Disclaimer: The story written here is based on characters created by Tite Kubo and Norihiro Yagi. All Bleach characters and related material are owned by creator, Tite Kubo. Likewise, Claymore characters and all related material (except for original "Claymore" characters that I created specifically for this fanfic) are owned by creator, Norihiro Yagi. Please remember, this story is only fanfiction and not part of the canonical storyline of both manga.

Author's Notes: Alright, another chapter down, two more to go, as promised. I apologize if Grimmjow's fight scenes were a bit short. I really couldn't imagine how his fights would go. I was thinking I should have chosen another Espada, but Grimmjow is pretty much Ichigo's only nemesis from Hueco Mundo...that's still alive, anyhow. I'd like to thank everyone for your reviews, advice, support and patience, it's very much appreciated. I hope you enjoy this next chapter of The Yoma Hollowfications. Take care!

Bleach/Claymore: The Yoma Hollowfications

Chapter 21: Five to Midnight, Part 1

"The Beast was loosed into the arena
And among them,
A beast of huge bulk and ferocious aspect
Then the slave was cast in"
- Aesop

A small town in the Western Lands

While Ichigo and Miria face off against Xeger in his new Resurrección form, the violent battle between the two other combatants continues in the center of town.

Though Reinhart's hide is thick and nearly impenetrable, Grimmjow manages to break through by slashing the same location on his large, scaly body several dozen times. As he tries to follow up with another strike, Reinhart catches him off guard, swatting the former Espada with one of his immense, clawed feet. Grimmjow is thrown with a substantial amount of force through three large stone walls, sustaining a large gash across his chest which causes an excessive amount of blood to spew forth. Using his enormous wings, Reinhart takes flight, creating massive amounts of wind gusts. Dust, rocks and debris hurtle towards his enemy at speeds near one hundred miles an hour. Grimmjow counters with a Cero, driving everything back in the opposite direction.

"Did that little love tap actually hurt you?"

"Ha. 'Fraid not. Actually, it kinda tickled."

"Big talk for a little ant. How about if I crush you now?"

"You talk too much, it's really annoying. Why don't you shut the fuck up and die already?!"

"I'd say I have the advantage here. You're down there where you can't even reach me."

Opening his mouth as wide as possible, Reinhart shoots out an enormous stream of fire from his gaping orifice and burns nearly everything down below to a crisp. He continues to bombard the town with a rain of fire, as smoke and ash fill the air, making visibility near zero. He roars triumphantly, believing that there is no way anyone could have survived that assault. Using his wings to blow away the smoke and flames, he quickly searches the area for his foe's dead, burnt remains. To his surprise however, there isn't one.

"IMPOSSIBLE! Nothing could have survived that! Where the hell did he go?!"

"Right here!"

Appearing suddenly just above Reinhart's head, Grimmjow slashes downward, destroying a large section of his mask and causing him to crash back down to Earth. The remaining part of his mask begins to crack. Reinhart gazes up to find his opponent floating in mid-air.

"How the hell are you flying?! There is no way that's possible. You don't even have wings!"

"Who the fuck needs wings? Even in this world, there are spirit particles floating around everywhere. I just use those to walk, stand, run or fly. What, you can't do that? Loser."

"Stop mocking me!" Reinhart shrieked while standing up on all eight legs, "I will show you what we former single-digit warriors are capable of!"

"Yeah, yeah. You're starting to bore me already." Hollered Grimmjow while bending his arm, "Here, try some of this...Garra de la Pantera!"

Five dark, green, crystalline shaped darts shoots out from Grimmjow's elbow at high speed. Reinhart tries to avoid the attack, but due to his size, he is unable to. All five of the acutely shaped bombs explode on impact, in the area of his previous injury, to great effect. Four of his eight legs are literally blown away as he drops hard onto his belly.

"HA! Did you like that? I've got more for you."

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

"You keep saying that, but so far..."

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Lovino raged as he took flight once again, "I'm gonna tear you limb from limb!"

"Man, do you ever stop talking?" Grimmjow mocked

Wasting no time, a furious Reinhart fires both a Cero and a stream of intense fire simultaneously, charring Grimmjow's left arm. Circling the dragon/hollow hybrid, he counters with another volley of his green, crystalline bombs, but because his target is more mobile in the air than the ground, only one dart barely makes contact. In response, he launches dozens of bone spikes as well as a wall of flame, causing Grimmjow to change directions. He promptly flies up vertically, hundreds of feet with Reinhart giving chase.

Stopping in mid-flight, Grimmjow turns to face Reinhart, "I think we've had enough fun for one day, don't 'cha think? I'm gonna end this now."

"You wish, scum!"

Grimmjow's claws begin to glow blue, "Heh, are you ready?" Making a slashing motion, each claw creates long, sharp blades composed of spirit energy.

"What is that?"

"Desgarrón, it's my strongest technique." Grimmjow responds with a smirk

Reinhart unleashes everything in his arsenal, lighting up the sky with fire, red energy and hundreds of bony spikes. The evil grin on Grimmjow's face becomes wider as the incoming barrage draws closer. He swings both arms downward, hurling his final technique at the enemy. In less time than it takes to blink, both Reinhart's onslaught and Desgarrón collide, creating a tremendous explosion. To his horror, as if in slow motion, Grimmow's attack continues toward him. They say right before you die, your life flashes before your eyes, but the only thing running through Reinhart's mind at the moment is only one word.

"SHIT!"

Like a hot knife through butter, all ten blades make contact, easily piercing and ripping through the former number 6 warrior's thick, tough dragon skin. He roars in agony, fractions of a second before he is literally torn apart. From below, it would seem to be raining purple blood until large pieces of the dead former warrior, slam into the blood soaked ground.

"Hahahaha. What'd I tell ya, mother fucker?!" Grimmjow roared triumphantly.

From his vantage point high in the air, he can see everything within a fifteen mile radius. "...What the hell's this?!"

There isn't much that can really surprise the former sexta Espada, but what he witnesses now even shocks him, almost to a point of worry and concern. Hundreds, if not thousands of Yoma decsend upon the town, from every direction. He then senses Ichigo's reiatsu, as well as Miria's and one other, someone who's power is probably close to that of the Primera Espada, Coyote Starrk.

"So, you're finally awake Ichigo," Speaking out loud as if his nemesis can actually hear him, "'Bout fucking time! Looks like we won't be finishing our fight after all, though. I really shouldn't involve myself with all this shit, but nobody else is going to kill you but me. I guess I have no choice then."

Running different scenarios through his head, he comes to the conclusion that even if the three of them were to team up temporarily, they would clearly be overwhelmed in a matter of minutes plainly due to the enemy's sheer numbers. Then there's also the matter of that other...person they would have to deal with as well. It would seem that whatever he decides, he just might be on the losing end of this war.

"Eh, what the hell ever. Let's just get on with it!"

At that moment far below, in the South Eastern part of the devastated town, Ichigo, Miria and Xeger notices that a very strong reiatsu/yoki has just vanished.

"Well, it would seem that Reinhart was actually defeated by that other Arrancar."

"What other Arrancar are you talking about?!" Questioned Ichigo

"I believe he is referring to the stranger that appeared here just recently and interfered in my fight with Reinhart. He said he was a former number six...Espada, if I remember correctly. He was wearing all white and also has a very unusual hair color. Do you know him?"

"What?! That can't be...Grimmjow?! I thought that reiatsu seemed familiar, but how did he get here?"

"More than likely, the same way you did. Not surprising really. He was but one of the Hollows that appeared in the valley. Actually, he is the last one to still be alive. If he were to be defeated, I can use his carcass to supplement my own powers as well."

Ichigo raises his reiatsu and prepares to attack, "I don't think so Xeger, it's time to put an end to all of this. I can sense how strong you are, so I'm not gonna hold back."

Materializing his Hollow mask, Ichigo quickly slides it over his face, increasing his spiritual pressure and strength by ten fold. His reverberating voice is still as menacing as ever, "Let's go!"

Miria can feel her Yoki growing in strength as well. Probably due to the events that transpired beforehand, she is somehow absorbing a good portion of Ichigo's immense reiatsu which is supplementing her own yoki. Though she probably would never admit it, she actually enjoys the feeling, it is quite intoxicating. With claymore in hand, she readies herself to fight alongside Ichigo, "You are the last of them Xeger. Once we defeat you, this will be all over."

"My lovely Miria, you still have not noticed how powerful I've become. Even with your increased mixture of spirit energy and yoki...and the boy donning his mask, it will be a futile effort."

"Oh, you think so?!" At that particular moment, Ichigo senses the spiritual energy of the incoming horde of Yoma invading the area, "What the hell is this now?!"

"Yes, I sense it too. They seem to be...Hollows. Nearly an immeasurable amount."

"Ah, I see you've finally noticed them. Did you truly believe that Reinhart, Lovino, Lugar and Galiver were the only ones I performed my experiments on? Although these Yoma are not as strong or powerful as the 'Four Horsemen', they will make a fine army against all my enemies, in this world...and the other."

"Why bring them here?" Miria questioned, "We are far away from that valley where Ichigo first appeared. Isn't that where the 'doorway' to his world is?"

"Do you not remember what I explained to you the last we met? By releasing an enormous amount of energy, I accidently destabilized the atmosphere in that area which caused the doorway to open slightly. Then with each death, human and Yoma, it grew in size. Well, what do you think is happening now at this very location?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your battle with Lovino, that stranger's battle with Reinhart, as well as Ichigo's battle from earlier. How much energy do you think was released from all of those battles combined? Nearly all the villagers were killed here, except for the children. Which by the way, are being brought back here as we speak. I need as many deaths as possible to insure that my plans succeed. So, let's begin with your annihilation, foolish creatures."

Due to Xeger's Resurrección, his appearance has drastically changed. The hair on top of his head has transformed into dozens of living, venomous snakes. His clothing has changed as well, donning white Hoplite armor and wielding both a Xiphos type sword in his right hand and a circular shield in his left. Ichigo charges in, furiously attacking while using the power of Getsuga within the blade of his zanpakuto to greatly augment his sword strikes. Due to Xeger's shield however, he is able to block every attack from the young man. Miria quickly moves in, creating countless after-images and blitzing Xeger's blindside. Though she connects with her sword and cuts deep, her enemy cuts deeper. She staggers backwards up against the wall, holding the laceration with her left hand while deflecting a downward stroke with her claymore, by Xeger.

"Miria!" Ichigo yelled while diagonally slashing Xeger's backside and cracking a portion of his armor, "Move away, now!"

Ichigo releases a Getsuga Tensho just as Miria flash steps to safety. Though Xeger blocks it with his shield, the force of the blow sends him flying through the wall, creating a gaping hole and causing nearly half of the room to collapse.

"Miria, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, but do not worry about me. You need to stay focused."

"Yeah, you're right." he says while turning around to pursue Xeger, "Let's go after him."

Stepping outside, they are quickly surrounded by several dozen Yoma all donning...Hollow masks.

"What the hell? All of these things have, Hollowfication?"

"Yes, it would seem that Xeger was speaking the truth. He has created an army of these masked Yoma. Not only do we have to stop him, we need to destroy all of these monstrosities as well."

The sounds of crying children can be heard in the distance as each Yoma commences to charge a Cero, directing it at the two standing before them.

"What the hell?! Those are kids! Shit, we gotta save them. Miria, let's go!"

"...but Ichigo, these Yoma are everywhere. How do we..."

"Hang on to me."

Ichigo grabs Miria by her waist as she wraps her left arm around his body. Just as all the Yoma fire their Ceros, he solidifies the reishi below his feet and immediately takes flight. The building in which they took refuge earlier, explodes in a cloud of dust and fire.

"Ichigo, how exactly are we...flying?"

"It's hard to explain, but I'll tell you once this whole thing is all over?"

"Alright."

Skimming through the air, several meters above the treetops, they witness with their own eyes just how massive Xeger's "army" is. The entire town, along with the forest around it, is completely besieged by Yoma, numbering in the hundreds.

"How was Xeger able to gather this many Yoma in such a short amount of time? Did he already have them to begin with?"

"I don't know Miria, but we need to find those kids fast before they get killed. Do you see them yet?"

Pointing towards the north west, Miria confirms, "There, just beyond that tower."

"Okay. Let's..."

Before he can finish, they are abruptly struck with an orange-colored Cero which sends them crashing to the ground. Though slightly fazed for only a few seconds, they quickly get up and stand back to back, scanning in all directions. They are shocked to discover Xeger hovering in the air before them.

"I must admit Ichigo, your world undeniably has beings with extraordinary powers. To actually be able to fly like a bird of prey is incredible."

"How did you learn to..."

"My intellect is what separates me from my peers and comrades, alike. I carefully examined what you did earlier and realized you are using the spirit particles in the atmoshere to perform those amazing feats, like flying. Before I kill you, I shall examine and record every detail of our battle. You certainly have provided me with knowledge I could not have acquired otherwise. Die knowing that you helped bring about the conquest of your world and the destruction of this one."

"Miria, save those children. I will handle Xeger."

"...but Ichigo."

"Miria please..."

"Alright, I will take care of it, I promise. Please be careful."

"You are not going anywhere, my sweet Miria. I shall kill you before you can even reach those children."

Ichigo swings Zangetsu above his head as black reiryoku begins to bleed from Ichigo's hands and the blade of his zanpakuto, forming a swirling black mass of concentrated energy.

"I don't think so...GETSUGA TENSHO!"

A tidal wave of black, red energy rapidly travels toward Xeger, causing the latter to block with his shield. Surprisingly being pushed back by Ichigo's attack, his shield begins to crack and splinter. Ichigo then shunpos behind his antagonist and fires off another Getsuga, hurling Xeger violently into several buildings below.

Looking down at his female companion, "Miria, go now!"

"On my way." she responds, moving at speeds even greater than she has attempted before.

In only a matter of seconds, she arrives at her destination and targets all the Yoma that are holding the last of the villagers captive. Killing the first few dozen swiftly, she realizes that there are way too many to contend with alone. Although totally outnumbered and knowing Ichigo already has his hands full with Xeger, she concentrates on the Yoma closest to the children. No matter how many she takes down however, two more takes its place in a never ending cycle. One manages to get behind her and fire off a Cero, but she easily dodges, decapitating him in the process.

'That's it...I believe that might work...', she thinks to herself

She positions herself in front of a large group of Yoma while taunting others into attacking. Several of them strike in unison, firing Ceros and slashing with their elongated, clawed limbs at what they believe to be a stationary target. Instead, they accidentally attack their brethren who are standing behind Miria's mirage. This causes complete mayhem within the ranks of the Yoma and they begin assaulting one another. The stratagem pays off, giving Miria the opportunity to rescue the children and the remaining adult villagers.

"Who...who are you?" One of the villagers asked, clearly frightened

"There's no time," Miria responded while pointing towards a range of hills beyond the forest, "Quick, run that way as fast as you can. I'll stay back to guard the rear."

Another villager replied, "...but the children. They..."

"Everyone, pick up and carry as many as you can and start running in that direction." Miria commanded, "I don't know how long these Yoma will remain preoccupied. Move now!"

As they begin to make their escape, a horde of Yoma appears behind them, getting ready to attack and devour the humans. Miria lunges head first toward the growing legion. "RUN! GO NOW!" she screamed. The villagers flee as Miria commences to fight off their assailants. With every swing of her sword, one by one, the Yoma drop like flies. Unfortunately, the harder she fights, the more futile the situation seems to become. For every breath she takes, for every beat of her heart, more and more Yoma appear, almost overwhelming her. Refusing to give up, she stands her ground and continues to fight on with will power alone, even as all seems lost. Miria beheads another Yoma as he begins to charge a Cero, but before his head has time to hit the ground, she promptly grabs and faces it towards the Hollowfied creatures. A large, crimson beam of energy discharges from the face of the decapitated head, striking the enormous swarm dead center. Shrieks and screams echo through the land as bodies are hurled in every direction, but in only a matter of moments, more Yoma come to take the place of their fallen members.

"I...don't know...how...much longer I can...keep...this up," Miria says under heavy breathing, "I gave Ichigo my...word. I...I can not stop now."

Just then, the Yoma are suddenly assaulted from behind, giving Miria a moment to catch her breath. Some are shred to pieces while others are cut in half, still others are torn asunder. Very slowly, the flesh eating monsters diminish in numbers due to the arrival of the mysterious aggressors.

"What's going on?" wondered Miria, "Who is attacking...those yoki...they are..."

"Hi Miria. Did you miss us?" A familiar voice asked

"Helen?!"

"Yep, the one and only!" Helen replied, smiling, "I know you told us to stay behind, but you know how stubborn Clare can be."

"All of you are here?"

"No. Just me, Deneve and Clare. Tabitha, Cynthia and Yuma stayed behind."

"How did you find me?" the fomer number six questioned

"Tabitha. She's getting better at sensing yoki from far away. Without her, we wouldn't have been able to find you in time. Now, what do you say, wanna go and kill all these bastards?"

"Yes, let's get this done."

Helping Miria up from the ground, Helen asks, "Why are those Yoma wearing masks? They seem to be tougher than regular Yoma."

"It's something called Hollowfication. It's makes them stronger, faster and extremely more dangerous. We need to be careful."

"Hollow...what?!"

"I'll explain later. Let's go!"

Without hesitation, the two former warriors join Clare and Deneve, helping to change the outcome of the battle. In only a short order, the advantage swings in their favor. The remaining Yoma retreat, realizing they are on the losing side of this conflict. Unbeknown to the warriors, the escaped villagers are cornered by another group of Yoma appearing along the ridgeline.

At another part of the town, high up in the air, Ichigo and Xeger remain engaged in fierce combat. Although both suffer wounds and injuries from the others' physical assaults, Ichigo seems to currently have the edge in this skirmish.

"I must admit that I have really enjoyed our battle," a reeling Xeger confesses, "I have learned quite a few things during our exchange, but as you have said a few times before...it is time to end this."

"I'll be the one to finish this, Xeger! GETSUGA...TENSHO!"

As Ichigo releases his specialized attack, Xeger unleashes one of his special abilities. He swings his sword horizontally, creating a crescent-shaped wave of orange energy. Both attacks collide, creating a massive explosion, but Xeger's transmutes into a liquid form, showering the area with yellowish-orange ooze. Some land on Ichigo's leg and begins growing in size until his entire leg is covered.

"What the hell is this?!" Ichigo yelled out furiously

"You have Getsuga Tensho, I have this," answered Xeger, with a sinister smile, "Glaciate la roca del ámbar" *

Unexpectedly, the slime covering his leg instantly chills then solidifies, completely encasing Ichigo's appendage in amber rock.

"SHIT!"

End of Chapter 21

* Glaciate Rock of Amber