This story was written for the Holiday gift fic exchange on our Discord server.
Serena-san, hope you enjoy ;3
Where did it all go wrong?
One moment the two were having a very lovely evening, celebrating their latest victory on the ice.
They had a over the top 6 meal course in a restaurant and Victor had bought Yuri a silly present, a cat plushie, even though Victor was the one who had won.
To end the evening they were walking through the snow, not really a destination in mind. Just enjoying each other's company.
So then, how did it end up like this?
Everything was a blur. Then came pain. So much pain. Yuri felt like he was being ripped in half. Maybe that's what really happened. Who knows?
The last things Yuri sees are his eyes. Victor's eyes. The love they always hold clear for all to see, but now, now they showed nothing but absolute terror and pain as well.
Next was darkness. The pain was gone, but so was everything else. There was nothing left. Only darkness.
Wake up! You have to wake up!
VICTOR!
Yuri jumped upright from where he was laying, hand reaching out. But there was no one there.
The confused man blinked his eyes and looked around. Where is here exactly?
Yuri found himself alone on the ground in an alley. The surrounding houses seemed to be traditionally Japanese.
He stood on wobbly legs and as he slowly walked out of the alley, he noticed he was wearing a simple white, but dirty kimono.
As he stumbled onto the street he was greeted with a serene sight. People busying themselves with whatever they were doing, walking up and down the street.
Quickly gathering his senses, Yuri stopped an older woman who was also wearing the same type of kimono, only cleaner. Seems like most everyone here was wearing one.
He asked her where he was. The woman looked at him with sympathy in her eyes.
"Oh dear. You just arrived, haven't you? You're in a place called the Seireitei. Do you remember anything before you woke up?"
Yuri had to think about that for a moment.
"I don't remember much, only a name. Victor."
"Is that your name?" The older woman asked gently.
"No. No, my name's Yuri."
The woman smiled. "Well then, Yuri. Nice to meet you. You're luckier than most. Most people don't remember anything from when they were alive."
Yuri did a double take. From when they were alive? "What do you mean?"
The woman gently grabbed his arm and started to lead him down the street. "Come, let me show you around. I'll answer any question you have. But I'll start at the beginning."
She took him on a tour of the district and explained to him where they were and what the Seireitei was. She told him that he died in the real world and asked him whether he could remember anything more than the name he had already given. But just like everyone else who came here, all memories were lost. The name didn't bring a face to mind or anything. He only knew it was very important to him.
Time passed quickly.
Yuri found a place in the makeshift family of the kind old woman. And it didn't take long for him to fit in and feel at home.
After a few years he discovered he had potential to become a Shinigami, and swiftly enrolled at the Academy.
It wasn't too difficult to graduate and shortly after he was accepted into the 10th squad.
The captain of the 10th squad took an interest in him, since both their Zanpakto's wielded ice.
Training directly under the captain allowed him to become stronger faster and Yuri quickly rose up in the ranks.
One hundred years after he woke up without memory, he reached the 5th seat in the 10th squad. It was quite impressive for an average Shinigami.
He never found this Victor that seemed so important to him. And even though he gave up looking for him after a few decades, he never forgot.
Times were peaceful enough, except the occasional Hollow attack.
And today was such a day.
A report arrived stating a high level Hollow had been sighted near the district Yuri 'grew up' in.
No way Yuri was going to let that happen. He cared about a lot of people there. He personally took the mission to exterminate the Hollow.
He grabbed his zanpaktou and headed out before his teammates could follow.
White sand. Everywhere. In the endless night. Driven by instinct.
Run. Hunt. Kill. Eat. Grow.
Those were his primary goals. These instincts kept him alive.
All on repeat.
Run. Hunt. Kill. Eat. Grow. Run. Hunt. Kill. Eat. Grow. Find Yuri.
Yuri. Who's Yuri?
Even though he had no idea who this person was, the name kept popping up in his head.
Find Yuri.
Why?
It was driving him mad, and yet, he never stopped looking.
Every second was a contest to stay alive.
Was he even alive?
So many times close to death by another, stronger than him.
But his instincts kept him alive. He never gave up.
After all, Yuri was waiting for him.
Time passed. How much? He did not know.
Could have been a week. Could have been a month, a year, a decade.
Time was meaningless.
Only the night mattered.
But Victor (was that his name?) figured some time must have passed, since he had grown a lot stronger. Most of the others avoided him now. Only the top predators came after him.
His form had undergone a few changes as well.
He wasn't sure what he looked like. Not that it mattered anyway.
Run. Hunt. Kill. Eat. Grow. Find Yuri.
These instincts were still the same.
As he grew, sometimes he could see images in his head. They didn't make any sense. He doesn't remember seeing anything like them.
He sees himself throwing his entire body in front of something that looks like the things he hunts now, to protect another.
That can't be right.
Protect wasn't in his instincts.
And yet, everything seemed so familiar. Were these memories?
It was so confusing, it occupied his mind practically all of the time as of late.
It nearly got him killed as he was distracted by the images, memories?
His opponent got a major attack in and Victor knew if he continued the fight, he'd lose and be eaten.
His wound prevented him from running.
He didn't know what to do, his instincts were failing him!
VICTOR!
A voice called out to him.
No! He couldn't give up!
Without knowing how, he opened a black portal that ripped the air open. He jumped in without hesitation.
He knew he would be safe on the other side. After all, Yuri wouldn't lead him astray. Right?
Victor couldn't look back now, the end of the dark tunnel came in sight. As he jumped out he hissed and shielded his eyes from the light.
He momentarily forgot his wounds as he gazed upon the sun for the first time he can remember.
The wonderstruck Hollow looked around in wonder at all the colours around him.
It took a minute to realize he wasn't alone. He saw people running away from him.
He sniffed the air. Weak souls. Not even a good snack.
But where there were souls, there were Shinigami. And with Shinigami came battle.
Curses! He wasn't in any state to defend himself. He had to hide.
In no time at all Yuri made his way into his old district and instantly noticed the distress amongst the people.
After greeting and asking some people, Yuri was quickly pointed in the direction where the hollow was spotted.
Didn't take long to find it either.
Yuri drew his zanpaktou and snuck up on the creature.
It seemed like a feline Hollow. Sharp claws on all four paws. Long powerful teeth. A tail twice the length of his body. Fluffy ears standing at attention.
And although it was trying to hide its riatsu, most likely not it strongest trait, Yuri knew it was very strong. Much stronger than a regular Hollow.
Was this a Adjuchas Hollow class he learned about?
If so he was in grave danger. … Even if the thing was only as big as a housecat.
No matter, it was his duty to protect the Seireitei.
Yuri crept even closer to the Hollow, which didn't seem to notice him yet, and saw that it was gravely injured.
Might be an easy kill after all.
How did he not notice the Shinigami creeping up on him?
Was he already so close to death he couldn't sense his surroundings anymore?
Seems like this is truly the end for Victor.
He would face his death with dignity. He turned towards the Shinigami and locked eyes.
Time stood still.
Those eyes! He knew those eyes! He knows that face!
How could he ever have forgotten?
Yuri!
Yuri looked into the Hollow's eyes and his heart stopped beating for a second.
Could it be? Was this truly the person he had been searching for this entire time. Was this Victor?
Yes, there was no doubt about it. This is Victor, he didn't look like a person, but there was no mistaking it.
The small Hollow leapt towards Yuri. To anyone watching, it looked like he was about to attack the Shinigami.
But Yuri was unafraid, he dropped his sword to the ground and received Victor with open arms.
Victor felt so small in Yuri's arms, but more importantly, he felt safe, complete. He never wanted to leave this warm embrace ever again.
"Victor." Yuri whispered, still overcome with emotions. Victor purred in response.
Both wished this moment could last forever, two souls who found each other again after so long, embracing like nothing else in the world mattered.
But alas, reality had other plans. Both Victor and Yuri could sense the riatsu of Yuri's teammates fast approaching.
Thinking quickly, Yuri cast a fast healing Kido on Victor. Wouldn't want him to bleed to death after all and to lose him after just finding him.
"You've got to hide. I'll make sure they go away."
Victor nodded. He nudged his head against Yuri's and jumped down, heading into the nearby bushes.
A few seconds later more Shinigami arrived at the scene.
One saw blood on Yuri's outfit. "OMG, Yuri! Are you okay?"
"What? Oh, yes. I'm fine." He gestures towards the blood. "Not mine." He chuckled.
"Woah, so you already dispatched of the hollow? Great job, bro!" Another Shinigami said as he draped his arm around Yuri's shoulder.
Victor saw and growled. Why was that Shinigami touching his Yuri that way? Then he remembered that he was supposed to be hiding and not be seen. Luckily the others didn't seem to have heard him.
Still safe then.
"We should go out and celebrate this victory!" A third said.
"Oh, you guys go on without me."
"Come on, Yuri. Have some fun with us. You deserve it."
"I'd love to, but it's been a long time since I last was in this area. I'd like to catch up with some of the people here."
"I see, I see. Well, have fun then."
They wished Yuri good luck and left.
Once they were out of sight Yuri let out a relieved sigh. He wasn't the greatest liar, but his friends seemed to have believed him. The lie sounded pretty reasonable after all.
He turned towards where Victor was hiding and smiled when he saw the cat Hollow appear once again.
Victor meowed, sat down and put his front paws up in the air with an expectant look on his face.
Yuri giggled at the display and picked him up again, holding him close.
For the first time in over a century, both souls felt whole again. They found what they had been missing.
And even though Victor was a Hollow, that looked like a cat, their bond was still unbreakable.
It was not going to be easy, going forward the way they were now, alleged natural enemies. But as long as they have each other, they can tackle any obstacle in their way.
The end.