Chapter Twenty-Five

Kisuke's Underground Chamber

Halibel led Ichigo away from the Soul Reapers. He looked back and saw the five captains' eyes fixed squarely on him. Ichigo couldn't help but feel worried by Byakuya's threat. If the captains decided to make good on their promise, Ichigo didn't know if he and Halibel could take them. Not when Ichigo was struggling with his Hollow and Halibel on the verge of giving birth.

"Ignore them," Halibel said without even turning her head. "Let them watch. It makes no difference."

"Right…" Ichigo smiled at Halibel's bravery, remembering why he loved her so dearly. Even in the face of such danger, she was willing to meet it head on. She was putting herself at dangerous risk with all of this and yet she was determined to help Ichigo see this through to the end. Ichigo squeezed her hand gently in response, feeling braver just being in the Espada's presence.

Once they were far enough away from the Soul Reapers, Halibel stopped and turned around. "Alright, Ichigo. It's time we got started."

"What exactly am I supposed to do?"

Halibel crossed her arms and gave it some more thought. She'd contemplated on this for a while, ever since Ichigo had confessed his fears about his Inner Hollow. Tilting her head back, she thought about Aizen's experiments and tried to remember anything that could have been crucial.

After a moment's reflection Halibel decided on their course of action. "Ichigo, when you were defeated by Kenpachi Zaraki, Zangetsu manifested before you and drew you into your Inner World, correct?"

"Yeah," Ichigo nodded, remembering his shameful defeat after he'd underestimated Kenpachi.

"And in that Inner World, you met with not only Zangetsu but the physical manifestation of your Inner Hollow, was that right?"

Ichigo again nodded.

Unfolding her arms, the pregnant Halibel flexed her hands. "Very well then. I shall send you into your Inner World. Rendering you unconscious should be enough to send you there. When you get there you must face your Inner Hollow. While you're doing so, you'll no doubt Hollowfy here in the real world since you'll no longer be able to contain him. I will keep you occupied for the time being while you're dealing with it."

"What should I do? Am I supposed to beat him?" he asked, remembering how he forced Zangetsu into submission when he had to obtain Bankai.

To his surprise, Halibel shook her head and pointed to the watching captains. "That is a Soul Reaper's way of thinking. Put whatever Rukia and the other Soul Reapers have said out of your mind. You're more than just a Soul Reaper." She could sense the captains watching become incensed by her words but paid them no mind.

"Okay but…what will happen to you if I Hollowfy? I might hurt you. Or worse…" His eyes flickered over to the captains and his fear grew.

Putting a finger to Ichigo's chin, Halibel turned him away to bring him back into focus. "They are no concern to you and me. Remember, you defeated them once. You can do it again if push comes to shove. And you won't be alone this time. And I'm prepared to fight you if your body goes wild."

Ichigo sighed, Halibel's words giving him comfort. He took hold of her hand and squeezed it gently. "Promise me you'll be okay?" he asked.

The blonde leaned forward and pressed her forehead against Ichigo's, squeezing his hand back as she looked him in the eye. "I promise, Ichigo. I will be okay. We will be okay." She put her hands on Ichigo's temples and concentrated. "Good luck, Ichigo." With a surge of spirit energy directly to Ichigo's mind, she sent Ichigo into unconsciousness. He slumped forward before Halibel caught him and gently laid him down on the ground. She turned her head and addressed the watching captains and lieutenants. "You should step back," she called out.

Renji looked over at his captain and became concerned. He didn't know what was going to happen but he didn't want to come to blows with Ichigo again. "Captain…are we sure about this?" he asked.

"We have our orders." Byakuya's tone was absolute, the man not even turning his head as he watched. His eyes were fixed on Halibel, scrutinizing every move the woman made. "The Head-Captain was clear. Whatever happens, Renji, Ichigo is not to be trusted. The Hollow may say that Ichigo will be fine but we cannot take her word."

Unohana came up from behind Renji, her lieutenant loyally flanking her. "I know that you care for him, Renji," she said with her gentle smile before her expression turned serious. "But we must prepare for the worst-case scenario. If Ichigo cannot control himself, we must act."

A sudden shift in the air made all eight Soul Reapers turn towards the boy and the Arrancar. Halibel stiffened as she reached for her sword, knowing what was about to happen.

Ichigo's head jerked up. Halibel braced herself as the white and red mask on Ichigo's face slowly started to form…

Meanwhile…
Ichigo's Inner World

The familiar sideways cityscape greeted Ichigo as he arrived in the realm of his soul. He wasn't surprised a bit when he saw who was waiting for him.

"Hey there, King," Ichigo's Hollow greeted him from atop an adjacent building, sitting on the side while hefting his zanpakuto on his back. "Long time no see."

Ichigo looked around and saw no sign of the man in black, his zanpakuto. "Where's Zangetsu?" he asked.

"Zangetsu?" Ogihci asked before standing up. He reached behind him and grabbed the black-clothed blade on his black. "You mean…this?" The wrappings fell from the weapon to reveal a white Zangetsu.

Ichigo stiffened but quickly relaxed. He took a step back when Ogihci jumped onto his building, wary of the creature. "You have a Zangetsu blade?" He thought about it and nodded. "I guess that makes sense."

Ogihci looked at the boy with a strange look, like he didn't know what to make of Ichigo. "What's the matter? Aren't you going to draw your sword?"

"I'm not here to fight you," Ichigo told him.

"Really? How strange…" Ogihci said before his white lips twisted into a cruel sneer. "Because I want to fight you, you weakling!" With a burst of speed, Ogihci darted towards Ichigo and attacked him, forcing Ichigo to jump back and draw Zangetsu. "You don't deserve this power, Ichigo!" the Hollow scornfully shouted. When Ichigo jumped into the air to avoid him Ogihci leapt up and met him midair, their swords colliding.

"You don't deserve this power! AND YOU DON'T DESERVE HER!"

Meanwhile…

Halibel readied herself as Ichigo rose to his feet, the mask on his face growing. The captains and lieutenants watching, plus Kisuke and Yoruichi who'd arrived minutes ago to observe, all watched in trepidation when Ichigo lurched backwards and a hole opened up in his chest.

"He's Hollowfying!" Renji gasped in horror. "Captain, we need to help him!"

"You will stand down, Renji," Byakuya told his adjutant.

"He's right, Renji." The redhead turned to Kisuke. "Right now we must put our faith in Halibel."

While the captains watched, Halibel kept her vigilance as Ichigo Hollowfied in front of her. She watched as Ichigo slowly transformed, his body becoming big and bulky, a tail crashing into the ground behind him. "Ichigo," she started before shaking her head. "No, you're the one who appeared when Barragan attacked me."

"Grrr…" the beast growled. It looked down at Halibel's pregnant belly.

"That's right…" Halibel put a hand on her stomach. "This isn't just Ichigo's baby. It's yours too." The captains all stared in disbelief when Halibel sheathed her sword. "You won't harm me. And you won't hurt it."

The Hollow towered over Halibel, standing silent for a tense minute as it locked eyes with her.

Just when everyone wondered if Halibel's words had pacified it, the Hollow lunged for Halibel…

Meanwhile…
Ichigo's Inner World

"Stop playing defense!" Ogihci shouted as he pressed his attack. "Be serious!"

"I am," Ichigo said, strangely calm. He jumped back and dodged Ogihci's slash and lowered his guard. "I'm not going to fight you."

"Why not? You're here for my power, aren't you?"

"Even if I did beat you here and now, you wouldn't let me control your power. Not fully," Ichigo said, having come to understand his Hollow during his time recovering from Barragan's beating. He'd had a lot to think about and understood what Halibel meant when she said not to think of this matter like a Soul Reaper.

The black and white figures circled each other. As the Hollow glowered at him, Ichigo looked up at the sky, thinking about what happened during the fight with Barragan. "I know what you are," he said.

"I'm you. The REAL you," Ogihci grinned.

"Yeah…yeah, you are," Ichigo agreed. He tightened his grip on Zangetsu and pointed it at the Hollow. "You are me."

"Yeah. And I'm better than you'll ever be!" The Hollow's angry glare intensified. "What makes you think I'll share my power with a King like you?!"

"Because you're me," Ichigo insisted. "And you love Halibel too." When he saw the Hollow blink in surprise he smiled. "You took control of me when Barragan threatened her and the baby. And when you could have attacked Barragan you chose to shield her from his Cero. You love her just as much as I do."

Ogihci lowered his sword and his expression softened. "Maybe I do…You gotta admit, the chick's got an impressive set of knockers," he playfully chuckled before his expression turned serious again. "But so what? Even with my power you can't protect them!"

"Maybe I can't." Ichigo stepped forward and held out his hand. "But we can. Together."

Soul Reaper and Hollow stared at each other, each not sure about the other. Shaking his head, Ogihci chuckled. "You're really something, you know." He sheathed his sword and walked over to Ichigo. "But you're wrong about one thing."

"What?"

"It isn't the woman and her kid I wanted to protect. Without them, you'd fall apart. What I really wanted to protect…" Ogihci gave an honest smile. "Was you." Then he took hold of Ichigo's hand.

And black and white became one.

Meanwhile…

The Soul Reaper's all stared, not knowing what to make of the scene in front of them. The obese lieutenant, Omaeda, turned to Soi-Fon. "Uhhhh…Captain? What are we looking at?"

Staring at the scene with disgusted eyes, Soi-Fon scowled hard. "I don't know but I hate it."

"Oooh! Ichigo! That tickles! Teehee!"

Renji, feeling uncomfortable, glanced over at Byakuya, who had the same level of disgust as Soi-Fon on his face. "Should we…do something?" He saw Isane turn away, clearly embarrassed by what they were watching while Unohana looked on amused.

"I do not want to get involved in this. It is revolting to watch as it is."

Halibel sat in the large Hollow's lap, giggling as the Hollow lovingly tickled her, his clawed hands gently grabbing at her pregnant belly. Halibel raised her arm up and ran her hand through the mane of Ichigo's orange hair. She turned her head and moaned in contentment when Ichigo pressed the lips of his mask against her mask fragment, giving her a hollow kiss. "That's right…" Halibel lovingly sighed as she put her hands over Ichigo's. "It's our baby."

Soi-Fon turned away, wanting to vomit from the sight of two Hollows displaying affection. "Disgusting…" she spat before walking away. When she got far enough away from the group she let the pink in her cheeks show.

"Why can't Lady Yoruichi hold me like that…" she grumbled jealously.

To be continued