.
Ichigo blushed before replying. "She wanted to fight me, and then..." He trailed off.
"Yes?" Rukia prompted him.
"And then she wanted to fuck me to death." Ichigo finished, crimson with embarrassment.
Rukia put a hand over her mouth with wide eyes. Ichigo held up his hands defensively.
"Her words, not mine!" He explained, his blush fading.
Rukia concentrated on her inner hollow. Hands off bitch, that one is mine. An insane giggle was her only reply.
"Well, that's one desire we share." Rukia murmured.
Ichigo's eyes widened in disbelief. "To kill me?"
Rukia smirked. "No, to fuck you. I'm still eager for round two."
Ichigo's blush returned in full strength, but then he took on a crafty expression. He leaned in, his warm breath tickling her neck. "Well, we do have a lot of time to ourselves out here. Plenty of time for...practice?" He said the last bit as a question and a raised eyebrow, sending a pleasurable shiver down Rukia's spine at his tone.
They were interrupted from further banter by the approach of their Vasto Lorde and Arrancar friends, the surviving Adjuchas having long since vanished.
"You are Hollow, or at least part Hollow." Tempest stated evenly. "And you are enemies of Aizen. This place is a sanctuary for all such beings, and as such you are welcome here, so long as you do not disturb the peace."
Ichigo placed his arm around Rukia as they both gave a sigh of relief. They were sure to have plenty to do, and still have time for the aforementioned 'practice'. Things were looking up after the traumatic events during their last mission for Sereitei. They had found their sanctuary.
Exams are almost over, only one left now...and on the upside, four and a half days off this week. :D. Bohh-nus. Cheers for the continued support, it's much appreciated. Now, if you guys would all click on the shiny, enticing review button....you'd just be making day. See you all next time, hope you've enjoyed the chapter.
Oh, and if any of you spot any holes in the plot, please let me know. It gets hard to juggle a few stories at once sometimes...