Chapter 45
Battle From Within
It wasn't like his friend was going to die. Aaron, shifting awkwardly in his seat, couldn't explain his sullen mood. Maybe it had to do with being in such a cold room. He knew from his mother that they kept hospitals that way to kill germs, though as he rubbed his arms, he thought the air rather excessive.
"Calm down. Nobody is going to stick you with anything," said Sasune Ishida from the confines of his bed. Unable to sit still himself, he cringed thanks to his aching back. "Damn. What do they put in these pillows? Bricks?"
Aaron didn't humor him.
"Hey. I'm serious. Stop making that face. You're ugly enough as it is."
Even some strained laughter couldn't get his friend to lift his gaze from the floor.
"I'm alright, Aaron. Just a flesh wound. It would take more than the likes of some Menos Grande to take down the almighty Sasune Ishida!" He flexed one of his muscles to show he could move his right shoulder just fine. That ended up being a mistake. White hot pain coursed through it, prompting him to lay back down. "S-See? Never...urgh...better…"
For the sake of time and his friend's dignity, Aaron chose to keep his mouth shut.
"I'm worried about you, CT."
Aaron closed his jacket with haste to hide his bevy of bandages. "I'm fine."
"Looks like we both need to be careful while walking after dark."
"...You're still cracking jokes, I see."
Sasune gave him a thumbs up. "It's who I am, baby."
"What's going on? Why would Two Menos Grandes pop up out of nowhere? And what was with them? The one I fought wasn't anything like the ones we've seen before. None of this makes any sense."
"I wouldn't sweat it. Just be thankful nobody got seriously hurt. How's your sister?"
The mention of Izumi caused Aaron to grow quiet once more. His sister had slept the night away, though she was indeed in one piece after the events of the previous evening.
There remained hearing some kind of explanation on how she managed to use Kidou, Flash Step, and even a Hollow technique.
And she did them one after the other too. Her powers have always been a little weird, but…
Clasping his hands, he couldn't shake the hunch Izumi was a more pressing concern than any Menos.
What if someone else comes after her? I'll...
"Oy! Earth to CT! I'm talking to you here."
Aaron blinked. "What? Oh...sorry. I've got a lot on my mind at the moment."
"No kidding. That's why I'm telling you to relax. These things will sort themselves out."
"...I envy how clueless you can be."
"Hey! What's the supposed to…!" In anger, Sasune sat up again. His throbbing shoulder put a damper into those plans. "Darn it. It really is tender. Good thing I'm getting better treatment here than I expected."
"You...thought they wouldn't take care of you in a hospital? What's the issue? Doesn't your father work here? Then…"
"...If it's alright with you, I'd rather we drop that subject."
"Right…"
Aaron had nearly forgotten Sasune's father was a touchy subject. The two sat in silence for a long while.
Then, the door opened.
"Yo," said Konoka Mitsumi with a wave. "I'm here to check up on you, Pretty Boy."
Giddy, Sasune tried jumping out of his bed to embrace her. The most he managed was falling flat on his face. "Konoka, my love! All my pain has melted away upon seeing your beautiful visage, your sweet soul, your…!"
"Save it," she replied, kicking him in the mouth. "Aren't you injured? Take it easy."
"He's definitely hurt now." Aaron helped Sasune back into bed. "How's it going, Mitsumi? I didn't think I'd see you here."
"I heard what happened to this chump and was just trying to see if it was as bad as they claimed."
"I-It's...almost like you came to confirm if I was actually dead," noted Sasune. He had been joking, but when Konoka only smirked, he stopped chuckling.
"You guys had fun without me last night. I'm a little hurt," she said.
"Sorry. I was too busy getting my ass kicked to find a phone," replied Aaron. "It all worked out in the end, I guess."
"I suppose." Nodding, Konoka headed for the door. "Unfortunately, I don't have much free time these days. I'll see you fellas around."
"Ah! Hold on a sec, Mitsumi." Aaron remembered something that had been bothering him. "Yesterday, were you…?"
"What? Was I what?"
Aaron couldn't spit it out. The guy she had been with the other day came off as strange. Nevertheless, it wasn't any of his business who she spent her free time with.
"Nevermind. Sorry."
"...Weirdo."
Konoka, with a sly smile, shut the door behind her.
"She's a nice kid."
Aaron hadn't heard Sasune's comment. He was too busy staring at the spot Konoka once stood.
"Did she seem…'off' to you?"
"No more than usual," answered Sasune, shrugging. "Why?"
"Yeah. Maybe it really was my imagination."
"I mean, if you have that big of a crush on her, just go after her."
Aaron snarled at his friend's unwanted remark. He grabbed his book bag and said, "I have to go too. I promised someone I would meet up with them."
"Oh?" Sasune stroked his chin. "And since when do you have other friends?"
"Since when have you been such a busybody? Dumb question. Since the beginning of time."
"You cut deep, CT. You're also acting a little suspicious."
Aaron scratched at his face. "I...don't know what you mean. I'm...erm...just gonna go study with someone. Yeah..."
"If that's it, then I can help you."
"No. You need your rest."
"Seriously. It's not that big a deal. Just tell me what you're having trouble with."
You asking so many damn questions! That's what!
Aaron attempted to rush toward the door but had to dodge when it came flying open. Another visitor stepped in, taking the time to glare a hole into him. It convinced him to get out of their way.
"Thank you," said Ryuuken Ishida. With a clipboard in hand, he made his way over to Sasune's bed. "I heard a crash. You'd better not be destroying hospital equipment. Though you have no concept of the fact, everything in this room is expensive."
"Everything is perfectly fine, 'Dad," replied Sasune in a venomous tone. "Please, don't scare my friends away. And what have you done with Uryuu? He's not answering any of my calls."
Ryuuken pushed up his glasses. "Don't you worry about him. It's none of your concern. Just do me a favor and don't die in my hospital. It'll cause me more paperwork."
"You'd better keep a twenty-four hour watch on me then. I might just slit my wrist to spite you."
Aaron was thoroughly weirded out. That went beyond mere spite. He had never seen such a dysfunctional family. In the middle of their arguing, he managed to slip outside.
"You and Uryuu are the same," Ryuuken said once he was alone with his son. "Choose your friends carefully."
Sasune clenched his teeth. "...I know that. I already told you not to sound like a parent at your convenience."
#
Aaron stepped out of Karakura Hospital.
He got no farther.
Someone Flash Stepped in front of him, someone that made him sigh.
"L-Look, I came out as fast as I could. Sorry. I swear I didn't…"
He got a sandal upside his head for his troubles. As his eyes watered, he bit his tongue to stop himself from uttering something that would get him smacked again.
"I told you four o'clock sharp, baldy!" Hiyori Sarugaki screeched. "I don't like it when people keep me waiting!"
Aaron was only five minutes late. Barely. He didn't bother voicing that out loud and instead nodded. Hiyori was already in a foul mood for whatever reason and likely to slit his throat.
"So, are you ready to go?" she asked.
"Of course. I won't go back on my promise. I have a few conditions though."
Hiyori, visibly annoyed, turned her head. "Is that so?"
He gulped, wondering if he was pressing his luck. "Despite what you told me yesterday, I still consider myself to be a human. I won't throw away all the people I love. Other than that, I'm willing to do whatever you say."
He wasn't fond of the way Hiyori smiled after hearing that. "Remember what I asked you yesterday? You're going to do it starting today."
"Of course, Miss Hiyori."
She was thrown off at how willingly he had said it. A bit flustered, she replied, "...You might be an idiot, but you're an obedient one. I like that. Come on. We're going."
"'Going?' Going where?"
"To our hideout obviously. Time to meet your new family, kid."
#
Days like these made Konoka wish she heeded Jives' advice of taking a limousine home. Walking the way back instead, she peered over her shoulder from time to time. No one was there. In fact, the street she traveled down was eerily quiet.
She knew better.
"Still there, huh?"
This had been the third day in a row her secret admirer had been sneaking around the shadows and watching her every move. Enough was enough. She stopped in her tracks.
"...Quit followin' me already, Ginjou. If you got somethin' to say to me, just come out and say it."
Kuugo Ginjou granted her wish, looking more than pleased to be caught.
"Damn. You're getting pretty good at sensing your fellow Fullbringers," he remarked. "All that fighting you did in Soul Society must have paid off."
"Cut the crap. Do you want somethin' or not? I'm kind of in a hurry here."
"Of course. You've got a big company to run, don't you? You're like Yukio in that regard."
"If you're tryin' to hit me up for money, forget it."
Ginjou got a good laugh out of that one. "Man, you really are still suspicious of me. What gives? Didn't I help train you so you could go and help your friends? I'm not your enemy, Konoka. I can't say the same for those so-called 'friends' of yours though. They…"
"Don't call me that, Ginjou!" Konoka was seething. "And we're not friends! I already said I would join up with you and the rest of your clowns if you agreed to help me, but that doesn't mean you get to stalk me!"
"So, was that friend of yours okay, Konoka?"
It was like Ginjou hadn't heard her. Konoka balled her fists. It was taking everything in her power not to break his neck.
"...What the hell do you care? You idiots tried to kill him yourselves."
Ginjou raised an eyebrow. "That was Tsukishima flying off the handle. What's the deal anyway? I've already said that punk and all the rest of your so-called friends aren't like us. What makes you think they won't turn on you sooner or later?"
"And what makes you think they will? You're full of it, Ginjou. You may have brainwashed the rest of your flunkies, but you won't get me. Now then...get the hell outta my way already."
"Don't be that way, Miss Mitsumi. We desperately need your power, after all."
Konoka froze. Her blood ran cold. Slowly, her head moved to the person standing behind her. Something about Shuukurou Tsukishima always made her want to head for the hills, but the feeling was particularly strong this time.
"We consider you a precious friend, so we wouldn't something happening to you."
"...Is that a threat?" she answered. "Is this how you punks operate, Ginjou? Just gangin' up on someone if they don't go along with what you say? You're all pieces of crap!"
"Oh dear. Would you look at that?" Tsukishima held up a white bookmark for all to see. "...All this bad mouthing of Ginjou made me lose my place."
The bookmark transformed into a white katana—his Book of the End.
"You're going to have to make it up to me, Miss Mitsumi."
Konoka reached for the green jewel around her neck. She was a moment too slow. Her eyes trembled at the sight of Tsukishima's sword impaling her chest.
"Don't worry. We'll be good friends soon enough," he chimed. "The very best."
#
Aaron stopped in his tracks. An awful feeling came over him out of the blue.
"What was…?"
"Hey, keep moving, baldy! Nobody told you to stop!"
Hiyori kicked him in his butt to drive home the point. Grumbling, he didn't argue.
"What are you daydreaming about anyway?" she asked.
"...Nothing. Sorry, Miss Hiyori. It won't happen again."
"W-Well, as long as you...erm...know your place."
Hiyori rubbed her nose and hid her face to hide that it was beet red. Aaron wasn't paying her any mind anyway as he gazed up at the clear, blue sky.
What in the world was that just now?
He thought the better question was why Hiyori had brought him to a rundown warehouse in the middle of Karakura Town. It looked as if it hadn't been occupied for years.
"So, is this you guys' hideout? I never would've guessed it was out in the open like this."
"That's why they call it a secret hideout, dummy. Stop standing there slack jawed and come on."
"I mean, you just shouted out loud that it's your 'secret hideout,' so…"
"J-Just shut the hell up already and come on! You're pissing me off!"
Him breathing appeared to have the same effect. With a groan, Aaron did as she requested. They didn't go far, arriving in front of the warehouse's rusted gate. For awhile, they did nothing but stand there, leading Aaron to clear his throat.
"...What?" Hiyori snarled.
"What are we waiting for? Shouldn't we just go in?"
"For somebody so clueless, you sure talk a lot. Isn't it obvious we're waiting to be let in?"
It wasn't. Aaron turned his head in confusion. He didn't see any sort of switch or lever around to open the door. He guessed it had to be opened from the inside. What concerned him more was what awaited him on the other side.
"You sure we can't just go in now? I mean, I could probably open this thing if I…"
He wasn't sure how it happened. All he did was attempt to place a hand on the gate. That was when an unseen force sent him flying back. Hiyori couldn't help but split her sides at him both screaming like a little girl and landing flat on his behind.
"Way to go, kid. Didn't I tell you that would happen?"
Infuriated, Aaron got to his feet. "N-No, you didn't!"
"...Oh. I guess I didn't. Whatever."
"No, not 'whatever!' Tell me what in the world just happened!"
"My apologies. That barrier, as you've no doubt discovered, is designed to keep out any unwanted guests."
Aaron wasn't sure how he hadn't noticed the large man standing behind him until the latter had spoken. He yelped again, much to Hiyori's delight. The man in the green suit, meanwhile, bowed. Sheepishly, Aaron did the same.
"A-Aaron Higuchi…"
"A pleasure. My name is Hachigen Ushouda. But please, call me Hacchi. Everyone else does."
"Right. Hacchi then. Can you tell me a little more about that barrier?"
"Of course. Besides keeping people out, it causes normal people to be unable to see this warehouse. I specifically tuned it so only Visored would. ...Which means you aren't one of those 'normal people,' I take it."
Though that likely wasn't meant as an insult, Aaron curled his lips and certainly took it as one. It reminded him of Hiyori calling him 'not human.'
"Quit screwing around, Hacci, and lower the barrier so we can go in," snapped Hiyori.
"Of course, ma'am. Right this way."
He announced it was safe to go in moments later. With the barrier gone, Aaron picked up on a plethora of spiritual pressures. All of them were odd, as odd as Hiyori's.
And his own.
"What, are you waiting for an invitation?" said Hiyori. "Come on already!"
With great reluctance, Aaron followed her inside of the pitch black warehouse. The air grew heavier. It wasn't cold, though he shivered nonetheless. He wished someone would turn on a light. The sole, and meager, illumination came from the sunlight that slipped in through broken windows.
"Yo! Welcome, Aaron Higuchi. We've been waiting for you."
By 'we,' Aaron soon saw that man with a slasher's smile wasn't alone.
"Is this the new recruit?" asked a white haired man in a black tank top. "Looks like you got the wrong guy if you ask me."
"He does look kinda weak," said a man in a green jumpsuit and some of the craziest hair Aaron could recall seeing.
"He's a Visored alright," assessed a girl with glasses who wore a sailor uniform. Aaron thought it a bit undersized for her. And horribly out of place. "I can sense his Inner Hollow."
A handsome man with frilly, golden hair added, "I wonder how Hiyori of all people managed to convince him to come here. It couldn't have been by choice."
"Can it, Rose!" Hiyori countered. "Unlike Shinji, I know how to get the job done! While he's been dicking around with that Kurosaki kid, I managed to bring back my guy with no problem at all!"
The name 'Kurosaki' made Aaron's eyes widen.
I guess it makes sense they would've gone after Kurosaki too. He's not here though...
"Yeah, yeah." The man known as Shinji cleaned out his ear and didn't really seem to be listening. "Stop yapping. You want a gold star or something? It only took you two days to do it."
"Still faster than you, baldy!"
Aaron snorted and had to cover his mouth. He was humored to discover he wasn't the only one Hiyori referred to by such a ridiculous name. Shinji had even more hair than he did.
Suddenly, he found himself kicked in the behind again.
"W-What was that for?" he asked.
"What are you waiting for, badly?! Introduce yourself already!" cried Hiyori.
"R-Right…"
Aaron stood front and center, feeling his face heat up at all the eyes trained on him. Everyone already seemed to have a poor opinion of him. While he felt there wasn't really anything he could do to embarrass himself as such, he grew anxious nonetheless.
"I'm...Aaron Higuchi. Nice to meet you."
"Welcome to our ranks, Aaron. Of course, we already knew your name before you came here." Shinji stepped down from the slab of concrete he had been standing on and landed uncomfortably close to Aaron. "No need to be afraid. You're one of us now...whether you like it or not."
Aaron's nose wrinkled. He had a growing urge to run far, far away.
"I'm Shinji Hirako. I guess you already know that loud mouth over there as Hiyori Sarugaki."
"What was that?!" said Hiyori. Hachigen had to hold her back. "Come over here and say that to my face, baldy!"
"Yeah, yeah." Shinji again cleaned out his ear. "Well, go on, you all. Introduce yourselves. Our guest went to the trouble of doing so."
"...Kensei Muguruma," said the white-haired man, crossing his arms.
"How's it going, newbie? Love Aikawa," said the man in the green jumpsuit cheerily. "You read Jump, right?"
"Rose Outoribashi," said the handsome man. "A pleasure. You'd best read the latest issue of Jump ahead of time. All Love does is spoil every panel."
"Hey! I do nothing of the sort. You just read too slow."
"You don't give anyone a chance to read in the first place." The sailor uniform-wearing girl shook her head. "I'm Lisa Yadoumaru. Everyone here is weird, but don't run off because of it. They're generally good folk."
"Yeah, I don't wanna hear it from someone who does nothing but read porn magazines all day," voiced Kensei, smacking his lips.
"If you want to borrow them so badly, just ask."
"T-That's not at all what I was implying, you idiot!"
"Hey! I didn't introduce myself yet!" said a tiny, green-haired girl in a white tracksuit. Her outfit befit a superhero in Aaron's opinion. "Hello, Chocolate-tan! I am Mashiro Kuna!"
Aaron weakly returned her energetic wave. "Chocolate-tan?"
"We got a colorful cast, huh?" said Shinji.
"Sure. If you don't mind me asking though, who...exactly are you people? Like, I get that you're Visoreds or whatever, but why do you want me to join you? What are your goals?"
"We'd have to kill you if we tell you," said Lisa. Aaron gagged on his own spit.
"That was a joke. A really bad, one, but...yeah," Love assured him.
"If anyone is going to make him run, it's you, Lisa," said Rose, shaking his head.
"Our motives," Shinji began, "...Don't really matter now. For the time being, we're going to teach you to control your Inner Hollow. It's been giving you problems, right?"
Aaron felt that a massive understatement. "Is that really possible?"
"Idiot. Haven't you already seen me doing it?" said Hiyori.
"That's true. However, there's no way you all are going to help me out of the kindness of your hearts. What do you want from me in exchange?"
"You're a rather suspicious kid, ain't ya?" said Shinji. "Like I said, our motives aren't…"
Like being hit by a truck, Aaron sensed a pair of immense spiritual pressures. They took his breath away. They were so large in fact that they made the Menos from the day before seem like a pushover.
"W-What the hell is that?!"
"Guess they're finally here," said Shinji casually. "Pretty shitty timing, but what are you going to do?"
"Who?! Who's here?! Who in the world could have spiritual pressure like that?!"
"Don't worry about it, baldy," said Hiyori. "It's none of our business what happens out there. All you should be worried about is controlling that Inner Hollow of yours."
It didn't make any sense. Aaron searched around and couldn't understand how everyone could be so lax. While he might not have known exactly was out there, his instincts told him they weren't anyone good.
"Let me out of here!" he demanded. "I gotta go out there and help before someone gets hurt!"
"Damn. You are noisy." Shinji shrugged. "It's like Hiyori said—it ain't our business."
Aaron wasn't having it. Transforming into a Shinigami, he Flash Stepped toward the exit. All of the Visored managed to surround him in an instant. Amazed by their speed, he was more irritated by their persistence.
"Please!" he pleaded. "I promise I'll come right back!"
"That ain't the issue," said Shinji. "If you go out there now, you're as good as dead."
"Is...whoever out there really that strong?"
"That's right. They're Arrancar. Which means someone has probably been busy with the Hougyoku."
Aaron's confusion multiplied. "W-What? That doesn't make any sense! Soul Society has the Hougyoku!"
"Nah. They don't. Guess nobody has filled you in on the news. Forget it. If you go out there now, guess what's going to happen—your Inner Hollow is just going to inevitably take control. Then, there won't be anything stopping you from attacking both friend and foe. And don't give me any crap about how 'you'll try your best to control it.' You can't. Not without our help. So, stay here. Let whoever is already out there deal with the issue."
Pausing, Aaron mulled the advice over. It was more sound that he wanted admit, especially with the whole wrench of the Hougyoku being stolen thrown into the mix.
I'm supposed a Substitute Shinigami or whatever, right? How come nobody told me?
"I'm sorry," he announced. "I get what you're saying, but if someone dies just because I was busy training here, I'd never live with myself. Like I said, I promise I'll come back when everything is said and done. Until then…"
Shinji sighed. "I knew it. You're as stubborn as Ichigo."
He held his hand in front of Aaron's face. Feeling sleepy, Aaron couldn't keep his eyes open. Before he knew it, he was falling toward the ground.
Yep. Should have...run…
The Visored peered down at him, with Hiyori shaking her head.
"Are you really going to start his training?" she asked, skeptical. "Shouldn't we wait until we can get that Kurosaki guy here too? This punk here isn't closed to ready."
"If he's going to keep crying about the Arrancar, we'll just make it so he's strong enough to face them the next time they come around. Hacci, strengthen the barrier. We'll get started immediately."
"I'm telling you that this is a mistake!" yelled Hiyori.
"I agree. No point killing the kid just because you're lazy and want to get it over with," said Kensei.
"...Shut up. You guys talk too much." Shinji stepped past them all and crouched down to Aaron. "He was man enough to come here. Let's have a little faith in his abilities."
"I wonder if Chocolate-tan is going to be okay," pondered Mashiro, putting her finger on her chin.
"If we're doing this," said Lisa, "we'd better take his Zanpakutou before he starts Hollowfying. It's just going to complicate things."
"Too late," replied Love. "Looks like it's already starting."
A torrent of dark energy erupted from Aaron. Everyone braced themselves from the fierce winds sweeping past them.
"Guess there's no turning back now," said Shinji. "Hacci, make sure to put up a barrier around our new recruit too."
"Understood, sir."
Slowly, Aaron got to his feet. However, the others knew from the thick smoke issuing from his mouth and the white mask forming over his visage that he was no longer Aaron Higuchi.
A Hollow had taken his place.
"So, who wants to go first?" asked Shinji, glancing around.
"Allow me." Twirling his Zanpakutou, Rose stepped up to the plate. "I believe I can keep him entertained for awhile."
He trekked into Hachigen's barrier, standing opposite of the Hollowfied and snarling Aaron.
"My, you certainly Hollowfied quickly, didn't you? Perhaps you're still in a rush to help your friends."
"You don't usually go first, Rose," said Love. "Did something about this kid pique your interest?"
"It was nothing of the sort. Kinshara is the one eager to play. I'm merely following its melody."
#
"...I just can't stop passing out without meaning too, huh?"
Aaron picked himself off of the ground and got down to the business of figuring out where he was. The grassy plain and the blood red moon hanging in the night sky told him he was in Seigetsu's world.
"It's been awhile since I've been here."
Something was off. Nothing other than the moon had any color. He experienced this before. It prompted him to place a hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutou.
"Good. Your instincts have gotten sharper."
He whirled around in haste and blocked a surprise attack. That was when he found himself standing face-to-face with his Inner Hollow.
"It's been awhile, kid!" it chimed, shoving him back. He managed to stop himself and then glare Hollow Seigetsu's way. "Don't give me that. You knew it would come to this sooner or later."
"You again. I guess whatever Hirako did brought me here. What exactly does he want me to do though?"
"Idiot! They want you to subjugate me. It'd be a cold day in hell before that happens! Don't forget that the only reason you've gotten this far is because of me!"
"If you're expecting a thank you, then I'm sorry. It's not like I ever asked for your help. Now, where is Seigetsu? What did you do with her?"
The Hollow cackled. "Your instincts might have gotten sharper, but I can't say the same for your intelligence. Didn't I already tell you once before that Seigetsu and I are one in the same? Whenever I'm the one in charge, this is what this place looks like."
"So, you weren't kidding. Somehow, you've fused with my Zanpakutou."
"Bingo! Unfortunately for you, I'm here to stay! Without me, you'd just go back to being the helpless punk you were before meeting that Kana girl!"
Aaron frowned bitterly. "Judging from how you're talking, I guess I can't convince you to help me using words alone."
"Fat chance! Why in the hell would I help someone weaker than me? If anything, you should just give up your body to me so I can do something useful with it!"
"No thanks. I've already seen what you do when you're in control. I really wanna find out what's going on in Karakura Town, so let's skip the formalities and just get this over with. Will beating you suffice in changing your mind?"
"You don't listen! And you beating me? Ha! You're certainly welcome to try, punk!"
Hollow Seigetsu streaked at him like a bullet out of a gun. Again, Aaron parried its sword with his own, though the force of the attack sent him skidding back. He was surprised to find himself just barely able to hold his ground.
"What's with that sword?" he asked. "If I'm using Seigetsu, how can you too?"
"Because I am Seigetsu, dumbass! Do you really find it strange I wouldn't be able to use my own abilities?"
"...Fair enough. This is still pretty confusing, but I guess there's no point wasting time questioning it."
"Just give up! You don't have a hope of winning!"
"You wanna bet?"
The Hollow's eyes widened. While it busied talking with him, Aaron had been preparing a Kidou spell.
"Way of Destruction Number Sixty Three! Thunder Roar Sear!"
#
A bloodied Rose dodged a sword swing that would have carved his head clean off. Smiling, he had to admit that he was getting more trouble than he paid for. Holding back wasn't an option.
"I guess you aren't a normal boy after all. Very well. Play, Kinshara."
His Zanpakutou transformed into a golden whip. He swung it at Aaron, who Flash Stepped out of its path. Roaring, he came from the sky, bringing his sword down for the kill. Rose wrapped Kinshara around his Hollowfied foe like a snake coiling its prey. He then pressed his fingers against it.
"Kinshara Sonata Number Eleven—Izayoi Bara."
He strummed Kinshara like an instrument. Glowing, the sound traveled up the whip before reaching the flower tip. The resulting shockwave created an explosion that made everyone watching on grateful for Hachigen's barrier.
Kensei, leering at a stopwatch, announced, "Alright, Rose! Time's up! Switch."
Rose was relieved to see Aaron hitting the dirt a smoldering wreck. "Have I outdone myself?"
He had spoken too soon. Hollow Aaron vaulted to his feet with his blue tachi in hand. Though the majority of his black robes had been burned to a crisp, Rose was shocked to see him virtually unharmed.
"MASHIRO SUPER KI-IIIIII-ICK!"
A kick to the side of his head sent him sailing across the battlefield.
"What the…? Hey! No cutting in line!" cried Kensei. "I'm going next!"
Mashiro's mask faded as she blew him a raspberry. "You were too slow! You're also too weak to get the job done! Now, watch a master at her craft!"
Kensei snarled and was about two seconds from breaking her neck. A hand on his shoulder calmed him down.
"Considering Mashiro can wear her mask longer than any of us," said Rose, "it's probably best if she's the one that goes next."
Kensei still had his gripes with the whole arrangement. "Remember, brat, you've only got ten minutes in there!"
"I seem to have been included in the calculations...even though I'm the one in charge of maintaining the barrier," said Hachigen weakly. No one paid his remark any mind.
"Take care, Mashiro," warned Rose. "He is far stronger than I anticipated."
She struck a triumphant pose. "Never fear! I'll show dumb Kensei how a real hero gets the job done!"
"Don't make me come in there!" Kensei roared.
Hollow Aaron closed the gap between him and Mashiro in the blink of an eye. His sword was mere inches from piercing her heart. That was when she vanished.
"Hey! I was in the middle of talking to Kensei, you jerk!"
She came down on his head, driving him into the ground. She then gave her peers a thumbs up.
"Pay attention, you idiot!" said Kensei. "Dammit! She almost gave me a heart attack…"
"If you're that worried about her, just go in and help," said Lisa, flipping through the pages of a magazine.
"I-I don't care what happens to her! All she's doing is goofing off!"
The way Kensei blushed gave his claim no credibility in the others' eyes.
"Just read your stupid book!" he added.
"I'm trying," countered Lisa. "You won't stop crying though. It's ruining my concentration."
"All of you put a sock in it," muttered Shinji, watching the battle. "He's already halfway Hollowfied. He must be having one hell of a battle inside. You'd better hurry though, Aaron. If an hour passes, and you still haven't beaten your Inner Hollow...we're going to end up having to cut you down."
#
Aaron and his Inner Hollow continued to clash swords. Aaron though it surreal fighting an opponent that knew his every move. It might as well have been his own shadow he was up against. His Kidou had managed to catch his foe by surprise, yet, Hollow Seigetsu wasn't giving him any openings to try another round. He ducked a sword strike before attempting his own. His Inner Hollow Flash Stepped behind him.
"Too slow!"
It kicked him upside the head. He slid against the ground, eventually coming to a stop. Standing, he paid the blood dripping down the side of his head no mind.
"Just trading blows isn't going to get me anywhere. That thing seriously knows what I'm going to do before I even think of it."
"Just what are you thinking about down there?" Hollow Seigetsu tapped its sword over its shoulder. "Whatever you're planning won't work on me!"
"Really now? Are you saying you know all my techniques too?"
"Of course! They're mine, after all. Getsuga Tenshou. Getsuga Jigokushou. Shikai. Bankai. It doesn't matter. There's nothing you have that I don't!"
Despite its bold claims, Aaron couldn't help but want to try something. He held his sword out in a manner that made his Inner Hollow snicker.
"Bankai, eh? Haven't you been listening?"
As energy swirled around Aaron, he said, "I have, but...I'm not the kind of person that believes something unless I see it with my own eyes."
Hollow Seigetsu mirrored his pose. "So, what you're saying is you want the point beaten into you then? Fine with me!"
The two glowered at one another. Then, in the same breath, they proclaimed, "BAN...KAI!"
The resulting burst of energy destroyed most of the area. Once the smoke cleared, they both held identical white swords. Their hair burned a vibrant shade of blue, a tattered, brown cloak hung over them, and both had shimmering wings raging off their backs.
"Seinaru Seigetsu," they both announced.
Aaron was momentarily stunned. "...You weren't kidding. Then again, I guess I dug my own grave here."
"That's right, punk! Anything you can do, I can do a thousand times better!"
Aaron was willing to put even that to the test. "First Phase!"
His Inner Hollow finished his statement. "Hangetsu!"
#
Mashiro smoothly dodged the grey energy sword that extended her way—Hangetsu—and readied another Mashiro Super Kick. Aaron caught her leg before it could do any harm. Opening his mouth, he then charged what would end up being a point blank Cero.
"Uh oh…" Mashiro rightly said seconds before he let it loose, much to the horror of the other Visored. They soon saw there was nothing to fear. Mashiro had managed to dart out of the way at the last moment. "Wow! I would've been toast without my Hollowfication! C-Chocolate-tan sure is scary when he gets mad…"
"She really is going to give me a heart attack," mumbled Kensei. "Hey! Switch with me already!"
"It's only been seven minutes," Lisa informed him.
"I don't give a damn!"
"Are you crapping your pants, Kensei?" asked a winking Mashiro.
"Y-You little…!"
Reapplying her mask, Mashiro said, "I thought I told you to just watch! I have the situation under control!'
"So noisy." Shinji cleaned out his ear. "What's the deal? She's usually lazy as hell."
"Something about Aaron is bringing out the best in her," said Rose, humored.
"You mean the worst," growled Kensei.
"I'm fortunate I did decide to go first." Rose noted Aaron was almost fully Hollowfied now. He heeded the flux of spiritual pressure outside the warehouse too. "I wonder what's going on."
"Whatever it is, it's gotten pretty intense," said Love.
"Ichigo is getting his ass kicked. That's what," said Shinji. "Oh well. If he had just accepted our offer from the beginning, thing would be different."
"You sound like a jilted, ex lover," said Lisa.
"...Shut up."
"You know," said Hiyori as Mashiro dodged another of Aaron's Ceros and responded in kind, "if you had just dragged his ass back here earlier today…!"
"Don't start. You think you're better just because you got Aaron to come here? You probably threatened to kill his entire family if he didn't."
"I-I wouldn't stoop that low, you baldy!"
"Nah. That sounds like something you'd do," said Lisa nonchalantly.
"I'm afraid I have to agree," added Rose with a shrug.
"S-Shut your fat mouths! I don't see any of you bringing back results!" A red-faced Hiyori declared.
Shinji waved his hand. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say."
The wounds Mashiro had inflicted on Aaron were healing rapidly.
"High speed regeneration too?" mumbled Shinji. "Pretty good…"
#
Aaron's Inner Hollow launched a massive Getsuga Tenshou. Aaron responded by spinning his twin blades.
"Second Phase! Shingetsu!"
Fashioning a white dome of energy over himself, he managed to endure the attack. The second the dome came down though, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. His Inner Hollow was right in front of him and about to cleave him in two.
"Getsuga Juujishou!"
A huge explosion took place. Hollow Seigetsu burst from the smoke missing its left arm. Aaron appeared as well. He still had all his limbs, though there wasn't an inch of him that wasn't coated in blood. Both he and his opponent struggled to catch their breaths.
"Y-You're a nutcase!" Hollow Seigetsu said. "What, are you trying to kill us both?!"
"Honestly, I'm...not trying to kill either one of us if I don't have to."
His words threw his foe for a loop. "...Just what in the hell are you going on about? You're still not taking this seriously, kid!"
"I promise you I am. I'm...just trying to figure you out."
"What?"
"Yeah. I'm starting to think this whole 'tough guy' thing is only an act. If you're really my Zanpakutou, then we should be working together."
The Hollow burst out in laughter. Though Aaron fully expected it would, he nonetheless sighed.
"You're too naive. Haven't I already made it perfectly clear I'm the strongest? It's natural for the strong to want to be the king of the castle. That's your problem, kid—you're too soft. You have all the power in the world but don't have a clue how to use it. That's why everyone thinks you're nothing but a weakling when you could easily crush them with your eyes closed! Even now, you have the nerve to say you aren't trying to kill me! That's why you lost again Aizen."
That got a rise out of Aaron. "...What was that?"
"Pissed off now, are you? Good! You're too damn kind for your own good! Even Seigetsu's wimpy ass told you that, didn't she?"
Biting his bottom lip, Aaron admitted that was true.
"You don't have any kind of killer edge! That's why you needed me during your little trip to Soul Society! That's why that Hiyori girl was able to drag you around without so much as a whimper! You're soft! You let everyone walk all over you! You're going to protect Kana? Don't make me laugh! You can't even protect yourself! Your own sister had to save your ass yesterday! You're a complete joke!"
"...Shut up."
"Yeah, now you sound angry alright. That's more like it! That's the edge you need! That's…"
"I said SHUT UP! SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Aaron's spiritual pressure skyrocketed. It nearly blew his Inner Hollow away.
"Yeah?" it replied, grinning from ear to ear. "Or what? I don't take empty threats from a kid in way over his head, a kid that can't even stand on his own two feet! That Hirako guy was right—-you really would have been worm food if he had let you go."
Aaron, through gritted teeth, muttered, "Last Phase…"
"Haven't I already said that killing us both won't solve anything?"
Aaron no longer cared. "MANGETSU!"
#
Avoiding Seigetsu again, Mashiro back flipped to safety. No longer beaming like a triumphant superhero, she busied wiping all the sweat drenching her forehead.
"Chocolate-tan is a meanie!" she said, pouting. "Go down already!'
"Alright, it's been ten minutes!" Kensei was already inside of the barrier as he spoke. Snatching her up by the collar, he tossed Mashiro outside. "Time to switch!"
"Hacci~n!" Mashiro was still throwing a tantrum, flailing her arms in front of Hachigen. "Make dumb Kensei stop picking on me!"
Hachigen looked lost. "It...erm...is his turn, I'm afraid. You'll just have to be patient and wait until your next one."
That wouldn't do. Mashiro crossed her arms and took a seat on the ground in defiance.
"Don't fret," Shinji told her. "Kensei's gonna avenge you good. I haven't seen him this pissed off in awhile."
Mashiro blinked and faced the person in question. "Maybe he's more gallant than I gave him credit for?"
"I'm not doing anything of the sort!" Kensei snapped. He drew his Zanpakutou, gripping it tightly. "...All this guy's howling was just getting on my nerves."
Hollow Aaron roared again.
"See what I mean? Let me introduce you to Tachikaze. It's the weapon that's going to kill you."
Aaron charged at him. Standing his ground, Kensei gave a toothy grin.
"Blow it away, Tachikaze."
His sword transformed into a combat knife. He swung it, causing blades of wind to rip apart the ground and race toward his target.
"He's not fooling anyone," said Lisa. "He's pissed off alright. I'm going next."
"Don't waste your energy," said Rose. "I'll gladly go again."
"You're rather chipper for a guy that got beat to hell," said Love with a laugh. Rose wasn't nearly as amused. "Let me go after Kensei. Seeing him get all worked up has gotten me fired up too."
"I don't care who goes next," voiced Shinji. "The problem is that Aaron is taking his sweet ass time. He's Hollowfying way too quickly. Just what the hell is he doing in there?"
#
Aaron's Inner Hollow stood over his unmoving form.
"Weak people like you, kid, don't deserve to live. Let me do you a favor and put you out of your misery."
It kicked him across the grassy plain. His body landed with a sickening thud and took a number of moments before it rolled to stop.
"You haven't protected anyone. All you've been in a burden. Being your Zanpakutou is embarrassing if I'm being frank. That's why you should just do us both a favor and hand over your body."
Coughing violently, Aaron managed to sit up some.
"You're seriously still alive?" Hollow Seigetsu shook its head. "Now that's embarrassing. Just quit while you're ahead. What have you got left to prove?"
Stumbling, Aaron managed to get one knee off the ground.
"I'm serious, punk! You're too weak! What the hell can you hope to accomplish?!"
Aaron was on his feet now. He had to use his swords as a crutch, but he had done it. Hollow Seigetsu couldn't believe it.
"What, are you a glutton for punishment?!" it screamed. "You're the weaker one here! Why can't you get that through your head already?! Why do you keep getting up?!"
"...I already know that I'm weak." Aaron could hardly speak between his sharp breaths. "I'm also aware that people are constantly carrying me. Kana. Sasune. Mitsumi. Izumi. Urahara. ...And even Kurosaki. I know I'd be long dead if it weren't for them. But...so what? If you're really Seigetsu, then you'd remember telling me I can't do everything on my own. I don't have to shoulder the weight by myself! Maybe I don't have any kind of killer instinct, but what I do have are dear friends! Just like they watch my back, I watch theirs! That's more than enough motivation for me to keep getting up and to win!"
"...You know, kid, that rosy outlook you have on life...it really pisses me off! You're like a child. That's even worse than you being weaker than me!"
"Come on. Destroy me then if you think you're right. Maybe I can change your mind. After all, you've saved my ass plenty of time too. In a weird sort of way...I'm beginning to feel like I owe you."
"Y-You have a lot of nerve…!"
His words were utterly repugnant. Hollow Seigetsu had to erase his existence. It simply had to. It rushed toward him, prompting him to follow its lead.
"Let's put an end to this dance of ours!" it hollered. "It's time for the true king to sit on the throne!"
There were no wasted motions. They both screamed, "GETSUGA TENSHOU!"
#
Kensei darted out of the path of a Cero. He wiped a trail of blood from his mouth before responding with more blades of wind. Aaron disappeared into thin air. Alarmed, Kensei searched all around him. At the last moment, he managed to block an attack from behind.
"You're getting annoying!" he stated. "Lisa! How much time do I have left?"
"About five minutes. Why? Do you want to switch already?"
"Nope! I just wanted to know how much time I had left to beat this clown senseless!"
He shoved Aaron back enough to give him space to ready his next trick.
"Bankai!"
"Wow. He's seriously using Bankai?" said Love, glad he was wearing sunglasses. A blinding flash of light went off inside the barrier. "Is that Higuchi kid that strong?"
"No. I think he's just getting carried away," said Shinji tiredly. "Come on, Kensei! Don't kill the kid for crying out loud!"
"Does he really have five minutes left?" wondered Rose. "It feels like he's been in there twice as long as we have."
"He's had the equivalent of three turns actually," said Lisa. "I saw he was having the time of his life and didn't have the heart to stop him. Sorry."
"No fair!" whined Mashiro. "Kensei is having all the fun!"
"How long has it been since that kid Hollowfied?" asked Rose.
Lisa took her time in saying, "...Fifty five minutes and thirty seconds."
"Nearly an hour then." Rose frowned. "We'll have to kill Hiyori's new friend if this goes on any longer."
"I-I don't care what happens to that guy!" said Hiyori, blushing slightly. "Shut up already!"
"You're as convincing as Kensei…"
"What was that, Lisa?!"
"Nothing at all."
Violet armor adorned Kensei's arms. A thick band arched around his neck, whereas both his hands were fitted with knuckle blades.
"Tekken Tachikaze," he said. "Sorry, kid, but I won't be playing around anymore!"
He drove his fist into Aaron's stomach. The impact was deafening. For a moment, Hachigen feared the force alone would shatter his barrier. Kensei followed his strike up with a blinding array of punches, treating his foe the same as a sandbag. Aaron attempted another Cero, but Kensei closed his mouth forcefully and socked him right between the eyes. He ended his assault with a stiff uppercut. Broken, Hollow Aaron crumpled onto the ground like an accordion.
"Did...that do the trick?"
Kensei got an answer when Aaron sprang back up. Though the others didn't know it, he grabbed his twin blades, howled, and readied to blow up the entire warehouse with Mangetsu. Unnerved by his rising spiritual pressure, Kensei stood firm.
"What the hell is this kid…?"
"Hacci, get Kensei out of that barrier!" Shinji cried. "And all of you, get out of…!"
The white skin around Aaron began to crack. Despite Shinji's words, everyone froze. Aaron's skin broke apart, revealing a much more human version of himself wearing a Hollow's mask. Gasping for air, he managed to stop himself from falling by planting his twin swords into the ground.
"...That wasn't fun at all."
Every part of his body stung. It was a fair compromise if it meant he was still in possession of his body. He chuckled quietly to himself, thanking his Inner Hollow for being such a good sport. His body wasn't; he toppled over anyway, leading him to laugh again.
"The kid really did it, huh?" said Love, pleasantly surprised.
Shinji found himself in a similar mood. "And here I was getting worried for a sec."
Hiyori walked over to Aaron. She prodded him with her foot, leading him to swat it away.
"So, you really aren't dead then, baldy," she chimed. Kicking him in the stomach, she shouted, "THEN GET UP ALREADY, YOU LAZY BUM!"
Aaron let a few raspy coughs. If he could move, he would have. Sleeping for a whole week was a more appealing proposition. Gazing at his hand, he could still feel his Inner Hollow lurking about. It was different though, less oppressive. While he still felt it could take control at a moment's notice, there was no doubt in his mind he would be able to hold it at bay from if it tried.
He might have been weak, but he was certain he could do that much.
"So," Shinji said, crouching down to him. "How do you feel?"
"Like shit. Please tell me it's over."
"Nah. ...I'm afraid this is just the beginning."
END
