Chapter 21

Katsu went back to the World of the Living, excited to start her new plan. She brought along a few Hollows, and Kirie's parents. She planned on letting Kirie know that she is aware of her survival. She's using the Hollows to flush Kirie into her trap. That'll be when she puts her new plan into action. She walked into the southern part of the park. She's never been to this part. It was mostly filled with different kinds of sports fields and courts. There were a group of teenagers playing baseball in one of the fields. She began to imagine the screams and chaos that would explode from them if she'd let her Hollows loose on them. It made her squirm with a sickly pleasure.

She had her Hollows huddle around her, and briefed them of her plan. No sooner than she was done, she sent them on their way. She then pulled Kirie's parents out of their cage, and bound them together with a rope. She then looked around for an appropriate place to hide them. She found a tree branch high in the sky, surrounded by thick leaves. If she'd hang them up on that branch, she'd be sure Kirie wouldn't see them until Katsu was good and ready to reveal them.

"If you say a single word, I swear to God I'll kill you right in front of Kirie. And I'll be sure to make it nice and slow for y'all to enjoy," she threatened. They silently nodded their heads to agree with her.

Once she was sure they weren't going to make a peep, she found her own hiding spot, and waited for the Hollows to corral Kirie over to her.

Toshiro and I decided to talk over dinner at my house. As I boiled the water for the ramen noodles, Toshiro made himself comfortable on the couch. I joined him shortly after. He had a piece of paper sitting on the table, to jot some things down.

"Right now, Katsu is probably back in Hueco Mundo, and she thinks you're dead. We can use that to our advantage," Toshiro affirmed.

"So, do you think we should go to Hueco Mundo and take her by surprise?" I questioned.

"No, no. That's too risky. If she really has the power to control Hollows, we'd be out numbered before we've even arrived. We need to find a way to draw her out, but without her knowing you're still alive."

I got up to put the noodles in the boiling water. "How do you suppose we draw her out?" I asked.

"I have an idea, but I don't think you will like it," Toshiro said.

I immediately stopped stirring the water, and walked back into the room. "What?"

"I'm going to go there, and tell her that you were never the one that killed Blake. I'll tell her that I did, and if my plan works, then she should chase me out of blind fury. I'll lead her somewhere out-of-town, where you will wait and take her by surprise," he explained.

"There has to be some other way. I don't want you to stick your neck out like that. We can keep that plan as a back up, but I think we should keep thinking."

The ramen was done, and I handed him a bowl. Just as we were about to stuff a face full of noodles, there was a loud noise from outside. It sounded as if something had just exploded. Toshiro ran infront of me, as I changed into my uniform. Another explosion sound. I rushed out along with Toshiro, and saw two Hollows banging their big gorilla hands down on the ground. Their heads jerked up as they saw us. One shot out a cero at my feet, then they both ran off. With my Zanpakuto at my side, ready to be unsheathed, I chased after them. Toshiro, very uncertain whether or not to go or not, followed close behind me.

I wasn't sure why I was so bent on chasing after them, or where they were running to, but all I know is that I wanted to kill them. I chased them down to the southern part of Woodland park, where they suddenly vanished. I looked around, but they were out of sight. I turned towards Toshiro, who was behind me, and shrugged my shoulders.

"Did you see where they went?" I asked. He shook his head. They had just vanished. I couldn't understand why, or how, but they did.

There was a rustle in the trees behind us, we both jerked around, with our hand on the hilts of our Zanpakutos. The Hollows rushed by, leaving only a black blur behind. They rushed past me, and went for Toshiro. One raised his large, long claws, ready to strike him, but Toshiro was too quick, and had already cut it deep in the arm. It wailed out in pain. I unsheathed my blade, ready to jump in and fight,

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said a female voice behind me. I knew that voice from somewhere. Katsu. I turned my head, and saw her leaning against a tree branch high up. I didn't see her before. "You wouldn't want me to come in by surprise, now would you?"

"Where are my parents?" I demanded.

"Don't worry your pretty little head. They're hanging out somewhere." She let out a soft, manacle chuckle. I grit my teeth, clenched my sword, and charged for her. I swiped at her, attempting to slice open her stomach, but she had her Zanpakuto already withdrawn. I pushed her away from me, and stood there in the air. I was determined to kill her, but I needed to know where my parents were first.

"Give them to me. Now!" I exclaimed.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. You see, you killed my dear ol' Blake. Now I have to kill your loved ones." She smirked. "It's only fair."

Rage had built up in my throat. I wanted to scream, and call for them, but I didn't want her to see me at my weakest point. I fought by the urge to scream, and attack. Instead, tears welled up in my eyes.

Sorry for the long wait on any of my chapter updates, I've been swamped with finals and track. But, I'm back!