|Unedited Version| Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. I only own Catalina Vazquez, Eita Harada, Atsushi Harada and Catalina's spirits.
|~*Violeta*~|
Chapter Forty: Breaking Free
[Three and a Half Days Later]
[Nobody's POV]
Kat panted tiredly on The Hiyori Super Trainer. She could barely move, she heaved with exhaustion from the lack of spirit force. Her thighs ached with a throbbing dull pain, she had pushed through the cramping pain two days ago. Shinji and company quietly gathered around Kat feeling she was about to reach her limit.
"She's about to reach her limit Shinji." Kensei said seriously.
"I know." Shinji whispered cruelty.
Shinji walked over to Kat looking at her seriously, but also slightly concerned. He lean against the machine and stared into Kat's tired eyes.
"Kat, you'll be passing out soon. When that happens you'll fall into your inner world and you'll have to fight your inner hollow." Shinji explained somberly, eyeing her seriously. "If you don't win, she'll completely take over and we will have to kill ya." Shinji warned her sternly.
Kat weakly looked at him and gently nodded her head in understanding, "Don't worry Shinji…I won't lose." She panted tiredly, her eyelids slowly getting heavier. "But still…remember…you promised." Kat whispered drowsily, finally feeling the darkness consume her as she fainted from exhaustion.
Shinji swiftly caught her, picking her up bridal style and looked down at her worriedly.
"Kat, don't lose." Shinji whispered anxiously.
Kensei walked toward the trap door opening it.
Shinji followed behind everyone, "Hachi, place a double layer barrier up here and two more down here as well." Shinji ordered sternly.
"Understood." Hachi replied somberly, mumbling soft incantations, getting the barriers ready.
"Shinji…" Lisa spoke grimly.
"She'll be fine." Shinji replied bluntly, not wanting to discuss his friend's faith any longer.
[Inner Spirit World]
[Kat's POV]
I groaned tiredly feeling something small, cold and wet hitting my face. I groggily rolled onto my side feeling what felt like soft wet grass underneath me. Sitting up I gently rubbed the drowsiness from my eyes slowly getting onto my knees well trying to keep balance. I blinked a couple of times trying to get a better look of where I was.
I frown confused. I stared at what looked like my inner world, but at the sometime it looked nothing like it. The sky was covered in thick gray rain clouds. Everything about my inner world was nothing was gloominess.
I finally manage to get on my feet as I stared at the gray sky thoughtfully. I listened to the serene raindrops making soft dripping noises around me. I looked back at the practically flooded landscape wondering where everyone was at.
"Sometimes not right?" I whispered unease.
"Kat…"
I turn around at the sound of my name and gasped. My eyes widen with horror as I stared at all of my spirits chain down from their wrists and ankles onto the ground. I realized it was Kage who had spoken my name.
"What happened?" I mumbled dazed. I couldn't believe it. My stomach twisted anxiously, something was definitely not right.
I put my uneasy feelings aside and ran towards them. I tried to think of every possible reason they would be chained up and for every reason I felt my stomach tighten tighter. There was only one reason why they would be chained up.
"What's going on?!" I yelled distressed.
I yelped surprised when metal rods shot out from the ground forming a big and strange looking cage around my spirits. I lean towards the cage gripping the metal rods angrily.
'This is Kinzoku's ability, but how?' I wondered angrily.
I looked at my weaken spirits realizing the horrible state they were in.
"What the hell is going on?! How she able to do this?!" I screamed furiously.
I heard a sinister chuckle echo loudly through my inner world. I stiffen fearfully knowing exactly who that laugh belong to. I looked around trying to figure out where exactly she was. I hastily turned around quickly feeling her presence behind me
"Why are you doing this?!" I demanded, growling angrily at her.
She stood at a distance from me, but I could still make out her sadistic smirk as her bright gold eyes glared murderously at me.
"Those pesky little shits kept getting in the way of our fun, Reina." She drew out the last part tauntingly, darkly.
"Let them go!" I demanded angrily, taking a few threatening steps towards her.
'I don't understand how she got so strong or how she was able to defeat them.' I thought somberly.
"Fucking shit Reina, you disgust me!" She spat harshly, glaring angrily at me. "Do you seriously still don't understand how this is happening!" She chuckled disbelieved, her sinister chuckle echoing loudly through my practically empty inner world. "They have no choice but to listen to me too! Because they are me and I'm you!" She stated confidently, her menacing smile never wavering.
"What the hell are you talking about?! You aren't them!" I yelled back, rejecting the thought that she was somehow one of my spirits.
'She's lying, she isn't them.' I told myself slightly shaken up. But somewhere deep within me I knew that probably wasn't true. 'Could it be that somewhere deep within me that darkness was always there?' I questioned myself somberly. I clutched my hands fearful of my own answer.
"Kat…she's not lying…" Kage suddenly spoke up weakly from her spot. Her weak purple eyes screamed sincerity and sadness.
I stared at her wide-eyed, disbelieved, I didn't, and couldn't believe what she was saying.
"It's true, in a sense she's us…and you." Kage explained softly, looking away ashamed.
'They lied to me' I thought betrayed.
I suddenly felt the rain getting heavier, as it rain harder. I stared at them dejectedly.
"But she's only a small portion of your soul Kat!" Kinzuko screamed angrily. "Yes we lied to you. Yes we knew who she was all along." Kinzuko admitted ashamed. "It's true she was born from your soul, but, that doesn't make her you!" Kinzuko yelled sincerely. "Kat, only you can decide what kind of person you want to be. Don't let all your anger, fear and pain cloud your judgment. I believe in you! Kaji believed in you! We know the incredible person you are and can become!" Kinzuko shouted determinedly.
I stared at him doubtfully.
'Who was I? I didn't even know anymore. All my memories and emotion from the past and future were still a mess. Was I always destine to be weak and worthless? Did I even deserve to be here?'
"Oh Kinzuko, always quick to defend your master." I heard my inner hollow taunt Kinzuko from behind me.
I looked away from spirits staring at the wet grass beneath me.
'Who was I? What kind of a person did I want to be?' I suddenly thought. Thinking back to all my failures as a friend and lover. 'I couldn't even save Shinji and everyone. I let them get hurt knowing what would happen.' I thought back to Byakuya and Ichigo, 'I hurt them both, I couldn't even be straight forward with them.'
I felt tears stream down my cheeks. I tightly closed my eyes thinking back to every decision and choose I've made. 'I'm a coward. That's exactly what I am.' I sobbed softly letting all the pain and regret out.
I stood there in the rain letting the tears out, letting all the despair and regret I felt out.
"She's worthless Kinzuko! Look at her. Crying like a fucking baby. She will never change!" my inner hollow growled angrily.
I clinched my chest painfully, 'Maybe she was right…maybe I was worthless.'
"You aren't worthless Kat!" Suna screamed tearfully.
Suna's gold spirit force suddenly picked up as she broke one of her chains.
"Shit!" I heard my inner hollow curses angrily.
But suddenly everything went black. I looked around confused at the darkness when I suddenly heard a woman's voice calling me.
"Kat." The voice stated again.
Her voice felt familiar and warm.
"Kat, what's wrong?" the voice asked softly.
I looked around the darkness trying to figure out where the familiar voice was coming from. Finally at the distance I saw a bright white light and I quickly ran towards it. I gasped surprise as the blackness turned into an elegantly furnish room. I looked around and gasped surprised.
I was sitting on the floor, well at least the younger me was sitting on the floor. Yoruichi was sitting beside me softly stroking my hair as the younger me cried.
"Kat, what's wrong?" Yoruichi questioned again, softly, almost motherly.
"I'm worthless Yoruichi! I embarrassed you tonight at that family dinner!" My younger self sobbed into Yoruichi's lavender kimono.
Yoruichi stared at me sadly, her eyes glazing over with tears.
I stared at my crying self and slowly remember this day. I stared at Yoruichi feeling my heart warm up as Yoruichi cradled me tighter to her side.
"Listen to me Kat." Yoruichi spoke sternly keeping my younger self close to her. "People will always speak nonsense because they were only given a tongue. But you, you were given a tongue, beauty and a heart." Yoruichi whispered softly. "Nobody can make us feel like we are nothing unless we let them. I adopted into my clan and made you my little sister because I know there is so much you can offer Kat. You are a Shihoin now. It's time to be reborn into the person you were always meant to be Kat. But only you know who that person is, no else." Yoruichi explained firmly, still keeping my younger self close.
I gasped opening my eyes realizing I was still in my inner world. I looked over at Suna, she had been chained down again.
I stared at her thoughtfully, Yoruichi's words echoing loudly through my mind. I clinched my fist angrily, 'No, I wasn't a coward. That's not who I wanted to be anymore. I want to protect the people I love. I want to be able to save and protect my friends. I won't let my past hold me back anymore. Catalina Vazquez is gone, she was gone the second Yoruichi took me in.' I thought determinedly. 'That's right. I'm Catalina Shihoin.'
The rain suddenly stopped and I smiled at Suna happily.
I frown angrily as Suna yelled out in pain. Suna glared at my inner hollow as she strained against the chains, trying to break free.
"Suna…" I mumbled softly.
I stared at her somberly, 'They were doing what they thought was best for me. I shouldn't fault them…they never faulted me for my mistakes.'
Suna hissed out in pain again when the chains tighten on her, pulling her further onto the ground.
"Stop." I said softly. But my inner hollow didn't stop. "STOP!" I yelled again louder, anger and glared at her intently.
She looked at me slightly surprised, but that was quickly replaced by a sinister smirk. She just scoffed. I stared at her dully. 'I didn't know if I could beat her without my spirits…but, I'm not going down without a fight. I'm done letting the people I love get hurt.'
I looked at her intensely, "I won't let you hurt them anymore." I stated bluntly, standing up straighter.
"Reina, this is where your reign ends." She said harshly followed by a hysterical laugh.
I could feel my heart pounding loudly against my ribcage.
'This feeling, it felt weird, but familiar.' The strange sensation pumped wildly through my veins. I narrowed my eyes remembering the last time I felt this weird feeling course through me. 'Adrenaline…yes, that's what this is.' I thought bemused. 'This isn't fear. Last time I felt like this was when I fought against Aizen.' I recalled determinedly.
My once tensed muscles slowly relax at the familiar feeling of battle. I stared at her as that feeling of confidence when I fought Aizen slowly flowed through me again.
'That's right, I can beat her.' I slowly flex my hand staring at it, letting this strange new feeling course through my veins. 'For once, I wasn't afraid to fighting…I was excited.' I thought dumbfound. I tighten my hand into a fist determinedly and looked at her ferociously.
"You're wrong. This is where you reign of terror ends." I stated bluntly, narrowing my eyes at her, "I don't need anybody to save me anymore."
She grin darkly, bright yellow lightning crackled around her as a metal sword slowly formed in her hand.
"I'll defeat you myself!" I yelled confidently running towards her.
[Underground Training]
[Nobody's POV]
Shinji and company stood tensely around the bright orange barrier Hachi had form earlier. They waited nervously as Kat's unconscious body laid in the center of the barrier. Shinji narrowed his eyes when he suddenly felt a very high sinister spirit force start to spill out from Kat.
"Hachi, add another barrier…it's stronger than I originally thought." Shinji said firmly, not moving an inch as he watched Kat's body slowly start to hollowfy.
Kat slowly got onto her knees as a bright white substance oozed out from her face slowly solidifying around her body.
"I'll take the first watch." Hiyori said bluntly walking towards the barrier. "Hachi."
A small hole appeared in front of Hiyori as she slowly stepped into the small barrier looking at her hollowfying friend.
"Kat, you're wrong if you think I'm going to go easy on you. So, you better fight! Fight you hear me!" Hiyori yell angrily, forming her hollow mask as the hollowfy Kat yelled at her angrily.
Hollow Kat launch herself at Hiyori and she swiftly blocked her attack. Another hollowfy scream echoed through the silent training grounds.
"Kat…fight." Shinji whispered sternly.
[Kat's Inner World]
[Kat's POV]
I swiftly dodged another swing from my inner hollow's sword. I analyzed her attacks trying to find an opening, but there wasn't, her attacks were all precise, not a single move wasted. She has been able to use every single one of my elements without any difficulties. I quickly jumped backwards as long wild moving roots shot out from the ground trying to grab ahold of me.
'How can I beat her if I can't even use my elements?'
I yell surprised when a sudden rush of wind came down from above, forcefully pushing me to the ground. I hissed painfully when my body made contact with the ground harshly. I painfully crawled onto my knees holding onto my aching sides, quickly trying to formulate a plan of attack.
"Kat!" Mizu yelled concerned from her spot.
"Watch out!" I heard Koori yelled.
I looked up but cursed angrily when I felt the cold ice quickly forming around my legs instead. I glared annoyed at the quickly forming ice around my lower body, keeping me in place.
"This is the end Reina!" she yelled viciously, suddenly appearing above me, getting ready to deliver the final blow.
'Is this really how it ends? Her taking over? Shinji and everyone having to kill me?' I thought somberly, slowly accepting my faith. 'I wonder what will happen to me. Will I end up going back to my normal life? Will I be reincarnated to the Soul Society?' I wondered sadly.
"I'm really sorry everybody." I whispered softly.
I gasped shock when suddenly a burst of flames shot out from beneath me, completely burning away all of the ice. My inner hollow yelled as she was thrown back by the flame's force. I stared at the brightly burning reddish-orange flames around me, confused as to why they weren't burning me. Suddenly I felt overwhelmed, tears pooled around my eyes as I realized what, no, who this was.
"Kaji?" I whispered disbelief, tears rolling down my cheeks.
"You really are an idiot, giving up like that." I heard Kaji's scowling voice echo loudly through my inner world.
I laughed tearfully at the sound of his voice.
"Impossible." My inner hollow growled angrily, glaring at the burning flames. "You are supposed to be dead!" She growled outraged.
I stared at the flames as a body slowly started to emerge from the flames. The figure of a body covered in ashes slowly appeared before me. Kaji swiftly shook off the ashes and he stood in front of me, scowling angrily. I smiled tearfully feeling his spirit force suddenly flowing through me again.
'He's real! This is real! He's alive!'
I quickly stumbled onto my feet running towards him closing the short distance between us. I ran into him, hugging him tightly, letting the familiar scent of burning flames ease my once existing sorrow and despair.
"You're alive." I whisper relieved, hugging him tighter. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" I sobbed tearfully into his chest, grabbing a fist full of his red cloak.
"Kat, now isn't the time for this. We have to take care of *inaudible* first." Kaji whispered sternly, gently patting my back.
"Huh?" I questioned him confused.
I couldn't hear what Kaji had called my inner hollow. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion slowly pulling away from him and whipped my tears away staring at him confused.
"What did you call her?" I asked confused. "I couldn't hear what you called her." I explained myself.
Kaji looked over his shoulder at me, looking at me strangely and then turned sighing.
"I was worried that might be the case." Kaji whispered somberly.
Kaji turned around again, staring at my inner hollow I walked over to him and stood beside him still lost about what was going on.
"*inaudible*, you need to get your shit together." Kaji hissed angrily, his bright orange eyes boring into my inner hollow.
She scoffed angrily and then grin evilly, "Kaji, loyalty was always your strongest quality." She taunted darkly. "Loyal to a fault." She clicked her tongue in shame, "Loyalty was what even got you killed." She spoke slyly, grinning like a madman. "How about you join me Kaji." She offered cunningly. "After all, it was her fault you died in the first place."
My stomach suddenly twisted anxiously at the thought of Kaji resenting me for what happen and joining her.
Kaji scoffed annoyed, "Whose fault is it that loyalty is my strongest quality? If I remember correctly, loyalty was your strongest quality as well*inaudible*." Kaji rebutted sternly, staring at her plainly.
My inner hollow narrowed her eyes at Kaji and clicked her tongue in annoyance, "Don't remind me. I still gag at my old self." Kalesia replied annoyed.
"But you're wrong*inaudible*. You were wrong to lose hope in Kat. She is bound to make mistakes, but that is all part of growing. Every mistake she'll make is going to make her stronger and wiser. It doesn't matter how many mistakes she'll make. But one thing is for sure…whenever she stumbles and falls, I'll always be there to lend a helping hand." Kaji explained firmly. I felt the tears pooling around my eyes again, feeling my heart clinch tightly. I know it's wrong of me to feel relief that he doesn't hate. Because he has every right to hate if he wants. "She's a carelessly idiot at times but she'll always be my friend. I'll always be loyal to her, just like yo—"
"Shut up!" my inner hollow snarled angrily cutting Kaji off before he could finish. "I regret the fucking day I ever let you guys have a will of your own when I couldn't!" Kalesia yelled furiously. "But that doesn't matter anymore. I'll take it back, I'll take everything back this body will be mine!" she yelled glaring angrily at me.
"Kaji, what is she talking about?" I asked him confused, not understanding anything they were talking about. "What does she mean that she gave you a will of your own?"
"I'll explain later." Kaji replied curtly. "Right now focus on beating her. I'm going to revert myself back into my fighting form so you can use me." Kaji explained quickly. "Get ready, because she is not going to hold back anymore. I have pissed her off too much." I explained frankly.
I nod at him in understanding. His body slowly turned into flames and they swiftly wrapped around my bracelet, the once missing petal slowly reform glowing brightly red. The piece of my soul that felt missing was now there again. I smile softly, gently touching the missing petal.
'I'll never sacrifice you again Kaji.' I thought determinedly.
"Kat, fight." Kaji's voice echo loudly through my mind.
"KAJI!" I yelled loudly, extending my hand out as a fiery flame sword form in my hand.
I swiftly blocked my inner hollow's sword. The force of impact created a gust of wind around us. Our swords collided again a sense of familiarity running through our swords. It felt like something from a dream. A dream long forgotten. For some reason it felt like I knew her already, or at least had tried to know her.
She continued to swing her sword at me and I swiftly blocked each strike. This feeling. Every time our swords cross path…this strange sensation of familiarity courses through me. Every time our blades collide her sorrow…loneliness…anger…everything, I can feel everything she's feeling.
'Why' I wonder confuse.
I blocked another swing.
'Why is she so anger? Why is she hurting so much?'
She screamed angrily rush towards swinging again as I swiftly blocked. Suddenly our eyes meet, her bright gold eyes staring angrily at me. There was so much resentment.
'Why?'
I slide back blocking quickly catching my balance back from her previous blow.
'Why does she hate me so much?'
I stood there staring at her, trying to figure out this feeling of familiarity.
"Kat, stop worrying so much! Just fight her!" Kaji scowled me angrily.
But she's so sad and anger. I sadly thought back to all the times I was mistreated and abused. I always felt so anger and sad. I thought back to what she said about wanting a will of her own. She just wants to be free.
"Kat, don't worry so much about killing her! She won't die she is a part of you, we will just seal her away again." Kaji screamed again.
'A part of me…?' I thought mystified. 'That's right…she's a part of me. Kisuke did say I had…'
Suddenly I realized it. I froze in my spot staring at my inner hollow sorrowfully. This feeling. I finally realized why it felt so familiar. I looked at her as she got ready to attack again. She took a jump start towards me.
"I finally understand…" I whispered faintly.
I slowly lowered my sword as she got closer, I wasn't going to stop her.
"Kat, what the hell are you doing?! Block her!" Kaji's anger voice echoed loudly through my mind, but I ignored it.
"You are finished Reina!"
I grunted out in pain when her sword pierced my stomach. She roughly pushed it in deeper and I whimpered out in pain. I gently placed my hand on her shoulder, slowly leaning towards her. I gently rested my cheek against hers weakly.
"I'm sorry…Mangekyo." I whispered woefully into her ear, gently squeezing her shoulder.
I felt Mangekyo tensed up at the mention of that name.
"Took you long enough…" Mangekyo hissed angrily, digging the sword deeper into me.
"Kat…" Kaji's stun voice echo through my mind. "Her name finally reached you."
I groaned again, "I guess I deserve that." I murmured painfully. "I shouldn't have neglected you the way I did Mangekyo. I should've known who you really were." I explained softly, squeezing her shoulder tighter.
"You fucking dumbass! Do you know how hard it was to watch you coward like a scaredy-cat! Crying over everything! Begging to be saved by someone! Letting other people fight your battles!" She screamed angrily pulling her sword out.
She stepped away angrily, glaring viciously at me, I could see the anger and sorrow in her eyes. But at least she didn't push my hand away from her shoulder. I gently squeezed her shoulder, mostly for support so I wouldn't fall but also for comfort.
"Was I not fucking enough?!" She screamed painfully. "Was my power not enough?! Did you really have to depend on others?!" She demanded angrily, tears of frustration running down her pale cheeks.
I smile sadly at her. Feeling ashamed for not realizing sooner who she truly was.
"You were more than enough Mangekyo. It was me, I wasn't worthy of your power. It was all my fault you felt so anger and lonely. I didn't realize exactly how powerful I was. I always thought I was weak, not realizing all of the power I really had. I had you, no, that's wrong. I have you." I panted painfully, feeling tears pooling around my eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for neglecting you and your powers..." I whisper ashamed.
Mangekyo gasped shock, surprised by my apology. I felt Mangekyo slowly relax, listening to what I had to say, "I'm sorry for not believing in your strength like I should have. For not appreciating everything you did for me. I'm so sorry Mangekyo."
Tears slowly ran down her cheeks as she listen to my apology.
'All she ever wanted was to be appreciated by me. She wanted me to believe in her strength and only depend on her and her power. She just wanted to be loved by me.'
Mangekyo's metal sword slowly disappeared from her hand. I groaned in slight discomfort when she suddenly hugged me tightly, sobbing sorrowfully into my chest.
"I just wanted you to notice me! I just wanted you to believe in me! You only need me! We can be stronger together! I'm the only person you'll ever need to help you succeeded in battles! I don't want to be chained down by all this hate, fear and anger! I just want to protect and help you Kat! I want to be loved!" Mangekyo sobbed desperately.
I smile sadly, gently hugging Mangekyo back, embracing the real source of my power and spirits. It felt so unreal, this power surge that suddenly spread through my body as I accepted Mangekyo for who she really was and her power.
"It's ok now Mangekyo…I'm going to show you a world without despair and hatred." I whispered gently hugging her back tightly.
[Training Underground]
[Nobody's POV]
It was Lisa's turn and she was tiredly fighting against the almost completely hollowfy Kat. Sweat ran down her brow as she looked at her hollowfy friend. Lisa started to fear the worst for Kat as her time was almost up.
Hiyori glanced over at Shinji who was also standing emotionless by the barrier, he tapped his fingers against his arm anxiously. Hiyori could tell he was also fearing the worst.
Hiyori bite her lip angrily, she still had faith in Kat. Hiyori clinched her fists angrily, she wasn't going to give up on her friend.
Hiyori was snapped out of her thoughts when the hollowfy Kat let out a loud painfully hollowfy scream out. Hiyori looked at her friend concern and then at Lisa who was also concern about the new development.
"Hachi, let Lisa out!" Shinji yelled sternly, realizing something bad was about to happen.
Lisa quickly flash stepped out through the small opening and Hachi quickly closed it back up.
Everyone stared anxiously as a huge surge of sinister spiritual force as it started to concentrate around Kat's hollowfy body.
"Shinji, this isn't good." Kensei stated sternly getting ready for whatever was to come.
"I know, but she still has 5 minutes." Shinji growled angrily. He wouldn't lose faith in Kat, she would win.
Suddenly a huge burst of spiritual force shot out from Kat's hollowfy body, causing a huge cloud of dust to blow up obscuring everyone's vision of what was going on inside.
"Shit, what happened?!" Love exclaimed shock.
Shinji narrowed his eyebrows in confusion when he suddenly felt something completely strange about Kat's spirit force.
"That's not possible." Lisa muttered stun.
"Shinji…what's going on?" Rose asked his fellow Visoerd confused.
"Hachi, lower the barriers." Shinji stated sternly.
"What?! Are you crazy?! We don't even know what happened!" Hiyori yelled outrage.
"We are about to find out." Shinji said seriously.
He looked over at Hachi nodding his head in approval to lower the barriers. Hachi anxiously lowered the barriers. Everyone got into a fighting stance ready for whatever might come out from the slowly settling dust.
Everyone gasped surprised at the fact that a human Kat stood there. The white pieces of hollowfication slowly crumbling away from her slender body. Her grayish-bluish eyes held a dull lifeless look as her body suddenly gave out and she collapsed onto the ground.
"KAT!" Shinji shouted concern running over to his weak friend.
Shinji and company quickly made their way to her side.
"Shinji, what's wrong with her, why isn't she woking up?!" Hiyori demanded angrily, kneeling beside Kat's unconscious body.
Shinji gently kneeled down pulling Kat't body towards her. He sighed slightly relieved when he felt her breathing.
"Why does her spirit force feel different from ours?" Rose questioned slightly concerned. "If she defeated her inner hollow shouldn't she have become a Visoerd like us?"
"Kat was never fully a shinigami when she went through her hollowfication. Her spirit force feels more like those humans' powers, Ichigo Kurosaki's friends, but, I can also feel the dark spirit force of a hollow like ours in her. In a sense, Kat has become her own type of tribrid, different from ours." Hachi concluded softly. "Part soul, part soul reaper, and part hollow." He added softly.
"That's impossible." Kensei said sternly.
"That doesn't explain why she hasn't woken up though." Lisa said seriously, eyeing the unconscious Kat.
"Most likely she is still in her inner world." Hachi explain gently, kneeling beside Kat. A soft glow of green slowly formed on his hand as he swiftly examined Kat's body. "Physical she is fine. We should just let her rest, other than that there isn't much I can do I'm afraid." Hachi said weakly and regrettably that he couldn't be more helpful.
"I'll take her to an empty room so she can rest." Shinji said somberly.
He picked Kat up and quietly carried her up to an empty room to rest.
"Hachi, Katy is going to be fine, right?" Mashiro asked sadly.
"Damn right she is. She didn't come this far just to give up." Hiyori growled angrily and then decided to follow Shinji upstairs. "She's going to be ok." Hiyori whispered mostly to herself.
[To be Continue]