Hello everyone, here's your precious Dakan69.

Hope you enjoy my new story.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, not even the soundtracks. Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo while the soundtracks and anything else copyrighted belongs each to their originator.

Vaizado no Ashido

Chapter 15: Beauty of the Hollow Abyss 2

(OPENING: Aimer – US feat. TK from Ling Tosite Sigure)

HARRIBEL'S CAVE – LAS NOCHES – HUECO MUNDO – "NEXT MORNING "

(soundtrack: Death Stranding OST- BRIDGES)

When Ashido opened his eyes, he was confused at first why his Zanpakuto was missing, only to remember that he left it to Harribel, who kept it as long as he was inside her cave. So he lifted his body, as well as checking if his second hollow mask was on his fur coat.

As he went for her and her three A, he saw how they still seemed to sleep.

Not wanting to bother them, he went towards the cave's exit.

As he finally reached the peak while now seeing the eternal desert of Hueco Mundo with its crescent moon, he kept wondering how his Oyabun and his other comrades were doing.

Ashido now recalled how he, Sereitou, Raian, Botan, Rinnobo, and Kuniharu met the exiled Shinigami Kisuke Urahara, along with other, familiar faces like Shinji, Kensei, Rojuro, and Robu.

Urahara and Seireitou-oyabun immediately allied with each other, which meant for Ashido that he had to train them to become proper Visoreds.

However, the most challenging part of their training was that they had to devour other hollows, Gillians in particular, so that their hollow ability could be stabilized, which even for someone as Ashido himself was very risky.

Luckily, all of his fellow Visoreds were able to do that, strengthen their hollow abilities. What's more, the Hogyoku, an artifact created by Urahara, also kind of helped stabilize their hollow powers as well, which was the reason Ashido asked Urahara to use it on himself as well.

Right now, while Ashido's main task is to increase his hollow powers into that of a Vasto Lorde, he has also been given specific tasks, which include keeping an eye on Las Noces. Like reporting if something unusual might happen, like Seigen, Aizen, and other possible enemies appearing here.

His Oyabun, along with Raian, is probably helping Shinji and the other Visored fighting and enhance their own hollow abilities in other parts of Hueco Mundo. What's more, the Ankoites are also supporting them.

"you're awake … "Ashido heard a familiar voice, which turns out to be Harribel, who arrived along with Ashido's Zanpakuto and her fellow comrades.

(soundtrack at 3:07)

Meanwhile, a slight wind breeze could be felt, making both Ashido's and Harribel's hair move along.

"good morning … I guess, "Ashido stated while putting his right hand at his neck.

Harribel remained silent for a moment before speaking,

(end of soundtrack)

"How are we going to do this? "She asked Ashido, who thought for a moment.

It was apparent for both of them that they would have to fight, but they didn't think about everything else.

"if I lose, "Ashido started, "I'll become your disciple. "Ashido stated, which made Harribel press her eyes as if he's telling some kind of bad joke.

She remembered how he told them that he's training his hollow abilities, but besides that, it's evident that Ashido's strong enough to survive in Hueco Mundo. After all, he was haunting the forest of Menos for a long time.

And what's more, he even claims there are others like him: Shinigamis who obtained hollow-like powers.

This fact was somehow concerning for Harribel as well.

"and if you win? "Harribel asked him, her eyes still pressing.

"then I'll think about something nice. "Ashido stated relatively carefree, making Milia-Rose coming fourth.

"you bastard, "Mila-Rose stated rather angrily, "take that back, NOW "she threatened Ashido for the last comment, the last word in particular, which Mila-Rose, as well as Appachi and Sung-Sun, interpreted as something somewhat perverted.

It was Harribel herself who held her fellows back with her right hand before looking towards Ashido again.

She then threw Ashido's Zanpakuto with her left hand back towards him since he's now out of their cave.

But unexpectedly, Ashido threw his Zanpakuto back towards Harribel.

"for this fight, I will use only my hollow powers. "he stated before he put his right hand in front of his face.

It was then that Harribel saw how a hollow mask, identical to his gazelle-like fake hollow mask, appeared on his face. What's more, Ashido felt more hollow-like than usual, as Harribel concluded.

While the three female Adjucas looked in awe, not believing what was happening, Harribel threw Ashido's Zanpakuto towards them, Sung-Sun being the one to catch and take care of it.

Both Ashido and Harribel went into battle position before teleporting, only to clash with Harribel with her club and Ashido with his fists.

'was that sonido ?' Harribel wondered surprisingly while looking towards Ashido's real hollow mask.

Ashido continued fighting her with mostly fists, directing them towards her face.

Harribel on the other hand, aimed with her club for his stomach.

When Harribel successfully reached Ashido's stomach with her club's tip, she felt an intense pressure before she could pierce through it.

'I see …' Harribel thought 'even though he can use Hierro, it's not as developed as his Sonido, hmm' she concluded while seeing how blood came out of Ashido's stomach.

But then she saw Ashido's right hand glowing in cyan color, making her eyes stretch slightly in surprise again.

'Bala ?' she wondered before Ashido fired his 'Bala' technique towards Harribel, who immediately used 'sonido' to dodge it to teleport in front of Ashido, slicing Ashido's front body with her sharp club, making Ashido falling with his back on the sand.

While still laying on the sand, Ashido saw how Harribel, staying right in front of him, pointed her club towards him.

"give up … "Harribel stated calmly.

"never … "Ashido said while pressing his eyes beneath his mask before he kicked Harribel's feet with his own, resulting in her falling at him.

Harribel, surprised by his action, was about to slice him again with her sharp club, only for Ashido to hold the club with his left hand while she's falling on him. Harribel now used her left hand as well to punch Ashido on his hollow mask, but he stopped her with his other hand as well.

Now Harribel tried to stand up, only to realize that her leg, meanwhile has been captivated by Ashido's feet as well.

Seeing no other option right now, Harribel now focused on her both arms, increasing the pressure to press against Ashido's arms to break them.

Ashido, meanwhile, increased his pressure as well to resist Harrbel's pressure towards him.

Meanwhile, the three Adjucas looked from afar, watching the current state of fighting.

"seems Harribel-sama got him this time. "Appachi commented happily

"but he still seems somehow to resist if I'm not mistaken, "Mila-Rose stated, somewhat surprised since she couldn't believe how resilient Ashido Kano is.

Sung-Sun, who had the best eyes among her peers, could see the battle most clearly, but what she saw then made her eyes go relatively wide.

Harribel, who meanwhile shorted the distance between her own body and Ashido's, continued pressing her both arms towards the still laying Ashido, who still resisted successfully.

But then, Harribel felt something odd: beside her two arms, she felt a relatively strong third pressure on her upper left leg.

She saw something like swelling from Ashido's Hakama when she looked briefly down.

At first, Harribel wondered what was going on, only to look towards Ashido again, this time however beneath his mask, towards his eyes.

She then realized that he was looking with his eyes as well.

At first, she thought he was looking down as well where the third pressure was coming from. She was even about to ask what was going on.

But then she made a shocking realization:

Ashido wasn't looking down his Hakama. Instead, he was 'staring at her, particularly her chest area. This means the third pressure …

Right now, Ashido's focus returned, only to realize that Harribel has found out where he's staring at, making him stop resisting, what's more, stopping his legs from captivating her, making Harribel's legs being released from him.

Ashido, who thought that he was about to die, looked towards Harribel's beautifully green but shocked eyes for an actual understandable reason.

At this moment, a relatively weak sandstorm appeared, making the sight between Ashido, Harribel, and her three followers disappear for a few moments.

Harribel, on the other hand, meanwhile jumped away from him, which was noticed by Ashido.

Ashido, while his Hollow mask disappeared, stood up immediately but realized that his 'swelling' was still 'active.'

"sh*t, "Ashido cursed towards himself quietly while putting his right hand in front of his face, "Oyabun and the other must never find out about this, "he noted to himself while his face became slightly red before he has hidden it behind his fake hollow mask.

"Anyway … "he said before he went towards the group of female hollows' direction.

After the sandstorm stopped, the three adjusts saw how both their Mistress and Ashido suddenly stood right before them, his fake hollow mask on his face again.

"Harribel-sama … "Mila-Rose said in confusion since her mistress was supposed to be fighting against Ashido, who for some reason also just stood there,"… is your fight over? "Appaci asked while also being as confused as her fellow adjucas.

Harribel didn't know how to explain the 'unexpected situation' she experienced to her comrades, making Mila-Rose and Appaci even more curious. Only Sung-sun remained silent since she had an idea what happened between Ashido and her Mistress, which is why they're looking away from each other.

"I've lost, "Ashido said, which made Harribel herself look quite surprised towards him while he looked down the sand, his face still blushing from what happened just now.

As for the two mammalian adjucas, they both were confused that Ashido had presumably given up.

"Well Well … "Sung-sun suddenly spoke while trying to contain her laughter in front of her Mistress since she knew that it's a bad idea to even mention the slightest thing about recently,

"There is no reason to feel any shame. It was obvious that Harribel-sama would win, "Sung-sun stated to Ashido before she crawled towards him, while he looked up towards the snake-adjucas, who surrounded him as well.

"but if I remember correctly, you said that you'll become Harribel-sama's discipline, but to me, this doesn't sound appropriate enough, "Sung-Sun added before turning her head towards her Mistress, "so what should he do for us, Harribel-sama? "Sung-sun asked her Mistress.

"he'll support us from now on, "Harribel stated, who still looked away from Ashido, "which means that you can give him back his Zanpakuto, Sung-sun "she added, which surprised everyone, even Ashido, who even thought that he has to take his Zanpaktuo back with force.

"H-Harribel-sama, a-are you sure about that, "Appachi stated.

"I agree, not only he's a man, but he isn't even like us, "Mila-Rose stated, before looking towards Ashido again, his fake hollow-mask in particular, "well, at least not entirely. "

"I also have my concerns, Harribel-sama. "Sung-sun agreed with her teammates after giving Ashido back his Zanpakuto.

Harribel then turned her face towards her fellows with a serious expression, making them somewhat nervous since they've shown disagreement, and therefore refusal towards their Leader.

"of course, he also has to obey any order I'm giving from now on, including to answer each of my questions with honesty, "Harribel stated before looking towards Ashido, "am I clear? "

"Yes, ma'am, "Ashido answered rather politely before he felt how Sung-sung suddenly started to strangle him with her own body.

"that's 'Harribel-sama' for you now. "Sung-sun said with a rather stern voice while making Ashido clear how to address their superior from now on.

"I apologize … "Ashido said before looking towards the snake-adjucas, "Sung-sun-san ? "he added, which made her stop strangling him.

Harribel, joined by Mila-Rose and Appachi, came closer towards Ashido and Sung-sun.

"then my first question: do we have to be concerned that I'm letting you join us? "Harribel asked.

Ashido thought for a while, "no, you shouldn't. "

"then please give us a reason why we shouldn't? "

"First, you've shown great hospitality towards me, which I'm really appreciating, something I've never experienced from hollows, let alone menos-class ones … "Ashido stated first.

"Second, the Leader of the Visoreds would punish me if I cowardly attack any women, let alone when they're offering me to stay with them. In this case, the punishment would probably be even worse for me. "Ashido finished answering her question.

"in this case, can you tell us more about your Leader and the other Visoreds? Will they arrive and join you here in Las Noches? "

"The Leader's name is Seireitou Kawahiru, his 'right-hand man is Raian Getsuekirite. From what they've told me, they won't join me here. "Ashido finished his explanation, only to see confused gazes from the female Vasto Lorde and her three adjucas followers.

"Is there something wrong? "Ashido asked after noticing their gazes.

"no, no really, "Sung-sun said, "just trying to memorize their complicated last names. "she added.

"I see. "Ashido said before looking towards Harribel, "you can call them by their first names, "he asked her.

", now let's go. "Harribel stated before they all started to go for it.

As they went far away from their hideout, they've already met their next adjucas opponents. With Ashido was in their team, it became much easier to finish and kill off the enemy Adjucas. What's more, Ashido himself was quite capable of working in a team as well, something Harribel appreciated very much.

After finishing and devouring the Adjucas he finished, Ashido noticed the female Vasto Lorde and her fellow Adjucas made a break instead, which Ashido was surprised.

When asked why they didn't devour the dead Adjucas, Harribel answered that she and her fellows didn't want to be strong through killing and sacrificing others for it.

Ashido, who felt somewhat dumbfounded, was about to argue about this 'naive worldview' of theirs but remembered that it's actually not of his business. Maybe he could ask them about it later.

LATER

As time went by, even though Ashido became integrated about fighting along with Harribel's pack, who were witnessing his brute strength and obedience within the group, Ashido still didn't speak that much with them.

But sometimes, Ashido would look towards Harribel, keeping staring towards her. Finally, when Harribel, after noticing the gaze, looked back, Ashido's eyes turned away, feeling slightly red under his fake hollow mask.

Their personal bond, however, started when Sung-sun, Appachi, and Mila-Rose noticed how Ashido was looking towards them while hearing how he suddenly laughed quietly,

"what's there to laugh about? "Milia-Rose demanded angrily from Ashido to explain himself.

"I'm sorry, it's just hearing you talk with each made me kinda feel like I was home again."

This answer was surprising to the three adjucas, even to Harribel herself as well,

"How is that? "Sung-sun asked curiously,

"I just remembered that, back home at the soul society, many female shinigamis were talking the way you three do right now. "

the Adjucas looked towards each other surprised,

"So does that mean that female Shinigamis have 'potty mouths' as well? I also wonder how females in the soul society behave in the first place? "Sung-sun stated while suddenly showing interest.

They were quite surprised to hear that, compared to las Noches, there exists day and night in the Soul Society. Furthermore, Ashido also explained the Hierarchy among the Shinigami, like the Gotei 13.

What's more, they were also surprised to hear that Ashido himself was highly regarded as a Shinigami, like that in his previous 'Division,' he was the second-in-command, only behind his Division's Captain, 'Kenpachi' Kuruyashiki.

However, during an attack by some hollows, Ashido and some of his Division, among them his two fellows named Ibuki Madarame and Yuka Ayasegawa, went through a Garganta, bringing them in the Forest of Menos here in Hueco Mundo. This was the moment that should change Ashido's life forever.

Since their arrival at the menos Forrest, as Ashido explained, their whole life became 'eat or to be eaten' like for most Hollows. Not able for everyone to survive and not able to contact the soul society anymore, the numbers of his fellow Shinigamis declined time by time until only he remained.

Harribel and the Adjucas saw how he pressed his fists, signalizing them that it became uncomfortable for him to talk any further, while the Menos-class hollows became quite painful to have asked him in the first place.

When Harribel said he didn't need to explain further, Ashido insisted that he didn't mind since he trusts them. What's more, that they four are the first hollows he met who make him reconsider what he knew about hollows in general, which made them, for some reason, nearly feel moved by tears, even Harribel.

As he continued, he explained that since all others of his team died, he slowly but steadily became part of Hueco Mundo, continuing fighting against the Gillians in the Forrest. And one day, where he nearly was about to forget himself, he was found.

After this sentence, it was quiet for a moment.

Apachi then broke the silence, asking Ashido if the Visoreds found him, only to look towards Apachi for a while before nodding while feeling bad that he didn't tell them the whole truth.

A FEW WEEKS LATER

When returning from a successful hunt, while Harribel and the adjucas returned inside their cave to sleep, Ashido this time remained outside, sitting on the sand, like he did when he woke up in the cave, smiling beneath his mask while looking towards the moon, still surprised that he's hunting along with a female Vasto Lorde and her three female adjucas for over two weeks now. He wondered how the other Visoreds would react when they saw him right now.

What's more, Ashido could successfully strengthen his hollow powers further: his Hierro was much stronger than with his short fight against Harribel, for instance. But, of course, this included his other abilities like Cero and Pisques.

But then his expression changed while remembering the talk he had with Seireitou-oyabun, who reminded him that his task was of great importance for the Visoreds. And even though he could finish his mission right now, he couldn't bring it to himself to do it, not now, which means he had to wait or search for another opportunity.

Ashido came back from his thoughts when he heard familiar steps behind him, which turned to be Harribel,

"tired? "Harribel asked him while sitting now beside him rather closely, noticed by Ashido, who wasn't bothered at all.

"not really, "Ashido stated calmly while looking again towards the desert, while suddenly becoming slightly nervous, knowing that she was sitting beside him. What's more, he didn't feel bothered at all by her close presence. But then he remembered the 'swelling' he had after fighting against her,

"I'm sorry … "Ashido said to her with slight embarrassment on his face, luckily hidden by the mask.

"for what? "Harribel wondered what he was talking about while looking towards the Visored.

"for … you know … "Ashido, his face very red beneath his mask, stated while turning his head slightly farther away from Harribel's gaze.

It was at this moment that Harribel's face became slightly red as well while also turning away,

"mishap happens, I guess, "she said while feeling slightly embarrassment herself since she understood what Ashido was referring to,

"But I have a question, "Harribel said while becoming more serious, making Ashido look towards her.

"you became reluctant when Appaci asked you about being found by the Visoreds. May I know why? "Harribel demanded from Ashido, who swore to answer every question as honestly as possible.

"it's complicated, "Ashido said to her while thinking for a proper explanation without revealing too much,

"but to make it short, non of us Visoreds wanted to become like this the first place, in fact, we were forced to, our Leader included "Ashido stated towards her,

"you were forced? "Harribel asked in disbelief, to which Ashido nodded. Does that mean that someone else transformed them into Visoreds? If that's the case, is it possible that there are much more Visoreds out there in Hueco Mundo who might be Ashido's enemies?

"But even though I became like this against my will, I did also start to question what I knew about the hollows in general, and it turned out that there were indeed kind-hearted hollows as well. "Ashido explained while looking towards Harribel's eyes, which made her blush again slightly after realizing that Ashido wasn't lying and that he's referring not only to Harribel but also to Appaci, Milia-Rose and Sung-sun as well.

"May I also ask you a question as well? "Ashido asked her curiously, to which she nodded.

"Do you and the other Menos-class hollows remember the lives you had as humans? "Ashido asked, to which Harribel's expression slightly saddened while she looked down, while also touching her stomach with her left hand.

"We do, but in my case, my mortal life consisted of many sacrifices I regret. "Harribel stated while Ashido immediately understood that, by seeing her left hand on her stomach, that Harribel didn't want to talk any further,

"We should go inside. "Harribel stated while she stood up, along with Ashido, who again gave her his Zanpakuto before both went inside the cave.

When they reached the cave, Ashido and Harribel saw how the three adjucas were already sleeping.

Ashido wanted to go to his sleeping spot on the left until he felt how Harribel was suddenly holding his right hand gently, making him turn towards her.

When he saw her eyes, he noticed how sincere Harribel had been looking towards him, making him feel happy out of a sudden.

None of both spoke while Harribel pulled Ashido gently towards her sleeping spot, passing the sleeping adjucas before Ashido sat on said spot leaning against the wall.

Then Harribel sat right in front of Ashido, leaning with her back on him, feeling the warmth that came from his body.

Ashido then, by instinct, pulled Harribel closer towards her by embracing her with his both arms, also feeling the warmth of her body while also putting his head on her left shoulder.

"will they kill me when they see us like this? "Ashido whispered towards her left ear.

"I will hold them back. "Harribel replied quietly while closing her eyes.

"I wish I could stay forever with you. "Ashido whispered towards her with a glimpse of sadness on his face beneath his mask.

"me too, "Harribel replied before both went to sleep as well. For both, this sleep should turn out to be the most peaceful both had in a while.

MEANWHILE - THE PALACE OF LAS NOCHES

On the throne of the Palace sat Baraggan Louisenbairn, the self-proclaimed God-King of Hueco Mundo. Compared to most times, where he was mainly bored, he was somewhat concerned because of a particular matter.

Then he saw one of his Adjuca underlings whose head looks like that of a hammerhead shark, his name Coronado, arrives before kneeling down in front of his God-King.

"your Majesty, the Guardian of the Menos Forrest, Alvaro Aalto, has arrived, as you've ordered. "Coronado spoke as much respect as possible.

Behind Coronado, a Vasto-Lorde with a large shell-like appendage on his back, which is also where his tail stems from, along with his Hollow hole located on the left side of his chest, and he wears a large body wrap around his waist, went in front of the hammer-headed Adjucas.

"I'm deeply honored to be called over, Your Majesty, "Alvaro stated before kneeling down as well, "your middleman told me we have an 'emergency? "Alvaro asked politely while wondering what exactly was going on in the first place since Coronado didn't tell him any details.

"That's correct, "Barragan answered, "now answer me, Alvaro. Is it true that you're familiar with a Shinigami named Ashido Kano? "Baraggan asked the Guardian of the Forrest of Menos, who suddenly looked up in disbelief.

(ENDING: The Anix – Fight the Future)