Author's Note: So, it's been quite awhile, eh? My apologies. My writing muse has admittedly been nonexistent these past couple of months. I don't know if anyone out there is still reading this, but if so, I hope you enjoy like always. Hopefully, I'll finish this whole Soul Society arc someday...

Chapter 32

The Monster Within II

The white wall standing before Konoka Mitsumi hadn't done anything to incur anyone's wrath. That didn't prevent her from suddenly slamming her fist into it with all her might, leaving a well-sized dent. A majority of the damage was done to her now bleeding hand, however. Shaking it, she smacked her lips, upset the inanimate object had the nerve to fight back.

"Uh...so, what was that for? Are you some kind of masochist or something?"

Sasune Ishida, peering over the Red-Haired Beast's shoulder, blinked a few times at the crumbling divider. The wall got off easy if he had anything to say about it.

"...Unless you wanna end up the same way, I suggest you back the hell off, Pretty Boy..."

Sasune gulped and did as ordered. He knew her well enough to tell when she was joking or not. Of course, she never joked around to begin with.

With that major thorn in her side out of the way, Konoka shifted her bloodshot eyes back to the white structure than had become her enemy. She punched it once, then twice, then three times. Again and again, she made impact, seemingly trying to shatter the wall like glass. The racket echoed around the jail cell, grating at the nerves of the people sharing it with her.

"...Looks like she's finally snapped," said Sasune, shrugging. "Oh well. At least she still has her looks."

"...You may be onto something for once."

Uryuu Ishida didn't often agree with his brother. Then again, he didn't often see a grown woman taking her aggression out on a defenseless partition. He couldn't blame her though for being so frustrated.

"Just let her go at it until she is winded. I believe it is perfectly healthy for a young one such as herself to work off some steam."

Sharpscale, standing on the ceiling with its arms crossed, nodded at its remark.

"Maybe so, but I think she might be overdoing it."

Yasutora Sado thought so, but like the others, he didn't have the courage to get up and actually attempt to stop her. Everyone there quietly agreed that would be tantamount to suicide.

"I can hear you assholes, you know!" snarled Konoka. Her scarlet fist gave the wall one last, hard whack. "Ugh! Screw this! We gotta spring outta here already! I'm beginnin' to lose my mind in this dump!"

"'Spring?' Hey, speak of the devil!"

Sasune's remark had less to do with Konoka and more to do with a butterfly fluttering its way into the room through a crack in a window. In a blissful daze, he prodded at it with his finger.

"Heh. That's pretty cute. I guess it really is spring here in Soul Society," chimed Uryuu. Konoka forcefully dragged him and Sasune out of their idle gazing when she reached out and crushed the insect between her fingertips.

"Chester?! NO-OOOOOOOOOOOO-O!" roared a weeping Sasune. "He had a family dammit!"

"Just who in the hell is Chester?! You already went and named the stupid thing?! And why are the two of you wastin' time frolickin' with nature when you should be using those worthless masses between your skulls to think up a way outta here! Tsk! Why am I even wastin' my breath?! It's obvious your brain turned to mush ages ago, Pretty Boy!"

"N-Now wait just one moment, Missy!"

And just like that, Sasune and Konoka began to howl at one another like cats and dogs. Uryuu wished no part of it, shielding his precious ears.

"It's bad enough being stuck here without hearing this crap so early in the morning!"

"On the contrary, I believe this type of behavior to be quite healthy as well."

A befuddled Uryuu glanced up at Sharpscale. "...And just how did you ever come up with such a theory? Enlighten me."

"It is good for individuals to work of their stress in constructive ways, whether it be attacking inanimate objects or arguing."

The younger Ishida shifted back to the action. Konoka busied herself ensnaring Sasune in a headlock, one that caused him to cry, "Uncle! Uncle!"

"And how exactly is that constructive?!"

"For your information, Hollows work off their frustrations in similar ways."

"T-The absolute last thing you should do is compare humans to Hollows!"

"Ah. I see. Would you like to work of your frustrations by arguing as well?"

"T-That's not the point, you…!" Uryuu stopped himself and sighed. "You know what? Forget I ever said anything…"

As Konoka's and Sasune's one sided battled raged on, the ever vigilant Chad picked up an approaching disturbance.

"Quiet, everyone!"

The others became still on the double. Suddenly, they heard a bevy of agitated voices somewhere far off. They got closer with each passing moment.

"That...sounds like it is coming our way, doesn't it?" asked Sharpscale.

"It...does," answered a wary Uryuu. "...What now?"

"N-No way! You guys are just imagining things! If someone was coming here, I'd totally be able to detect them using my super sharp senses for at least a couple hundred miles away!" said Sasune confidently.

"Oh, put a sock it, you idiot!"

An eerie silence trailed the Red-Haired Beast's latest slight.

"...It stopped," said Uryuu.

"Ha! I told you! There's no way anyone is…!"

A huge object came bursting through the ceiling right above Sasune. He let out a high-pitched scream, and his friends couldn't help but do the same.

"W-What the shit?! What the hell is going on?!" hollered Konoka.

Uryuu replied, "T-That's what I'm trying to figure out!"

All the dust and debris kicked up from the crash shrouded a figure who rose to their feet. Rather than letting it subside, the person walked right through it and came into plain view. Everyone breathlessly stood by. The Shinigami glaring back at them was massive, towering over Chad even. His height alone wasn't cause enough for alarm though. No, it was the killing intent that radiated off his being. It gave those around him the absolute chills.

"Holy shit! Was this guy sculpted out of a freaking statue or something?! He's ripped!" exclaimed Sasune against his better judgment. When the man with the black eye patch set his lone eye on him, he hastily covered his mouth. Still, he couldn't stop another round of shrill, muffled shouting to exit his throat.

"A white coat?" said Konoka. "Wait…!"

"So...he's another Captain then!"

Uryuu grit his teeth. The last thing he and his allies needed was another foe like Mayuri Kurotsuchi to deal with, especially when none of them had the use of their powers.

"...Knock it off already."

The tall Shinigami's simple request might as well have been a threat at gunpoint considering how fast Sasune swallowed his tongue to silence himself.

"Thank you. You were threatening to rupture my precious hearing."

Another Shinigami stood next to the large, intimidating one. With his extravagant hair that mirrored the feathers of a peacock, he could be best described as a 'pretty boy.'

"Hey! I already have that nickname!" yelled Sasune at no one in particular.

"Eh? What the hell is he going on about now? We ain't even done anything yet."

On the other side of the white-robed monster was a bald Shinigami with a much plainer appearance compared to his bizarre associates. Indeed, he was the closest thing to 'normal' there, though maybe that was a stretch considering how pissed off he looked. Just to be on the safe side, Sasune and the others weren't going to mess with him either.

"Just where in the world are all you weirdos even coming from?!" growled Konoka.

"What's the matter, little girl? Certainly someone like you shouldn't be so easily startled. After all, you managed to beat yours truly."

That voice. It loosed a chill down Konoka's spine and got her blood boiling. Her abrupt mood shift left most there baffled, but not Chad. No, he became as pale as a ghost, having the feeling things were about to erupt into violence.

"Oh, so you're here too, big guy. Long time no see!"

Emi Otomi gave Chad an affectionate wink. She let the Red-Haired Beast have one too, nearly sending Konoka over the edge. Chad fortunately retrained her in the nick of time.

"Touchy! Touchy! And after I came all this way here to visit you!"

"Cut the crap, bitch! If you here to start another fight, I'm ready to take your ass down again!"

"Ah. I see," said the rather handsome Shinigami, smirking.

"Oh, so this is the Ryoka that put you in the hospital," said the bald Shinigami casually. His loose lips got him a smack upside his bare cranium courtesy of the back of Emi's hand. "W-What the hell was that for?!"

A blushing Emi hollered, "Q-Quiet, Ikkaku! You too, Yumichika! Nothing of the sort happened! I-I had a couple of scratches at worst!"

"Sure, sure. We believe you," said Yumichika with an air of reluctance. Emi didn't pick up on it thankfully.

"Well, it's not like we didn't get our ass kicked too…" admitted Ikkaku with a shrug.

"Um...if you don't mind me asking, what are you all doing here?" asked Chad.

To answer him, yet another individual popped up, this time from atop the Shinigami Captain's huge back.

"Sado! Mitsumi! Ishida and Ishida! Mr. Hollow! You're all okay! I'm so glad!"

"I-Inoue?!"

Orihime Inoue was a sight for sore eyes for the group being held captive by the Gotei 13, so much so that they nearly bounded toward her to give her a great, big hug. With his mere stare, however, the man she was on told them to remain where they were unless they desired to be killed on the spot.

"I-Inoue? What's going on? Why…?"

Sasune shoved Uryuu out of the way and onto the floor before he could get the rest of his inquisition out.

"Miss Inoue, you've returned to me! I prayed to every god I could think of nearly every second since we became separated that no harm would befall you! Huzzah! My prayers have been answered! My soul, which was in a constant state of unrest with your absence, now knows peace since I am able to once more behold your sacred image!"

"I-It's good to see you too, Ishida..."

Like usual, most of his exotic talk flew over her head, so she just gave him a strained smile.

"These are the people you were whining about, right?" asked the large Shinigami in white. He gave Orihime an intense stare, one that caused her to yelp.

"Y-Yes!"

"It's them alright, Captain. Well, I recognize two of them anyway," remarked Emi. Her focus veered its way up to Sharpscale, putting a grin on her face. "Now that's a new one!"

"Seriously? I thought someone must've screwed up when they said a Hollow was one of the Ryoka," said Ikkaku skeptically.

A grimacing Yumichika added, "That certainly is one unsightly creature..."

Sharpscale frowned. "...Being insulted is one thing, yet you have a lot of nerve doing so without first introducing yourself, Shinigami."

"Heh. I think you upset it. Well, maybe it's a good thing you've gone and pissed him off."

Ikkaku drew his Zanpakutou all of a sudden. Directing it at the Hollow on the ceiling, Sharpscale only curled its lips harder.

"...If it is a fight you are looking for, Shinigami, I suggest you find it elsewhere. I am not in the mood to be dragged into a childish affair."

That without a doubt wasn't the response Ikkaku anticipated. He raised an eyebrow and wasn't quite sure what to say.

"It seems our Hollow friend isn't as violent as the rest of his kind. How dull. Introductions, eh? While the idea of giving my name to a hideous creature such as yourself rattles me to my very core, I suppose I can make an exception this time. I am Yumichika Ayasegawa, the Fifth Seat of the Tenth Division."

"Ikkaku Madarame. Third Seat of the Tenth Division."

"Hmm? You two seem so formal today..." Emi, puzzled, turned her head slightly. "Well, I don't want to be left out! I'm Emi Otomi, the Fourth Seat of the Tenth Division! And this big guy here is Captain Kenpachi Zaraki of the Tenth! Don't worry! He's not as mean as he looks!"

"...I don't believe that for one second," mumbled Uryuu out of earshot.

"Enough screwing around." Kenpachi's voice reverberated across the room, getting a rise out of everyone. "...What?"

"Look, I know this is already been asked a thousand times already, but why in the hell are you people here?! This is an invasion of privacy for crying out loud!" complained Sasune.

"Inoue, what are you doing with a bunch of Shinigami?" asked Uryuu, still on guard.

"Well, that's..."

Wham! A small, pink-haired girl in black robes came out of nowhere and cracked her skull against Orihime's. Even though her victim was rolling on the floor and holding her bloody nose, the young Shinigami began to laugh gleefully.

"Miss Inoue!"

Rushing to her side was none other than Sasune, who cradled her in his arms and rocked her back and forth, sobbing all the while.

"She was too young to die, dammit! Why is fate so cruel?!"

"I-It's not even that serious." Uryuu palmed his hand over his head. His frustration moved from his idiotic brother and onto to the mysterious girl. "What in the world was that for, you lunatic?!"

"That's right! Little kids shouldn't bully adults! Why, I oughta put you over my knee and…!"

Everyone grimaced as the pink-haired Shinigami gave Sasune her patented headbutt right on the nose. He joined Orihime in writhing about in anguish.

"Go away, Pen Guy! I don't like you!"

The aggressive girl stuck out her tongue to hammer home her opinion.

"'Pen guy?!' W-What the hell is that even supposed to mean?!"

"Pipe down, Yachiru," said Kenpachi. "You're getting too damn excited again."

Yachiru gave a hearty giggle and returned atop her Captain's shoulder.

"S-She's a demon!" said Sasune. "A demon I tell you! Burn her at the stake!"

"I'd watch your mouth if I were you! You're in the presence of the honorable Vice-Captain, Yachiru Kusajichi, of the Tenth Division!"

"W-Wait! You're here too?!"

Uryuu found it amazing how many people Kenpachi could hide behind his enormous frame. From out behind his Captain came Maki Aramaki, an individual both Uryuu and Sasune were familiar with. He let the two have a familiar grin as if they were long time friends. It vanished when they promptly ignored him.

"Oh, come on now! That's cold! After everything I did to make sure your girlfriend made it out of that hairy situation in one piece!"

"Oh, please! You were trying to save your own skin to begin with!" replied Uryuu.

"You only saved Miss Inoue because we threatened you!" added Sasune.

"I-It's...the thought that counts?"

The Ishida brothers clenched their fists and had to stop themselves from pounding his goofy face in.

"J-Just keep your Vice-Captain or whatever under control!" said Uryuu.

"...Pencil Man."

Yachiru pointed and 'blessed' Uryuu with his new nickname. The recipient felt his glasses fall slightly as his expression became one of disbelief.

"W-Why do I have to be referred to as something like that…?"

"S-She really is a demon..." grumbled Sasune. "W-Wait! We still don't know why you people are here! Was it just to harass us?! Because if so, just go away! Oh, but leave Miss Inoue!"

"Enough of this god damned small talk!"

Again, Kenpachi Zaraki's sounded like he were speaking through a megaphone, and again, everyone nearly pissed themselves, becoming hushed as a result.

Jerking his head toward Orihime, Kenpachi added, "This woman here said you guys could lead us to Ichigo."

Everyone zeroed in on Orihime, quietly condemning her for her loose lips.

"Well?! Do you idiots know where Ichigo is or not?!"

Their silence, save for an awkward cough via Sasune, gave him a pretty good answer. Though the others were sure he would go off like a ticking time bomb, he eventually just smacked his lips.

"Whatever. I'll find Ichigo myself. Let's go, Yachiru."

"You'll never find Icchi with your lousy sense of direction, Ken-chan!"

"Like you're one to talk..."

Ikkaku hadn't meant to let that slip. He quickly regretted it after Yachiru spat on his bald head.

"Shut up, Cue Ball! No one asked you!"

Ikkaku reddened enough to mirror a tomato. "W-Why you…!"

"Ha! You had that one coming! Maybe you should take Aramaki's advice and shut up around the Vice-Captain!" said a cackling Emi.

"What was that?! You tryin' to start something too?!"

"Bring it on! The Green-Haired Devil would never turn down a fight!"

"Y-You're still calling yourself that?! You really are an idiot!"

"Just give it a rest, Ikkaku." Yumichika placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hell has no fury like a woman's score."

Ikkaku, still itching to rip someone apart, just grit his teeth and bore the circumstances.

"This is certainly an interesting cast of characters we have here," noted Sharpscale.

"I wish they would get outta here already. I'm getting a migraine," said Sasune.

"That's probably just from the sound of your own voice," said Uryuu.

"...You just couldn't help yourself right there, could you?"

"Oh! Wait! I nearly forgot! We're here to save you guys!"

No one exactly jumped for joy at Orihime's claim.

"Well, you all are doing a damn good job of it!" said Sasune irritably. "You know, I've been apart of a lot of rescue operations, but this is by far the shoddiest!"

"I don't mind taking the rest along, but could we just kill this guy, Captain?" asked Ikkaku.

"Indeed. He's quite an irksome fellow," said Yumichika.

"Do as you please," said an uninterested Kenpachi.

They weren't joking. Sasune realized that when they grabbed their swords, began to snicker, and inched closer to him. With haste, he ducked behind his younger brother.

"T-Take 'em out, Uryuu! You got this!"

"G-Get the hell away from me! Like hell I'm getting killed for you!"

"...This really isn't getting us anywhere," said Chad, observing the Ishida sibling pushing and shoving one another like little kids. "We don't know where Ichigo is, but why are you all looking for him? And why would members of the Gotei 13 want to rescue Ryoka like us?"

"Now we are getting to the matter at hand," said Sharpscale with a nod.

"Hey, yeah! He's right! Won't you guys get in trouble?" asked Sasune.

"Like I give a damn," said Kenpachi. "Like I said, all I want is to fight Ichigo again."

"'Again?' You all sure this guy is on our side? Seems like he's got a screw or two loose," said Konoka. "Even if he and his buddies are tellin' the truth, do you really wanna go along with them?"

"I take offense to that," said Emi.

"Especially her!"

"Hey! Y-You know, it's not like we even had to listen to your little friend over here and come here! Wdid so out of the kindness of our hearts! Well...and also because we needed to know where that Kurosaki guy is! But still!"

"Oh, save it! You're probably tryin' to…!"

"May I interject?" said Sharpscale. Though riled up, Konoka allowed the Hollow to continue. "I will admit this whole situation is quite suspicious, but I believe it would be in our best interest to take these Shinigami up on their offer. There may still be time for us to find Ichigo Kurosaki and Aaron Higuchi, and more importantly, to save the people we came here to rescue. If it means allying with our enemies, we should swallow our pride for the time being."

"You sure are confident those two are alive. Soul Society's a rough place. With everyone here hunting them down, there's no telling what's happened to them," said Emi.

"No. Those two are in one piece. ...Call it intuition."

"...Intuition. Right. Well, whatever the case..."

Emi made her way over to Konoka, putting the Red-Haired Beast on edge.

"Relax. Ain't nobody gonna hurt you. I don't like attacking helpless prey."

Despite this, the Green-Haired Devil brandished her Zanpakutou. Before Konoka could react, Emi thrust it downward. Konoka flinched, expecting to be cut right down the middle. Instead, the handcuffs around her wrists received this fate, clanking onto the ground.

"There. Now you should be able to use those weird powers of yours."

Konoka scowled and rubbed her aching wrists. "...Don't think I'm thanking you or anything..."

"Hmph. I wouldn't dream of it."

Emi got to work removing everyone else's bindings.

"Ah! Freedom at last!" said Sasune. "Well then? Now what?"

He gulped. For whatever reason, Kenpachi was smiling at him as hard as he could, baring all of his teeth. Sasune was positive he hadn't said anything that funny.

#

"Eh?!"

In a daze, Aaron sat up. A throbbing pain met his temple soon afterward, inducing him to massage it. Leering around, he came to the conclusion he was still in Kagami Meigi's training room. He sighed in relief and picked himself up from amongst the rubble spilled by his intense Bankai training.

"W-Wait, what time is it?! Don't tell me…!"

"Relax, kiddo. You ain't missed the execution."

The raspy voice behind him got his heart pounding. He spun around, sighting Kagami sitting on a crate in the distance and smoking a cigarette.

"You passed out in the middle of your training a few hours ago. I didn't bother to wake you considering you needed the rest."

"R-Right..."

Aaron grabbed at his right arm when a torrent of pain swept through it out of the blue.

"Oh, that..." began Kagami, spewing out black smoke from his lips. "I wouldn't mess with it too much if I were you. You dislocated your shoulder at some point. You probably didn't even notice. Anyway, I had to pop it back in while you were out. You really must've been snoozing good not to have woken up. Actually, you had a lot of bones in the wrong place. I took care of those too."

That likely explained why Aaron felt as if he had woken up from being hit by a truck. Locating his Zanpakutou, he claimed it and used it as a crutch. He toppled over nonetheless. Kagami rushed over to him.

"Take it easy, kiddo."

Aaron ignored this, brushing him aside. "I-I don't have anymore time! Kana's execution...i-it's today! I-I have to learn Bankai before then!"

"You still have a number of hours before then. The sun has barely come up."

"Y-You don't understand! I can't keep playing around like this! I-I had this nightmare…"

"'Nightmare?'"

"It's...a bit fuzzy, but I recall being late to save Kana. I...didn't make it. All I could hear was this mocking laughter piercing through my skull. ...I think I can still hear it now."

Aaron tried drowning it out to no avail. It remained alright, a slight ringing that told him his efforts would end up being pointless.

His weary, brown eyes directed themselves toward Kagami, who held his hand out. Pouting, he took it and forced his wobbly legs to support the rest of him.

"...Thanks."

"Hmm? Don't mention it, kiddo."

"No. I mean...for everything. You've done a lot for me. If it wasn't for you, I would probably be dead right now. On top of that, I have a shot to save my friend. Thank you."

"Heh. You're about to make an old man blush over here. You shouldn't worry about what you saw in your dreams, kiddo. You're obviously stressed out over this whole thing. By the time I found you this morning, you were passed out right next to the Tenshintai. You must've been going through hell."

"...It's nothing compared to what Kana's having to deal with. Speaking of the Tenshintai, where is it? I need to finish my training. I know I'm almost there. I can feel it."

Kagami offered him no reply. He even turned away from Aaron.

"Hey, what gives? Are you going to hand over the Tenshintai or not?"

In no uncertain terms, Kagami replied, "...No."

Aaron's eyes widened. "'No?' Look, if this is another one of your jokes, I'm seriously not in the mood. I already told you I don't have any time to spare!"

But Kagami wasn't kidding. His features became stern and cold.

"That's enough, kiddo. You've...done enough."

"W-What the hell are you talking about?! You know as well as I do I've got no chance of saving Kana without Bankai! Give me that god damned Tenshintai!"

"Calm down."

"Screw that! You're really starting to piss me off, you old bastard!"

"Just listen to yourself right now. You.."

"GIVE ME THAT STUPID TENSHINTAI BEFORE…!"

Aaron stopped. Something was amiss with his voice. It was dual layered like another person were speaking alongside him. No sooner did he discover this did he detect an object on his face that was steadily growing. He placed trembling fingertips on it.

"N-No!"

Immediately, he began wrenching the white mask away. It was no easy task. It seemed like it was heavy as lead, and the more he resisted, the more white hot pain coursed through his being.

"Now do you get it?" he heard Kagami say. "This is the result of you pushing yourself."

"Quit...lecturing me and...do something already!"

With a sigh, Kagami grabbed the anti-Hollow gun, took aim at Aaron, and pulled the trigger. The blast thrust the young Shinigami across the room and into a wall, leaving a hole the shape of his body. He eventually rolled onto the ground, feeling the wind knocked out of him. The Hollow mask adorning his face crumbled into pieces which rained into his shaking palms.

"W-What the…?!"

"Stuff like that is gonna happen if you keep on being stubborn, kiddo. Now then, hold still."

Kagami marched over to him and went to work inspecting him. Aaron, meanwhile, wallowed in a sudden case of panic. His breathing quickened. Nearly forgetting about his troublesome Inner Hollow nearly cost him everything just now.

"That monster inside you is waiting for even the smallest slip up on your part to come out and take control. Please try to keep that in mind from now on, alright?"

"R-Right..."

"Good. Looks like you're calm now." Kagami spun the black handgun in his grasp before blowing the smoke off the barrel and sheathing it back into his blue kimono. "Listen. Someone like you needs to keep their emotions in check. You'll be no good to anyone if you've got someone else running around and using your body."

Helped to his feet, Aaron frowned. "I guess...you're right. Sorry."

"Heh. No need to keep apologizing, kiddo. No one's dead here. Anyway, I think it's about time you took another trip to the hot spring."

"Yeah. Maybe you're right. My bones are practically aching."

The talk of a respite led Aaron to realize someone very important wasn't there.

"Wait, where's Kuchiki? Is she still training in the back, or did she go ahead and use the spring first?"

Instantly, Kagami's chipper mood vanished. "...Dammit."

"Huh? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Er...look. Promise me you won't lose it when I tell you this."

"What are you talking about? Just spit it out already!

"Y-You're not gonna leave me alone unless I tell you, are you?"

"W-Wait! She isn't here, is she?!"

"T-That's...sorta the case, but…"

"God dammit! Where's Kuchiki?!"

Kagami grumbled something Aaron couldn't quite catch, swelling his temper. Without really thinking about it, he drew his Zanpakutou and pointed it right between Kagami's eyes.

"Quit screwing around or else! What did you do with Kuchiki?!"

"...What did I tell you about controlling that temper of yours?"

"Stop trying to change the subject, you son of a…!"

On cue, Aaron felt something was off. Anguish rushed through his skull once more, and a voice within his mind grew louder.

"Do it! Kill that pathetic old man already! DO IT!"

That intonation. Aaron couldn't mistake it for another. It was the same one that haunted him during his dreams, making fun of him for his failures. Grunting, he staggered back and clutched his aching head.

"What are you waiting for?! Kill him! I'm already tired of looking at his ugly mug! You feel the same, don't you?! You're tired of him playing around! Do it! End his pathetic existence once and for all!"

"Kiddo, what's wrong?! Hey! Kiddo!"

Aaron could hear Kagami's voice, but it sounded distant, like it was coming from another space entirely. The only individual he could focus on was the one commanding him to spill blood. He waved his sword around at the air, attacking an unseen entity. It was pointless. The entity refused to waver.

"Your sword hand is itching, isn't it?! Go on! Do it! He did something to that Kuchiki girl, right?! Make him pay then! Come on! It'll be over in an instant!"

"G-GO AWAY ALREADY!" roared Aaron. He wasn't sure, but he guessed he must have just run his forehead into a nearby wall since he felt the impact and a fresh trail of blood leaking out of the spot. It was of little concern to him at the moment. "I-I don't need you! I don't want you! Get lost!"

He continued to hack and slash at anything in sight, nearly chopping Kagami's head off in his rampage. The man ducked at the last second and quickly charged in to restrain Aaron. However, the Shinigami hit the ground with a thud, becoming totally motionless. Cautious, Kagami waited a bit.

"You've got to be kidding me! How is that even possible?!"

The white mask was back, completely covering Aaron's visage now. Despite Kagami employing his anti-Hollow gun, the boy's Inner Hollow was back and stronger than ever.

"J-Just what the hell are we dealing with here?!"

#

Wide-eyed, Aaron took a good look around. He was in Seigetsu's world now for whatever reason, yet its appearance was far from normal. The lack of color and the blood red moon hanging above told him his Inner Hollow was in control of the realm. No sooner did he come to this conclusion did he note something was behind him. Jumping back, he gaped the being that mirrored his Zanpakutou spirit yet was anything but.

"You…!"

"Ha! What's the matter? You're practically tripping over yourself! Are you that afraid of me?"

Aaron grit his teeth and armed himself with his Zanpakutou. The action did nothing but humor Hollow Seigetsu, who gave him the biggest smirk imaginable.

"What's the matter, punk?! Can't control your own pitiful body?! What a shame! You never were any good at taking care of it! That's fine with me! I think it's time to claim it for myself once and for all! Your boyfriend on the outside isn't here to save you this time!"

"Save it! The only one dying here is…!"

On spur of the moment, Aaron found himself holding nothing at all. His now released sword somehow ended up in the hands of his Inner Hollow. Even more astonishing was the being in question Flash Stepping in front of him and bringing down the weapon with murderous intent.

"GO TO HELL, HUMAN!"

Aaron, slamming his eyelids shut, knew the end was near. At least, that should have been the case. Seconds passed without him being cut in two, and he got a full glimpse at the person using their bare hands to prevent Hollow Seigetsu from finishing the job.

"S-Seigetsu?!"

His Zanpakutou spirit strained a smile. "...You really should not give in so easily, Aaron. Even in this place, you are not alone."

"Y-You?! How…?! I thought I got rid of you for good?!" An absolutely mortified Hollow Seigetsu declared. "Do you really think someone as weak as yourself can do anything to help him?! The fact of the matter is that it's all over for you fools! DIE ALREADY!"

It exerted more force, in turn drawing more blood out of Seigetsu's shaking hands. The spirit fell to her knees though refused to give in.

"Listen, Aaron. We did not train as hard as we did to let things come to an end here. Compared to all the hardship we have endured, the foul creature before us is nothing but a distraction."

"You think that little of me, eh?! Shut your mouth! You're nothing! Nothing!"

A black aura exploded off the Hollow's body, and Seigetsu learned that along with it came a tremendous boost in power. She let out a cry of pure agony as her attacker shoved its giant, blue tachi even harder in order to erase her once and for all.

"S-Seigetsu!" shouted Aaron, who rushed to her aid, helping her fend back their mutual enemy. "G-Guh! W-Was this thing always this strong?! This spiritual pressure feels like it's going to crush me at any second!"

Laughing maniacally, the Hollow blared, "The two of you are so weak! This would be much easier if you just gave up already! It's not like either one of you can do a damn thing without someone else's help! Just look at you right now, punk! You need this helpless girl here to come and save you! It's always like this, isn't it?! Ha! A spineless coward like yourself doesn't even deserve to live!"

Aaron wanted to deny it. Nevertheless, the Hollow's venomous words made him pause. Perhaps it was right. Maybe he really did depend on others too much. He could recall this being the case ever since he was a child being bullied by the kids in his neighborhood. It took his mother or his older sister having to bail him out of those messes. Even in Soul Society where he should have been strong enough to help himself, others saved him from otherwise hopeless situations time and time again. At this very instant, his Zanpakutou spirit was valiantly fighting in his name. If anything, he could be considered nothing but a burden.

"I'm...still weak, aren't I? Nothing has changed..."

He recalled a time shortly after he first obtained Kana's Shinigami powers where Sasune asked him if he actually enjoyed having power. Back then, he thought it was nothing more than hot air coming from his friend. Now, he saw it was the truth. He had always been crying out for strength; Kana accidentally giving him her powers turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to him despite his complaints. At last, he no longer had to stand by and be helpless. He assumed so anyway, but…

"Aaron! Snap out of it!"

Seigetsu's sharp tone brought him back into reality. His Inner Hollow was still there, ready to destroy everything in its path to claim his form. He remained lost on what to do. Stopping the Hollow from taking everything away from him was obvious, but how? With his current strength, it felt impossible.

"I-I can't. I just…"

"Do not think like that, Aaron! The reason you desired power was not to satisfy your pride!"

Seigetsu's remark left him confused and unsure how to respond. It sounded so easy for her to say such a thing, yet...

"The reason you desired power was to protect! No matter what anyone says or believes, you are not someone who values strength more than the lives of your friends! Like myself, all the people you cherish and want to protect believe in you! They do not consider you a burden, so please, believe in them! Believe in me, Aaron! Most importantly, believe in your own abilities!"

Again, Aaron was left speechless.

"Oh, please! All this talk is making my stomach turn! Do you seriously believe some soppy words are enough to take care of me?! If so, you two are even bigger fools than I thought!"

"...I don't know about me, but this one here is no fool!"

Aaron, referring to Seigetsu, set his now burning eyes on his Inner Hollow.

"Now the biggest fool of all wants to speak?" it said, clearly amused. However, the deep, blue aura enveloping Aaron out of nowhere wiped its grin away post haste. "W-What the hell?! W-Why is his spiritual pressure skyrocketing like that?!"

"...I think I get it now, Seigetsu. Beating myself up isn't going to get me anywhere, is it? I was so worried about my weaknesses and thinking I would never be strong enough to make a difference that I didn't once remember I'm not Superman."

He pictured the faces of his dear friends. If it came to it, he wouldn't hesitate to leave his life in their hands. He had to show them the same courtesy.

"Right. Asking for help doesn't make me weak. If anything, it takes courage. Sorry, Seigetsu. It took me a long time to figure out something so simple. ...I won't let my pride stand in my way any longer. I promise."

Seigetsu, failing to hide her enthusiasm, simply replied, "...Understood."

Though in a similar, pleased mood, Aaron's Inner Hollow felt that way for a completely different reason, showing it by laughing deliriously.

"I've said it before, but I'll say it again! The two of you are complete idiots! All one needs to rely on is their own strength! Others merely stand in the way! I don't know where that power of yours came from, punk, but..."

Aaron interrupted with, "Ah. Now I see. You're all alone, aren't you?"

The simple remark left the Hollow unable to form an answer. Aaron himself smirked; he appeared to have hit the nail right on the head.

"W-What was that?!" the Inner Hollow bellowed after a few tense moments. "Don't confuse me with a worthless human such as yourself that relies on companionship! My strength is my own, meaning…!"

The creature forgot what it was going to say, stemming from the fact it no longer held the blue tachi known as Seigetsu. The Zanpakutou was back in the hands of its rightful owner instead.

"Say what you want. I'm through listening." Aaron held his large sword over his shoulder and gave the Hollow a razor sharp stare. "At the end of the day, you aren't beating me. Unlike you, I have friends I can count on to back me up."

"W-Why you…!"

That was the last straw. The malevolent, black energy swirling around Hollow Seigetsu rose to match the intensity of the energy radiating off Aaron. Neither he nor Seigetsu displayed a hint of worry. He calmly held his sword out in front of him, with Seigetsu placing a hand firmly on the cold steel. They nodded at one another, wordlessly agreeing on a plan.

"Screw this! Once I kill you both, this body will be mine! All mine!"

Channeling all the malice it could, the Hollow launched a red wave of energy, a Cero, from its palms. Its intended targets did nothing to move while it drew closer. Aaron barely paid its presence any mind, instead mentally preparing himself to settle things once and for all.

In one motion, he brought down his Zanpakutou. Along with Seigetsu, he shouted, "GETSUGA TENSHOU!"

The surge of deep blue Reiatsu met the Cero head on. The two powers clashed violently, dousing Seigetsu's word in flickering, violet light. The contest didn't last long though.

"H-How is this possible?!"

The Getsuga Tenshou brushed the Cero aside, leaving the Inner Hollow to face it all alone. Yes, 'alone' was the key word. Per Aaron's words, no one would be coming to save it. This realization only hit home as the Getsuga readied to make impact.

#

Kagami exhaled deeply. Today wasn't really going his way. Littered in cuts and bruises, he held out his Zanpakutou and took a defensive stance, ignoring his dizziness on account of extreme blood loss.

"...I'm getting too old for this shit..."

Old or not, he couldn't ignore the threat creeping up on him. It let out a low growl, making his skin crawl. It had to remind himself he was face-to-face with a partially transformed Aaron, who sounded and resembled more a Hollow than a human.

"You aren't making this easy on me, kiddo, throwing a tantrum like this"

The Hollowfied Aaron dashed at him suddenly, ripping apart the ground. Kagami was unable to keep up with him with the naked eye, only seeing a flash of his white form in the corner of his eyes. He parried a sword strike from the right, being shoved back by the force of it. His hand pushing against the ground stopped his momentum, yet he was given no time to rest with Aaron pointing a single fingertip at him. A pulsating, red ball of energy formed there, and all of Kagami's sense became heightened.

"Oh, come on! He can even do something like that?!"

Behind the white mask with blue markings, yellow eyes, and gaping chest hole, it was difficult for him to detect any trace of the Shinigami from Hino known as Aaron Higuchi.

Hollow Aaron continued to charge his attack, leaving Kagami with little time to act.

"...That's an honest to goodness Cero alright. Been a long time since I've seen one." Kagami, despite the impending danger, reached into his blue robes and took hold of a cigarette, putting it between his lips. "Well, I'd better bring my A-game. Isn't that right, kiddo?"

Aaron let out an inhuman roar that bounced off the walls of the large area before letting loose his attack. Still, Kagami did not panic.

"Way of Binding Number 81: Splitting Void."

A clear wall of energy spawned before him and fended off the Cero to the best of its ability. Nonetheless, a visible crack formed in the center, leaving its creator holding his jaw open.

"I-I know I'm a little rusty, but…!"

His pupils dilated. He wasn't sure when or how, but Aaron managed to close the distance between them, being close enough for Kagami to hear the Hollowfied youth's unsteady breathing. Aaron thrust his sharp nails toward Kagami's heart. The battle should have been over there.

"...Hmm?"

Kagami leaned in closer to his attacker's face. Aaron, for whatever reason, remained totally stationary, mirroring a statue. Waving his hand in front of him induced no reaction, so Kagami took a hurried step back.

"Uh...kiddo? You still there?"

Without warning, Aaron's mask and all the white shrouding his brown skin shattered like glass. Freed from his transformation, he fell to his knees and gasped for air as if he had been drowning the entire time.

"T-That was rough..." he gasped. He moved his head up to Kagami, forced a smile, and added, "S-Sorry..."

He collapsed shortly afterward, landing face first at Kagami's feet.

"...So, that just happened."

Still amazed at being alive, Kagami lit the stick of tobacco still resting between his mouth and took a long, hard drag that would have led one to think it was his last cigarette ever. That might have been the case if Aaron hadn't come to his senses when he did.

"I still have no idea what just happened, but it looks like you fought a difficult battle and won, kiddo. Good job. Guess you've earned a bit of , that takes care of..."

All the chaos of today led him to forget and shortly remember someone of the utmost importance.

"O-Oh, shit! I still didn't tell him about her..."

#

Swatted aside left and right were Shinigami helpless to stop a single being. The individual in question hung their head low and dashed past their groaning forms. There was simply no time for them to deal with any riffraff.

"J-Just who in the hell are we dealing with?!" asked one those still standing, gazing timidly at a small-statured Shinigami. The reason for his confusion lied in the person shrouding their face with a white cloth. "A-Are you one of the Ryoka?! Answer me!"

The sole answer he and the others got was the mysterious being pointing their palm at them.

In a soft voice, they said, "...Forgive me. Way of Destruction Number 33: Blue Fire, Crash Down!"

A blue surge of energy knocked those barring the path away yet failed to register a single fatality. The mysterious Shinigami, stepping through the wreckage of broken, smoldering bodies, had no complaint with that fact. Their only goal was progressing forward.

A strong gust of wind swept through the area, incidentally blowing away their face covering. Rukia Kuchiki lifted her hand in an effort to retrieve it but was too late. Then again, she figured it wouldn't actually matter in the end if anyone determined her identity. Her mind was already made up.

"...I'm on the way, Mitarashi. Just hold tight."

She zeroed in on the Repentance Tower. It was close yet so far. Whatever it took, she would get there. She owed her 'big sis' that much.

#

"Hey, it's really you, isn't it?! That Rukia Kuchiki girl! Oh, wow! You're really pretty!"

Taken by surprise, a startled Rukia turned the other way to see a then-blonde haired Kana Mitarashi grinning at her.

"O-Oh, hello there. Yes, I'm Rukia Kuchiki. But, how…?"

"Actually, everyone here in the Seireitei has heard about you!" said Kana matter-of-factually. "You're the newest member of the Kuchiki family! Is it true though that you're originally from Rukongai? You really don't look it! If you asked me, you seem like someone whose been born and bred in the Kuchiki clan! You're like a little princess or something!"

As Kana bounded all around Rukia to get a better look at her, the object of her curiosity found it impossible to keep up with her.

"I-I don't mean to be rude, but who…?"

"Oh!" Kana patted herself on the chest. "I'm Kana Mitarashi! I just joined the Tenth Division about a month ago, so I'm still a newbie basically! Pleased to meet you! Wait, your older brother is Byakuya Kuchiki, right? That guy is such a hunk! I'm so jealous! I wish I could be in his squad like you!"

'N-No. I'm...actually a member of the Thirteenth…."

"Really? That's weird! You'd think an older brother would kill to have his little sister in the same division. The Thirteenth Division, huh? Isn't your squad the one whose Captain is never around much because he's sick all the time?"

"That's right."

For some reason, Kana found humor in that. "That must be really awesome! Er...n-not your Captain being ill of course! If he's not around though, that probably means you guys can slack off as much as you like! Ah, I so envy you! My division is such a pain! Ever since I joined it, it's been work, work, work! Everyone always looks at me funny when I complain about getting no vacation time! Even a newbie needs a bit of rest and relaxation! Don't you agree?"

"S-Sure..."

The longer Kana rambled on, the more she amazed Rukia. There weren't many that would dare approach a member of the Kuchiki clan and chat so casually in light of their lofty status in the Seireitei.

"It's because we have the same eyes!"

Kana's random declaration gave Rukia another scare.

"C-Come again?"

"You had that look on your face that said you were wondering why I stopped to talk with you! My intuition is flawless! Anyway, it's because we have the same eyes, the eyes of someone that's struggled on the streets of Rukongai. Even if you are a member of the Kuchiki clan now, I guess that's something that won't ever change! I can really respect you for that, Rukia!"

Rukia blinked. Never before could she recall being so baffled by someone's demeanor. Evidently, Kana was already comfortable enough with her to refer to her on a first name basis.

"Put her there!" Kana extended her hand. "Since we share something in common, I think it's only right I look after you from now on! The Seireitei is a big place, you know! If you ever run into any trouble, don't hesitate to come and find your big sis! I'll listen to anything you have to say whenever!"

Numbly, Rukia shook her hand and muttered, "'B-Big sis?'"

"Oh! I almost forgot I'm supposed to be running an errand for my Captain!"

Kana slapped herself on the forehead, whereas Rukia couldn't help but feel she was the sort of person that let things slip from her mind rather easily.

"See ya later, Rukia! We should hang out sometime!"

Waving her hand excitedly, Kana rushed off. Rukia waved back though much less enthusiastically.

"So, there are even Shinigami like her in the Gotei 13…?"

#

"...She always did go out of her way to watch over me. I think it's about time I returned the favor."

Time was off the essence. Rukia wasn't sure how much longer until the execution at Soukyoku Hill, yet her instincts were informing her to make haste toward the Repentance Tower. Flash Stepping as swiftly as she could, she did just that.

"What's going on around here? Why are there so many Captain-class spiritual pressures clashing? Could it be…?"

She quickly shook her head. It just couldn't be Ichigo, she thought. She would know it was him from his energy, and besides, the powers she picked up on felt like they belonged to various members of the Gotei 13.

"But...who could be fighting already? No one else should have any reason to do so..."

Even so, she couldn't shake that something awful was going to transpire.

"Just a little longer now. ...I wonder if that person has realized what's happened yet."

#

"You know, this is a really silly idea," remarked an extremely agitated Kagami, who had his arms crossed and his body barricading the exit to his home. "Reconsider, princess. I implore you."

Rukia, strapping her Zanpakutou to her black robes, replied, "I realize that. Nevertheless, I cannot stand by while Mitarashi is executed alone. It...was supposed to be the two of us going through something like that. I left her all alone. Besides, I made a promise to Higuchi I would help to save her."

"That's just my point! He asked for you to help him, not go by yourself on some suicide mission! Just wait until the kiddo finishes his Bankai training! At least then you'd have a chance! Why are you so insistent on throwing away your life?!"

Rukia chewed the question over before finding the strength to reply, "...Because I know Higuchi is willing to do the same for me. Both he and Ichigo are similar in that regard. That's why I need to beat them to the punch. A pair of humans like them shouldn't be involved in Soul Society matters. I will help Mitarashi myself, and they will no longer have to put themselves in any danger. That sounds fair to you, doesn't it?"

Kagami groaned. No matter what she said, her logic would never fly with him.

"L-Look, princess, just...promise me you'll get outta there if things get too hairy for you," he said gingerly. "You…"

"...Thank you for everything. I'll be going now. Tell Higuchi goodbye for me and to just go home. If Ichigo ever makes his way here, you can deliver the same message."

She shuffled past him and out the door, slamming it firmly behind her. Kagami bitterly leered at it for awhile as if doing so would drag her back. He made no effort to go after her himself. Doing so would no doubt lead to even more trouble.

"I truly can't understand the minds of the young. Maybe she's like kiddo though in that she's fighting with something inside herself."

#

Rukia couldn't believe how unguarded the path leading to the Repentance Tower was. It also worried her to no end.

"Does this mean they've already moved Mitarashi to..."

An immense spiritual pressure falling upon her and making her drop down to one knees caused concentration to break. Her disordered thoughts were the least of her concerns, however.

"T-This...can't be…!"

There was no mistaking this energy. Sweating copiously, she willed her trembling eyes to move up toward the top of a tall building. There stood a figure, one that verified her fears.

"B-Brother..."

Byakuya Kuchiki quietly watched her from up high, and Rukia found it impossible to break her gaze. All of this felt like a bad dream.

"Rukia..." Byakuya's cold tone increased the tension floating about. "...What do you think you are doing? How is it you have been able to regain your Shinigami powers?"

Though feeling her throat grow dry, Rukia managed to respond, "I-I'm going to save Mitarashi, Brother!"

"Mitarashi? ...I see. Unfortunately, no such thing is going to happen, Rukia. I do not know how you managed to regain the powers of a Shinigami, but it makes no difference. You reappearing like this solves today's conundrum. Now I can drag you to Soukyoku Hill for your execution."

His words left her shaken. She knew him better than anyone, meaning its was completely within his character to behave this way, even with her. She was a bit thankful. His reply also strengthened her resolve.

"That won't be happening either, Brother! Please, stand aside! I would much rather not come to blows with you of all people..."

"So, you are serious then. ...Rukia, do you truly intend on going against the laws of Soul Society, the rules you swore to uphold when you became a Shinigami?"

Rukia held her tongue, presenting her older brother with a firm answer.

"...I see. Then you leave me with no other choice."

One moment he was there, and in the next, gone. Rukia brandished her sword at once though hadn't a clue where he had gotten of to. Her instincts told her by screaming at her to guard her back. She heeded them, parrying an unseen blade swing that would have no doubt ended the conflict before it began. She and her attacker were thrown back by the impact of their Zanpakutou colliding. Byakuya's shocked expression told how he hadn't for even an instant thought his little sister capable of fending him off.

"That...was the same technique you used against Ichigo, wasn't it? The one that destroyed his Shinigami powers. I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to take me down so easily! I've grown stronger, Brother," she said, taking a battle stance. "However, I did not train to fight you, but it seems I have no other choice. For that, I...apologize. After everything you've done for me, and after you took it upon yourself to adopt a person like me from Rukongai into the Kuchiki clan, this is how I repay you. You've treated me as your real flesh and blood sibling, but...this is just something I have to do! I have to escape the demons haunting my past, even if it means going against everything I've ever stood for as a Shinigami."

"...You're doing this because of that boy who resembles Kaien Shiba so greatly then. Do you truly believe going against Soul Society will somehow help him escape death? If so, then allow me to drag you back into reality. Like you soon, Ichigo Kurosaki will die here in Soul Society. I will see to it that is the case myself. Besides, you talk as if you actually have a chance at defeating me. Did blocking one of my attacks swell your ego that much, Rukia? If so, allow me to crush even that delusion."

There was not even a shred of compassion in his voice. Rukia understood he was wholly serious on his promise to deliver her to the Soukyoku. This was no more evident than when he held his Zanpakutou close to his face.

"Scatter, Senbon..."

Before his Shikai could activate, however, Rukia beat him to the punch by pointing at him and shouting, "Way of Binding Number 61: Six Rods Prison of Light!"

Thin, wide beams of light rammed into her target, restraining him. A stunned Byakuya then sat by helplessly as his younger sister twisted her Zanpakutou counterclockwise.

"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"

From the blade to the hilt to the ribbon stemming from the pommel, every part of her sword became the purest of white. A surge of frigid air swept past Byakuya, though he was more intrigued by Rukia's Shikai.

"...Sode no Shirayuki. One of only two ice type Zanpakutou in all of Soul Society."

Rukia didn't hesitate to puncture the ground four times in a circular fashion in front of her.

"Forgive me, Brother." Taking a stance and aiming her Sode no Shirayuki at Byakuya, she declared, "Second Dance: White Ripple!"

A wave of cold air that dwarfed the one from earlier ten times over rushed toward her foe. The mist froze everything unfortunate enough to be in its path in a nanosecond. Whether that included Byakuya, Rukia wasn't sure. She couldn't make out the silhouette of her brother inside the settling fog.

"N-No. There's no way something like that was enough to..."

"Yes, you really did regain your Shinigami powers, Rukia."

She wasn't sure how or when, but Byakuya stood behind her, glowering down upon her miniscule frame. Out of surprise and fright, she Flash Stepped a fair distance away.

"H-How could I have lost track of his presence like that?! To think he can hide his spiritual pressure to that extent…!"

"There was no killing intent behind your attack, Rukia. If you truly intend to force your way past me, you must realize the only way for that to happen is for you to take my life. That is why the technique you just unleashed, while formidable, will not do."

Rukia snarled under her breath. His talk wasn't cheap; she really had held back. Saying she was going to defeat her elder sibling was one thing, but even now, she wasn't sure if she possessed the resolve to go through with the claim.

"Allow me to show you what an attack full of killing intent looks like."

The simple gesture of Byakuya holding his Zanpakutou upside down made every hair on Rukia's being stand. His blade slowly descended from his grasp and seeped into the ground as if it were water.

He then uttered, "Bankai."

END