Fun fun. I wrote this all on a typing spree. Random writing is fun.
Enjoy
Lost Heart
Give me legs so that I can walk. Give me wings so I can fly.
Give me a heart so I can share it with others.
He wandered around aimlessly, enjoying Nel's company and the thrill of not being alone. Nel was not as strong as him, but her Spiritual force was strong enough so that she had to wear a cloak too so they would not destroy others. She later told him that she was the only one strong enough to come near him and not be crushed by his spirit force. Ordinary hollows or arrancars, as she told him, would die within a three mile radius of his normal Spiritual pressure.
Ichigo did not ask Nel how she knew his name. Despite being vastly stronger than her and more or less her superior, he had a deep respect for the green haired Espada even when she occasionally threw childish fits. It was enough that he knew his own name. Having a name was better than having no name. And not having a name was a thing so lonely to him, that he was willing not to trouble Nel with his questions. He would find out for himself who he was on his own.
Yet as days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, Ichigo was faced with the realization that he would not find his answers here in Hueco Mundo. He brought this up with Nel one day, sitting on a tall rock that showed a better view of the sandy dessert than anywhere else.
"Finding answers is hard, king," she spoke in a soft tone, admiring the vast sky before them both. "We could go to the World of the Living or the Soul Society…but that would not be a good idea."
"Why not?" he was slightly surprised that there was a place where Nel was hesitant to go.
"Because of the Soul Reapers," she replied and gave him a look that was something close to pity. "They do not like us hollows, much less Espada, and even much less Vasto Lords. We would be very unwelcome to go either place."
"Why do Soul Reapers hate us?"
"Because our kind devours their kind, the feeling is mutual between us because Soul Reapers kill us in return. It is a never ending cycle that will forever continue until the world ends."
"The world is a cruel place…" Ichigo could not help voicing it. Nel nodded and pulled back her hood. Her green hair was free to blow in the wind.
"That it is, but if we know it is, then we have the power to change it." She then laughed.
"Even if we can't change it, I won't stop trying," the orange haired Espada vowed, more to himself then to her.
"That's what I like about you Ichigo; you're always honest with your thoughts, even when most would laugh…"
Ichigo found himself embarrassed slightly as he joined in her laugher. Nel's smile faded slightly as she looked at him, tearing her eyes away from the moon.
"Ichigo…" her voice was calm now; all laughed had died from her eyes to be replaced with sadness, "what if the answers you're looking for turn out to be worse than living ignorant of the knowledge?"
He met her eyes, a small smile playing his face.
"I don't know, but I'll meet the challenge when it comes and won't turn back…"
"I'd thought you'd say that…"
She rose to her feet, her mind made up. Nel stretched out her hand to Ichigo and he grabbed it. After she pulled him to his feet, she moved a little ways away and drew her sword.
"Promise me one thing," her voice quavered for a moment.
"What?"
"You will not remove your hood or cloak except when faced with a challenge stronger than your suppressed form. You could kill many by accident, and I wish to harm no one while we visit. Also, try to hold back if your opponent is much weaker than yourself."
Ichigo nodded.
"Very will then, we will travel to the World of the Living to find your answers…"
Using her sword, Nel slashed sideways at thin air, a large crack appeared in mid air and opened up to a dark place. Together, they leaped inside the dimension, traveling to whatever fate awaited them.
"The humans won't be able to see us, try to lower your spirit force a bit more…yeah, that's better, now, let's begin." Nel was hardly able to contain her excitement. Ichigo smiled as they both strolled in mid air down towards the ground.
"Have you ever been here Nel?" He asked, already guessing the answer.
"No," she admitted and then laughed. "But this will be fun. There's much more to see here than Hueco Mundo."
"What do we do if Soul Reapers come?" Although Ichigo didn't want to admit it, he was a little apprehensive about meeting those hollow slayers.
"Ahhhhh," said Nel in a sing song voice and poked Ichigo on the shoulder, annoying him greatly and causing a scowl to fall into place, "Is the gweat kingy scawd of the mean sowl weapers? Don't' wowy, those bad sowl weapers will be fwightened of kingy's big swowd."
"Oi!" Ichigo snapped, losing his temper, "Answer me seriously why don't you?" Nel gave him a pouty face before giggling and saying, "You can just stunt whatever low life comes your way, silly. I don't think any Soul Reaper would stand a chance of facing you in a battle to the death."
"I see."
"Oh cheer up, let's go searching. Maybe something will come to you while we search."
Nel's ploy worked. Ichigo's mood began to improve as they finally reached the ground and began walking along a random road.
"How long do you think we should stay here?" he asked, feeling some of Nel's excitement leak into him.
"Not too long," she admitted, "we'll attract attention sooner or later. But you're the king, so if you wish to stay, we will stay."
"These humans are so strange," Ichigo marveled as humans passed them left and right, oblivious to their strange onlookers. "So you told me they don't eat each other to grow stronger? So weird…hey, wait up Nel!"
He had to jog to catch up with the female Espada. She was watching some animals barking and chasing each other.
"Hey, king!" She squealed happily, "I think those are dogs! They're just like the ones in Hueco Mundo!"
"I think you're right," he replied, amused.
Well, at least she'll be entertained for a while.
An alarm went off in the lab room of Squad 12.
"What is it now Nemu? Did one of our machines break or have you just been neglecting your job?"
"No master Mayuri," replied Nemu, pressing a few buttons. "It's the Arrancar alarm. Except the Spiritual Pressure readings are much higher than normal."
"Well what are you waiting for you useless girl? Go notify the Head Captain immediately! Have him find a squad to take care of it; I'm much too busy to trifle with some mere arrancars."
"Yes master, I will take care of it right away."
