26

In Memory Of

…

"You see!" Shinji spat at the Head Captain. "This is the kind of thing that happens when you Shinigami force your old ideals into the modern world. I may not know everyone very well, but in case you didn't notice, that was a Hollow that just saved two of your warriors' a—es."

Urahara, still holding his blade threateningly, agreed. "The time has come for us to accept even partial Shinigami. You have to give them a chance. They could be great allies."

Shinji scoffed. "Allies with Soul Society? Never."

"You only hate them so much because they scorned you," Urahara pointed out. He was grimacing. "Head Captain Yamamoto, will you still not reconsider a peaceful negotiation?"

…

Ukitake reached the white-haired teen. The boy had collapsed, with only Isshin as any sort of support. Ukitake knealt down next to him.

"Isshin," Ukitake ordered, "please go check on the humans. I will stay with Katashi."

"Understood," Isshin said.

"Katashi?" Ukitake asked once the man was gone. He placed a gentle hand on the younger Shinigami's shoulder.

"Uncle…Ukitake?"

The captain gasped at the term. "You remember?"

"The more," Katashi choked, "that I fuse with that monster, the more of his memories—my memories—begin to surface. Uncle Ukitake, is that Toshiro over there?"

"Yes," the older answered. "That's your younger brother."

"Now I understand…why he looked so hurt that I did not recall him." Another pained breath was dragged through Katashi's lungs as his shoulder dissipated. "Well, this…feels familiar."

…

The true identity of the monster known and the stakes set, it became harder to take him down. What if slaying Ulquiorra meant…well, actually slaying him. As in: no more. Poof! Gone. Nonetheless, Ichigo found the motivation to make strike after strike, as did Grimmjow and Toshiro. It was, truly, the only hope they had.

Meanwhile, the spirit particles continued to circulate.

Sweat and blood clashing on his face, Ichigo pulled back. Ulquiorra did not pursue, more in favor of sparring with Toshiro.

"Something's wrong," the orange-haired teen stated. "Grimmjow, is it me, or does Ulquiorra look…younger?"

Grimmjow paused with his blade held out before him. "It's just the mask deterioration," he said. "Ulquiorra reverse-aging would be impossible."

"So are a lot of other things," Ichigo muttered. He glanced over at Toshiro. The young boy was giving it his all, but he was hesitating on his swings. It was becoming evident that he might not be able to deliver the last blow. He'd come so close to vital strikes. Ichigo watched as another opportunity came. Why was Ulquiorra leaving so many openings? This time, Toshiro's sword cut through the air, destined for Ulquiorra's left shoulder. There was nothing blocking it. For a moment, Ichigo thought this might actually be it. Almost there. Ulquiorra was defenseless.

But the blade was deflected. From out of nowhere, another sword had appeared to clash with his. The long, thin weapon traced down to Ulquiorra's firm hand. Toshiro jumped back.

"The zanpakto has traded sides," Grimmjow stated. "This Ulquiorra must have more Shinigami in him than the other by now."

The tortured blue-green eyes of the younger Hitsugaya flew to Katashi down below. Indeed, his sword had vanished into the hand of this monster. So had most of his body. Ukitake sat beside the unconscious teen.

"Watch out!"

Ichigo flash-stepped in to stop Toshiro from being cut in half. His zanpakto and Ulquiorra's locked with such force that sparks flew off the steel. The moment of the collision froze and all of time slowed down. Ichigo's eyes went wide as a rush of energy seared through his entire being. He'd felt this feeling before. It was…

A scream. A child's desperate scream.

…Resonance.

Blood sprayed across the open area. A massive creature—a Hollow—fell forward. It dissolved seconds after hitting the ground, revealing a figure in stained white. Ukitake lurched into a run towards the two small bodies left behind. One was pale and disfigured and definitely, unmistakably dead. The other one was shaking with fear and tears. The small boy couldn't comprehend what had just happened, only that his older brother was dead.

"Toshiro," Ukitake breathed.

"Uncle Ukitake?" Toshiro sobbed.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry," Ukitake whispered. He pulled out a small device. "But this will be for the better."

"What do you—?"

There was a quick flash and then Toshiro collapsed into Ukitake's arms.

"What did you do to Toshiro?" a wavering voice demanded. It belonged to the spirit of a young teenage boy, maybe thirteen or fourteen. Jet black hair dripped down over his forehead like an inky fountain, yet not concealing the emerald green eyes.

"I altered his memory," Ukitake said, laying the younger sibling down. "He's too young to have experienced something like this. So were you, Katashi."

Katashi glared. "I knew there was something off about you. Now I see."

"My job is to protect the living from these creatures. They are called Hollows. They are what a soul becomes when it is not purified."

Katashi stood over Toshiro. One ghostly hand moved to trace across his brother's forehead. "Can he see me?"

"Possibly, but Katashi, I need to purify you or else you'll become like that creature," Ukitake insisted.

"I promised," Katashi whispered. His hand trembled. "I promised on my heart that I would not leave Toshiro."

"Katashi…" Ukitake reached out for the teen.

"No!" Katashi screamed. "I promised!"

"I can understand that you want to protect your younger brother, but—"

"I said, 'No!'"

Ukitake flash-stepped behind Katashi to restrain him. "You're not listening to me! If you stay, you will turn into a Hollow and then you will hurt the same child you swore to protect. Do you want that?"

"I will never become like that thing," Katashi vowed. "Let me go!"

"Katashi, I don't want to have to use kido on you, but I will if you force me to."

Katashi struggled in desperation. Ukitake would not release him. All he could see was Toshiro lying in front of him, marked with his brother's blood. Katashi's own body was not far away. Katashi squeezed his eyes shut. He bit down onto Ukitake's arm.

Ukitake jolted in surprise. It was enough to allow for Katashi's escape. The little spirit vanished the minute he had the chance.

Never leave, he thought. I will never leave Toshiro alone again. Not on my heart.

…

Ichigo was startled out of the memory. The clashing blades faltered and fell away. Ulquiorra was staring at him now, just staring. The bone armor was almost nonexistent. Ichigo looked upon him, thinking of that teenage boy, and he realized something.

Ulquiorra was definitely getting younger.

…

Well…I've been MIA for the last month or so. Yeah. Sorry 'bout that. Anyway, my extended absence means that I have more people than usual to thank (and I hope I didn't lose anyone's interest). The whole lot of you are amazing, really. So, instead of my excuses, let the gratitude begin:

Fangirl666, hitsugayataichoda, The Silent Cartographeresse, Yemi Hikari, Thunder Claw03, Rachel-angelhero, .tubby-cookie., and everyone who favorited/story-alerted.