A thousand sorrys for updating late. I know that I said Tuesday, but I forgot to upload the chapter! So here it is.

Unfortunately, this will be last update until next week. Sorry, but I won't be near a computer from Thursday until Sunday.

Chapter 21: The Hollow And The True Beast

Damn it! Hisana thought as hours pass since she began this idiotic task. She wished that she could just take off, but she knew that Byakuya would beat her black and blue if she disobeyed his orders. But that was not the only reason she felt restless.

She looked all around her. When they had started this little mission, the streets had some life. Now the streets there were empty. There were no children, no gamblers, not even the local drunks who would see off their hangovers in the streets.

Amazing how quickly they can clear out. She thought. Suddenly she froze as she realized that this was a warning. The people of the Rukongai would only disappear this quickly because there had been a hollow sighting in the area.

She stood still, trying to find the slightest trace of the hollow. Suddenly she felt such a terrible reiatsu that was unlike anything she ever felt before. She looked in front of her. The others didn't seem to notice anything unusual. She should have just left that big jerk behind to see how tough he really was. But that wouldn't be right.

"Hey!" she shouted as she ran towards the head of the pack.

"What the hell do you want now!" he shouted, practically spitting on her as he spoke. She was having second thoughts about warning him.

"I think we should leave." She turned around to the other soul reapers. "Ok everyone let's turn back!" but she was pushed down by Taro. "Hey!" she shouted as she shot up. "What's the big idea, you overgrown ape!"

"What the hell do you think you doing? This is my mission, you brat! And we'll head back when I say so! You got that!" he turned to the others. "Let's go!" he only walked a couple of steps before a terrible howl echoed through the empty streets. Everyone turned around to see the beast that was behind them. This creature was massive to say the least. It looked down on them as if they were mere insects. It can probably crush them like insects too. But there was something else about it. It did not look like most beast-like hollows. It was a bulky humanoid hollow.

Suddenly its mouth opened, spraying a slimily green liquid onto everyone.

"Out of my way!" he pulled out his zanpakutō. "This is how you take care of a hollow!"

"Crush to Death! Orochitsuchi" but nothing happened. The others tried to release their zanpakutō, but they would not transform. She pulled out her zanpakutō.

"Cover the skies, Ryuniji." She said, but the blade did not turn to dust, the hilt did not wrap around her arm.

Ryu, what's going on? She thought. But Ryu didn't response. He didn't even materialize. RYU! She shouted in her head.

Then it hit her. It must be this slime that the hollow sprayed on them. It must some special ability to prevent soul reapers from releasing their zanpakutō.

"Taro!" she called out. "We can't use our zanpakutō!"

"What!" he shouted. "What do you mean?"

"It's the slime! We have to get the others out of here!"

"Screw that! I'm getting the hell out of here!" he shouted. Before Hisana could stop him, he was already gone. The hollow suddenly howled as it send its massive fist crashing into the new soul reapers. She shunpo to the front of the group.

"Bakudō number 8: seki!" a round shield formed in from of the hollow's fist, repelling it as it pushed the hollow back. The hollow quickly recovered and came charging at her.

"Bakudō #63. Sajo Sabaku!" Golden chains suddenly wrapped around the hollow, pressing its arms tightly to its body. She knew that even with a Bakudō this strong, she couldn't hold off this hollow forever. She turned to the younger soul reapers. "I'll distract him. Everyone get to safer grounds."

"But Tsumura san," one of them started to say. "What about you!"

"Don't worry about me!" she then force a smile onto her face. "I can take this hollow without my zanpakutō." They hesitated for a moment before finally leaving. It was good timing because the hollow had just broken her Bakudō. It again charged at her. But she flash stepped to behind its head.

"Hado 31: Shakkahō!" she shouted as a fireball hit him in the back of the head. But as he smoke cleared, the hollow emerged unharmed. The hollow turned his head all the way the around, facing her. Suddenly he wrapped his hand around her body, practically squeezing the air out of her.

"Is that the best you got!" he tightened his grip, causing her to let out a loud grasp. "Stupid pest!" he threw her hard into a nearby house. As she collapsed to the floor, the hollow began to stomp on her.

"You won't even make a decent meal!" he lifted his foot and stepped on her with greater force. Hisana screamed as she felt her bones cracking under the hollow's massive weight. "Too bad the fat one wasn't as stupid as you!" he lifted his foot again, ready to finish her.

Here's my chance. She thought as she rolled onto her back.

"Hadō #4: byakurai!" she shouted as a lightning bolt ran though the hollow's foot and into its left eye. The hollow let out a loud cry as he stumbled back. She tried desperately to crawl away, but the hollow has successfully smashed all her limbs.

"YOU BITCH! HOW DARE YOU BLIND ME!" the hollow shouted as he gave her a powerful kick, sending her tumbling through the streets until crashing into a wall. Hisana tried to pick herself up, but her arms were completely useless. She could only watch as hollow walked slowly towards her, ready to finish her off.

I can't die! She again tried to move. "Byakuya," she whispered, "Byakuya, someone, anyone." the hollow lifted his fist.

"PLEASE HELP ME!" she screamed as she shut her eyes, not wanting the hollow to be the last thing she would ever see. She felt a heavy force hit the ground next to her.

Did he miss? She opened her eyes to see the severed arm of the hollow laying next to her. The hollow screamed in pain as it grabbed what was left of its arm, trying desperately to stop the bleeding.

"Shoot to Kill, Shinsō!" she heard someone shout. Suddenly a blade pierced the hollow's chest and then quickly withdrew. The hollow began to dissolve, becoming nothing but dust.

Hisana looked around to see her savior. But except for a couple of civilians who had come out of hiding, there were no soul reapers to be seen.

It doesn't matter. She thought as she began to heal herself. She didn't have enough strength to completely heal herself. And she couldn't release her zanpakutō. But at least she would be able to move again.

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It was nightfall by the time she arrived at the sixth division. She probably could have arrived sooner, but with the little reiatsu she had left, she could only heal her legs enough to walk. She should have gone to the fourth division first, but she wasn't going to give that fat rat get away with this. She pressed her body against the doors, pushing them open. As she stepped inside, she saw Taro standing in the middle of the courtyard. His face was twisted with a mixture of anger and fear.

"What the hell are doing here!" he shouted as he rushed over to her. Hisana tried to stand up straight.

"Making sure that you get what you deserve!" The door of the building behind taro suddenly opened and out walked Byakuya.

"Why are you shouting?" he starting asked Taro, but stopped as he looked over his shoulder and spotted Hisana. "Tsumura," he moved taro aside and walked to her. She could clearly see that he was upset. But why would he be mad at her? "I see that the hollow was still able to find you."

"What are you talking?"

"Taro informed me that a strong hollow was sighted around the area. And while he made sure that the new recruits were out of harm's way, you ran away. They were able to determine that the hollow was at least a Gillian. Do you realize how stupid it was for you to attempt to fight a Gillian rank hollow?" Hisana couldn't believe what she was hearing. Taro had lied and told Byakuya that he was the one who had rescued the other. That he was the one following orders. And that she was the one would have run away.

"He lying!" she shouted, interrupting Byakuya. "Byakuya, he is lying. I told him that a hollow was nearby. I told him that we should retreat." She pointed at taro. "But he did not listen. He ran away like a coward when the hollow showed up. I was the one who fought the hollow while the others escaped."

"But the recruits are telling the same story as Yamaguchi."

"That probably because he threatened them when they arrived at the Seireitei. Who wouldn't be afraid of someone that looks like he could eat them!"

"Byakuya," her eyes pleaded with him. "Please, you have to believe me." His face hardened.

"That is enough." He said in a forceful tone as he turned away. "It seems that I was wrong about you." Hisana looked down. Byakuya did not believe her.

"I want you out of this division, you lowlife." He said. Hisana looked up, expecting him to be standing in front of her. But instead Byakuya stood in front of Taro.

"What?" Taro said, completely dumbfounded.

"Was that too complicated for you? Let me make it easier for you to understand. Get out! I will not allow you to disgrace this division any longer!"

"B...but, Kuchiki fukutaicho." He started, "you don't believe her over a seated officer, do you?
"Of course I do. I trained Tsumura myself. She may be an idiot, but she is also loyal, brave, and honest. To call her a liar or coward is not only an insult to her but to me as well!"

"Byakuya." She whispered in shock. He did believe her and was actually standing up for her sake.

"Now leave. Try joining the 11th division. They would probably take in trash like you." But instead of backing down, he stood up straight, to remind Byakuya that he was taller than he and three times wider.

"I don't think that is your decision to make, fukutaicho." He grinned.

"He is right, you know." All of them turned towards the entrance to see Kuchiki taicho as he walked towards them. He stopped next to Byakuya. "That is not your decision to make, Byakuya. It is mine." He threw a cold glare at Taro. "And you are wrong about another thing. The eleventh division may have very low standards, but not even they would take in such a disgraceful man such as him." He walked up to Taro. "Taro Yamaguchi, you are hereby relieved of your duties and position as 18th seat of the sixth division."

"But Kuchiki taicho, you can't just dismiss me. Who will be the 18th seat?"

"Good point." His focus fell on Hisana. "Hisana Tsumura, congratulations. You are now the 18th seat."

"But she can't take my spot."

"Can't her. I believe she is qualified for it." He turned to Byakuya. "Wouldn't you agree Byakuya?"

"She is more than qualify to replace this weakling." Byakuya said. "Guards." Suddenly two soul reapers appeared next to Taro. "Get him out of the taicho's sight." Byakuya ordered as the two grabbed Taro's and began to drag him away. As he was dragged pass Hisana, their eyes met. Hisana could not only see his absolute hatred, but could feel it. Suddenly he broke free of the two soul reapers' grasp and came charging at her. Before she could react, he grabbed her and threw her to the ground.

"YOU STUPID BRAT!" he pulled out his zanpakutō and held it high over his head. "I'LL KILL YOU!" but before he could take a swing, Byakuya shunpo in front of him and grab his wrist.

"How dare you attack an injured and unarmed woman!" he said in such an icy tone that it even gave Hisana chills. He tightened his grip on his wrist. Byakuya suddenly gave it a forceful twist, causing him to drop his zanpakutō to the ground. "You really are disgusting." He held his palm towards him. "Hadō #1: shō." Byakuya said as a blue circle began to form in from of Taro. The circle suddenly burst out, creating such force, it sent Tarocrashing into the entrance gates. Hisana just watched as the two soul reapers pulled an unconscious Taro away. Byakuya then turned to her.

"Tsumura," he extended his hand to her. "Are you alright?" for a moment, Hisana looked into his eyes to see that he truly was concern for her.

"Yeah." She grabbed his hand and was pulled up. The taicho walked up to them.

"Tsumura, you look terrible. You should get yourself to the fourth division immediately."

"Yes Kuchiki taicho." She tried to bow, but the slightest moment was painful. The taicho turned to Byakuya.

"Byakuya, please escort her." Byakuya nodded as he turned towards the exit.

"Come along, Tsumura." Byakuya said as he walked to the door. Hisana slowly followed.

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"Damn." She said as she leaned against a wall and dropped to the floor. The healing Kidō she had performed on herself after the hollow attack was only enough to get her back to the Seireitei. But now she could no longer suppress the horrible pain she was feeling.

"Tsumura," Byakuya said as he walked to her. "I do not have all night. Hurry up."

"I can't walk anymore." She said. "Maybe you should call someone from squad four to get me." But instead, Byakuya turned around and kneeled down. Hisana had no clue what he was doing.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" he snapped. "Climb on to my back and I will carry you." But Hisana did nothing.

"I can't." Byakuya stood up.

"And may I ask why not."

"Because I can't use my arms either." Byakuya took a quick glance at her mangled arms.

"I see." He looked around him. Then he walked beside her, kneeled down and scooped her into his arms.

"What are doing!" she shouted as she began to turn a bright red.

"What does it look like? I am carrying you to the fourth division." He said.

"Why don't you just call someone from the fourth division to pick me up?"

"Why would I disturb them with such an insignificant task that I am able to perform? Now you can allow me to take you to the fourth division or you can crawl all the way." She glared at him for a couple of seconds.

"Jerk." She said as she turned her head the other way.

"Good to see that you cooperating for once." Byakuya said as he began to walk.

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"Byakuya," Hisana said as she looked up towards him.

"Yes?"

"All those things you said to Taro," she started to say. "You know, how you told him that I was brave, honest, and loyal."

"What about them?"

"It's just that I know that sometimes when people are mad, they say things they do not mean. And I was wondering if you just told Taro all those things because you were upset?" she felt Byakuya suddenly stop. She turned her head so Byakuya could not see her. "It's alright if you did. It's not like I am upset or anyone."

"I did mean it." He said. Hisana looked directly at Byakuya. "I meant every word. When Taro and told that you ran away, I knew that it was a lie. I know you far too well."

"Really?"

"Yes. I knew that you would never abandon your comrades . I knew you would never run away from a challenge. I just went along with him until you could confirm my suspicions." Hisana didn't really know what she felt for Byakuya at this moment. It wasn't the usual feeling of annoyance or dislike that she felt most of the time. It was something different. Could this be respect or even admiration that she felt?

He really isn't such a bad guy. She thought as she closed her eyes.

Byakuya felt Hisana's breathing became slower. "Tsumura." He said, hoping that she was still alive.

"Thank you, Byakuya." She said quietly as she drifted into sleep. Byakuya just stood still, watching Hisana as she nuzzled her head into his chest.

Her face. He thought. The expression on her face was so peaceful. When she is wake, her face, even when she smiles, was hardened with anger, but also sadness. Like if something was constantly weighting on her heart. But now, the look on her face was so gentle.

"You're welcome." He started walking again, but this time at a slower pace, Trying to enjoy this peaceful moment together.

A/N: Aww, don't you just love moments like this.

Now most of you are wondering why he saved Hisana from the hollow, while some are wonder who saved her? Well, like I said, I split the original chapter into three parts. The reason behind it is in the third part. And if you don't know who it was, then someone needs to brush up on their Bleach facts.