Chapter 14

Quit Your Beaching

A smoldering Tessai Tsukabishi climbed his way up and out of the remains of the Shattered Shaft. Adjusting his cracked and chipping glasses, he got there was no point in fiddling with them since doing so would do nothing to improve his eyesight.

"Oh, you're still alive, old man?" said Jinta Hanakiri in shock.

"I was pretty sure he had gotten fried," stated Izumi Higuchi, snacking on some potato chips. "Glad to see you're okay!"

Offended, Tessai replied, "Who says I'm alright?! My glasses were severely damaged!"

"W-What I mean to say is that you don't have any wounds," mumbled Jinta.

"I-I think your priorities are a little screwed up..." muttered Izumi, biting into another cheese-flavored chip. "Uh...I've got an extra pair of glasses if you need them."

"Heh. You'd better give it to him! After all, he wouldn't wanna miss the Boss in action!"

Tessai, heeding the boy's words, squinched at three figures up ahead in the midst of combat. Specifically, he watched as Kisuke Urahara sliced through a large rock like it were a sheet of paper using his Zanpakutou.

"Tsk! This guy is good!" said Aaron as he leaped back to safety.

Ichigo, doing the same, added, "Heh! You can say that again! I didn't think that thin sword of his could actually cut through anything!"

"Yeah, just...keep antagonizing the guy trying to kill us. I'm sure that'll help."

"You done complaining yet, Higuchi?"

"...R-Right. Guess there's no point criticizing you for getting us into this mess any further."

Tempted to turn his offensive on Aaron, Ichigo held back for the sake of their training.

"Aya! You two are like a pair of newlyweds! I feel almost embarrassed to be butting in on your obviously budding relationship!" said Urahara cheerfully.

"...Alright, Kurosaki, let's get him!"

Aaron was no longer reluctant to throw his hat into the ring in the wake of the shopkeeper's teasing. He took to the skies and brought his wakizashi down for the kill. However, he got nothing but thin air. Urahara vanished, a feat Aaron realized was accomplished by Flash Step.

"I forget he's a Shinigami..."

"Try not to finish him too fast, Higuchi! I still gotta get my licks in!" said Ichigo.

"Y-Yeah, I hear ya. I'm really starting to get irritated remembering what he made us go through in the Shattered Shaft."

"Wow! You two really have become the best of friends, haven't you?" said a voice that sounded an awful lot like Urahara's. Aaron and Ichigo, becoming defensive, couldn't find the man though. "It's a shame I'm going to have to cut you both down!"

With a murderous look, Urahara appeared and began slashing at his prey with reckless abandon. His targets hollered like frightened, little girls as they ran for the hills.

"H-He's not as innocent as he looks!" shouted Aaron.

"W-Wait a second!" Something came to Ichigo just then. "Hollows and Shinigami like us can only be hurt by a Zanpakutou, right?!"

"Uh...well, that's not exactly true. You're on the right track though. Why are you asking me something like that so suddenly?"

"Haha! That guy can't hurt us then! There's no way his sword is a Zanpakutou!"

"H-Huh? W-Wait, Kurosaki! That isn't…!"

Ichigo learned the hard way after Urahara left a heavy gash on his shoulder. As blood spurted out of the wound, the orange-haired teen glanced at it like he were viewing an illusion.

"My, my. You're far too relaxed, Mister Kurosaki. I guess Mister Higuchi never told you the truth about my little blade here. Allow me to show you personally," said Urahara. Holding his sword out, he uttered, "Awaken, Benihime."

Ichigo didn't wish to believe it. There was no denying the truth however, not when he was face-to-face with Urahara's Shikai.

"My sword is an honest to goodness Zanpakutou," stated the shopkeeper.

Aaron laughed nervously. "I...uh...guess I did forget to mention he was a Shinigami, Kurosaki. T-Then again, I figured you would've realized that yourself. Anyway, is that your sword's Shikai, Urahara? Kana told me about it, but this is my first time seeing it in the flesh."

"That's right! Every Zanpakutou, just like the one you see here, has a name. ...Go, Benihime."

In the blink of an eye, a nearby stone was blasted into pieces by red energy.

"W-What the…?! How'd he do that?!" queried Izumi.

"D-Do you wanna get killed?! Come on!"

Jinta dragged Izumi behind a sturdy-looking hunk of earth, where they joined Tessai and Ururu.

Aaron and Ichigo dodged the sudden attack by the skin of their teeth. It distracted them long enough for Urahara to close the distance.

"I'm not accustomed to fighting two-on-one, so I'll have to be careful!"

In spite of his claim, he was the one who had the clear advantage, forcing his opponents into repelling his rapid sword swings. He drove his foot into Aaron's chest and knocked the teenager away, giving him a clear shot at Ichigo. The orange-haired teen blocked at the last second yet was alarmed to see Urahara's Benihime effortlessly cutting through his own Zanpakutou.

"Ugh. That one's gonna leave a mark," said Aaron, dusting himself off. "H-Huh?! Wait, what's going on?! Why does Ichigo look so powerless? Isn't...the blade he's using the same one that defeated a Menos Grande?! I know it's broken, but there's no way it should be so weak!"

"...Do you really think something like that sword could stop Benihime?" asked Urahara. With those less than flattering words, he chopped away a portion of Ichigo's blade.

Aaron, his jaw agape, said, "...Crap."

Ichigo, feeling mostly the same, opted to retreat for the time being. Although he had sprinted a good distance away from Urahara, the shop owner was able to catch up to him almost immediately. Fortunately for Ichigo, Aaron Flash Stepped in between the two, deflecting Urahara's attack in the process.

"Oh? I never expected you to take the initiative, Mister Higuchi!"

"Tsk! Even I can't stand by and just watch from the sidelines forever!"

"Is that so?"

The smirk on Aaron's face was wiped away when Benihime began to glow. A mighty explosion came in the wake of this, spreading a thick, crimson cloud of smoke over the battlefield.

"T-This is getting nuts!" cried Izumi as she braced herself. "Y-You're telling me all Shinigami fight like this?! N-No wonder they can fight monsters like Hollows!"

Stepping out of the miasma, Urahara made his way toward Ichigo.

"T-That was a dirty trick!" Aaron, left lying in the dirt, used his sword to help him stand. Blood dripped from a wound on his forehead, and his black robes had become tattered from the blast. Other than that, he considered himself fortunate to be okay. "Where'd he go?!"

He might have hungered for a bit of payback, but he found himself far more concerned with Ichigo continually fleeing from Urahara like a timid animal.

"...Kurosaki?"

Mister Hat and Clogs appeared beside Ichigo, inducing a sharp gasp out of the latter.

"Your strength only increased slightly after you became a Shinigami. Your power did not solidify. It only bloated up into a shape of a sword. That's why it's so easy for me to cut through that so-called Zanpakutou of yours," explained Urahara. Casually, he lopped off what little remained of Ichigo's weapon, leaving solely the hilt. As an astonished Ichigo gazed at the remains, Urahara added, "What are you going to do now, Mister Kurosaki? Are you going to try to use the hilt to cut down my hat? ...You can't win on courage and guts alone. Let me tell you this right now. If you still want to fight me with that toy, I'll have no choice but to kill you."

Both Ichigo and Aaron looked as if they had witnessed a ghost. Never before had they seen Urahara like this. There was no doubt in either of their minds the humble shopkeeper was prepared to live up to his brash talk.

Fear encompassed Ichigo's body, and he made a break for it.

"D-Dammit! He's completely lost it!" growled Aaron. "Kurosaki!"

The man before him was no longer the same individual who had charged at a Menos Grande and smiled. He also wasn't the same person who had taken on two powerful Shinigami from Soul Society without batting an eyelash. No, whoever this Ichigo Kurosaki was, he was nothing more than a coward. For the first time, the teenager who had accomplished the impossible and more seemed mortal.

"I...used to think he was far better than me, but now...I don't know what to think."

Urahara didn't let up, going after Ichigo with a bloodlust. Even this did nothing to inspire his foe; Ichigo continued to flee.

"...This is why people get so down on me for talking crap about myself," Aaron muttered to himself. His eyes darted down to his Zanpakutou. "That...kind of attitude won't get anyone anywhere. I can relate to Kurosaki right now, relate to his fear. Running is easy. I should know; it's all I've done for most of my life. Even so, we can't run anymore! It was simple when others weren't depending on us, but things are different now! There's nothing wrong with being afraid, but you can't let it control you! That's why you were so strong, Kurosaki! Even if you were afraid, you didn't let it stop you! You didn't let it stand in your way! I used to think being courageous was all about charging head first into danger without really thinking, but now I see that coping with your insecurities and hesitance while moving forward is real courage!"

"...Very good, Aaron. You've learned much in the short time we've been apart."

Aaron knew that voice. Yes, there was no chance he could forget it. He swiveled his head, spotting the blue-haired girl that was the manifestation of his Shinigami powers. She smiled at him in a comforting fashion, like a parent proud of their child's accomplishments.

"I'm pleased to see you finally understand," she added.

Aaron nodded. "I can't run anymore! Like Ichigo in the past, I've gotta tackle whatever stands in my way without any regrets or fears! I can't hold myself back anymore!"

Back on the battlefield, it appeared Ichigo had come to terms with himself as well. Despite the danger he was in, he turned his back on Urahara. Aaron could feel the power radiating off his fellow Shinigami, it having an effect on his own energy.

"That is the same strength that flows within you, Aaron," said the blue-haired girl.

"Y-Yeah. I forget how incredible that guy is sometimes."

"...The time is upon us now. Go!"

The girl needn't say it twice. Aaron sprang into action, catching Urahara off guard with a fierce strike that sent the man skidding a good distance backward.

"Oh? So, even you can attack like that, Mister Higuchi?"

Aaron remained quiet, answering the shopkeeper instead with his blade. Having little choice in the matter, Urahara began to block the unyielding sword strikes with Benihime. One of his grey eyes curiously surveyed Aaron while he did so.

"T-That's my brother?!" Izumi rubbed her eyelids, assured she was hallucinating. "N-No way! Where'd he get all that power from?! It's making the hairs on my neck stand on end! It's like...he's a different person all of a sudden!"

Urahara, finding an opening, shot another burst of red energy. Aaron Flashed Stepped to safety however, giving him the opportunity to catch his breath.

"There is no point in you delaying any longer. You know what you must do."

Aaron faced the blue-haired girl. "What I must...do?"

"That is correct. The time for you to learn my name is here."

Learn? The term felt inappropriate to Aaron. There was no reason for him to learn something he already knew.

Ichigo walked over to him, and the two exchanged a nod of total understanding. They then took hold of their Zanpakutou.

"Zangetsu!" roared Ichigo at the top of his voice.

"Glimmer, Seigetsu!" cried Aaron in the same tone.

Urahara's eyes became as wide as saucers when a tremendous burst of energy detonated from the spot Aaron and Ichigo were standing.

"Ugh! I have absolutely no clue what's happening anymore!" hollered Izumi.

"D-Don't ask me! I dunno either!" said Jinta. For once, he was grateful Tessai was so big since it allowed the man to shield everyone from the blast. "T-This is crazy!"

All the smoke in front of Urahara swirled around a single point prior to being blown away. Mister Hat and Clogs adjusted his signature bucket hat, surveying a most interesting sight. Crouched before what looked to be an oversized, black Khyber knife was Ichigo. The sword possessed no guard to speak of, and it's hilt was mantled by thick, white wrappings. The blade's size and immense weight didn't affect Ichigo in the least; he hoisted it off the ground with one arm to examine it.

Standing beside him was Aaron, who was holding an equally strange weapon. The sword was a deep shade of blue and was about the same size as Ichigo's. The blade itself was extremely curved to the point of resembling a crescent moon. Unlike Zangetsu, Aaron's Seigetsu had a guard, albeit it was huge, circular-shaped, and pure white. The same colored cloth was wrapped around the handle, similar to Ichigo's blade.

"U-Uh...what in the world...happened to their swords?" asked Izumi slowly. "And why in the hell are they so big?!"

"Huh? Carrot Top's doesn't even have a guard! It's almost like it's not complete," said Jinta.

"T-Those two can't seriously swing swords that huge around, can they? They'd be killed within seconds if they tried!"

"W-When you put it like that, the ones they had before were better."

Tessai hadn't come to the same conclusion. Izumi could tell that much because of how awed he was.

"So, this is Seigetsu." Aaron glanced the Zanpakutou from head to toe before bopping himself on the forehead with the hilt. "I feel like a dummy for not knowing it's name beforehand. Sorry for..."

Much to his confusion, Seigetsu's spirit was gone.

"W-Whoa!"

The immense weight of his weapon kicked in, and he grasped it with both hands for safety.

"H-How did Kurosaki go around using such a big weapon so easily?!"

"Since you both have finally awakened your Zanpakutou, we can officially start the third lesson!" said a pleased Urahara.

"...Sorry, Urahara," said Ichigo out of the blue. "You'd better hide somewhere."

Mister Hat and Clogs blinked. "Eh? C-Come again?"

"I don't think...I'm gonna be able to hold back now."

Power sprouted from Ichigo like a budding flower, shoving Aaron back some.

"Y-You've gotta be kidding me!" the latter said. "Just how much energy does this guy have?!"

The moment Ichigo lifted his Zangetsu, Urahara realized he was in danger. The shopkeeper held his own Zanpakutou out, shouting, "Scream, Benihime!"

Ichigo swung his sword downward, creating a huge wave of spirit energy that obliterated everything in its path. As Aaron shielded himself, the force from the attack blew him back like he were nothing more than a feather in the wind.

"H-Huh?"

Urahara's signature, green bucket hat flew past him, leading him to believe the man, like the surrounding area, was no more.

"Whew! I would've lost an arm if it wasn't for this blood shield!"

Aaron was greatly relieved after the smoke cleared enough for him to catch a glimpse of Urahara, alive and well, standing behind a slightly cracked, red barrier. With a frown, the shop owner reached down to retrieve his hat, which had a portion missing.

"My, my. Even my hat was nearly blown to smithereens." Urahara put it back on top of his dirty blonde hair and beheld the incalculable damage spawned by Ichigo's mysterious technique. A smoldering crevice, one that made the Shattered Shaft look pitiful in comparison, stood before him. "I didn't think a single swing of his sword could cause so much chaos. You're a rather scary kid, aren't you, Mister Kurosaki?"

Ichigo didn't reply. Of course, there was no way he could since he was unconscious and leaning against his Zangetsu. Aaron came over to check up on him, prodding at Ichigo's face with his finger. He garnered no response, causing him to laugh heartily.

"Y-Yeah. There's no way he could be awake after something like that..."

A brief flash blinded Aaron. He afterward saw that his Seigetsu had returned to its sealed state: a harmless-looking wakizashi. He slipped it into the sheath hanging from his shoulders and was pleased to finally have its true power at his disposal.

"Congratulations, Mister Higuchi! You and Mister Kurosaki have passed the third and final test with flying colors!" said Urahara.

"S-Seriously?! Thank goodness! Man, I'm exhausted! I'm so glad this is…!"

Aaron was slugged across the mouth just then, sending more than a few of his teeth soaring through the air. Catching one, Urahara stashed it into his pocket without drawing attention in the hopes of getting a visit from the Tooth Fairy later that evening.

"W-What the hell was that for?!" Aaron uttered, clutching the afflicted area.

Izumi didn't lower her trembling fist as she answered, "Y-You're lucky I don't do more, idiot! That's for scaring me half to death with all those stunts you pulled! As for you…!"

Urahara yelped; Izumi was now howling at him.

"I've got half a mind to call the cops on you for torturing my brother and that Kurosaki kid for well over three days! Then again, maybe it would be better if I just pummeled you into a bloody pulp!"

"P-Please, t-try to calm down, Miss Higuchi! I was rather confident both Mister Higuchi and Mister Kurosaki would survive the training! I only pushed them a tad bit!"

"Y-You…! You think this is all a big joke, don't you?!"

A whimpering Urahara stood by while Izumi kept on chewing him out.

"I-I'd forgotten how scary she could be," said Aaron timidly.

"Y-Yeah. She's even got the Boss shaking in his boots!" said Jinta.

"...Scary," Ururu echoed.

Despite Izumi's brash, booming voice being amplified by the expansive, underground training area under the Urahara Store, Ichigo did not stir, smiling contently even.

#

"T-Time out! Time out, bro!"

Sasune Ishida's chest heaved up and down, as did his hand in an effort to ward his brother Uryuu away. Smacking his lips, Uryuu obliged. A metallic, blue spirit bow retreated into a glove, one that was white with a blue cross patterning it, on his dominant hand. Sasune wore an akin item, though it was black with a red cross instead.

"Pitiful," stated Uryuu, pushing his glasses closer to his eyes. "Is that all you've got?"

Sasune's snarled. "Watch it! You're lucky I have asthma! Otherwise, I would've wiped the floor with you like always!"

"'Like always?' Sasune, you haven't beaten me even once."

Sasune raised a finger, ready to argue the point. He paused though upon noting he didn't have one. As much as he hated to admit it, Uryuu had wiped the floor with him every time they had sparred.

"This was a waste of time." Uryuu, walking away, gathered his things. "On the other hand, I somehow managed to finish my training, even while having to babysit you. I suppose I can thank you for that much, Sasune. It's better shooting at you than any stationary target at least."

Becoming increasingly agitated, Sasune had to will himself from shooting his younger brother right between the eyes. "...I'm never training with you again! I came out here to have some fun, not to be patronized by a twerp like you! B-Besides, I just wasn't feeling it! Give me a rematch! I'm gonna kick your butt good this time! I think I'm finally getting used to this stupid Sanrei Glove!"

Uryuu delayed in saying, "...Well, that much is true at least. You might be lazy, but the mere fact you can even use that thing means you aren't completely hopeless."

"Heh! You know me! I wish these things would've come with instructions though! We could've learned how to wield them in half the time!"

"Speaking of which, you never answered my question, Sasune. Where did you get that thing from?"

Dipping his head into a stream of rushing river water, Sasune ingested some before sitting up and shaking the rest out of his flowing, black hair.

"Hmm? Y-You don't have to sound so angry, Uryuu!"

"Just answer me already! My Sanrei Glove was given to me by our Master, Souken Ishida, and I know he only had one in his possession, the very same one I have now. That's why I'm asking where you could've possibly gotten yours from."

"Uh...y-you wouldn't believe me if I said I ordered it online, would you?"

Judging from how hard Uryuu was glowering at him, Sasune guessed not.

"Fine, fine! If you must know...my mother gave this thing to me."

Uryuu's eyes widened. "I-Impossible."

"No, I'm serious! Look! There's even a little card she left me in the box that Sanrei Glove came in! No cash though! Mom never did like giving me money. Said someone like me would more than likely do something really stupid with it."

"I don't care about that! Stop acting dense." Light impacted Uryuu's glasses, obscuring his eyes. "...We both know your mother was no Quincy. Why then, would she have something like a Sanrei Glove?"

Sasune shrugged. "How would I know? Just be happy I got it so I can help you kick some Shinigami butt!"

Uryuu, growling some under his breath, got a hunch his older brother knew more than he was letting on. He also understood though that attempting to grill an individual like Sasune for answers was nothing more than an exercise in futility.

"Say, where you going, bro?" asked Sasune after Uryuu started to leave.

"...I'm through with my training, so there's no reason to remain here. You should go home as well, Sasune. I'm sure your friends are worried."

"No way! I still want that rematch!"

Uryuu grinned. "I don't see the point. I believe I've beaten you enough times to claim the title 'Last Quincy' as my own."

"Tsk! Oh, that's it! You are so going down, twerp!"

Sasune disappeared with Hirenkyakyu. Though exasperated, Uryuu saw no other choice but to follow suit. As their battle recommenced, the sound of soaring arrows filled the area.

#

With her hands resting in the pockets of her leather jacket, Konoka Mitsumi trekked out of the dilapidated apartment building belonging to the group of Fullbringers known as Xcution. The rough and tough streets of Naruki City made her nervous, anxious enough that she had no desire to walk all the way back to her awaiting limousine in the heart of the town by herself. Fortunately, Kuugo Ginjou was more than willing to escort her.

"No thanks," she hastily told him when he suggested. "I've seen enough of your mug the past ten days to last a lifetime. Besides, there's no tellin' what a guy like you will do to a girl like me if the two of us are alone."

Ginjou chuckled. "Is that so? What kind of gratitude is that after I just finished training you like you asked?"

"Tsk! You act like I didn't just cut you a big, fat check to get that waste of space you call a headquarters repaired! Besides, I asked to be trained, but you basically put me through hell! Shit, even Jives' lesson weren't that bad!"
"You still mad about what Riruka put you through using her Fullbring?"

"...Don't even talk to me about that bitch!"

Ginjou backed away from her some, getting the hunch he should change the subject.

"How long you gonna complain? You learned enough to use your Fullbring properly, right? I still think you should stay here until it's complete. There's no telling what'll happen if you try to fight in the state it's in now."

"Screw that. Like I said, I ain't tryin' to stay here longer than I have to. Besides, Higuchi is probably waitin' for me."

"Hmm? That guy again. You sure do talk about him a lot."

Konoka blushed. "C-Can it, Ginjou! I-I just owe that punk a favor, one I intend to get outta the way as soon as possible!"

Ginjou shrugged. "If you say so."

A white limo pulled up to the two at that moment.

"There's my ride," said Konoka casually.

"W-Wait, I thought you said this thing would be waiting for you somewhere else!"

Konoka, climbing into the vehicle, replied, "What's the big deal? I already told you I didn't feel like waitin' that long."

"D-Did you give your driver the address to this place?! Didn't I tell you I didn't want anyone knowing how to find me and the rest of Xcution?!"

"Like I care," said the Red-Haired Beast nonchalantly. Her chauffeur closed the door behind her, bowed at Ginjou, and then retook his place at the front of the limo. Konoka rolled the window down and stated, "Oh, and I haven't forgotten about our other agreement, Ginjou. If I make it back to this Soul Society place in one piece, I'll...join Xcution for real this time."

"Heh. I didn't even have to remind you. Sounds good, Konoka!"

"...Stop using my name so casually, idiot. Oh, and quit leaving weird messages on my answering machine. My butler called and thinks you're my boyfriend or something."

With that, the car pulled away and out of sight.

"...Boyfriend, eh?" Ginjou got a laugh out of that one, though his expression became completely serious moments later. "...That girl isn't half bad. She might've actually completed her Fullbring if she weren't so damn impatient. Maybe I'll let her in on our little scheme when the time comes."

#

At some point, Konoka had fallen fast asleep inside of her limousine. Ten days worth of training with Xcution had taken its toll.

"Wake up, Miss Mitsumi. We're here. You're home."

"Hmm?"

Konoka, still half asleep, took a gander around and realized her drive was spot on. She yawned, stretched her stiff limbs, and allowed the chauffeur to assist her out of the car.

"Thanks," she said, slipping a wad of bills into his pocket. "I can take it from here."

The driver felt that a stretch; she could hardly walk in a straight line without waddling like a penguin. Taking this into account, he threw her arm across his shoulder and helped her up the stairway to her luxurious mansion. This made her smirk slightly.

"...You're not gettin' an extra tip for this, you know."

"Of course, Miss Mitsumi. I wouldn't dream of it."

Awaiting her was her faithful and steadfast butler, Jives.

"There you are, Miss Mitsumi! You had me and everyone else here worried sick!" he said, sighing in relief. "Are you unharmed? Here, allow me to escort you to your room. You look as if you could use a good night's rest."

"I'm fine, Jives." Konoka rolled her eyes. She disliked being coddled like a child. "Just get lunch ready for me. I'm starvin'."

"Right away, Miss Mitsumi. By the way, how was your trip?"

"Horrible," she was quick to say. "For once, I'm actually glad to be home. Did anything happen while I was away? How's the company?"

"Stocks have fallen a bit the past week thanks to a shortage of coffee beans from your manufacturer, but I do not believe you have anything to fear."

"Tsk. I bet some of the investors chickened out and left us for another company. Oh well. Guess it's better if the weakling are weeded out."

"Of course, Miss Mitsumi."

Jives took over for Konoka's driver, assisting her into her home and inside the large dining hall. While Konoka had expected to sit down and eat in peace, she was mortified to discover two individuals waiting for her.

"My apologies, Miss Mitsumi," said Jives sincerely. "I tried to inform them that you specifically requested no visitors in your absence, but they insisted upon coming in. They stated they had a most urgent matter to discuss with you."

"H-How's it going, Mitsumi?" said Aaron Higuchi anxiously. "L-Long time no see!"

"Miss Mitsumi! It's an honor to behold your radiant visage once more!" said a beaming Sasune Ishida. "Nice place you've got here! Well, we both know I've been here before, but I like what you ended up doing during the remodeling! The décor is very tasteful!"

"Jives..." Konoka started, fuming like an active volcano. "I want these clowns outta here right now!"

"H-Hold on a sec, Mitsumi! We're just here to talk to you about the whole Soul Society thing!" pleaded Aaron. "Since we've all finished our training, I was thinking...uh...it'd be a good idea for us to plan our next course of action!"

"Say, you got any more food like this?" asked Sasune. Much to Konoka's horror, he was pigging out on a gourmet meal, one that was probably meant for her. "Man, this stuff is great! My compliments to the chef!"

Although it took some effort, Jives managed to hold Konoka back from ripping the Quincy to shreds. An oblivious Sasune polished off the food and then belched.

"Thanks for the meal!"

"...You're trying to get us killed, aren't you?" said Aaron sheepishly.

"I don't care if you stay, Higuchi, but that clown has to go now!" roared Konoka, pointing a shaking finger.

"Some hospitality!" Sasune shot back. "You probably got enough food in that kitchen of yours to feed the whole continent of Africa! Stop being so selfish!"

"Oh yeah?! Fine! I'll give ya somethin'! I'll give ya somethin' good! How's a broken spine plus some lacerated kidneys sound?!"

Suddenly, Sasune wasn't so eager to argue with the Red-Haired Beast.

"That's what I thought!" she bellowed.

"Would you like me to call security, Miss Mitsumi?" suggested Jives.

"...No. As good as that sounds, I really do need to speak with these two. You can leave us now. I'll try not to do somethin' that'll involve a lawsuit down the line."

Jives was hesitant to take his leave yet did so with a graceful bow.

"Urahara should have the doorway to the Soul Society open in a few days," said Aaron.

"I remember that guy. He's the one that trained you?" asked Konoka. "What exactly is this Soul Society place? You said there's a buncha powerful guys there, right? You sure you wanna go there just to save one bimbo?"

"What's this now? Is the legendary Red-Haired Beast afraid?" said a snickering Sasune.

"What was that?! Just because I'm usin' my head doesn't make me a chicken!"

"No, she's right, Sasune. I realize I'm asking a lot from you two, especially you, Mitsumi. I mean, you don't even know Kana. You don't have any reason to stick your neck out for her. That's why I just wanted you to know I appreciate you agreeing to help me out. If we make it back from this alive, I'm really gonna owe you one."

"H-Huh? Uh...i-it's...no problem, Higuchi. Don't mention it."

Becoming flustered, Konoka leered away from Aaron to hide that her cheeks were the same tint as her hair.

"So, what's the plan in the meantime? If we have some time before heading off, I say we use it for some good ol' rest and relaxation!" said Sasune.

"That's...not a bad idea. Training is important, but so is having fun!" added Aaron.

Konoka replied, "Hmph. Sounds to me like you two just want an excuse to goof off."

"Hey, we'll find a kid so you can steal his lunch money if it'll make you happy!"

"...I dunno if you bumped that overinflated head of yours on somethin' on the way over here, but you're really pushin' it, Ishida!"

"Heh! You don't scare me anymore, Red-Haired Beast, not after all the crap I had to go through training with my twerp of a younger brother! Bring it!"

"Oh, you just signed your death certificate, pal!"

Aaron made haste to rise and forcefully separate the two before they could claw each other's eyeballs out.

"K-Knock it off! We're supposed to be a team, remember?!"

Konoka pouted her lips. "...He started it."

"It doesn't matter 'who started it!' Jeez, we really do need to do something to work off all this stress!"

Nothing immediately came to him.

"I got it!" proclaimed Sasune, snapping his fingers. "We should go to the beach!"

"The beach? What for?" pondered Konoka.

"You don't wanna go?"

"It's not that. I just don't see the point."

"Man, you really are crazy, aren't you?! How else wouldn't you want to soak in some sun, dance in the sand, and go for a nice swim?"

Aaron smiled. "You know what? That isn't a bad idea! I haven't been to the beach in years!"

"Haha! That's the spirit! Just think of all the beautiful women walking around in skimpy swimsuits! It practically brings a tear to my eye!"

"...I knew there was some sort of catch to this."

Konoka shook her head. "I can't believe this idiot."

"Hey, have you ever even been to the beach before, Miss Mitsumi?" asked Sasune.

Konoka, stammering, replied, "W-What does it matter?! You're so irritatin'!"

"Just answer the question, missy!"

"N-No! I've never had free time to waste doin' somethin' like that! Speakin' of which, I still don't wanna go, so can we just drop this shit already?!"

Sasune curled his lips. "My, aren't you a stick in the mud?"

"WOULD YOU JUST GET OUTTA HERE ALREADY BEFORE I BREAK YOUR NECK?!"

"Is everything alright in there?" inquired Jives, peeking into the room from a crack in the door.

"Yes, everything is fine!" retorted Konoka through clenched teeth. "I'll call you if I need anything!"

"Of course, Miss Mitsumi," the butler replied.

"Well, this is getting us nowhere," said Aaron tiredly.

"Oh, I get it now!" said a confident Sasune. "You're just shy, aren't you, Miss Mitsumi? No need to fret! The world is more than ready for you to unleash that body of yours upon it! Feel free to wear the most revealing swimsuit you can find! It would truly be a shame if you didn't!"

Now that Sasune was speaking on it, Aaron noted that Konoka's figure was rather shapely. Perhaps being so damn afraid of her all this time had blinded him to her beauty.

Picking up on his ogling, Konoka gasped, blushed, and covered herself.

"W-What the hell are you lookin' at?! You're no better than Ishida here!"

Aaron, becoming just as hot and bothered, hastily replied, "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to…!"

"So, it's decided then! We'll head to the beach!" proclaimed Sasune.

"D-Do we even get an opinion at this point?" wondered Aaron. As much as he was protesting, a nice, relaxing day in the beach seemed like heaven. "Alright! Let's just go already before it gets dark!"

All that was left now was convincing the Red-Haired Beast. With that in mind, Sasune stared into her red eyes, got down on his knees, and mewled like a melancholy puppy.

"K-Knock it off, idiot!" she hollered.

"Come on, Miss Mitsumi! Pretty please come to the beach with us?"

Konoka, clasping her teeth hard enough to draw blood, replied, "F-Fine! Whatever! Will you shut up now?!"

A jubilant Sasune leapt up and down. "Alright! Beach! Beach! Beach!"

"...I'm gonna regret this, aren't I?"

"More than likely," said Aaron nonchalantly. "Then again, it could be worse."

"Oh yeah? How so?"

"He probably won't hit on you since there's gonna be so many other girls at the beach."

That was music to Konoka's ears.

"What are you two just standing around for?! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

Sasune, having changed into a black speedo at some point, was impatiently tapping his feet as stood by the exit.

"W-Would you put some clothes on?! You're gonna give Jives the wrong idea!" cried Konoka. She was forced to shield her vision from the Quincy's apparel, which fit a bit too snug in her honest opinion. "Is it too late to change my mind about this stupid beach thing?!"

#

Summer was in full swing in the small and quiet town of Hino, Japan. Not a single cloud hung in the blue sky, allowing the yellow sun to shine its rays unimpeded.

Like Aaron, Konoka, and Sasune, many were taking advantage of the warm weather at the well-sized beach just outside of town. It was jampacked today, mostly with teenagers on summer vacation. It made picking out a spot for Aaron to set up a beach towel and umbrella difficult.

"I guess here's alright," he muttered, stumbling upon a place next to the crashing waves of Lake Hino. "M-Man, this umbrella weighs a ton! This the last time I do something like this for Mitsumi."

With some difficulty, he finished the task. He afterward wiped some perspiration off his brow, sighting more of it all over his bare chest. His brown skin did him no favors in heat like this, but fortunately, he dressed light. He wore blue swimming trunks, yet the idea of hitting the water didn't exactly tickle his fancy. He was a terrible swimmer. Thankfully, there were other ways for him to enjoy the beach, ways that didn't involve him possibly drowning.

"I almost forgot it was summer vacation. I've done nothing the past ten days except train with Urahara."

"Yeah, that must've been rough."

Almost peeing on himself when a hand touched his shoulder out of the blue, Aaron swung around to find Sasune grinning at him like an imbecile.

"W-Where the hell did you come from?!"

"My mother!" stated Sasune with pride. "How come you're sitting there by yourself? There should be a beautiful woman at your side!"

"If you're talking about Mitsumi, I'm not sure where she is. I think she said something about changing."

Sasune rubbed his hands together. "C-Changing, you say?!"

Aaron was quick to reply, "D-Don't even think about it! You know she'd break your ass in two if she caught you trying to peep!"

"Er...y-you got a point there! No matter! There are plenty of fish in the sea for this fisherman! Ah! Looks like I've spotted some!"

The aforementioned fish were actually a small group—five to be exact—of women. Aaron found himself transfixed by their beauty and alluring swimsuits.

"Y-You're not kidding," he told his friend while wiping some drool away from his lips.

"How much you wanna bet I can get all their numbers in less than five minutes?"

"Heh. The only thing you'll end up with is a couple black eyes knowing you."

"Ha! You're on, pal! I'll have you eating those words!"

"Yeah, I very much doubt that."

Like a dog chasing a frisbee, Sasune darted off, leaving Aaron alone once again.

"Huh. I wonder where Mitsumi got off to..."

"...You mutterin' about me over there?"

The Red-Haired Beast herself plodded through the sand toward Aaron, placing her hands on her hips in slight annoyance. She never was one for the heat, perhaps becoming too used to the luxury of air conditioning. Her sunhat and sunglasses weren't doing much to ward the ever present sun either.

"Thanks for settin' up that umbrella, Higuchi. I gotta get outta this heat."

One of her eyebrows heightened. Aaron was gazing at her like he were in a trance. He couldn't help himself. The cream-colored one piece she wore was nothing fancy, but Aaron still found blood rushing to his face. He simply never imagined the Red-Haired Beast of all people in such feminine attire.

"...You alright over there, Higuchi? The sun ain't gettin' to you, is it?" she asked as she took a seat under her umbrella.

"H-Huh? Y-You say something?"

It was difficult for him to hear her over the pounding of his heart. Having no clue what had come over him, Aaron broke eye contact with Konoka, calming him to a certain degree.

"You're a weird guy, Higuchi."

"E-Eh? Where'd that come from?"

Konoka rubbed suntan lotion on her arms, replying, "I still can't get over the fact you wanna go all the way to some other world just to save some chick you've known for maybe two or three months."

"...Is it really that strange?"

He alleged her silence was a good enough indication of her opinion. Chewing the matter over, Aaron never understood why others concerned themselves so much with his decision. While it was true he hadn't known Kana for that long, there was no denying she was someone he cared for deeply. That alone was more than enough to spur him to rescue her.

"Man, this a total waste of time," muttered Konoka. "I don't get the appeal of places like this. It's too damn hot, and there are too many stupid people runnin' around. It's honestly gettin' on my nerves."

"You really should try to have some fun today, Mitsumi."

"'Fun?' Yeah, that's not really somethin' I'm good with. When your folks were rich and you inherit their company when they die, it tends to be all work and no play for you."

She paused since Aaron was giving her such a dour look.

"Stop it. I prefer things that way. One day, I'm gonna have to take complete control of my father's company, so I ain't really got the time goofy shit like goin' to the beach."

"I guess I can get what you're trying to say, but if you really are gonna be some hotshot CEO one day, don't you think now would be a good time to get your fun in?"

This was the very same discussion she would often have with Jives. He too would try to get her out of the house and involved in things she found pointless. Such advice was beginning to sound like a broken record to her.

"Don't worry about me, Higuchi," she harshly retorted. "Just worry about the girl we're tryin' to save."

"Hey, I think you're getting the wrong idea. I'm not telling you how to live your life. All I'm saying is..."

Out of the corner of his eye, Aaron became aware of an object hurdling toward him at high speeds. Konoka sprung into action at the last second, catching the projectile before it could do her friend any harm.

"W-Whoa. Thanks, Mitsumi!"

"Hey, who's volleyball is this?!" cried the Red-Haired Beast while she held the item in question up for all to view.

"M-Man, she's got really good instincts. Probably from all the fighting she does."

As impressed as Aaron was with her, he was even more wowed by the muscular, teenage boy that stepped up to claim the volleyball. He was tall too, not to mention ridiculously handsome.

Speaking of personal appearances, the two ladies he had wrapped around his arms weren't bad to look at either. One of them winked at Aaron, sending his heart aflutter. He didn't notice it, but Konoka coiled her mouth at this.

"Sorry about that! I hit the ball harder than I meant to!" said the boy. He ran his fingers through his purple hair which was tied into a ponytail. "You two alright?"

Skeptical, Konoka responded with, "...No harm done. Just be more careful next time."

She tossed the volleyball back to its owner with force, causing him to grunt as he grasped it.

"Man, you've got one hell of an arm there! Say, would you happen to be interested in joining us in a game of volleyball?"

"No thanks," said Konoka, waving her arm. "Why not ask Higuchi here?"

"H-Hey! Don't just volunteer me for things!" stated Aaron.

The good-looking youth laughed. "That's okay! I don't think a skinny guy like you would be much fun to play with anyway!"

The lovely women behind him giggled in delight at the jest.

"Tsk! Why don't you just bother someone else already?" said an irritated Aaron. "Sports aren't my cup of tea anyway."

"I think he's scared!" said one of the girls, a brunette with pigtails.

"No doubt Ryuji would wipe the floor with him!" said the other, a black-haired girl with big dimples.

"Haha! Let's cut him some slack! He's here with his girlfriend, so it's no wonder he doesn't want to play with us!" said Ryuji.

The sudden redness to Aaron's dark skin wasn't a byproduct of the weather. "'G-Girlfriend?!' S-She's not my…!"

Konoka got to her feet just then, removed her sunglasses, and glared Ryuji dead in the eyes. He and the girls at his side flinched, feeling she could snap them in half with her stare alone.

"Alright, loudmouth! You're on!" she told Ryuji.

He blinked. "Uh...c-come again?"

"You heard me! You wanna play so damn badly?! Fine! We'll take you on! Just promise me you'll shut that fat mouth of yours after we win!"

"H-Hold on a sec! I still never agreed to play anything!" voiced Aaron.

"Heh! Now you're talking!" replied Ryuji. "You've got a problem though! There are three of us, but only two of you! You'll need one more player!"

Jumping into the fray moments later was Sasune.

"They already have one!" he declared.

"Uh...w-what's up with your face?" asked Aaron. He pointed his finger at the scarlet handprints on each of the Quincy's cheeks. "L-Lemme guess. You didn't get any phone numbers..."

Sasune coughed. "N-Not exactly! Those girls back there are just playing hard to get! I'll no doubt have their hearts by the end of the day!"

His temperament became austere; he cracked his knuckles, stretched his neck, and even squinched his eyelids.

"But first things first! Let's take care of the vermin before us!"

"I-It's really not that big of a deal," mumbled Aaron. "Huh?"

Konoka attracted his interest, specifically, how determined her expression was. For whatever reason, Ryuji's challenge had fired her up.

"I-I wonder what's gotten into her…"

#

Aaron, stretching his limbs, stood before a volleyball net and strived to remember the rules of the game. He had played it once or twice during gym, but since he had a habit of skipping that class so much, it had been awhile since his last experience. As much as he loathed physical activities, he memorized volleyball being simpler than most. Indeed, he would much rather have to suffer it than attempting to chase down a baseball or get a basketball through a hoop.

"Hey, Chocolate Thunder!" cried Sasune. He too was getting loose. "Don't screw this up, alright?! I don't like looking bad while my adoring fans are watching!"

Seething at the mouth, Aaron replied, "W-What fans?! No one would wanna watch you!"

"I certainly ain't one of 'em," said Konoka plainly.

"S-Some friends you are!" Sasune's fist trembled in fury. "Bah! Let's just do this!"

"Hey, cutie!" said Ryuji to Konoka from the other side of the net. The Red-Haired Beast smacked her lips at the unwanted label. "Your team ready to go?"

Konoka, stern-faced, merely stated, "...Bring it."

"Heh! Let's see if you're as good a player as you are a talker!" taunted Sasune.

"Yeah, like you of all people have the right to talk about someone being too chatty," muttered Aaron. "Ugh. Just what've I gotten myself into?"

He got into position as the game began with the opening serve from the opposing squad. Rushing over to the ball, he sent it soaring back. His movements were far more nimble than he anticipated. Evidently, all the training with Urahara had done him some good.

"Y-You're telling me I can actually do this?"

#

Both teams were neck and neck, and the game was scoreless for well over ten minutes until Sasune missed an easy bounce his way. He dived into the sand to make a play yet was a millisecond too slow, getting nothing more than a face full of sand. The opposing team celebrated, whereas the Quincy's allies glowered down at him like he were the scum of the earth.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing, Pretty Boy?!" yelled Konoka.

"Sorry, sorry! I got distracted by something really important!"

Aaron retorted, "Oh. Well, if that's the case then don't..."

"I couldn't remember if I left my oven on or not! No worries! I'm sure I turned it off! Guess I just won't bake muffins before heading to the beach next time!"

There was a short pause.

"...I'm gonna kill you, Ishida!" roared Konoka at the height of her voice.

"C-Chill out, Mitsumi! We're still playing a game here, remember?!" said Aaron. "Worry about Sasune later!"

The second he finished delivering his warning, the volleyball came toward them again. Konoka loosed all her pent up aggression on it, spiking it firmly into the sand. She struck it so hard in fact that smoke rose of it. The opposing team, cowering in fear, huddled up for safety.

"Is that good enough for you, Higuchi?!" the Red-Haired Beast proclaimed. The object of her ire nodded and chose to zip his lips for the foreseeable future.

#

Another ten minutes passed by. Aaron's team was able to even the score in that period, yet fatigue was beginning to set in on all the competitors. Hunched over, Aaron wheezed for oxygen.

"W-Would it be cheating if I turned into a Shinigami real quick just to get this crap over with as soon as possible?"

"T-Those guys are pretty good," said Konoka. Sweat laced every inch of her body. "I didn't think they'd be able to put their money where their mouths were. Tsk. This is startin' to get annoyin'."

"T-Time out!" Unable to stand, Sasune took a seat in the sand. "N-Nobody told me I'd have to work this hard! I-I don't think I'm gonna make it!"

"What happened to all that vigor, Pretty Boy?"

"I musta lost it when I hacked up one of my lungs a minute or two ago!"

Although Konoka craved to chastise him for his slothfulness, she didn't feel it right since she herself was ready to call it quits. The lone thing keeping her going was pride.

"How you all doing over there?" said Ryuji. His demeanor and speech oozed confidence. If Aaron and the others hadn't known any better, they would have already thought him the victor of the match. "You all aren't half bad! I never imagined I would have to go all out! Since we're playing this hard anyway, how about we sweeten the pot? If my team wins, that pretty, red-head over there has to go on a date with me!"

The mere concept of going out with the likes of Ryuji induced retching out of Konoka.

"A-As if, creep! Not in a million years! No, a billion!"

"Hey, what do we get if we win?" asked Sasune.

Ryuji chewed the inquisition over. "Ah! I got it! If you guys win, you can go out with one or even both of the lovely ladies behind me!"

"H-Huh?! Are you serious, Ryuji?! I don't wanna go out with either of those losers!" said the girl with pigtails.

"Yeah! You can't make us suffer like that!" added the black-haired, freckle-faced female.

Aaron, his eyelid twitching, uttered, "L-Like I'd want to go out with a pair of stuck up girls like that anyway..."

He was far more worried over the consequences of losing the game all of a sudden. Konoka wasn't the only one sickened by the prospect of Ryuji taking her out. With the stakes as high as they were, victory was the sole option for him.

"H-Huh? Wait, why...do I even care who she goes out with?"

A reinvigorated Sasune flipped to his feet. "Ha! You're on, punk! You've really done it now! I'm gonna put my heart and soul into winning! Oh, and girls, prepare to have the most magical night of your lives!"

He winked at his prospective dates, though this did nothing more than weird them out.

"...Idiot," snarled Konoka under her breath. Facing Aaron, she said, "You alright over there, Higuchi? I can't have you spacin' out on me now."

"M-Me?! Uh...I-I'm just fine! Let's finish this!"

#

The game commenced once more. Ryuji's squad pulled ahead almost at once. It was as if he had been holding back but was now displaying his true skills.

"D-Dammit! I almost had that one!" cried Aaron as the volleyball soared past him and gave his foes an even larger lead on the scoreboard. "S-Something's not right here!"

Sasune patted him on the back. "Don't sweat it, CT! It's really no huge shock we're getting our asses handed to us."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You know that Ryuji guy? I thought his name sounded familiar. Took me awhile to figure it out, but I'm pretty sure he's Ryuji Tatsumi. He's the Captain of the volleyball team at Karakura High School. He's won a buncha awards for his stellar play."

Aaron's jaw became agape. "A-Are you freakin' serious?! C-Couldn't you have said all that before we all agreed to play this guy?!"

"L-Like I said, I just worked his face out!"

"Oh, this is great! Just great! There's no way we can beat this guy!"

Overhearing this, Konoka stated, "...Quit your bitchin', Higuchi."

"B-But…!"

"I don't care who this guy is! I don't lose, so we're takin' him down! What's the problem?! You were playin' just fine before you figured out who that Ryuji guy was, so just keep doin' what you were doin'!"

"Y-You make it sound so simple..."

Sasune chuckled. "She's right! We've taken on Hollows and super strong Shinigami! Therefore, a punk jock should be no problem!"

Aaron still had numerous complaints. Nonetheless, he held them in and slapped himself on the cheeks in order to pump himself up. With the game still hanging in the balance, he supposed there really was no telling the outcome from speculation alone.

"What are they muttering about over there?" questioned Ryuji, juggling the volleyball up and down.

Sasune retorted, "I was just trying to decide where to take those pretty ladies over there on our date!"

"Heh! I see! Well, if you think of something, let me know! I might end up takin' your friend over there to wherever it is!"

"T-This guy never shuts up." Grinding the rows of his teeth, Aaron remained uncertain as to why this Ryuji Tatsumi was getting under his skin so effectively. "I-I can't lose to the likes of him!"

Without warning, the outcome of the game and his issues with Ryuji Tatsumi seemed insignificant, mostly because of the immense spiritual pressure he picked up on. It was close-by, far too close for that matter. Swinging his head all over, he tracked it down to Lake Hino. The once calm waters were now violently crashing onto the beach. Those relaxing and swimming were sent into a panic. Something was happening. However, no one could pick up on the exact source of the disturbance.

"Uh...t-the weatherman didn't say anything about a typhoon," stated Sasune.

"...Somethin' tells me we'd be lucky if it was just a typhoon," said Konoka.

Aaron added, "I-I'm not the only one that sees that guy, right?"

To be specific, he was alluding to the roughly human-sized entity stepping out of the depths of the water. Its white mask and piercing, yellow eyes indicated it was a Hollow, though Aaron could recount encountering one so small. He might have thought it no threat if it weren't for its shark-like jaw, razor sharps fins attached to its back, wrists, and ankles, plus its aforestated energy. It swung its hammerhead-shaped skull around, curiously peering at the many humans moving about like headless chickens. Even though it was positive they could not see it, it still felt to it like they were fleeing from it in particular.

"Great. A freakin' Hollow," groaned Konoka. "...I knew comin' to the beach was a shitty idea."

"Well, excuse me, Princess! I didn't think this would happen!" replied Sasune.

"Tsk. It's got some crazy energy, but it looks like a shrimp. I say we take care of it before it causes any trouble."

"Uh...'shrimp?' It's clearly a shark, Miss Mitsumi! Maybe you need your eyes checked!"

The Quincy was silenced by a punch to the stomach courtesy of the Red-Haired Beast. He emitted a funny, little whine prior to hitting the sand in a crumpled heap. Aaron could hardly say he felt sorry for him.

"...It's not here," the Hollow said to himself, drowning out the screaming and shouting. "Is it really not here?"

"W-What the heck is going on?!" cried Ryuji. His teeth chattered like he was in a snowstorm.

"You better get outta here while you can," stated Konoka casually. "Take your floozies with you."

"U-Uh...r-right! Got it! We'll just call our little match a draw then! You guys...erm...t-take care! See ya around!"

Ryuji fled the scene alongside his female companions in the blink of an eye. A majority of the beach's populace were doing the same. That more than worked for Aaron.

"Good. They won't get caught up in our fight."

"Speakin' of which, that blue-skinned bastard is comin' over here," said Konoka.

"Heh! This is great! I'll get to show off all my new moves!" boasted Sasune.

The shark-like Hollow halted inches away from the three. They got on guard and readied to throw down.

"...Perhaps you humans can help me," said the Hollow in a shockingly suave and collected tone. "I'm searching for something. Perhaps you've seen in somewhere nearby."

Konoka lowered her fists. "C-Come again?"

"Yeah, what in the world are you going on about?" asked Sasune.

Aaron, unsure what to think, said, "D-Don't move another step! Whatever you're here for, we're gonna have to stop you! We won't allow you to hurt anyone!"

The Hollow faltered like it were perplexed by the dark-skinned teenager's talk. Afterward, it shook its head.

"...I am not here for that. All I care about is this." It directed one of its sharp fingers at the gaping hole in its chest. "It must be here. It has to be here."

Konoka responded, "Y-You're confusin' the hell outta me! Is somethin' supposed to go there?"

"Yes. My heart."

Its claim threw Aaron, Sasune, and Konoka for a loop.

"S-So, you...seriously aren't here to start trouble?" asked Sasune.

"Trouble? That has nothing to do with my heart. I must continue my search."

"H-How in the hell can you just...find a heart? That part still ain't clickin' with me," said the Red-Haired Beast with a frown.

"I'm not sure either. I'm pretty sure you can't find it at a beach like this," added Aaron.

The Hollow, appearing dejected, replied, "...I see. I have no choice but to move on then and continue my search. I cannot give up until I locate my heart."

"Well, you sure are determined!" said Sasune.

"I don't like the smell of this," said Konoka, crossing her arms. "Even if he says he's not here to hurt anyone, I say we take care of him while we got the chance. You never know what a Hollow could be plannin'."

Aaron nodded. "That's probably the safest course of action."

The Hollow hadn't heard a smidgen of their whispered plotting. It got down on one knee just then, inciting more suspicion out of the others.

"You three are the first humans who've been able to see me. I feel this a sign that you lot are trustworthy. I request that you aid me in locating my heart. I feel that with your help, I will finally accomplish my goal."

It adjusted its gaze upon Aaron.

"You..." it began. "Something about you in particular comforts me."

A bead of sweat rolled down Aaron's head. "I-I'm...not really sure how to take that."

"Well, would you look at that! It looks like we have the beach all to ourselves now!" stated Sasune. "Who knew a monster attack was all it took to clear this place out?"

"Yeah, I don't care. I'm goin' home." Konoka gathered her things and started to walk away. "This is the last time I waste my time on some stupid shit like this. Oh well. At least you made it kinda interesting, Higuchi. Later."

Aaron's heart thumped like a jackhammer again. "O-Oh! T-Take care then, Mitsumi!"

"Hey, how come she said bye to you but not me?!" said Sasune, admonished. He sought the answer from Konoka personally and made haste to catch up to her.

"W-Wait a second!" It took a number of seconds, but Aaron came to the realization he had been left alone with the Hollow. "C-Come back, you two! You can't just…!"

"My sincerest apologizes. I neglected to introduce myself," said the Hollow. Aaron found it strange a Hollow would want to do such a thing. "I am known as Sharpscale. I am an Adjuchas-class Hollow."

"Uh...I'm...Aaron Higuchi."

He thought it proper to add, 'Nice to meet you!' but couldn't bring himself to say it. He hadn't the faintest idea what to do with this Sharpscale. Konoka's idea of simply finishing it came to mind.

"Aaron? A fine name. Yes, you seem quite trustworthy, Aaron." Sharpscale examined every inch of its new acquaintance, much to Aaron's chagrin. "...Now I understand why. Something about you reminds me of myself. No, all Hollows for that matter."

Like everything else the Hollow had spoken of, Aaron failed to comprehend its words.

"Will you aid me in my quest, Aaron? I fear I have no one else to turn to."

"Uh...a-as much as I'd like to, I wouldn't know where to start."

"Indeed. It is a riddle whose answer has eluded me for as long as I can remember. Even so, I get the hunch that if I stick around you, I will unravel the mystery before long."

The last thing Aaron desired was a Hollow trailing his every move. His family and friends would no doubt flip their lids. Still, he felt he couldn't just leave Sharpscale to fend for itself. Despite trusting a such a creature going against his nature as a Shinigami, guilt crept up on him.

"Y-You're not gonna gobble anyone up while I'm not looking, right?" he queried.

"Adjuchas-class Hollows such as myself needn't feast on the souls of humans like lesser Hollows. In order to keep our strength, we are required consume our own kind, less we revert back into Menos Grandes."

"Y-Yeah. That...doesn't make me feel better about this whole thing."

"Of course. How about this then? I give you my solemn vow that neither you, anyone you care for, or any human in this realm shall be harmed by me. I give you my permission to strike me down if I go back on this promise. Is this acceptable?"

Aaron wasn't sure. Sharpscale might have sounded very convincing, but there was still the chance it was lying just to further some nefarious plot.

While this might have been the case, Aaron was confident he could handle Sharpscale if the creature did get out of line. With that, he extended his hand.

"F-Fine. I'll…help you the best I can, Sharpscale. Just don't forget your promise."

Sharpscale accepted the kind gesture. "Of course. You are an honorable human, Aaron Higuchi. I will not forget your kindness. In turn, if there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to call on me. I will employ my powers to the fullest toward your cause."

An idea came to Aaron on spur of the moment.

"Well, since you offered, there is something I could use your help with, Sharpscale!"

END