Chapter 46

Conflicted Beast

Aaron gave the door to his classroom a longing look. Escaping from another boring lecture was near the top of his things to do. That, however, wasn't the reason he couldn't concentrate on anything else.

He kept waiting on someone to walk through that door.

"Pay attention, Higuchi!"

Dragging him out of that fantasy was Momoka Yoshida, who jabbed his shoulder. He groaned, annoyed at being unlucky enough to get the seat next to the overzealous class president. She scowled at him, daring him to quell her wrath again. Having no interest in doing so, he put his head down and attempted to drown out the instructor droning on about trigonometry problems. Even if he was paying attention like Momoka wished, he already knew he wouldn't get it.

I'll just ask to copy off of Sasune later…

Speaking of the Quincy, he sat to Aaron's right. "Are you lonely, CT?"

Aaron's head shot up. "...What?"

"I'm just saying. This is the fourth day in a row you've been waiting for your girlfriend to show up. You know she isn't even in the same class as us, right?"

"I'm not Mitsumi's boyfriend. I'd like to meet the man with enough balls to claim that. You don't think it's weird though she hasn't been at school?"

Sasune shrugged. "She's a delinquent. What do you expect? Ditching school is what people like her are good at. I'm more shocked she came as much as she did."

"Can you get serious for a minute? She might be the Red-Haired Beast, but even she wouldn't skip this many days."

He was worried, almost worried to death. He again peered at the door, hoping Konoka would appear and ask for something frivolous like extra erasers.

"Stop getting your panties in a bunch," Sasune replied. "She is the Red-Haired Beast. Even if she's in trouble, she'd be able to handle it no problem."

Aaron wasn't remotely satisfied by that answer. "I'm going to her mansion after school."

"Man, you don't listen. Why are you so attached to that chick anyway? Don't you already have Miss Mitarashi?"

Aaron's nose wrinkled. "And what does Kana have to do with any of this?"

Sasune gasped in a far too dramatic fashion for his friend's liking. "How dare you! Trying to pretend you don't have a complete monopoly on all the girls in this story!"

Having lost Sasune awhile ago, Aaron rolled his eyes. His mind was already set; he would head to Konoka's house the second he got out of school.

Crap. Aren't I supposed to meet up with the Visoreds again?

He cringed, already hearing Hiyori's shrill voice shattering his eardrums. For three days, he had been doing nothing but training with her and the other Visoreds in order to master his Hollow powers. He continued to find the entire prospect weird, though he had been obedient thus far.

"Where have you been as of late? I've been meaning to invite you to the maid cafe, but every time school is over, you're nowhere to be found," said Sasune, narrowing his eyelids in suspicion. "First Uryuu, then Miss Mitsumi, and now you. Just what have you been up to? And don't give me that studying crap again. Your grades still suck, so I know that's not what you're doing."

Momoka shushed them with her finger .They ignored her.

"None of your business, Sherlock" Aaron snapped. "I don't have to spend every waking hour of the day with you. Besides, you have a one track mind."

"You're just avoiding the question."

"What if I am?"

"That's why I'm saying you have to be up to something. It's weird."

Momoka again implored them to be quiet. They both waved their hands, quietly telling her to buzz off.

"You're overthinking things."

"Like I want to hear that from the guy crying about his girlfriend."

"For the last time, Mitsumi is not my girlfriend!"

"Yeah, and birds don't totally fly. You might have everyone else fooled, but…"

"I SAID NO TALKING DURING THE LESSON, YOU MORONS!"

Momoka rammed their heads together, sending them into a world of hurt. Aaron felt that, ironically, she was disturbing the lecture more than anyone.

#

"For the last time, I'm fine. I just need to rest for awhile."

"Are you sure?"

"For the twentieth time, yes! You're making me sound like a parrot…"

Aaron, carrying a boatload of groceries, still had his reservations about his sister's health. Izumi sighed and walked on ahead of him before he could make it twenty one times.

"Whatever happened the other night," she said, "isn't something I'm going to die from. There. Are you satisfied now?"

"Speaking of which, how did you manage to…?"

"I don't know," she said sharply. "And even if I did, I...don't want to talk about it."

With that, Aaron knew the subject was as good as closed. He bit his bottom lip in frustration. He wasn't sure why she was insisting on being so stubborn. No, it was more her acting like she had done something horribly wrong.

"Hurry up and get dinner started," she said.

Aaron checked his watch. "You do know it's barely evening, right?"

"What does that have to do with anything? I'm starving!"

"Then order a pizza or something!" Aaron shook his head. "Besides, I have something I need to take care of this evening."

"Oh?" Izumi whirled around, pressing her face close to his. "Going to see your girlfriend or something? Because you're in way too much of a hurry to get out of here."

Blushing a tad bit, Aaron shot back, "W-Why does everyone keep saying that? For the last time, Mitsumi is not and has never been my girlfriend!"

"Mitsumi, eh? I mean, I wasn't naming any names. You're the one that brought this Mitsumi up, so that means something must be going on."

Aaron, rolling his eyes, wasn't going to argue with that type of logic. He dropped the bags in his possession at the front door and marched right back down the staircase.

"I'll be back later!" he snarled.

"Okay! Have fun with your girlfriend! And hurry back and make dinner!"

Aaron plugged his ears. "I'm not listening!"

Izumi got a few laughs at his expense ahead of coiling her lips. "If he wanted to see his girlfriend so badly, he should've just said so."

Practically speed walking to Konoka's place, Aaron slipped his hands into his pockets and tried to look inconspicuous. Considering he was in a foul mood thanks to his sister, he wasn't sure how well it was working.

"Why did I even bother worrying about her? If she can run her mouth like usual, then she really is fine."

He remained troubled about the Menos Grande from the other night. If Izumi wasn't going to talk about her strange powers, he knew someone who just might.

"Maybe I should stop at Urahara's before I go to Mitsumi's…"

He decided against it, figuring the shop owner knew about as much as he did. Urahara certainly hadn't mentioned anything strange about Izumi before. On the other hand, Aaron noted he never could get a read on the man.

Speaking of Urahara, his thoughts steered toward the Hougyoku. He still questioned why he had to hear of it being stolen from Shinji Hirako of all people. Shinji had mentioned something about 'Arrancar,' a phrase that, while foreign, gave Aaron pause.

"Just what the hell is an Arrancar? And what does the Hougyoku have to do with them? Who else but that Aizen creep would go to the trouble of stealing it?"

How was more like it, he thought. Having fought against them himself, he knew Soul Society's strength was nothing to scoff at.

"Who exactly are we dealing with here? I just hope Kurosaki and his friends are alright."

Every now and then, Aaron glanced over his shoulder. There was no one behind him. The streets were eerily empty in fact.

In spite of all of this, he knew someone was tailing him. There was no doubt in his mind.

He lowered his head and made it seem like he hadn't noticed. He traveled down an empty alleyway, a good enough spot in his opinion to get to the bottom of things.

"Whoever you are, you can come out now. I'm not going to run."

Turning around, he laid eyes on Kuugo Ginjou grinning back at him. The strange man seemed rather happy about being caught red handed.

"You got me," Ginjou said cheerily. "Man, I really am no good at this tailing thing. You're the second person to catch me in the act."

"What do you want?"

Ginjou whistled. "Straight to the point, huh? Fair enough. My name is Kuugo Ginjou."

Aaron didn't bother introducing himself. If this Ginjou had bothered to follow him, he more than likely knew who he was. Something felt off. His new acquaintance might have been all smiles, yet, Aaron picked up a murderous vibe. He latched on to the Substitute Shinigami badge in his pocket.

"Relax," Ginjou said. "You're all tense. I'm not here to fight. After all, picking a fight with someone who went to Soul Society and came back to tell the tale would probably be suicide."

Aaron also wasn't surprised Ginjou was so well informed. "...Who told you about that?"

"A little red-haired birdie."

Aaron held his breath. He felt like a truck had hit him. He grabbed Ginjou by his collar and pulled him in. "What have you done with Mitsumi?!"

Ginjou wasn't frightened one bit. "Easy there."

"Shut up! I knew I'd seen you somewhere before! You were the guy walking around with Mitsumi yesterday! Don't play dumb! Tell me what you've done with her!"

"Relax. Jeez. Talk about overreacting."

Aaron let him go, though it had nothing to do with honoring his request. The killing intent was back and stronger than ever.

"Rather than trying to beat me up," said Ginjou, "you had best watch out for Konoka."

"...And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"There's this rather creepy guy following her around. And no, I'm not talking about me. Once you make it to her house, you'll understand."

With a wave, Ginjou took his leave. Aaron debated on chasing after him. His legs wouldn't budge an inch, however.

I'm...scared?

Ginjou didn't matter. Konoka was a higher priority.

"What the hell just happened?" he asked, now sprinting to Konoka's mansion. While he had already been wary, his encounter with Ginjou made him fearful for Konoka's life. "I can sense her spiritual pressure just fine, but…"

He couldn't even begin to contemplate what her relation to Ginjou was.

Speaking of the mysterious person, there was something about the man that still bugged him.

"Is he a friend...or someone I should watch out for?"

#

Although there was nothing particularly interesting about Hiyori pouting in a corner, the other Visoreds couldn't concentrate on anything else.

"What's she doing?" Love Aikawa wondered.

"Pouting," replied Lisa Yadomaru, her nose deep in a magazine. "Her star pupil didn't show up today."

"I guess they do get along pretty well. She must really like him, if…"

"Shut up over there!" Hiyori howled. "Nobody said anything about missing that baldy!"

Despite her claim, she went back to violently jabbing her sword into the dirt.

"Yes. It would appear she is indeed upset," said Rose Outoribashi with a chuckle. "Where has our new friend gotten off to anyway?"

"Maybe he finally got cold feet and ran away," Love joked.

"Then he's dumber than he looks," said Lisa. "Hiyori would just chase him down to the ends of the Earth."

"Why are you idiots still talking about that baldy?!" Hiyori tossed a brick their way. They all dodged it smoothly. "I already said I don't give a rat's ass about him, so…!"

"Yeah, yeah. Then shut up already," said Shinji Hirako. He cleaned out his ear, sensing a headache coming on. "That guy didn't sign a binding contract saying he needed to be here everyday. If you really wanna see your boyfriend so badly, you should…"

Everyone grimaced when Hiyori socked Shinji right on the nose. Fearing it was broken, he threw his hands over it in an effort to halt the gushing blood.

"Mind your own damn business!" she snapped. "For the last time, that baldy…!"

"You know, you aren't cute at all when you're whining."

The others winced again. Hiyori let Shinji have another, leading him to roll around on the ground in agony.

Hiyori marched her way past him. "I'm going out!"

"Good. Get outta here and go get your boyfriend, you…!"

This time, everyone shook their heads. They couldn't blame Hiyori for stomping a mudhole into their talkative friend. He had pushed his luck.

"They're like a pair of mosquitos," mused Love. His head followed Shinji while he ran for his life throughout the warehouse. "I'm getting dizzy just watching them."

"It's not usually this loud around here," said Lisa. "Guess that Higuchi kid can liven things up even when he's not here."

"Where is Chocolate-tan anyway?" asked Mashiro Kuna.

"Hey! Give me that!" cried Love, snatching his issue of Jump from her. "I didn't finish reading it yet…"

"Kensei! Where's Chocolate-tan? Huh? Hey, answer me, Kensei!"

In the midst of pounding on a punching bag, Kensei Muguruma shouted, "How the hell should I know?! Does it look like I have psychic powers?"

Mashiro frowned. "What if he never comes back?"

"Then we drag his ass back here."

"Nah. We ain't gotta go that far," said Shinji, smirking. "Aaron is one of us now. He'll be back. All we gotta do is wait. That way, Hiyori can stop all her crying."

He ducked one of her sandals. As he began to celebrate, the other whacked him right between the eyes.

"Put a sock in, you bastard!" she screeched, blushing furiously. "I ALREADY SAID I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT BALDY, BALDY!"

#

Aaron sneezed. He wiped his nose and feared his allergies were acting up. There was no time to worry about them. He stood in front of the massive gates that led into Konoka's mansion. They seemed to bare down on him as if to remind him just how different her world was from his.

"Yeah, the coffee empress is loaded alright."

Clearing his throat for no particular reason, he buzzed the intercom. Momentary static led to a familiar voice speaking, one he recognized as Konoka's personal butler.

"Yes? Can I help you?" said Jives.

"Ah. Yes, I...erm…" Aaron wasn't sure why he was faltering after having come all the way there. "I'm...uh...Aaron Higuchi. Is Mitsumi home? I...just wanna check up on her."

"I see. If you would please wait there for a few moments…"

There was a long and awkward pause. Aaron twiddled his thumbs.

"I wonder where that Ginjou got off to."

He wasn't being followed anymore. He was one-hundred percent sure of that. What he wasn't so certain on was why he remained apprehensive. Maybe it had to do with Ginjou, even in their brief encounter, giving him the absolute creeps.

"Yeah. That guy really does rub me the wrong way. If I never see him again, it'll be too soon."

"Well, that makes two of us then."

Aaron yelped louder than he would have liked. He wasn't sure when she had gotten there but Konoka stood opposite of him.

"You're as weird as usual," she remarked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't shout randomly in front of my house, alright? The neighbors already think I'm runnin' a freak show here."

Aaron frowned. "...Hello to you as well, Mitsumi."

Her abrasive nature aside, he was relieved she was more or less in one piece.

"You're here to see me, right? Come on then."

Konoka gestured for him to follow along. The two traveled through her lavish garden, a sight Aaron felt he would never grow accustomed to seeing.

"This is really nice, Mitsumi."

"This isn't the first time you've been to my place, so don't act so starstruck."

"Easy for you to say. You get to live in paradise everyday. All this really is incredible."

Konoka shrugged. "What are you doing here, Higuchi? It's not often I have guests."

"I can imagine…"

Aaron hadn't meant to say that out loud. The damage had already been done though.

"You wanna repeat that?" Konoka said, her eyelid twitching. Aaron shook his head feverishly. "Yeah, that's what I thought."

Quick to change the subject, her guest said, "Where have you been, Mitsumi? You haven't been to school in awhile, so I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

The two walked past a huge water fountain. It was so exotic that Aaron had to look back over his shoulder to make sure it was real.

"Somethin'...came up."

"Funny. Sasune said that was probably the case."

"Tell Pretty Boy I'd prefer it if he kept my name out of his mouth," replied Konoka. "Still, I really have been busy. Stock prices. Mergers. Buyouts. Boring stuff really."

"That does sound like a headache. Head of a major company while still attending high school. How do you manage it all? I'd crack after the first couple of days."

"You're a pretty capable guy, Higuchi. I'm sure you could handle it."

The unexpected compliment left Aaron both flustered and lost for words.

"Mitsumi Coffee's stock prices took a nosedive while I was with you guys in Soul Society. I mean, it wasn't anything serious, but all our investors freaked out because me, the head of the company, vanished into thin air for awhile. I just needed a few days off from school to get things straightened out."

"It all sounds so...complicated. I really don't get how you do it, Mitsumi. You're pretty incredible."

Turning a similar shade to her scarlet hair, Konoka muttered, "Shut up about it already. I-It's...not that big of a deal."

Jives was waiting for the two at a table in the center of the garden.

"Thanks, Jives." Konoka took a seat in the chair her faithful butler pulled out for her. "You got time to chat, Higuchi?"

Graciously, Aaron sat down across from her. "Is it...alright for me to stay awhile? You sound pretty busy, and…"

Konoka waved her hand. "Don't worry about it. You came all the way here to see me, so the least I can do is be a good host."

"Thanks then."

Jives poured two piping hot cups of tea. Aaron thought the sweet smell wafting in the air foreign. His drink was some sort of exotic tea, certainly something his family wouldn't be able to afford, let alone drink leisurely. The sight of Konoka partaking on her tea in a graceful manner was almost...jarring. It clashed with the 'delinquent' image Sasune put in Aaron's head. So did her pretty face. She wore no makeup though possessed natural beauty, so much so that her fair skin looked to glow in the setting sunlight. Aaron, studying her face intently, questioned why he hadn't taken notice of it until now.

She's...

"Yo, Higuchi. I'm talkin' to you."

Blinking, Aaron answered, "S-Sorry...I didn't hear you…"

"No kidding." Konoka chuckled. "I was just askin' if you had somewhere to be right now."

Aaron mulled the prospect over. "Nah. I...guess I don't."

Wait, do I? It feels like I'm forgetting something important…

#

"ACHOO!"

Hiyori didn't get the chance to cover her mouth as she sneezed loud enough for three people. Sniffling, she searched all around and couldn't help but feel someone, somewhere, was talking about her.

"Don't get any of your germs on me," said Shinji, picking his nose. "I don't need whatever it is you're infected with."

Hiyori smashed her fist into his face again for his troubles.

#

Aaron couldn't have asked for a better day. Birds, drawn by the array of flowers in Konoka's garden, were chirping happily. A cool breeze swept past him while he enjoyed his drink. Gazing into it, he stared back at his reflection. The lines of worry that had been painting his visage were gone. He was the most relaxed he had been in weeks.

"I see you didn't bring your boyfriend along with you," said Konoka, adding a bit more sugar to her tea.

Aaron's mood soured a tad bit. "If you're asking about Sasune then he's probably out somewhere harassing some poor, helpless girl."

Konoka grinned. "I don't doubt that. I gotta ask you somethin', Higuchi."

"Shoot."

"Why...no...how in the hell are you friends with that maniac?"

Aaron let out a couple snorts. "...I've been asking myself that for a very long time. Sasune isn't as bad as he seems. He's saved my ass more times than I can count."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. He lets me copy off his homework for free. That's the only reason I haven't flunked out of history class."

Much to his surprise, Konoka erupted into a fit of laughter. No one at school would ever believe him if he claimed the Red-Haired Beast could make such a racket.

"You're funny. After all the damn business calls I had to suffer through this morning, I needed a laugh" she said, wiping her tears away. "Guess I'll have to start asking for Pretty Boy's homework too."

"I'd be careful if I were you. He'd probably charge you in particular a kiss per sheet."

"True. That ain't worth the hassle. I'll just beat the answers outta him instead."

Aaron paused, unsure if that was a joke or not. "I mean, I can just lend you mine after I get through copying his."

"I think you've got yourself a deal, Higuchi."

The two shared some more laughs. Aaron wasn't sure why he felt so calm shooting the breeze with Konoka. It made even less sense why everyone at school was so utterly terrified of her. He wasn't sure why he had been himself. All he ever heard about her was baseless rumors he had been too scared to verify.

Maybe we would've been friends sooner if I had just manned up and talked to her…

He couldn't begin to imagine how Konoka must have felt being the most feared woman in Hino. Her cool visage aside, it couldn't have been anything pleasant.

"What are you thinking about over there?"

Konoka dragged him back into reality by flicking him on the forehead.

"N-Nothing," he said, rubbing the spot. "Mitsumi, do you ever…?"

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything, Miss Mitsumi."

Although someone had crept up on him again, Aaron didn't scream. He made no sounds at all in fact, merely ogling the tall, handsome man that had come out of Konoka's mansion. The new arrival returned Aaron's curious gaze. He then smiled, sending a chill down the latter's spine. It was a familiar feeling of dread…
It reminded him of being around Ginjou.

Speaking of Ginjou, it was then Aaron remembered the man's warning of a 'creepy guy' hanging around Konoka. He wasn't one to judge a book by its cover, but the mysterious individual fit the bill.

"Tsukishima," said Konoka, giving the man a fond smile. Aaron had to do a double take. He didn't know it was possible for her to look so pleased. "Me and Higuchi were just catching up. He's a friend from school."

"How do you do?" Tsukishima extended his hand. "Shuukurou Tsukishima. Thank you for taking care of Konoka all this time. I know she can be a handful."

"Don't talk about me like I'm a misbehaving brat," Konoka grumbled.

"Aaron Higuchi." He shook Tsukishima's hand. It was ice cold. "I...uh...don't mean to be rude, but who are you exactly?"

"I am Miss Mitsumi's personal trainer."

"Trainer?"

"That's right," said Konoka. "Tsukishima often drops by and gives me pointers. You know, on how to fight. He's the best damn teacher I could've asked for."

"A teacher is only as good as their student," mused Tsukishima.

"Yeah, yeah. You still gotta show me that one trick from the other day."

"My, you're enthusiastic. I thought all these business meetings would have left you exhausted."

"Not a chance! I'm ready to go any time."

"I quite like the sound of that."

The back and forth between them left Aaron lost for words. Konoka wasn't even that cordial with him.

"Where did you two meet?" he asked in a more suspicion manner than he meant.

Konoka picked up on it and frowned "What do you mean? I've always known this guy. He's been my teacher ever since I was a little girl."

"She was a precocious child even then," said Tsukishima with a chuckle.

"Maybe he could give you a few pointers too, Higuchi. This guy really knows his stuff."

Aaron's eyes narrowed. The confusing scene became even more baffling. "W-Wait. If you've really known him for so long, how come I've never seen him before? I'm confident you haven't even spoken of him."

"What the hell are you talking about, Higuchi? I've talked about Tsukishima plenty of times."

"No, you haven't. In fact, I've never seen this guy before in my life."

"So?" Konoka's tone grew agitated. "What are you playing at? Tsukishima was the one that taught me to fight so I could help your scrawny ass in Soul Society!"

"If my presence here is becoming an issue…"

"No, Tsukishima. You're my guest, so…"

"Stay out of this!" Aaron snapped. "Something about all this isn't right, Mitsumi!"

Konoka got to her feet. "Yeah, and it's you! If you're going to be rude to my guest, Higuchi, then you can just go and get the hell out of here!"

"W-Why are you defending this guy?! Something is off about him! Ginjou said…!"

"Oh, like that creep is someone to trust! I really don't wanna hear anything out of your mouth if you got it from him! Besides, Tsukishima is like a brother to me! When my parents died, he took care of me and my family's money until I was old enough to do it myself!"

"I'm...flattered you think so highly of me, Miss Mitsumi," said Tsukishima. "However, that's no reason for you to snap at your friend. It's true, Mister Higuchi, that I rarely have the time to see Miss Mitsumi these days. That's likely the reason this is our first meeting."

Even with no proof, Aaron wasn't buying that for a second. He, without a doubt, knew Tsukishima was full of it.

Why can't Mitsumi see it too?! What the hell is going on?!

"Save it, Tsukishima." Konoka crossed her arms and scowled at Aaron hard enough to make him flinch. "Go! Get out of here! I don't wanna see your face for awhile!"

Finding the entire situation bizarre, Aaron was more than happy to stomp his way out of the garden. While he did so, he turned back to find Tsukishima still smiling about something or another. He grit his teeth, craving nothing more than to wipe it away.

"What the hell got into him?" Konoka asked when Aaron was no longer in sight. "Higuchi is usually pretty chill. Sorry about all that, Tsukishima."

"Don't be. I'm sure your friend is simply under a lot of stress. High school students have a lot to fret over. Exams and even girls chasing after them."

Konoka's nose wrinkled as she headed back inside her home. "...He's already got a pretty annoying girl chasing after him."

"Is that so?" Tsukishima followed after her. "Don't worry. I'll have a chat with him. I'm sure we'll become fast friends."

Relieved to hear so, Konoka replied, "...Thanks. You always were a softie."

They went on their way, unaware that someone had been watching their entire exchange.

"You've really done it this time, Shuukurou," said a solemn faced Sasune Ishida.

#

Aaron wandered around his home town in deep thought. The situation with Konoka had him dejected all over again. He still couldn't make heads or tails over it.

"There's no way what she's saying is true. Why is she saying it then?"

She believed it. That was one of the few things he was certain of. He sighed, feeling his frustrations reach a fever pitch. Her being pissed at him yet again wasn't good. Regardless of why they fought, he regretted the whole thing and yearned to get back in her good graces.

"Flowers? Nah. She seems like she'd hit me if I tried that. Chocolates? No, it'll just make it seem like I'm trying to confess to her. What would someone as rich as her even want with something a broke guy like me buys?"

He groaned. Appealing to her felt as hard as figuring out Tsukishima.

By the time he got his wits about him and checked his watch, he saw that it was close to midnight.

"Wow. Izumi is going to be pissed!" he said fearfully. "Please tell me Ma came home for once and made dinner instead…"

That was as likely as Tsukishima actually being Konoka's trainer. He gulped and wasn't sure who he would rather be torn to shreds by—the Red-Haired Beast...or his older sister.

"Knowing my rotten luck today, there's probably a Hollow around."

He looked up, drawn by something's spiritual pressure. Low and behold, there was a Hollow streaking across the sky. It soon vanished, though he didn't take his eyes off the spot he discovered it.

"I-I was only joking!" he cried, putting his hands on his head in disbelief. "Great. Better take it out before…"

That was when he picked up on even more Hollows. However, their spiritual pressure was on an entirely different level. They were faint, indicating they weren't anywhere near Hino, but they were big enough to make his heart thump wildly.

"Karakura Town…"

His senses weren't as finely tuned as his sister's, though he nodded, confident in his deduction. All the energy swirling about was the same as the other day.

"T-This has gotta be those Arrancar Hirako mentioned! What the hell is going on? Where are they coming from, and why do they keep coming back?!"

With no Visoreds to stop him this time, he transformed into a Shinigami with the aid of his Substitute's badge.

It was time to take a little trip to Karakura Town.

"Are you certain you want to do that, Mister Higuchi? After all, that's some frightful energy, isn't it?"

Slowly, Aaron faced the other way. Startled, he also wasn't too surprised at seeing Shuukurou Tsukishima walking toward him. Illuminated by a street lamp, the man peered down at a thick book before turning his attention to a wary Aaron.

"It's a school night, isn't it?" he said with an inviting smile. "You shouldn't be out this late, you know. A lack of rest will stunt your growth."

Aaron placed a hand on his sword. "Alright, the fact that you can see me tells me you aren't a normal guy. Then again, I had that hunch from the first time we met. Just like I'm getting a hunch you don't normally walk the streets in the dead of morning to read."

"Correct. I've been meaning to have a chat with you, Mister Higuchi."

"Oh? Funny. I was thinking more or less the same thing."

Tsukishima slammed his book shut, making Aaron jump. "No need to be so on edge, Aaron Higuchi. Substitute Shinigami, eh? You should be proud of that accomplishment. Normally, when someone steals Shinigami powers such as yourself, Soul Society has their head cut off. You must have really impressed them to earn a job."

"...What's with all you people knowing so much? I didn't realize my exploits in Soul Society had been broadcast on national television."

Aaron checked around him. He couldn't feel anyone other than Tsukishima, meaning the man was alone.

"What did you do to Mitsumi?!" he cried.

"What do you mean?" Tsukishima asked casually.

"Don't give me that! We both know she doesn't know you!"

"Are you suggesting her memories are wrong, that you know her better than herself?"

"What about you?! Are you saying you know her?"

"Of course. Her favorite color is pink, even though she would rather die than tell anyone. She enjoys her breakfast with extra salt, enjoys long walks at night through her mansion, can recite the entire alphabet backwards, secretly harbors a fear of mice, listens to classical music when she wants to relax…"

Aaron's eyes widened like saucers. "What the…?!"

"See? I know her best of all. Therefore, you are no longer needed, Aaron Higuchi. If you could do me a favor and die, that would be of great aid to…"

"Glimmer, Seigetsu!"

Flash Stepping toward Tsukishima, Aaron yelled with vigor and brought down his blue tachi with everything he had. Although he managed to tear the street apart, Tsukishima was nowhere to be found.

"Would you look at that?" he heard someone say from behind him. "You've made me lose my place."

In spite of his claim, Tsukishima pulled the white book mark sticking out of his text willingly. Behind a flash of light, it transformed into a pure white sword.

"You're going to take responsibility for this, right?!

"What...the hell is that?!" stammered Aaron. "A Zanpakutou?!"

Tsukishima frowned. "I wonder why everyone assumes that's the case. To answer your question, this is known as Fullbring. Mine is called Book of the End."

"...I've got about a million questions for you, but in light of what's going on, I'm going to have to take a rain check on that whole 'dying' thing."

"Leaving so soon?" Tsukishima vanished behind a flicker of green light and reappeared behind a stunned Aaron. "I'm afraid I can't take no for an answer."

He brought his sword down, prompting Aaron to block with his own. For being so thin, Tsukishima was stronger than he estimated. He was being pushed back with ease. He Flash Stepped to safety, fearing the battle would have been over before it began if he hadn't swallowed his pride.

"That...wasn't Flash Step," he remarked.

"Correct. It's Bringer Light."
"Right. Whatever you say."

Whatever it was, it was fast. Aaron hadn't been able to get a whiff of his opponent for that brief instance. He decided not to give Tsukishima the chance to try again.

Bringing Seigetsu down, he cried, "Getsuga Tenshou!"

His attack was supposed to end the battle in one blow. Instead, the blue wave of energy was carved down the middle by a green one. Baffled, Aaron squinted through the thick smoke. Another figure stood beside Tsukishima.

Time itself seemed to stop.

"M-Mitsumi!"

With her golden glaive in hand, Konoka set her burning eyes upon Aaron. "What the hell is going on, Higuchi?!"

"You tell me! What are you doing here?! And...why are you helping him?!"

"What are you going on about?! Why wouldn't I help a friend?! You've lost it, Higuchi! I don't know what your deal with Tsukishima is, but it stops here! If you wanna fight so badly, you'll have to fight me!"

"He attacked me! Open your eyes, Mitsumi! I don't know what he did to you, but can't you tell this is exactly what he wants to happen?!"

Speaking of Tsukishima, Aaron's anger with him had reached a climax. He charged at the object of his ire, not knowing what he was going to do when he got there.

All he knew is that it would hurt.

Konoka cut him off with the aid of Bringer Light. She then stabbed her Maternal Gift at him. Narrowly dodging, Aaron responded by taking a swipe at her. Besides cutting a few red hairs off, he missed as well. Konoka kicked at his legs, sweeping him off his feet. She then brought her glaive downward. Aaron rolled out of the way before he could be skewered. Springing to his feet, he aimed the back of his sword at her, intending to knock her out. She easily parried and returned his kindness by wrapping her fingers around his head. She tried driving it into the concrete, but Aaron used Seigetsu to break his fall. He launched back at her, eventually tackling her to the ground..

"Stop it, Mitsumi!" he said, restraining her flailing arms. "I'm not your enemy!"

"Then what are you?! You're not making any sense, Higuchi!"

She drove her knee into his stomach. He not only released her but toppled over. He got his wits about him in time to spot another wave of green energy racing toward him.

Her Fullbring or whatever has gotten stronger since the last time I've seen it in action!

He responded by unleashing another Getsuga Tenshou. The energies sparked and clashed before cancelling one another out. The resulting shockwave threw back Aaron and Konoka.

"Damn! She really is good," he noted. Her claim of Tsukishima training her didn't seem so farfetched.

"Don't make me do this, Higuchi!" she said. "Just...go home or something!"

"I'd love to, but I don't think your 'friend' over there wants me to leave here alive!"

Konoka leered back at Tsukishima. "H-He would never…!"

A red arrow landed between Aaron and Konoka. All eyes shifted to the shadowy figure standing on a nearby rooftop.

"That's enough of this lover's quarrel!"

In the blink of an eye, Sasune Ishida made his way dangerously close to Tsukishima and was about to take his head off with a kick. His target slashed at him with Book of the End. The Quincy darted out of the way at the last moment though didn't escape unscathed. Blood trickled out of a cut on his nose.

"It's been some time, Sasune," said Tsukishima.

"Yeah. Too soon if you ask me." Sasune, with his crimson bow in hand, formed another arrow. He pointed it straight at his 'old friend.' "I've come to help, CT! This fiend won't have his way so long as the mighty and noble Sasune Ishida…!"

"How are you out of the hospital?" Aaron asked at once.

All the vigor drained from Sasune's being. "...I come all this way to give you a hand, and that's the first thing out of your mouth? Did you really think some hospital could contain the likes of me? Ha! You underestimate my power! For your information…"

Randomly crying out in pain, he shot his hand over his injured shoulder. All his moving around, though mostly his boasting, had taken its toll.

"I-I'm okay!" he assured everyone. Nobody was buying it.

"And I was actually worried for a second," Aaron groaned as he palmed his hand over his wrinkling face.

"You're still an idiot, Pretty Boy." Konoka shook her head. "So, I take it you're here to attack Tsukishima as well."

"More or less. If you're talking like that, Miss Mitsumi, then I take it he's already gotten to you."

"Hey, Sasune, what does that mean? You know what's going on?" asked Aaron.

The Quincy nodded. "That sword that guy is holding has two kinds of cuts. The first is the regular kind, the limb losing kind. The second allows him to screw with someone's memory. I don't know the specifics, but he probably inserts himself into a person's memory."

"Inserts...himself?"

"Right. So, Miss Mitsumi isn't lying or anything—she really thinks she knows Shuukurou because that's what his sword does. I know because he already did it to me."

"What are you two babbling about?! Nobody messed with my memories or anything, and I'm not going insane!" Konoka roared. "I remember Tsukishima as clear as day! You and Higuchi are the ones hallucinating! Dammit! I didn't get this strong just to have to fight you idiots!"

Aaron clenched fists. "Mitsumi…"

"Save it, Aaron. You're not going to get through to her with words," Sasune informed him. "If we want her to return to normal, I bet we have to beat Shuukurou!"

"Interesting theory," said a humored Tsukishima. "Of course, that would require you beating me in the first place. And I think you know better than anyone, Sasune, that's not going to happen."

Sasune was intent on proving otherwise with actions, not words. He fired a flurry of arrows at Tsukishima. Konoka slashed them all down before setting her sights on the Quincy. He shrieked in terror and managed to narrowly duck her golden glaive.

"I'm serious, Ishida!" she said through clenched teeth. "Get out of here before you get hurt again!"

"Knock it off, Mitsumi!"

Aaron Flash Stepped behind her. Before he stop her, Tsukishima cut him off, aiming his Book of the End for the kill. At the last moment, Aaron drove his Zanpakutou into the ground.

"Getsuga Jigokushou!"

A pillar of energy burst out it. Both Aaron and Tsukishima were able to veer out of its path.

"Trying to take me out with you?" mused Tsukishima. "You're just full of tricks, aren't you?"

"You're one to talk," Aaron countered. "I don't know why you're doing this, but undo whatever it is you've done to Mitsumi!"

"You're still going on about that? Think about it. Both Sasune over there and Miss Mitsumi know who I am. You are the only one that's clueless. Perhaps someone did something to you."

While it was likely only more of Tsukishima's postering, Aaron froze.

"Don't listen to him!" Sasune shot another arrow at Tsukishima, only to have Konoka swat it down again. "He's just trying to confuse you! That's his specialty! I'm confident if you defeat him, the effects of his sword will go away! You just have to make sure not to get cut yourself, or it's all over!"

"S-Sasune…"

Aaron nodded. He was ashamed he had let Tsukishima get to him for even a second.

"You're shooting rather sluggishly, Sasune. You really should put on your glasses already," advised Tsukishima.

Grudgingly, the Quincy did just that. "You are going to regret reminding me that I'm blind, Shuukurou! Prepare to…!"

Without warning, blood erupted from his back. As he fell to the ground, he muttered a curse at allowing himself Tsukishima to distract him.

"SASUNE!"

Aaron wasn't given the chance to check on his friend. He was instead forced to block an attack from the same assailant that had taken Sasune down. The giant claymore sent him skidding back.

"Y-You're…!"

"What's taking you so long to kill these punks, Tsukishima?" spat a displeased Kuugo Ginjou. He swung Sasune's blood off his blade, adding, "You aren't getting soft, are you?"

"My apologies, Ginjou. Sasune always finds a way to complicate things."

Konoka grew pale as a pool of blood spread under Sasune's still form. "Y-You didn't have to...go that far, did you?!"

"GINJOU!"

Aaron swung Seigetsu with murderous intent. Stopping him yet again was Konoka, blocking with her Maternal Gift.

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY, MITSUMI!"

The fury in his voice threw Konoka for a loop. "I-I can't! I…!"

"You're helping Ginjou too?! Didn't you see what he just did?! Just how many more excuses are you going to make for Tsukishima and his flunky?!"

"Oh. I'm the flunky now, am I?"

Aaron hacked up a torrent of blood. Ginjou's claymore was jutting out of his stomach.

"Good work, Konoka." Ginjou pulled his sword free from his victim, allowing Aaron to topple over. "All his yapping was giving me a headache."

"W-What did you go and do that for, Ginjou?!" exclaimed Konoka, gazing at both Aaron and Sasune in horror. "You never said you would…!"

"What does it matter? These punks aren't one of us. Who cares if they disappear? You shouldn't be hanging out with humans anyway."

#

The bowl of ramen noodles Izumi was partaking on shattered against the floor. She gasped, jumping to her feet.

"A-Aaron!"

After the briefest of deliberation, she nodded, slipped on her jacket, and burst out of the front door.

"Don't you go and die on me, little brother! I'll be there in a little bit!"

#

Ginjou and Tsukishima peered down at Aaron. They pointed their blades at him, ready to deliver the final blow.

"I'm surprised he's still breathing," said Tsukishima. "He's tougher than he looks."

"All the more reason to kill him now before he gets too strong for us," barked Ginjou.

"Even you? He really must be strong if you're worried."

"Shut up already…"

"S-Stop it!" Konoka sped in front of Aaron with her arms outstretched. "Higuchi is just acting weird! You...don't have to kill him! I'm sure I can convince him to come around!"

"Perhaps we should grant her request. She's been rather forthcoming as of late," suggested Tsukishima with a devilish smirk.

"No deal." Ginjou lifted his sword. "This kid went from barely a blip on the radar to Captain-level in the span of a few months. If we let him live, there's no telling how much stronger he'll get. He'll just get in the way of all our plans."

Tsukishima frowned but had no intention of arguing. Konoka, on the other hand, was resolute.

"If you want Higuchi, you're going to have to go through…!"

Spiraling, dark energy billowed out of Aaron's form. Those around him jumped back and watched on in awe.

"W-What the hell? Higuchi…?" uttered Konoka.

Tsukishima said, "This spiritual pressure. Isn't it…?"

"Looks like it." Ginjou snarled. "So, he really managed to do it."

In spite of his grievous injury, Aaron stood. He even managed to retrieve Seigetsu. His head shot up, giving everyone a perfect view of the Hollow mask forming over his face.

"Just as I thought," he said, his voice distorted. "This feels as weird and heavy as before."

He spotted Sasune and determined his friend was still alive and kicking. He guessed the Quincy wasn't lying when he said he was hard to kill.

"Looks like I better finish this up quickly."

"What," Konoka began, "are you?"

"This guy has gone beyond the boundary of Shinigami and even Hollows," said Ginjou.

"Yeah. I'm a Visored or whatever," Aaron replied calmly. He placed a hand over the hole in his stomach, unable to feel a thing from it. He garnered his Hollowfication must have been suppressing his pain. "So, this weird power does come in handy. I really didn't want to rely on something I barely understand, but you guys were really asking for it."

He disappeared so fast, the others weren't sure if he had actually used Flash Step. Even stranger was Konoka vanishing alongside him. Ginjou and Tsukishima weren't sure what happened until they noticed a red light above them. Aaron, with a bewildered Konoka under his arm, had a fully charged Cero in his grasp. He let it loose it upon his unsuspecting quarry. It obliterated much of the area, but unfortunately, not Ginjou and Tsukishima. They jumped to safety, taking stock of the destruction.

"Shit! He wasn't kidding! He really is some kind of Hollow," said Ginjou.

"How ironic. He might be closer to Hollows than we Fullbringers," mused Tsukishima.

"Save your deep thinking for later! He's coming!"

Aaron burst out of the smoke like a bullet out of a gun. Tsukishima was his target. Said individual managed to block Seigetsu by the skin of his teeth.

That was precisely what Aaron had been hoping for. He muttered, "Getsuga Tenshou."

"GET OUT OF THERE, TSUKISHIMA!"

Ginjou's warning came too late. The blast immolated whatever the Cero hadn't. It also took its toll on its originator. Gasping for air, Aaron's mask shattered like glass, the pieces raining at his feet.

"D-Damn! I feel like shit. I guess that's what I get for Hollowfying so soon…"

The other Visored had warned him not to use his powers until he finished training. Now, he understood why.

"I suppose I should be thankful this isn't the full extent of your abilities."

The idea of anyone surviving such an attack seemed impossible to Konoka. Somehow, the most Tsukishima had suffered was a badly burnt arm. It hung uselessly at his side, implying it was broken.

"...Screw you," was all Aaron had to say to him at having the audacity to still be breathing.

"While you gave me quite the fright, it seems whatever you just did has left you badly winded."

"Time to die, kid," Ginjou announced. "You can't even use Bankai in that state."

Struggling to catch his breath, Aaron quietly admitted they both had a point. He really had been hoping he could finish things with just his mask.

I...just have to make sure Sasune and Mitsumi make it out of this…

One last attack. That was all he had left in the tank. He again set his sights on Tsukishima. If he could take care of him, Konoka would go back to normal.

A spiritual pressure strong enough to send him falling to his knees put a damper in his plans.

"W-What the…?!" He knew without a doubt it belonged to one of the Arrancar he sensed in Karakura Town. "D-Don't tell me they came all the way here?!"

"That...isn't good," said Tsukishima. "Ginjou, I say we get going while we have the chance."

"Agreed. Let whoever that is deal with this brat."

"Y-You're seriously just going to leave Higuchi here against whatever that is?!" Outraged, Konoka turned her Maternal Gift on her supposed allies. "Either he leaves with us or none of us are going anywhere!"

"Sorry, Konoka, but we don't have time to argue."

"What are you…?"

Ginjou whacked her on the back of the head with his claymore. The blow rendered her unconscious, allowing him to put her over his shoulder.

"That wasn't nice," said Tsukishima.

"We need her alive for later on. That kid over there is different."

"D-Don't you dare run, Kuugo Ginjou!"

Aaron limped toward the Fullbringers, his legs feeling as heavy as lead.

"If you know what's good for you, kid, you'd stay away from Konoka Mitsumi from now on. ...We're only going to warn you once."

Ginjou, with Tsukishima in tow, were gone faster than Aaron could possibly follow.

"Mitsumi…"

"H-Heads up, CT…"

Wearily, Sasune pointed a finger up at the sky. Aaron checked the spot and gasped at it tearing open. He recognized the sight from when the mass of Menos Grande used it in Soul Society.

A Gillian wasn't what stepped out of the hole though.

If it wasn't for the individual's distinctly Hollow-like energy, Aaron would have confused them for a pale-skinned human. The white mask on the side of his face, shaped like some sort of animal, gave him away. He was as tall as a tree and had wild, black hair. Clad in white, the person in question walked across the air as if it was solid. He peered down at Sasune. Shaking his head, he next set his sights on Aaron.

"Yes. You're the one. You have the highest spiritual pressure in the area. Or at least, you did before I got here."

Like walking down a staircase, the mysterious individual climbed down to the ground. Aaron, unable to move a muscle, focused on simply not being crushed like a bug by the person's immense energy.

"Y-You're...an Arrancar!"

Mild surprise painted the Arrancar's expression. "You are well informed, Shinigami. Indeed, I am Luis Del Gato, Fracción of Grimmjow Jeagerjaques. I have been dispatched to this town to dispose of anyone with even a shred of spiritual power. My Pesquisa must be acting up. I was certain there were more of you scurrying about."

"Sorry, but they decided to cut out." Using Seigetsu like a crutch, Aaron managed to stand. "Guess I'll have to entertain you in their stead."

He hadn't understood much of what Luis said. He supposed only the part about him killing anyone with a 'shred of spiritual power' was all that mattered. Most everyone he knew fit that description. Even though he felt moments away from passing out, he wouldn't let the Arrancar have his way.

He started off the proceedings by launching a Getsuga Tenshou at Luis. It was much smaller than his previous ones. That likely aided Luis in avoiding it with ease. The Arrancar was there one moment and gone in the next.

"T-That wasn't…!"

"Flash Step? No," said Luis, now behind Aaron. "We Arrancar refer to it as."

Aaron moved too sluggishly to defend himself from Luis' fist. The blow sent him through a plethora of buildings. His body slammed into a final one, pinning him to the spot. A torrent of blood erupted from between his lips, leading him to grasp at his chest.

"T-This guy is…!"

"Forgive me, Shinigami. It's nothing personal. I have my orders, however."

Luis' Sonído allowed him to cross a number of blocks and appear in front of Aaron in an instant. He then unleashed a barrage of punches, pummeling his hapless foe left and right. A stiff punch not only came close to breaking Aaron's jaw but sent him crashing onto the streets below. Hacking up a torrent of blood, he teetered on the edge of unconsciousness.

"S-Shit…! And I thought those Fullbringer assholes were strong…!"

The blurry image of Luis formed in his vision.

"Impressive. You used the remainder of your spirit energy to strengthen the muscles in your stomach. You likely would have died otherwise."

Luis drew a sword that looked far too similiar to a Zanpakutou for Aaron's liking. He hadn't the strength to ask exactly what it was. All he could process was the blade being pointed at his throat.

"Strange. I thought you would be stronger than this," said Luis. "Goodbye, Aaron Higuchi, Substitute Shinigami."

"H-How do you know my…?!"

Right as Luis was about to finish Aaron, and thus his mission, his sword was blown out of his hand by a red fireball. The attack itself caused him little harm. Indeed, he was more concerned with its source, his eyes shrinking at a figure leaping out of the shadows.

"K-Kidou…?" Aaron muttered. Footsteps approached him, ones that didn't belong to Luis. His heart sank. "Don't tell me it's another Arrancar?"

"Hey, are you calling me ugly or something? We have our heartfelt reunion after so long, Chocolate Thunder, and the first thing you do is insult me? You'll never get a girl at this rate. Poor baby."

That voice. Aaron couldn't confuse it for another. Rather than flooding with drea, his heart skipped with growing excitement.

"Is that...really you, Kana?"

Kana Mitarashi, tapping her Zanpakutou on her shoulder, snickered. "The one and only! Looks like you've taken one heck of a beating, CT. I knew you were helpless without me, but I guess I didn't know how much."

Crouching down, she patted him on the head. Her touch alone almost made all of his pain melt away.

"Want me to rescue you? I do owe you one, after all."

END

Author's Note: Shoutouts to Sasune jobbing again...