AN: Apparently some names have been updated on their correct spelling officially so I've tried to keep with that (except for Soifon just because I can't write the accents for Sui Feng and I like to try and be accurate if possible)
Bleached Vampire
Chapter 37: Fight or Fail
Septima found herself kneeling in the presence of the new king of Hueco Mundo, Lord Demonio and he wasn't pleased at all by their reports of their encounter of the rebel force of hollows that refused to follow the new order. She had given the report of how she and Demitri were given the assignment of either converting them or killing them. She told how the former Espada Nel and Grimmjow had been part of the group among a few others.
"So you fought and were defeated," Demonio snarled angrily at the woman. "In fact you fled while leaving Demitri to fend for himself is that right?"
"My lord, the former Espada Nel is a strong enemy it was she that I lost my position as the previous Third Espada to. She was more powerful, but if I were to gain the power that you promised then-"
"You mean from the yokai that all of you have failed to gain so far?" Demonio said as she fell silent. "I do not like failure, both of you failed in your mission but you ran, what am I to do with you now? Why should I keep you and have you serve me? Or should I just use you to feed on as that would actually be something useful for once."
"Please my lord, give me another chance!" She begged him her eyes filled with fear. She knew that she couldn't fight him, if she ran he would easily catch her and she shuddered at the thought of what he would do. Her eyes caught sight of the mask of one of the hollows that had opposed this man for the throne, still decorating the room as a constant reminder to all. This man wasn't like Aizen, or the previous King before Aizen, this hollow wouldn't think twice about killing her if he felt that was for the best.
She didn't want to be used as food either, they all knew that he needed to constantly feed in order from de-evolving like all hollow that got to his level. But he was also different he could keep from feeding longer and went into a type of slumber after the meal. It was unique and maybe it was linked to his true powers but no one knew for certain. The only thing she knew was that in his eyes her life was hanging by a thread.
"I shall give you one more task, but if you fail do not come back." He told her in a cold voice. "I tire of this game you will go to these yokai hunting grounds. Either die in battle or come back with yokai for us to feed on and gain more power. There is no alternative, because if you come back empty handed..." he let the threat hang in the air.
She swallowed hard as she nodded her head. "Yes my lord."
"Now go!" He gestured for her as she quickly disappeared.
"You think it was wise to send her alone?" Demetrio the one eyed hollow asked watching her leave. "From the reports there are shinigami in that area what if she can't defeat them?"
"As I said I am tired of constant failures," He replied to him. "If she dies then we at least we'll have a better understanding of their power."
"If she dies then?"
"Then so be it," The new King of the hollows stated. "I want your pet project ready by that time."
"Not holding back then, I like it." Demitri said speaking up for the first time as he rubbed the hollow mask part on his neck. It was a good thing he had told how he had wanted to fight, he hadn't even gotten to release his full power in that fight.
"I'm tired of failure," Demonio stated as he looked harshly at Demitri letting the man know that he was not without fault for also failing.
"Where is Adalberto anyway?" Demitri asked looking around noticing the missing Privaron hoping to take the attention off himself.
Their leader spoke up, "I tasked him to track where this renegade group is heading. I don't want them out of sight for long and he is to report back when they settled down. From what you said they were trying to make a community of sorts. Next time they stop I will go myself with the army and crush them utterly."
-Elsewhere in Hueco Mundo-
It had taken some time but the Twelfth division had created a stable gateway into the land of the hollows. Although it looked simple it was supposedly very complex. Pillars were erected in a very secure location and guarded while this would be a one way gate only, the team being sent through was to set up a twin gate on the other side. This gate had to be kept well away from the center of the hollow kingdom to prevent its discovery.
Currently a squad of Twelfth division had gone with the special recon squad of the Stealth Force. Captain Soifon had personally picked this group to send into this land to scout out the area and see what they could find. They weren't supposed to engage the enemy at any point unless it was the only option. They couldn't let the hollows know that Soul Society now had access to their lands. The small group had tried to keep quiet as they looked around.
For a week they had remained hidden and had tried to find anything but the large domed city was impossible to find a way through that wasn't guarded. They could break in but they were on a stealth mission plus they weren't set up for a full frontal assault. They had seen more 'wild hollows' those that seemed to roam the desolate lands but also small groups. So far they hadn't found anything and their supplies were running out.
By the end of the week they had found a small hidden area to set up the gateway that would take them back to Soul Society. The Twelfth had created the gateway to be light and portable but it needed time to set up. They were only halfway setting up when the worst could have happened, they had been found by a group of hollows. A small group they could handle but this was a larger group led by an Arrancar, and that was a type of hollow that they couldn't face.
They fought on as best they could, the lower level hollows died but the stronger ones were harder. Men and women were hurt and even died on the battlefield. By the end only a handful of group were left standing.
"Well this is disappointing," Adalberto stating bored at how the fight was currently going. "I thought you shinigami were tougher than this. But then you're all just small fry aren't ya?" He sighed disappointed in how there was no challenge in this he was hoping for a real fight after all.
"What do we do with them?" One of the hollows asked.
"Enjoy the meal I'd say," Adalberto grinned. "The weak deserve death after all."
"So this is where it all comes down to in the end, just as I thought." A slightly deep female voice spoke out making everyone turn to face whoever it was that had just arrived.
Adalberto was shocked by the sight of it as he knew those four women. "You!"
"Long time no see Big Mouth," the short woman with mixed eye color smirked.
"So you four are still alive after all," Adalberto looked at the four females. The short one that spoke was none other than Emilou Apacci one of the fraccion trinity that served the previous Third Espada. Next to her was the much taller dark skinned warrior Franceska Mila Rose the other member of this little group. Standing a few feet away made the final member of the group with her long sleeve held up in front of her mouth was Cyan Sung-Sun.
But they weren't what his attention was focused on it was the woman in front of them all. The tall blonde warrior in white with the high collar covering her mouth as her cold steel like green eyes stared into him was their leader Tier Harribel, one of the strongest Arrancar and hollows ever to exist. This wasn't good, all he had were hollows as backup and these four were powerful hollows, in fact he was pretty sure that Harribel might have the power to take them all one without much effort. He noticed that their weapons weren't drawn, at least not yet anyway, so maybe he could get out of this.
He was surprised that they had managed to sneak up on him they had to have been hiding their presence to sneak up on them like this. He also noticed how his hollows were starting to shift backwards. They knew that these were Arrancar and were powerful hollows, he needed to show them real power of else he might end up being left all alone.
"This is not your affair Harribel," Adalberto said to her. "You had your choice to join the new order but you ran off."
"She didn't run she left you moron!" Apacci yelled out.
"I serve no one," Harribel said coldly as she narrowed her eyes. "Plus I don't recognize you or your master's authority over his land. In fact I want to know what you're doing here and why shinigami are here. They wouldn't be here unless you were starting trouble. I was curious at first what was going on but seeing you here, I think I might have to step in after all."
"I've had it with you! You always acted all high and mighty. I remember when you were still a newbie and just the Eighth Espada." Adalberto yelled out.
"And you lost your status as an Espada, I never did," she said calmly.
That only got him even angrier, "Damn it, I'll show you my power. Meal time Comer!" He released his form as he grew larger his mouth became huge jaws of large teeth as the mask wrapped around his lower face.
"Take care of the other hollows," Harribel told her fraccion, "let me deal with this fool."
"Fine with us," Mila Rose grinned as she and the others went after the other hollows.
"I'm going to enjoy this!" Adalberto charged forward with his jaws trying to bite her in half.
She blocked the teeth with her sword and using it twisted his whole form with it stuck in his mouth. She looked at him as though he were nothing and to her, he was. He had always been boastful of his power and strength but he had been one of the first Espada to be replaced while she had been one of the later Espada and slowly had risen up in the ranks to be the third most powerful hollow to exist.
"You never were much." She told him.
He roared out as his large mouth opened to reveal a large cero forming he fired it right at her. She only stood her ground as she swiped her sword cutting it in two as the energy passed her by. She disappeared as she reappeared in front of him slashing at his sword. Her sword cut into his chest as he cried out in pain. He attempted to throw a punch only to have her free hand stop it easily as she locked her cold eyes with his.
He lunged forward trying to use his massive jaws again but she knew this. His ability had been that when he ate a piece of a hollow he would gain power, the problem was that it only worked on hollows and it didn't last for long. One of the reasons he lost his position among the Espada while she on the other hand, didn't have such a weakness.
She kicked out at the wound in his chest as he gasped out in pain, then she punched him in the face as his mask started to shatter from the force of her blow. She was getting tired of this and with several slashes attacked his arms and legs. He cried out in pain as he slumped to the ground bleeding and in pain.
She looked down at him seeing that he wouldn't be getting up any time soon, she wanted some answers from him so she had purposely left him alive to hopefully answer some questions later. Looking around she saw that her fraccion were just finishing up on the hollows. Thankfully it seemed that the shinigami were waiting to see what would happen next. Someone she was wondering what would happen as well.
A grunt got her attention back to her enemy only to see that Apacci had her foot on his chest. Apparently he had tried to get up while her back had been turned to him but Apacci had noticed and was currently grinding her foot into his chest wound to keep him down.
"You should just stay down," Apacci grinned down at him. "Not unless you really have a death wish."
"I'm going to kill you," he groaned trying to get up only to get her foot hitting his chest forcing him down again.
Then the hollows felt another power coming at them as they turned to look in the direction. Tier looked down at their beaten enemy. "Who is coming for you?"
He only grinned, "I guess that our Lord sent backup, let me up and we might spare you if you pledge to serve us."
Harribel only narrowed her eyes as she placed her sword at his face. "I said that I serve no one not anymore." She had put all her faith into Aizen and had gotten his sword cutting her down and leaving her to die for it. She swore to never blindly serve anyone ever again after that day. Then she paused, something was odd about the power, something familiar that she hadn't felt in a long time. She cast her look just in time to see a familiar figure suddenly appear with them.
Both women eyed each other for a moment.
"Nelliel-sempai?" Harribel asked seeing the familiar green haired hollow.
Nel's face broke out into a huge smile, "Tie-chan!" she shouted out before hugging the blonde woman as everyone watched shocked at the sight.
"Sempai?" Mila Rose arched an eyebrow at that.
"Tie-chan?" Sung-sun asked out loud.
Harribel pulled back glad that her high collar was hiding the slight blush on her face she never was comfortable with open displays of affection and Nel was the only person she would allow such things. But a smile was forming on the woman's face even if you couldn't see it. "I heard rumors that you might still live."
"Yep," Nel smiled and then looked around. "Oh so this is what's going on. I felt a battle on my way here and I find you with one of them and shinigami." She turned to the shinigami and walked over to them. She could see that some of them were wounded pretty badly.
"Who's in charge?"
One man stepped forward, "I'm Kai Hatake, Fifth seated officer." He was dressed up as a ninja as he had a wounded arm. "I'm responsible for these people, what are your intentions?" He was on guard after all he was in enemy territory and now he was faced with powerful hollows in front of him. He had no idea what was going to happen but he had to protect these people or die trying.
Nel looked at the serious look in the man's eyes and only smiled at him, "Don't worry I have nothing against shinigami, in fact a few friends of mine are shinigami. Oh that's right do you know what happened to Rukia, Renji or Ichigo and their friends?"
The man only blinked in confusion as this woman who looked so powerful and stern suddenly changed into a more child like persona. "Well...I know of them but I never met them."
Nel's face dropped in disappointment. "Awww, I wanted to see Ichigo again. He left without saying goodbye, maybe you can get a message to him then?"
"I could pass it on to my superiors I suppose..." the shinigami really wasn't sure what to make of this hollow. She wasn't like what you would expect and looking at the others he could see the same expression on their faces. In fact this was the longest conversation he had with a hollow that wasn't usually involved in battle.
"You could? That would be great, thank you so much Mr. Shinigami," She smiled at him.
"Perhaps we should ask why they are here sempai?" Harribel interrupted walking up next to her and looking coldly at the shinigami. "You are a long way from home and things are not exactly stable here, not that this land was much stable to begin with."
Kai considered what to say but his mission was to gather information he might have to speak up on a few things in order to get it. He just hoped that his captain would understand but he needed to get his people home, some of the injured would need the services of the Fourth soon. He also knew that these women were much more powerful then all of them put together and if a fight broke out they would die.
"We were sent here for information," Kai began to tell them. "We learned that there was a new leadership and also a new plan, they seem to be targeting yokai."
"Yokai, what the hell is a yokai?" Mila Rose asked looking at the others.
"Never heard of that before," Apacci shrugged.
Nel and Harribel looked at each other but they didn't know either. Kai seeing their confusion decided to inform them. "They are living beings that aren't human some have been called 'monsters' at times. They are separate species from humans."
"I never heard of this before," Harribel wasn't sure why the new co called rulers of this land wanted these beings for. But then again it wasn't like she remembered her life as a human either, like everyone else the longer you stayed a hollow the more you forgot about your life. There was a time she might have remembered who she had been but that dream had been forgotten so long ago that she didn't even remember when she had forgotten it.
Kai continued to tell them about how hollows seemed to be getting into a special area that was rich of yokai, although he didn't say where it was and what kind of place. "So you know nothing about any of this?"
"No, but I think I know who does," Mila Rose looked at the silent form of Adalberto. "Think we can get him to talk?"
"I'll die before I talk." He replied speaking up for the first time holding his wounds.
"I don't think you're in a position to refuse," Sung Sun told him.
"I need to get my people to safety..." Kai said looking at the science group that was nearing completion of the gateway.
Nel spoke up as she looked seriously at him. "We'll give you all the information we can get out of him. I want the shinigami to know that there are those of us that are trying to change this world. We don't support these new rulers in fact they tried to wipe out a group I was protecting. I want to know what is going on just as much as you I bet." She sent a glare towards their captured hollow he reminded her of everything that she didn't like about Aizen and how he ran things.
The shinigami thought it over this might be for the best he just hoped that the higher ups ended up thinking this was a good idea.
-Yokai Academy-
It was another morning at the school, only this time the group of friends that met up for the day were in much better spirits. There was an air of warmth and something else among them as they met up to their walk together for class. There were the usual greetings such as Moka using Tsukune as a morning snack, he of course yelled out like a kid but the kiss on his cheek made up for it as it was totally forgotten about.
"I think he's started to get used to that," Ichigo said silently to the boys on either side of him.
"I'll never understand the whole blood thing," Renji muttered at how blood could taste good enough for that. But it was a vampire thing and maybe it took one to get it, he eyed the little sister as she seemed to lick her lips at the thought of human blood as Renji shuttered slightly. Maybe the fact that Rukia had a protective and powerful older brother was better than a family of literal bloodsuckers. He hoped that Tsukune wasn't made a meal if the girl brought him to meet the family.
Thinking of Rukia he looked at her as she was talking with Yukari, he still was thinking about what she had said, he couldn't believe that she had insisted on him taking her out. Now he was trying to think of how to take her on one that would make a good impression since this might be his only shot at it.
"Darling!" Kurumu's voice rang out as everyone looked to see just in time to see her launch herself onto Uryu's arm looking happily at him while said boy was blushing furiously.
"Darling huh?" Ichigo grinned along with Renji.
Uryu composed himself, "You have a problem with it?"
"Oh no, I got nothing against that...darling," Renji snickered along with Ichigo.
Uryu felt totally embarrassed but Kurumu's cheeks puffed out as she glared at the two boys. Then she noticed the longing glances their way and to Ichigo. A plan formed in her head as she slowly grinned. She cuddled up to Uryu as she stuck her head up.
"Oh don't listen to them," She said making sure everyone heard it. "They're just jealous that your secure to actually pay attention to your girlfriend. Poor girls are probably longing for some kind of attention, while their boyfriends are too chicken to even hold their hands."
Uryu had to have a small smile when he noticed the reactions that got. "Can't be helped they aren't mature enough."
"You got that right," Kurumu smirked evilly at them. "I bet they haven't even kissed yet, at least not as official couples."
Ichigo and Renji blushed knowing full well what she was doing but they couldn't really say anything against it. Renji looked to Rukia but he could only see her back, Ichigo did catch a look at Orihime to notice that her whole face was blushing. His own cheeks ended up heating up, he and Orihime had only just sorted out their feelings yesterday. He hadn't even had time to really think about what their relationship would bring. Although he didn't want to admit that those two might have a point he hadn't even done anything yet.
Although he really had no idea where to start he just stayed silent as he walked on. Although he started to move closer to Orihime to walk beside her, he tried to hide his blushing face as Orihime did notice that he was a lot closer. She felt her own face heat up as she looked down but smiled. It was a small gesture but one that she knew wasn't easy for him. So she silently accepted it, she had waited all this time and she could stand to be patient she wasn't in a hurry after all.
"Huh, why is your face all red Rukia-san?" Yukari asked innocently.
"N-no reason!" Rukia said quickly.
Little did they know that a shadowy figure was currently watching the group. "Soon you'll be mine." The male voice spoke up before disappearing behind one of the buildings.
Next Up Chapter 38: New Problems
I decided to give Harribel and Nel a unique relationship as Nel was first I thought it would be funny if she had been sort of a role model for Harribel as we really don't know much on the personal history of that time.
Comer = eat