Chapter One: A Chance Meeting
On a mid-July day in Karakura Town, Japan. The sun had risen up and shined brightly. The light shining through the windows of a two-level house. In one of the bedrooms slept a sixteen-year-old teen. His room was rather typical for a young man his age one could say. Outside of a few noticeable features, like a bookcase stocked to the brim with various manga. A computer and desk sitting in another section, a separate portion of the room. Being the holding place for an electric guitar and amp, with a sound system next to it. To name a few things.
The sunlight just managing to make it through a crack between the window curtains. The light just happening to hit the face of the young man as he slept. He winced and tossed around a bit from the unwanted and impromptu wake up. Giving a grunt of annoyance, he opened his mouth to utter a single word.
"Fuck."
With that, he stirred awake to get ready for the day. He stood out of bed, wearing nothing but socks and some gym trunks. His upper body exposed, revealing well-detailed muscles and a lack of body hair. On his dark-mocha skin complexion. Standing at a firm height of five feet and eleven inches. His eyes were colored an emerald green and his hair a golden blond. His hair reached to around to just above his shoulders. Kept in a rather messy fashion with a few strips framing either side of his face. With another strip that fell down the middle. Along with thick eyelashes of the same golden yellow color. His face was shaped more softly than most other boys. Bearing a somewhat androgynous like appearance. All in all, it was a rather unique appearance for the Japanese born and raised Yoshiro Abe. Many would say that he looked nothing short of exotic in appearance. A fact he couldn't really argue at all with.
Though that was the interesting thing to be noted. Yoshiro himself was only half Japanese. A 'Hāfu' he was considered, the word of choice. For one who was ethnically half Japanese. His mother had been a native of Hawaii his father met and fell in love with. While he had been on a long term business to the islands. He having inherited much of his features from his mother. His mother herself had been the child of a native woman and a Caucasian man from California. Not that he knew any of his mother's side of the family or even his own mother.
His family on his mother's side, being all dead for various reasons before he was even born. His own mother having died in childbirth. A fact he didn't try to think too much about. Otherwise, he would find himself pitying himself and being depressed. While he blamed himself for his mother's untimely demise.
He didn't have his father around anymore. He had died in an accident some years back. Leaving him an orphan without any sort of actual family to speak of. Thankfully his father had been smart enough, to set up a sizeable trust fund. When he had first been born. So here he was living out of his parent's home on his own. Living day by day as he so chose to for the most part. Sometimes he wondered how his parents would react to some of his lifestyle choices.
The fact Yoshiro had been left alone to live by himself for years now. With nothing but a caretaker to show up every now and then. To check upon him. He had grown up in some ways sooner. Than most others, his age otherwise would have.
Looking at the clock he noticed it was around ten in the morning and it was July 15th…..
"Today's his birthday, I need to pick up his gift." Yoshiro cursed to himself as moved to quickly get ready for the day. It was the birthday of one of arguably his closest friend and unofficial little brother. A younger orange-haired boy by the name of Ichigo Kurosaki. He was turning thirteen today, just beginning his teen years. A party was being had at his house. With all his friends and family for the occasion.
Some might find it odd that he would be friends with one younger than he was. However, certain events had brought the two to meet and bond. Sparking a unique but strong friendship between the two. They had first met at a graveyard of all places surprisingly enough.
It was a sunny day in late June. Yoshiro's father had died a few months prior. He was attending to the plot that held the gravestones of his parents. After finishing up, as he went to leave. He came across the sight of a boy a bit younger than himself. Standing in front of what was he could tell. A new looking gravestone, a quick glance at the writing on it told him all he needed to know. It belonged to the boy's mother who had just recently died.
He saw the young boy crying his eyes out in front of the grave. Yoshiro couldn't help but feel sympathy for the orange-haired kid. He understood the pain all too well having just lost his father and only remaining family. Recently himself after all. He wasn't sure what really possessed him at the moment. Something stirred in him to want to help how he can. So, he stepped forward and made himself known.
"Hey." Yoshiro simply said. Not the greatest introduction but it was something at least.
The boy ceased his crying momentarily as looked to face the source of the sudden voice. "Who…who are you?" He asked in confusion looking at the unique individual in front of him.
"Oh yeah, ummm….name's Yoshiro Abe."
"I'm Ichigo…Ichigo Kurosaki."
"I couldn't help but notice you and well….it's just. I just felt like I needed to tell you that while things may hurt a lot right now. Eventually, things will get better in a sense." Yoshiro said as then motioned his head towards. The gravestones of his own parents a few spots down. "I just lost my father a few months back and well. As much as it still hurts and in all truthfulness, apart always will hurt. Things will come around for the better in time. Especially, if you have others around to help you through it all. Perhaps, that's why I felt an urge to do what I'm doing?"
Ichigo seemed to look at him a little in confusion from the statement.
"Things will be better if you have people around you to help is what I'm trying to say I guess." Yoshiro continued on. "Do you have any other family by chance?"
"My father and my little sisters." The orange-haired boy replied.
"You're fortunate then, keep them close and you can all help heal each other." Yoshiro simply said as then proceed to leave.
"Hey! Wait!" Ichigo suddenly called out, stooping the older boy in his tracks. "Do you not have anyone? No one else at all to help you?"
Yoshiro was taken somewhat aback by the question. He hadn't really expected any kind of response at this point. "Ummm, well…." Yoshiro began to say sheepishly. When someone else suddenly called out.
"Ichigo! I have your sisters situated and were all ready to head home." Spoke a man, who had spikey black hair and brown eyes. Along with some facial hair on his round his mouth and cheeks. Seeing the similarities in the face with Ichigo. Yoshiro could tell he must have been Ichigo's father.
"Who's this?" The man asked, taking note of Yoshiro's presence.
"Oh… this's Yoshiro Abe." Ichigo replied. "He gave me a little advice to help…with everything."
"I see, well then my name's Isshin Kurosaki, and thank you for helping my son." Said the now identified Isshin. As he took more intrigued to the other boy. He looked to the boy and then around the area. He tilted his head slightly in curiosity. "You here by yourself?" The Kurosaki patriarch asked, he received a nod of confirmation.
"Where are your parents? Young kids don't normally run around graveyards by themselves."
He noticed the boy's expression drop a bit and he realized he said the wrong words.
Yoshiro made a motion to his parent's gravestones. "My parents are both dead I'm afraid. It's just me, living out of their house with a trust fund. As well as a caretaker that shows up every few weeks to check on me is all."
Ishhin's expression turned somber at that. He always found it sad to see kids in such positions. "You have any other family at all?"
"No." Yoshiro replied with some sadness lacing his voice. "I don't have any other family to speak of at all. It's…just me." Yoshiro turned on his heel to walk away. "Anyways, I said what I wanted to say, I might see you around."
"Wait!" Ichigo yelled as he ran up the blond. "You said you wanted to talk to me, to help me with what's going on. Because you understand it but don't have anyone to help you with it. Perhaps we can help one another then?"
Yoshiro looked at Ichigo lost for words at that statement. He hadn't expected something so….insightful? If that was the proper word of choice in the situation.
"Why don't you come and join us for dinner? I'll take you home afterward." Isshin chimed in. Truthfully, he could tell the blond was hurting on the inside more than he was letting. Nurturing a friendship between him and his son. He was sure would be a very good thing for both boys.
"Let's go." Ichigo said grabbing Yoshiro's arm and dragging him to the graveyard exit."
"Maybe…this's something I need?" Yoshiro muttered quietly to himself.
In hindsight, that chance meeting was easily one best thing's to happen to Yoshiro. Starting up a friendship with Ichigo, meeting his father and sisters. He became rather close with the Kurosaki family in a short time. He didn't fully realize just how lonely he really was. Just how much he needed people like the Kurosaki's, who understood his pain. To help him move past it, for the most part, anyway, and vice versa. In hindsight, it kind of ironic considering. What he had first said to Ichigo upon first meeting him.
It became a pretty regular thing for him to start spending his day after school and whatnot with Ichigo. Working on school-work together, hanging out around town. Getting in the occasional fights with idiots, who disliked the two. One for Ichigo's unique hair color. Two for Yoshiro's just being rather unique looking in general. Apparently, people took issue with that for reasons that both escaped and pissed the blond off. Granted both of them had prior training in formal martial arts. Yoshiro even having done Kendo as well. Unsurprisingly, both of them turned out to be rather strong fighters for their respective ages.
Easily one of the most unique things shared between the two boys. Was the fact both of them for whatever reason could see ghosts. Yoshiro for the longest time had thought he was simply seeing weird hallucinations. It wasn't until Ichigo had told him he could see ghosts as well. Did he realize the truth of it all, it was surprising, to say the least. While some ghosts could be a little annoying. For the most part, he rather enjoyed being able to interact with them. Having a rather large passion for music. He had even taken it upon himself to on occasion. To head to the graveyards from time to time. he would bring his guitar and play for the spirits there. Not many people could see the spirits and they became rather lonely. So they eagerly enjoyed the time he spent with them.
Yoshiro for his part was quite proud of his unique features. He liked being different from others, standing out amongst the crowd. He could never understand why some people were so ignorant about it all. It's not like he had any control of the way he was born after all. Though, when he was younger, sometimes he had wished he had looked more "normal". As one might put it. With his out of the ordinary appearance. Caused a lot of people to simply keep their distance from him. So he never had anyone to really call a "friend" as a kid, until Ichigo.
Perhaps that was why he clung so much to the Kurosaki's after a while? None of them ever judged him for his looks. They accepted and treated him like anyone else. It was more refreshing than he could have ever imagined. Yoshiro even began making friends with Ichigo's other friends. All the younger kids of the group looking up to him in a weird sense. Seeing how he was the oldest amongst them all.
If he was being perfectly honest, The Kurosaki's became the family he never really had. Sure he had had his father, who had been very caring and doting. Though that was all he had ever had as a family perspective. No mother, no siblings, none of that. So his whole understanding of family was a little skewed one could probably say.
He became a little worried though once he had hit teens in stride. Things like puberty and all that hitting him. Along with it came the realization of certain things about himself. Namely, him coming to terms with the realization of his own sexuality. To be more specific him coming to terms with being bi-sexual in orientation.
While Japan was a country that was rather progressive when it came to things revolving around LGBT issues. At the same time, it was all handled in a very Japanese way. People tend to not speak about it much, they don't speak about sexual/romantic relations or gender in general. For the most part. Plus there was always the underlying fear that people you know could not be accepting of your lifestyle choices.
So when he was fifth-teen he decided he needed to get these thoughts and feeling off his chest. Seeing how he felt he had no one else to really turn to. Who could help in understanding things in a manner of speaking. He wound up sitting down one on one with Isshin, to talk all this out. Seeing how he was the only adult figure in his life. He trusted enough to come out to talk about such things.
To his great relief, the Kurosaki patriarch was both accepting and helpful with the whole matter. "In my experience life tends to be too short. To be overly concerned about such things. I'd say the only thing in life that really matters is knowing to be a good person. Be kind, be compassionate, help those in need of help, and so on. Who one loves doesn't nor should have anything to do with how a person treats another. Truth be told there are plenty of people who would've looked rather poorly on me and my late wife's relationship. As much as I hate to say it. I guess what I'm trying to say is. It's doesn't matter who you choose to love, as long as you're both happy together that's all that really matters." Were Isshin's words to him.
Yoshiro felt greatly relieved about himself and so on, after that. He even chose to come out to Ichigo and his other friends. He had to explain a little what everything all meant to them. In the end, they came to understand and accept him none the less.
He even wound up pursuing a relationship with a boy at his school. Granted, it never really went past a simple young teenage relationship. Which wound up ending after the guy and his family moved to Okinawa. Still, it was a good growing experience for him. He even had a brief summer-time fling with a girl a few months later. Though that too didn't last long as she wound up getting into a big-time school. Far away from Karakura. Yoshiro didn't let these bother him that much. He figured that's how things tended to work at times with such things. Especially for a teenager like he was. If anything they helped him better affirm to be more comfortable with who he was. He came to the conclusion himself, that when the time was right. He would find someone he felt he could have a more serious relationship with.
Yoshiro finished showering, dried-off, and put on some clothes. He dressed in a somewhat tight fit black t-shirt. With the imagery of Rage Against the Machines, "Evil Empire" album cover on it. He also wore long urban camouflage colored cargo pants, and black motorcycle boots. With a pair of black cut-off gloves to top it off. He grabbed his keys and headed for the garage.
His father when he passed left everything he had to Yoshiro. Including two very special vehicles. Yoshiro's father had something of a passion for classic American muscle cars and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
One side of the garage sat an all original, 1969 Chevy Camaro Z/28. Painted black with silver stripes on the hood and trunk. With an all-black leather interior to go with it. Sadly since Yoshiro wasn't eight-teen yet he couldn't get his license to drive it yet. However, what sat in the garage next to hit, he could drive at sixteen.
Next to the Camaro was a Harley-Davidson road king. With leather side bags, a backrest for a passenger. With every possible inch possible on the bike. Given a sleek all matte-black paint job. Yoshiro had gotten all his permits and schooling to ride a motorcycle as soon as he could. He loved riding the bike as much as he could get away with. He remembered when he was younger, being in the garage with his dad as he worked the bike and Camaro. Helping out with them however he could.
After pushing it out of the garage, closing up and locking the house. He put on his full head helmet and started it up. He loved the feeling he got when the engine roared to life. Giving a few revs, he then took off for his first destination. He drove through town and after a little while. He arrived at one of the higher-end book stores. He knew Ichigo was an avid reader, especially for more classic literature. He had placed a special gift order a few weeks back and was supposed to be in today. After picking up his order, already in a neat gift bag. He stored it in one of the side bags and left. For the Kurosaki household, his Harley roaring down the road as he did.
He eventually made his destination, parking his motorcycle securely out front. The Kurosaki house was actually fairly big. It needed to be for a family of four and the fact. The house also doubled as a small medical clinic that Isshin ran. He grabbed Ichigo's gift and made his way to the front door. The young orange-haired boy of now thirteen, at the door already to greet him. People had become accustomed to knowing when Yoshiro had arrived somewhere. Over the last few months by the sound of his bike.
"Yo." Ichigo chirped. Genuinely happy to see his closest friend arrive. While only just turning thirteen, Ichigo had seemingly started puberty already as it was. He was already becoming rather tall for his age, though he was still a bit lanky at the moment. Granted, Yoshiro still stood a good eight inches taller than him. Though he wouldn't be surprised if Ichigo reached around his height by the time. The orange-haired boy hit around fifth-teen to sixteen.
"Good to see you Ichigo and happy birthday." The blond replied, ruffling the younger boy's hair a bit. Earning a slight scowl in return.
"Yoshiro!" A pair of voices called out to him. He turned to see it was Karin and Yuzu. Both girls had taken a strong liking to Yoshiro, like a second older brother. Yuzu was practically a child-sized version of her mother. Her twin Karin meanwhile took more after her father. With her having black hair and darker eyes similar to his. Their personalities also seemed to reflect this. Yuzu was practically a textbook polite and proper girl. Karin on the other hand was more of a blunt and tough tomboy of sorts. Both sisters complimented the other quite well.
"Good to see you both of you." Yoshiro replied with a small smile.
"I see my unofficial second son has finally arrived." Isshin spoke as he strode around the corner. "Impossible to miss the sound of that motorcycle of yours.
"Nice to see you Isshin."
"The others have arrived already and are in the living room." Isshin replied.
Yoshiro walked into the living room and dropped his present by the others. He made a quick look to see all of his and Ichigo's other friends. All of them much like Ichigo had just recently or were close to being thirteen themselves. All of them also like Ichigo had begun to hit their growth spurts.
He saw a black-haired tomboy, Tatsuki Arisawa. Sitting next to her was her best friend. An auburn-haired girl, Orihime Inoue. He also saw a girl with red hair, purple eyes, and glasses, Chizuru Honshō. The redhead had come out a few months ago as a lesbian. She had come to Yoshiro for advice on how to come out to everyone. As well as being the first person she ever told, about her orientation. The three had been friends with Ichigo for the longest time. He had met them soon after meeting Ichigo and became friends with them as well.
Yoshiro and Tatsuki both were rather protective of the soft-spoken, polite, if a somewhat ditzy girl, that was Orihime. She had lost her brother some years ago. Leaving her more or less all on her own. The only support she had was a distant relative. Who covered her expenses as long as she kept up good grades. The blond found himself sticking close to her after her brother first passed. Understanding all too well what that pain was like and help her work through it. Thankfully Orihime had in time finally started to really move forward from it all. Thanks to Yoshiro and the rest of her friends.
He then saw a kid with dark-skin and wavy brown hair. Yasutora Sado or "Chad" as everyone called him. A little over a year ago. Yoshiro and Ichigo had stumbled across Chad one day when he was being picked on by bullies. Which was odd considering that he could have probably easily dealt with them himself. If Ichigo was big for his age, then Chad was huge. After beating up the bullies and getting to know him. Yoshiro and Ichigo came to learn that Chad had once vowed. Only to fight for the sake of protecting others, when needed.
Yoshiro and Chad quickly became friends for various reasons. One of them being that Chad, much like Yoshiro. Was also a 'Hāfu', with the difference being. Where Yoshiro's non-Japanese side was American/Native Hawaiian. Chad's was non-Japanese side was Mexican. Then when it was discovered both shared a strong liking for music. Ichigo and Chad both hit it off very well too.
"All right then!" Isshin exclaimed as he entered the room. "Let's get this birthday party started!"
For the next few hours, all sorts of celebrating, games, and whatnot were had by everyone. After the birthday cake and all. The gift unwrapping started. Ichigo received plenty of things a kid his age would like. Yoshiro's gift was the last one to be opened.
Ichigo stuck his hand into the gift bag and after a moment pulled the contents out. His eyes widened in delight by what he was now holding. It was a decent-sized book, that was hardcover and bound in leather. The stamp on the front of the book read. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream By William Shakespeare.'
"I don't have this one yet and it's a really nice copy too." Ichigo chimed. "Thanks a lot, Yoshiro!"
"Not a problem." The blond replied with a small smile. "I know how much you like books of this nature. So I figured it would make a good gift."
Not long after all that, everyone started to head home.
"You know I can hang around to help clean up things a bit?" Yoshiro asked.
"Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it. Ichigo is going to be buried in that book you got him. The girls are past out from the day's excitement for the moment. Besides, it's not that late in the day. You're a young man, go have some young man fun." Spoke Isshin.
"I only turned sixteen about three months ago, I'm really not that much older than Ichigo and the others. Excluding the twins of course." Yoshiro chirped.
"Maybe but your still just old enough I'd say."
Figuring he wasn't going to win the little bit of banter. He decided to just take up Isshin on his suggestion. Looking at the clock, he noticed it a little past five in the afternoon. After saying his quick good-byes, he headed to his motorcycle.
"What to do I wonder?" Yoshiro thought to himself, as he looked up towards the sky. An idea suddenly crossed his mind. "The sky is so clear today, the night will be just as clear. Allowing all the stars and moon to be visible. It would be a nice night to head out to the old warehouse district. To do so some practice on one the rooftops there." With his idea firmly decided upon, he started up his Harley and headed home to grab his supplies.
Once home he parked his motorcycle in the driveway and went inside to grab what he needed. He came back a few minutes later with his guitar and a small battery-powered amp. After securing all his stuff either in the side bags or tied securely to the passenger backrest. Thanks to the application of a few bungee cords. He kicked his Harley back to life and took off once more. It took a little while to get the old warehouse district from his house. By the time he arrived, it was close to dark, the sun beginning to disappear. The orange glow of the afternoon sky clear for all to see.
He parked his Harley by the warehouse and headed towards the steps to the roof. For a little practice session. He chose this one specifically because once it became night. One had the best view of the night sky. As well as the best view of the rest of Karakura, while the lights of the city. Illuminated in a view that was great to see. Plus what lights existed nearby, projected out enough. To keep things fairly visible on the roof as well.
He made his way up the metal staircase with his gear strapped to him. Once he made it to the top. He found a spot near the edge, that gave the best view of Karakura. He put his amp down and pulled his guitar out. An orange and black Gibson Les Paul, he had bought years ago. After plugging the cable from the amp into his Les Paul. He gave a few strums to test the sound of his strings. After making a few tuning adjustments, he was ready to start.
"What do I play first I wonder?" He mumbled to himself. "I think 'Josie' by Blink-182. Would be a good way to start." He began to play.
He continued for this for a while, for how long exactly. He really didn't know, as he always just played until he felt he had done enough. He played through a variety of songs, from classics to the more recent hits. Playing his guitar was something he always took great enjoyment in. Once he decided to take up the craft on a whim years back. It was like the outside world would disappear momentarily. In a way, playing was a form of both stress relief and one might even say therapy. He always felt more relaxed after a session. The view he got from the spot he chose only added to it all.
After some more time had passed, he decided to check the time. He pulled out his cellphone to see just how late it currently was. When he was in the middle of doing that, suddenly…
"Is he done?" A mysterious feminine voice called out.
Yoshiro stiffened up and raised an eyebrow in surprise at this, for a few reasons. Firstly, he knew there was no one else on the rooftop when he arrived. He was would've noticed them since there was nowhere for one to hide. Secondly, if someone had come up to the roof after he had arrived. The steps leading up made such loud metal clanging noises. He would have heard even with him playing. The volume on his amp wasn't turned up that high after all. Thirdly and probably the oddest thing was. The voice sounded a though it wasn't just behind but also from above.
He turned his head and his other eyebrow raised up. As he found himself starring at easily. What was the most perplexing thing in his life to date by far.
What he saw truly baffled him. For it seemed to be a woman floating in the air a hundred feet or so, up and away from him. She had black chin-length hair, pale skin, her body had a petite yet curvy shape to it. She had a tube top that looked to be made of some sort of bone material oddly. That covered up what he could tell was a decent-sized bust. She also had what seemed to be gauntlets made of the same odd bone material on her hands and down her forearms. Her waist down to her ankles was completely covered in brownish fur like that of a white-tailed deer. Her feet were completely exposed and looked human.
Her most distinctive traits were her face and head. Her eyes were two different colors one being an icy blue and the other being an amber. The top of her head towards her face had a single spiked horn that slightly curved up and back. While there was an antler on either side that extended about a foot back that were shaped just like those of a deer. Not to mention the fact these were all attached to a mask that had a deer-like shape to it. That stretched all the way down her face and left enough space around her mouth for her lips to be clearly visible. Around her amber eye on the mask was a red ring curiously enough.
Her whole look was otherworldly, unique, and clearly non-human. Yoshiro couldn't help but find her look somewhat strange and yet oddly charming. Her appearance made him think of 'satyr's'. That was depicted from time to time in fantasy tales. He must have kept his gaze lingering for too long for the woman's eyes suddenly went wide and she suddenly yelled out.
"You can see me!?"
"Oh, balls." He mumbled to himself.
*Earlier in Hueco Mundo*
Hueco Mundo, the hollow world. That place that all souls that become hollows call home. A realm that's seemingly a never-ending desolate land of sand and stone. Stuck forever under perpetual darkness, with a moon as it's only light. Illuminating the infinite white sands for as far as anyone can see.
It is a realm where it's very inhabitants must survive. Through a brutal, unforgiving, and constant cycle. Of hunting, fighting, and killing one another. For dominance, strength and satisfy their own never-ending hunger. A place where any sort of true attachment is nothing more but a silly dream. In this place, the strong rule and those who are weaker. Must either serve them, keep out the way, or die.
This is what all who are hollows understand and know. Or rather it is what most believe, but there a those. As few as they are, know that the supposed norm of the hollow world. Isn't as set in stone as the majority like to believe.
For a deer-like hollow named Emilou Apacci. She, her companions, and the one they serve. Are an example of defying the supposed norm of the place they call home. For despite the bickering and arguing that she and her companions may have at times. They all truly do care for one another. Granted they had the one to whom they all swore loyalty too. For having brought them all together over time and showing them. That despite what others may perceive what hollows should be like. It doesn't necessarily have to be that way.
As she sat in the den that was shared by her and the others. Apacci's mind thought about her time since becoming a hollow. She did this much seeing how there wasn't much else to do in the barren deserts of Hueco Mundo. She could remember when she first changed from a normal soul into a hollow. Far from a pleasant experience.
She remembered how she first felt like as a new hollow. Strange, unsure of herself, and of course the need to sate her new hunger. Thankfully, despite being a new basic hollow. She still retained enough self-control to not mindlessly eat whatever she saw. She had no desire to eat normal souls or kill the living for the soul they held. So she on instinct opened Garganta and left to the hollow world. To do her hunting and feeding there.
Those first few years of survival had not been fun. Constantly running around, ducking and hiding. Waiting for the right moments to strike, to kill and feed. Having to deal with those that viewed her as weak simply for being a woman. She wound up proving them all wrong when she brought them down and ate them.
Then came her change from a basic hollow into one of the giant lumbering Gillian's. Fighting with the souls of all the others she had previously devoured. For control of her changing body, she proved her dominance once more. As she survived the ordeal, as the one in control. Of course, there was still the hunger, the hunger never ceased. So she continued to hunt and kill her fellow hollows more as she had to.
Then the time came when she turned from a Gillian to that of an Adjuchas. It was at that point she didn't have just simply self-control of herself. Rather she fully regained her senses in ways she had lost upon first becoming a hollow. It was a welcoming feeling, even if she still had to deal with the nagging hunger. Though it was as an Adjuchas she experienced. What was both her greatest moment of fear and relief.
She had been cornered by a stronger Adjuchas and despite giving it her all. she had been defeated and thought for sure she was destined to be devoured. Then something came she never could have expected. Her attacker was suddenly struck down, to her surprise. She looked to see who her would-be rescuer was, she was surprised by what she saw.
A Vasto Lorde
A female Vasto Lorde she quickly noticed. Her body and face were covered by white Hollow bones giving semblance to shark fins. Her weapon large and shark tooth-like was a part of her arm, but her hair and eyes were exposed. Revealing messy golden blond hair, aqua-green eyes, and a small amount of dark-mocha skin.
Tia Halibel, she introduced herself as. Tia asked her if she would like to join her and the others she had gathered. She explained she sought to help protect female hollows. From those preyed upon them for simply being fewer in number and perceived as being weaker. By their male counterparts. It was such an odd and surprising turn of events but she wasn't one to look such a gift horse in the mouth. So she accepted and had served her savior ever since.
She met the others under the command of their shared mistress. A lion hollow named Franceska Mila Rose and a snake hollow Cyan Sung-Sun. So all four traveled together and in time. They sort of became their own little odd family. Though Apacci, Mila, and Sung-Sun still had to feed now and again. Their mistress no longer had such a need, as she was a Vasto Lorde. A goal of achieving that the three aimed for. Not so much for the boost in power, the evolution brought, while that was certainly welcome. It was more about the feeling of hunger disappearing. With it, the fears of failing to feed enough disappearing.
After a few more years of travel, hunting, and building of strength, under the guidance of their mistress. It finally happened the three changed and became Vasto Lorde's. The surge of strength, the change into a more humanoid form, and most importantly. The disappearance of the damnable hunger came at last. Not to mention the feeling of security being a Vasto Lorde meant.
While the three were still weaker than their mistress. It did not change the fact that only a very small handful of individuals posed any true threat to them anymore. Of course with their goal achieved and nothing else to aim for. The sensation of ceaseless, mundane boredom set in. Something that Apacci despised completely.
Now out of their whole little group, Apacci would be willing to admit. She was certainly the most impatient, short-tempered, rude, impulsive, and confrontational, of them. It was simply how she always had been, even back in her life as a human. What little she could recall from that time.
Apacci gave out a sigh of boredom as she thought about these things. For who knows how many times now. She contemplated of going to Mila and Sung-Sun. Something that would end in another one of their bickering sessions. She quickly dismissed this idea, she was tired of the same old song and dance. She was just tired of the never-ending boredom that Hueco Mundo had become. She needed change, she needed something different. Something to break the current cycle she was in. Her eyes suddenly widened as an idea came across her mind.
"I can go to the human world." She muttered to herself. "I'm sure to find something of interest for sure. At the very least, just going there would be a nice change of pace in general."
How long had it been since she had last seen the human world? Around twenty years or so she had to guess. It was sure to have changed a fair bit in that time from what she could recall it being like before her death. Not to mention she was free to go anywhere in the human world she wanted with Garganta. She smiled to herself, it was far too good of an idea to pass up. She got up on her feet and made her way to the exit of her home.
"Apacci, where are you off to?" Came a calm voice.
The deer-like Vasto Lorde froze in place as she then. Turned to face her mistress.
"I was just heading out to kill my boredom, my lady. I just need a break from the monotony of things is all." Apacci replied.
Halibel eyed her subordinate with intrigue. She knew that Apacci had become restless of late. She had never been one for being too idle for too long. Halibel thought a few moments more. "Very well then, as a Vasto Lorde little can threaten you. Though do be sure to keep away from Baraggan's territory." Halibel commanded. She didn't bother to add in not going to the living world. She didn't think Apacci would do something like that.
"Thank you, my lady!" Apacci beamed and left into the deserts.
She walked a fair distance away to ensure none could see her. She opened a Garganta with no real destination in mind, only that it was headed to the human world. She made sure though to drop her spiritual pressure to almost non-existent levels. While she doubted, she would run into any soul reapers, let alone any that would give her any real trouble. It was better to take precautions to avoid such trouble entirely. With all that in mind, she stepped into the Garganta with excitement.
After Traversing her way through, she reached her destination on the other side. She smiled at what she was seeing.
As she hovered up in the air, she saw a town of sorts with lights illuminating it everywhere. She saw the clear night sky, different from the one in Hueco Mundo. The sky currently before her had stars that gave it more life. Then the one back in the hollow world ever had.
"This was definitely a good idea." Apacci mused. "Let's see what there is to find."
She glided through the air as made her way towards the town. She came across some kind of warehouse district. Then she suddenly stopped as her hearing picked up something. She listened closely to what it was, the noise she was hearing. It…it was music of sorts. She perked up at this, she hadn't heard any kind of music ever since before she died. She took off once in the direction she was hearing the melody. It didn't take her long to find the source and paused some distance above and behind it.
It was a human male on the roof of a very large building. He looked to be at least in his mid to late teens. He was playing an instrument, an electric guitar from what she could recall by its appearance. He was playing rather well too by the sound of it. She took a moment to examine him more closely from her vantage point. He was dressed in what she would consider a rather rocker-like fashion. It was his more physical traits that really drew her eye though.
He had messy golden blond hair, emerald green eyes, and a dark-mocha skin complexion. She couldn't help but note they were oddly similar to the traits. Visible on her mistress from behind her hollow features. Though she simply wrote this off as a coincidence.
Apacci continued to listen and found herself rather enjoying the sound of the music. It was the most entertainment she had, that didn't involve. Any sort of violence or bloodshed in what seemed like forever. Not having any idea what else she could find. She decided to hang around and enjoy it for all it was worth. She watched the performance she wasn't sure for how long. Simply, taking in the pleasant sound of the playing. Eventually, the young man stopped and pulled out some sort of device.
"Is he done?" Apacci said out loud. Not taking into account that the human before her. Could somehow be spiritually aware and thus somehow hear and sense her. She soon realized to her own surprise that she may have made a mistake. Apacci noticed the human stiffen up the moment she opened her mouth. He turned his head around and she noticed him having a quizzical expression on his face. As he looked directly at her.
That was when the realization truly hit her. Apacci's eyes suddenly went wide and she yelled out.
"You can see me!?"
A/N: The first chapter of the rewrite of my first fanfic story. I wanted to use the first chapter to do a lot more character building and character relation set up for later on in the story. I felt it was important to build a real sort of relationship between Yoshiro and the Karakura gang. It will make certain things for later a lot more impactful, than what they were in the original version. Also, making much more clearly the sort of person Yoshiro is from the get-go. Something I didn't really succeed in doing in the original version. I hope I did a much better job with that. Drawing upon my own personal experience, in crafting aspects of his character. Also, this story starts roughly two and a half years before the start. Of when Rukia shows up and all that begins.
Overall I think this is a much more proper and vastly better start to things with this new version of this story. I honestly don't know what the update schedule will be like for this. I honestly did this more on a whim if anything. Just have to wait and see where it goes. Anyway, please review as they do help with giving me the motivation to write. Please like and fav if you haven't already. In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy and, I'll see you next time. I'm out!
Edit on 10/10/21 to fix some typos.