The next day...
Hiyori couldn't stop the smirk that crept on her face. Every time the teen was knocked back into the rocks was an utter joy. The way he kept charging in, raking his hand down his face in a rush to get his mask on before he reached Arata wasn't gonna lose its appeal any time soon.
The hitokiri charged without the use of shunpo. Ichigo panicked. With a hasty hand, he jerked his mask to appear before Arata side-kicked him.
"That was too close. If you hadn't summoned your mask then, I would have broken your ribs." Arata berated.
"I'm getting faster though. Ain't that what counts?" Just then, his mask fell apart, his stunned face in its wake.
Arata scoffed. "Again." And again, Arata charged. He watched as Ichigo raked his hand across his face, his mask coming to form afresh. Ever since he beat his inner hollow, the boy had gained the ability to summon his mask at will just as the Visoreds predicted. Predictably as well, the time he could sustain the mask was in the single digits, but according to the more jaded Visoreds, that was impress considering he was starting out. His actions after summoning, though, lagged, evident by the fact Ichigo had to block Arata's incoming kick with his arm rather than dodging. "That was too slow. A window as large as that will prove fatal one day."
Arata dropped his axe, surprising the boy, and struck him with his palm to his chest. His mask broke as he skidded across the craggy landscape, a reddish-brown dust trail following him.
He's progressing rather well.
'Mmhm.'
Hitokiri scowled within her cabin. Ever since his falling out with Orihime, he's limited their interactions to a minimum. And Hitokiri was far from amused.
For all his strength and valor, he was a complete wreck when it came to people. He did well enough to come across as civil, but his stubbornness and focus on himself kept almost every relationship stiff, and at worst dismissive. And right now, in terms of his hostess, it was the latter, dismissing the gravity of the situation, potentially destroying one the greatest relationships he's had in a long time all because he couldn't accept the possibility of being more than a man slayer.
She felt ignored, like her thoughts and input were irrelevant to him. It almost made her want to cry.
Suddenly, Hitokiri and Arata's senses hitch. The former squealed while the latter groaned.
He and the Visoreds had their attention at the stairs. There he saw the last person he wanted to see at the moment.
"Ummm... Hi there. Excuse me, does anyone know where the restroom is? Just kidding!" Orihime laughed.
And in his distraction, Ichigo, who hadn't yet noticed his friend's sudden appearance, charged and sliced Arata across the chest. Blood spilled as he was sent crashing into a rock formation.
"Wha-?! Arata!" The teen stopped as he noticed his dazed mood too late, his mask disappearing as he raced to his side. Orihime heard his shout and she too spotted Arata's wounded body. She broke into a run towards he and Ichigo.
A half-oval shield hovered over him before he knew it. "Are you okay? Were you two training? I-" Her speech fumbled when she saw that Arata wasn't even looking at her, his head angled towards some pebbles near him. Anything would've worked as long as he wasn't paying any more attention to her. Disheartened, she quieted herself.
Ichigo noticed the cold shoulder Arata was giving off and frowned in confusion and annoyance. He had no idea what conflict the two got themselves into this time, but could he at least thank her for healing him?
As soon as he felt the wound close, Arata snapped himself upward and tried to go away. He picked a random direction and stuck to it. Just anywhere from her.
"Wait! I have something important to say!"
Arata, just listen to- Okay, you're ignoring me, too. Greeeaaaaat...
When Arata continued to ignore her, Ichigo stepped in, flash stepping to Arata and stopping him with a hand on his chest. He directed a dirty look up at him as Orihime caught up to them. "What is it, Orihime?"
"Whatever it is, it can wait. We need to train." Arata said in his attempt to escape this company.
"It's actually about Aizen."
Arata held back his groan with much restraint.
Some time later...
"So Aizen plans to destroy Karakura to create a key to some spirit palace to kill a god." Arata summarized.
"Yep. Pretty much." the girl chuckled, finding his abridged version humorous despite the topic. "You two don't look so surprised."
"Oh, I'm surprised alright. Just don't know how to act." Ichigo replied.
Arata, too, was surprised in the same manner as the boy. He stepped back and sat away from the two. He heard what he needed, but just in case there was more, he would listen rather than join the discussion.
Aizen's plan was diabolical. Taking thousands of innocent lives for his own plans. It was the sort of crime or scheme worth a hitokiri's intervention. This Aizen, underneath all his cunning and schemes, even if he was the one responsible for his being here, was just another criminal.
Yet in the face of this heavy situation came relief on Arata's end. He was back on familiar territory of sorts: find target, find reason to kill said target, and finally kill said target. He is to be judge, jury, and executioner all over again.
It was the work of a Hitokiri to bring scum like Aizen to their demise, one Arata was fully onboard with.
Ichigo then stood up. "Wipe that worried look off your face, Orihime. It'll be okay. I'll stop Aizen, I promise."
"You're far from prepared to fulfill that promise, however." Arata had enough. They may have about a month before any arrancar activity or Aizen, but time was still a resource. One that they were currently wasting. "Come on, Ichigo. We still have day light to use." Arata looked at Orihime and paused, thinking. He then said, "We appreciate the heads up. If you want to stay, fine, but don't get in our way."
The teenage boy rose, a brow raised in question at Arata's shift in behavior. He was always known to speak whenever necessary and rarely gave off what he was feeling, but he spoke with an edge of agitation as he tried to leave the conversation and Orihime's company.
It didn't take too much to guess they had another disagreement.
"Ichigo..." Orihime started.
The boy looked at Arata, who paused when he saw saw him not following him. "I'll catch up."
The hitokiri grunted an affirmation. He directed one last neutral gaze at Orihime before he turned and left.
The gaze had some power behind it as the girl furrowed her brow in sadness. "Let me guess: you guys argued." the boy came out bluntly.
"Yeah..." she nodded before her head angled itself downward.
Ichigo sat back down beside her. "You don't need to tell me what if don't want to."
"No, it's just-..." She stopped herself before the machine gun that was her mouth could shoot off. Arata's origins were his and his alone to tell. "... What do you think about about Arata?"
The substitute seemed surprised at the question as his eyes widened for a moment. He thought about it carefully. There were things about Arata he didn't like. His coldness towards his past tragedies still rubbed him the wrong way, but what he's been told by the man himself, he understood it. His lust for battle nearly rivaled that of Kenpachi, but unlike the captain, he maintained a level head at the same time which was a relief; the last thing he wanted was to practice cross-country with Arata and Kenpachi. Finally, there was his bloody sense of justice, his determination to dish out fatal vigilantism. It was a relief to know he wasn't a complete psychopath and that he did indeed have a sense of right and wrong, but the means in which he shows it and how much he derives satisfaction from it are just detestable.
Though, overall, he respected him greatly. He helped and protected his friends, and he vouched and still continues to help him. Even when there was no benefit for him, he stayed.
"I think he's been through a lot of messed up stuff and met a lot of messed up people." Sakura most notably. "He's messed up, too, in a lot of ways. But... I don't dislike him if that's what you're asking."
Combined with what she knew, she agreed. "And do you think he could be... more than what he putting up?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean do you think he's more than a man slayer. That... he's a good person?"
"...Yeah. I think so." After all he's done, he deserves that much. After everything he had seen, Ichigo would say that Arata, underneath that hollow and monstrous exterior, was a person worth calling an ally. Maybe even a friend after some time together.
"Ichigo!" Arata called out.
Said boy looked at him and then back at Orihime. "What're you trying to tell me, Orihime."
The orangette stood up. "I'm asking you to just... be there for him. Understand him. Befriend him if you can." It was the best she could do. It was the best any of them could do for him. To just surround him with people who care about him not for his abilities, but his character. "I... I want him to be better. But I don't know how. So please be his support, Ichigo, when I can't." she said, her voice quivering a little.
Her pleading, almost desperate eyes shook him. This argument of theirs was more deeper than he thought. But he accepted it regardless with a nod.
Arata let out a breathe he didn't know he was holding as his nose picked up the girl's scent becoming less pronounced. They returned back to training, but the hitokiri couldn't help but feel Ichigo's gaze a bit more, as if he was staring at more than just his axe swings.
Some days later...
His eyes narrowed at the boy. It disturbed him how much alike they were, now that he thought about it. In comparison to the Arata of past and the Ichigo of present, they were practically the same person. Selfless, caring, willing to carry the burden of others - the world even - on their shoulders. If things had gone differently for either one of them, Ichigo might've turned into Arata, or he would've stayed like Ichigo.
Too altruistic. What about yourself? What about your own wants and desires? Your own goals and ambitions? Helping people is all well and good, but if you kept centering your world around other people, the more they define your existence. And once they were gone, what will you be left with?
Only yourself, and that ever crushing sense of nothingness. Purposeless.
He realized the folly of his way of living and so departed from Shinobu, became a lone wandering hitokiri, and grew his strength and destiny by himself. He didn't need people in his life.
It's better this way anyhow.
Did Orihime think he was like this boy? If so, she was foolish. He will never be like Ichigo, and he will never be what he was before. That he swore.
"Hey, Baldy, tap in!" Hiyori called.
Eight seconds. He gained an extra second, and his actions after summoning were getting faster. Arata eclipsed the boy when it came to experience, but he certainly knew how to pick up the pace to match veterans. He would've became a legend in the Dawn Empire. Maybe even Healthmoor itself.
His shikai was discharged. Ichigo gulped. He was a teen of few fears, but that axe did something to him. Nevertheless, he readied himself.
Arata charged and Ichigo called forth his mask. This time, however, it wasn't Arata that swiped first. His hierro was deeply scratched, forcing him to step back. 'Little lag there.' he adulated. Black and golden eyes stared at each other in mutual respect, but he could pat him on the back after their bout was done. Arata brought his axe down, Zangetsu trembling upon impact. He sent another skull-splitting blow the teen's way, but Ichigo flash stepped behind him and attacked. His hierro protected his back. He pushed Ichigo back with a punch, to which Ichigo blocked. The punch, though, was hard enough to send him skidding back many feet and mid-way through his rough glide, Arata flash stepped in front of him and sent a kick that could shatter bones. Ichigo fumbled to the floor, his mask breaking off as his seconds ran dry.
"You're getting better. You're reacting faster to my advances."
Ichigo groaned when he got back up. "Seriously. Are you trying to kill me? I don't consider near decapitations 'practice'."
"Key word being 'near'. We both know you're able enough to block or evade my attacks so there's no real sense of danger here." Arata lifted his axe to point at Ichigo. "You are entitled to fight the same way. You should, if want any hope of dominating the arrancars."
Ichigo frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"Our enemies will be not so kind to show you honor or mercy. They will aim to due you harm. They will be ruthless in that pursuit. Do not use reason and morals to combat them. Use your blade and killer instincts to fight."
"And what? Be more like you?" the teen spat.
Arata shrugged. "In a way, but it is needed for one to triumph." He then flash stepped in front of Ichigo, catching him off guard. He deflected his axe with his own swing of his sword. "Be ruthless. Seek to fight and grow stronger; to dominate and destroy your enemies right where they stand. That is what it means to fight with instinct."
His words made Ichigo flash back to his fight with his inner hollow. The thing they differed in, as his hollow proclaimed, was instinct. Both he and Arata said he uses his head too much, but what else could he do? Fight like a maniac with no thought like Kenpachi or even Arata? To forget the need of everyone around him for the sake of a fight? it was selfish. It was pure insanity.
Yet, his blood was boiling. His heart thumped against his chest like a drummer on cocaine. But it was not out of fear. Not even out of the primal need to survive. No, it was something else. Something more beastly that would make Kenpachi and Arata gleam in pride. He tried to put that feeling down, but when he thought back to his fight with Grimmjow, he didn't feel much relief at being alive. All he felt was humiliation; and the insistence to face him again. He wanted to fight him again, to beat him and prove he was stronger than what the panther thought.
The teen gritted his teeth when Arata pressed him again. "Are you crazy? Why would I want to be like that? The only reason I fight is for my family and friends. You're delusional if you think I'll submit to your ideology and forget my humanity like you have!" He brought his mask up, and pushed Arata off him.
"At least I am being true to myself."
The demonic voice of Ichigo rumbled. "You think I'm lying to myself?"
"Exactly. You say you only fight for your loved one, but I know that look in your eyes. I see the way they brighten at the prospect of a challenge. You like to fight. You're just too much of a coward to admit it."
How ironic. You, too, are too cowardice to face other aspects of yourself
"You don't know anything about me." Ichigo retorts.
'I do,' Arata wanted to say. He knew him more than he wanted. He bit his tongue to stop himself before the words spilled from his mouth. 'In more ways than one.'
"And neither you to me. But i know a know a warrior when I see one." The otherworlder slashed and hacked at the substitute. Ichigo was driven back from the unrelenting force, but turned the tides when he parried Arata. "Perhaps if you admit to that, you would find a strength unlike any you have ever experienced."
Arata twisted himself to kick. Ichigo raised his sword to block, but his mask fell right before the kick connected and he was shot back many feet. He slammed his feet like brakes and kept himself upright. Arata casually walked up to him, his axe on his shoulders and one of his hands in his pocket. "I could... say the same for you." Ichigo huffed.
The hitokiri's eyes narrowed. Ichigo continued with his mouth shifting into a small smirk. "Maybe if you dropped the whole tough guy, killer act... you might find another side of yourself worth having."
'Damn that woman.' For sure it was her that put the thought into the boy, Arata thought. There was no way the heroic and selfless Ichigo Kurosaki would believe he was good person, too.
Despite his neutral stance, he flash stepped to Ichigo, giving the boy no time to react, and punch him. Ichigo raised his sword to block, but the way he skidded across the land spoke volumes of the damage inflicted.
Few days later...
The boy was at his best when he used both his mask and his bankai in tandem, but Arata held his own again this combination. However, due to his time limit, he didn't always have this mix of powers throughout their bouts, so the two usually fought with the boy in just his bankai.
The power boost was a force to be reckoned with, but it was the speed that truly tripped Arata up. He would be the first to admit he had more trouble with faster opponents. Yoruichi being the greatest example of that.
It was because of this slight disadvantage that Ichigo was running circles around the more jaded of the two, blitzing out of range before Arata could strike and attacking him when he was most vulnerable.
Arata back-flipped when Ichigo went to swipe him. The orangette flashed in front of him, driving him upward to the artificial sky. Sparks were made as Ichigo had a hard time pushing Arata; his muscular strength was on par with Kenpachi's, after all.
Arata's black and gold eyes widened when Ichigo's sword became enflamed with black and red energy. This wasn't the first time he's seen the boy's Getsuga Tensho, but it was the first time it was aimed at him.
Ichigo flash stepped behind him higher in the air. "GETSUGA TENSHO!" He swung his blade downward and what followed was the same attack that had scarred Grimmjow.
Arata turned to see the attack approaching with such speed and ferocity, he was anchored where he was. He raised his palm on reaction. "Cero."
His white beam met his black crescent moon. The two battered each other in hopes of overpowering the other. But Ichigo's lacked power in comparison to the cero as it it barreled through the blackness. Ichigo dodged and flash stepped to Arata. The cero is stopped as Arata's firing hand limped to his side. The hitokiri raised his axe to defend, but without the other hand on the axe, the following attack left him veering backwards.
Ichigo paused when he saw the hitokiri's arm dangling like it had no bones. "You okay?" His posture relaxed as he approached his fellow Visored.
"It doesn't hurt if that is what you're asking."
"Why does it go like that?"
His arm twitched as feeling began to return again. "My powers are... in a sense, unstable."
"What?" Ichigo gaped. "I thought you and your hollow were on good terms."
Treading the line between good and bad, actually.
Arata paid Hitokiri not much mind. "We are. It's something else I can't explain."
"That's not good." Ichigo noted gravely. "Physical strength aside, what else do can you do?"
"My kido skills are good and still improving, but I've been told my natural abilities are far stronger."
"Hmmm... Then how about using your weapon?"
"I have." deadpanned Arata. What other instrument has he been using to fight?
"No, like, sending an energy attack."
Arata's interest was piqued. "Continue."
"When I release a Getsuga Tensho, I concentrate my spirit energy at the tip of my blade and I release it with a swing." Ichigo explained simply.
"Not a very complex move, I have to say." Arata annotated.
The boy shrugged in response. "If it ain't broke, why try and fix it?" A sentiment he wished he shared with Orihime at the time of their argument, but Arata digressed. "How about I fire a few for you to study?"
The hitokiri nodded. "Fire them at me." This will practice for both of them this way. Ichigo nodded in compliance.
After Arata flash stepped to give them both some distance, Ichigo charged his sword. "Getsuga Tensho!'" It wasn't filled as much power as before, but it was devastating in of itself.
Arata stood in anticipation as the black energy threatened to run him down. His axe was brought up in the nick of time. The black Getsuga pushed him back, its force unforgiving. He smashed his feet into the ground to keep himself form falling back.
While his axe acting as his only shield, he could still feel the burning power of the attack. His mask protected his face, but just from the wisps that crept over the axe and touched his mask, the attack was blazing hot. It was hot enough to burn skin off muscle just like a cero, but the energy was more concentrated and dense. It was like a flaming sword.
With a loud grunt he pushed and slashed away the black Getsuga. The action took more out of him than he predicted. "Again." Arata panted.
The strain was mutual with the substitute, as well. Though he didn't feel the pull at his sanity, the attack was a fairly new one he was just getting used to, even if the one he just fired was of low power. Ichigo nodded all the same at Arata's request.
Half an hour later...
"You think we should stop them?" Mashiro asked. Another rumble came as Ichigo fired another Getsuga.
Half the Visored ate as the other half spectated the two. They've been at it for 30 minutes now with brief water breaks in between. Dinner had been called at some point, but the Arata and Ichigo were too into their own world to care about sustenance.
Hiyori snickered when Arata was sent skidding back again. "HEY, YOU WHACKJOBS, WE'RE HAVING KOREAN BARBEQUE! TAKE A BREAK OR WE'LL LEAVE YA WITH NOTHING!" Another wave of rumbling was their response. "Eh. Can't say we didn't tell them." She then went back to the table.
"How close do you think Arata will summon his own range attack?" Love asked aloud.
"Considering how strong his kido skills are, it shouldn't take too long." Hachi said.
Back with Ichigo and Arata, the situation had escalated with Arata darting around with Ichigo trying to tag him with a Getsuga Tensho. More than half of the time, he does, to which Arata applauded.
But they were here in the first place to practice hollowfication. Something they were neglecting in the pass minutes. "Use your mask." Arata said aloud.
"You sure?" Ichigo asked. The Getsuga Tensho was gonna pack an extra punch with the mask on, and Arata has never faced that yet.
Arata nodded, his body landing in front of a large mound of earth.
With that, Ichigo raked his mask on. "GETSUGA TENSHO!"
A few milliseconds was all he had before the black wave crashed into him. Arata's eyes bulged at the speed, size, and heat of the attack. Blocking it proved useless as pushed and pushed until he crashed into the rocks behind him. The Getsuga Tensho exploded upon impact, dowsing the area in black reishi. The rocks crumpled and some fell to where Arata had made a carter in.
"ARATA!" Ichigo called out in alarm, believing to have seriously injured the man. He jerked his body forward, but stopped just as fast as something was happening.
He was hearing something. He was feeling something. The sound drove deeply into his bones, shaking him. Never before has a sound made his body quake to this degree, but it did sound familiar. Though not from experience, he has heard a sound similar from T.V. and internet videos.
Why did it sound like... a chainsaw?
Amidst the rubble and reddish-brown cloud of dust, something bright starting growing until it shined away the veil of dirt. Arata, scratched and banged up, held his axe with the head behind him, but the head was burning white reishi. His hands gripped his weapon with vigor.
This move... it needs a name.
She was right. But what should it be? This name was gonna stick with the attack for the rest of its existence. It should be appropriate to its nature and possible lethality. The crescent moon made way for this move to be developed. Dark and unfinished, it has now inspired this light full shape.
Arata looked at Ichigo, who readied himself for whatever was about to come.
"Shingetsuha!"
He swung his mighty weapon and what came forth was something unlike a Getsuga Tensho. It was smaller, but it grew in size as it approached the teen. It's edges were serrated like the axe's edge and spun around like a chainsaw blade. It also emanated the same sound.
By the time it reached Ichigo, it was about seven feet in diameter and caused sparks to fly as it battered his sword. It didn't instantly explode like a Getsuga Tensho. It had more pushing and possibly cutting power than his attack. But that didn't mean it wasn't going to explode.
When the hot disc began to grow brighter and even hotter, Ichigo panicked and redirected the disc. And it was in the Visored's direction.
Realizing his blunder, he shouted, "WATCH OUT!"
Most of them were ahead of him as they moved to escape the blast. All but Hiyori who was too engrossed with her food to take notice of the commotion
The chainsaw disc flew until into the table, and just then it blasted everything to pieces. It wasn't as destructive as a Getsuga Tensho, but that didn't mean it wasn't noteworthy. Hiyori screamed as she was blasted back and landed on her back. A plate of beef flew in the air before it smacked Hiyori in the face, splattering her beef and juices.
"Fuck you, Arata." she seethed. "Just... fuck you."
Although their dinner plans were ruined, Shinji snickered at Hiyori's expense.
"Ichigo!" The teen turned back to Arata and he saw him charge another attack. "Don your mask. Now!"
The orange-haired teen did as he was told. His mask came on and his sword charged in opposition to Arata's.
"Getsuga Tensho!"
"Shingetsuha!"
The Visored decided to grab take out for the evening as their youngest members went back into their own world, focused only on the energy of each other.
Half an hour later...
Enough was enough, the two decided eventually. If they continued any further, they might just destroy the whole training area. Besides, they were banged up and any further strain would've resulted in something grim.
Arata had thought ahead and bought the two take-out bentos. They were cold by the time they finished training so Arata went to a microwave the Visoreds thankfully had. He handed Ichigo his meal as he sat next him.
"So... how are things at school?" Ichigo asked.
"Same as usual: tiresome and annoying."
"The delinquents never seem to learn, don't they?"
"And then some." He took bite out of some sauced chicken.
"...Have the others asked about me?" Ichigo then inquired. In retrospect, he should've gave a bit of a warning to his family and friends he was gonna be absent. Imagining Yuzu's concern made him sick just thinking about it.
"Uryu has been absent, but I learned he was pulled out of school briefly. Something about a 'family emergency.' Chad had asked me once, and I simply told him you were training. He never asked again. Your non-spiritual imbued friends have yet to question me and you already about the girl."
How he didn't use her name was an eyebrow raiser. "How are things with Orihime, by the way?"
"Fine."
LIAR!
Ichigo seemed to agree with his zanpakuto as his already serious expression deepened. "It isn't good to let stuff like this brew. What if this affects your friendship with Orihime in the future?"
'Friendship?' He scoffed. What they had was bit more than a hostess and guest relationship, but they weren't friends. As much as he wanted to say those exact words, he withheld them for Arata knew it would open a bigger can of worms with this boy. "It will be fine. I'm just giving her time to cool off."
"Really?" Ichigo doubted. "You sure it isn't you giving yourself time to cool off?"
Arata gripped his chopsticks harder. If he wasn't careful he would snap them. "Just eat, boy." he growled, agitation ebbing into his speech.
With a quiet huff, Ichigo relented and went back to his food. Their bentos had four sections of food and both were about halfway done. Ichigo yawned, but his mind was active. He recalled Arata's new move, Shingetsuha. He thought it about its name, and how it shared the moon motif his zanpakuto had. Perhaps he was reading too much into this, but did that mean Arata held the same level of respect as he for him? Evidence would suggest the latter, how he and him would fight as if they were trying to kill each other. But he did so because he wanted him to be better. He was purposefully being a wall he had climb over, and that wall was ever-growing.
"You don't need to concern yourself with me."
His steady voice caused Ichigo to look at him. "What're you talking about? We're partners now, whether you like it or not. Like hell am I not gonna care about you to some degree."
"Orihime put you up to this, didn't she? I know you don't like me, so don't masquerade as if you do." it was a waste of efforts anyhow as he didn't need his or her sympathy.
"Don't get it twisted." the boy admonished. "I don't like certain parts of you; but no matter how much I hate them, I know they come from a place of goodness... and pain."
Arata's eyes narrowed at his words. How could he understand what he's been through? Their lives and viewpoints are entirely different. He may have been like Ichigo, but Ichigo is not him and, judging by the road he is taking, will never be like him.
"I don't know the things that happened that made you have such a dim view of the world and humanity. And its not like I disagree with you entirely; the world is pretty screwed up. But I think that's why were seek people to care for... to make life a bit more bearable, you know?"
He could agree with the sentiment to some degree. He did seek a family after his broke down. That search resulted in Sakura and eventually Shinobu. Human beings were social creatures, after all; they crave company like a fish craves water.
But Arata was no fish. He was not human. He is a hitokiri - a manslayer; a monster. It was foolish to believe he was anything other.
"Do you believe I am a good person?"
"Morally corrupted, but yeah. I think underneath you're good man. You just gotta embrace it."
The elder of the two stared down at his junior, searching his eyes for any doubt or hesitation. But there was none. He firmly believed in that foolishness, just like the girl.
They're both foolish. To ignore reality is the act of simpletons and the ignorant.
'But... I suppose that is where part of their charm lies.'
Later...
The wind howled gently as Ichigo walked on the inverted skyscrapers of his inner world. It was only a few day since his fierce battle with his psychotic hollow side, but the feelings from that fight lingered as did his inner hollow's words.
They only amplified when the monster himself resurfaced.
"Color me surprise." the white version of Ichigo chuckled. "Why on earth would you request my appearance?" His hand went to the handle of his blade, expecting his king to demand they fight again. His expectations were softened when Ichigo did not even reach for his sword. Instead, he sat down on the window surface of the building.
"I came to talk to you."
The hollow stared back. He then burst into laughter. "You're actually taking their advice?! For real?!"
When he inquired Arata and the Visored about the advice Arata gave, he balked at the notion. Forming a bond with their inner hollows? At first he thought they were playing with him until he realized it was Arata who he was talking to.
It didn't sit well with him. He was all in for building bridges, but with him? With the hollow who didn't just try to kill him, but attempt to hijack his body? It was a tough pill to swallow when Arata and the Visored suggested the idea, that he could potential gain more time on his mask by forming a relationship with the hollow infesting his soul.
It was a hollow that took his mother away, and Grand Fisher and his inner hollow had few differences. To befriend him would mean he's at peace with the monsters that turned his life upside-down.
But still, if it meant he would become stronger, if it meant he can become a better protector of the people in his life, then he'll endure the torture.
"Yeah? And so what?"
The hollow couldn't keep his annoying grin off his face. "Alright. Let's talk." He sat down in front of Ichigo, a few feet separating them. "First question: I know you came here with the purpose of improving the duration of your mask, but there's something else, isn't there? I can see it in your eyes, Ichigo. C'mon, tell me."
"The hell are you talking about? What other reason could there be?" Ichigo frowned.
"So you're saying you came with here with the intention to become BFFs with little old me?" Silence was the boy's reply. "That's what I thought... does this have to do with that nutcase, Arata?" When he saw Ichigo's brow fold, the hollow knew he hit the mark. "Awwww! That's so cute! You're trying understand him better through trying to understand me."
What irritated the fifteen year old the most was that he got it right. He would admit that he doesn't act on instinct as much as Arata or his hollow, so by understanding his hollow, he could get closer to Arata.
He promised Orihime he would try. He promised himself he would try. For Arata's sake.
"Let's get this over with."
Two days later...
The next couple days were a mix between Ichigo's hollowfication practice and Arata's Shingetsuha practice. Through multiple uses, he found that in addition to lacking in explosive power, the explosion that was included was entirely random and was indicated by the disc glowing brighter. The attack still had its deadly potential, but that fact added unpredictability to its list.
It was a good substitute for his ceros, though. There was no strain or ruptures in his arms from firing them, which was the perfect takeaway from it all.
"Shingetsuha!"
The spinning saw flew at Ichigo, who was quick enough to flash step before the disc could hit. It exploded many meters behind his previous position. Ichigo reappeared on top of large rock. Arata pounced and Ichigo pulled out his mask.
He was still at eight seconds, so Ichigo had to spend those seconds wisely. The two engaged in a quick clash of blades before Arata switched it up with a punch. The blow was blocked , but Ichigo grunted when he was thrown back and rolled on the ground, his blade coming out of his hand.
Arata charged forward. It was good practice to train for scenarios where you would find yourself disarmed. Why not exercise your hand-to-hand combat along with your swordsmanship? He was sure the boy could evade him. He was in his bankai state after all, so he had his extra speed going for him.
But to his surprise, Ichigo did not make a beeline for his sword. Rather he charged at Arata. They were greatly separated, so there was a distance the two had to travel, but both of them were charging at each other. Despite his confusion, Arata still moved. Whatever Ichigo was planning was a risky one. And with his a few more seconds left on his mask, there was a real danger of Arata cutting off a hand.
A guttural breath left the teenager's concealed mouth. His body shuddered as it left his body. Even he was surprised he was making such a move. But establishing a link with his hollow did something to him. As small as that link was, it was felt in every action he made. A normal sword swing didn't just feel like a sword swing. It felt similar to swinging his arms or throwing a punch. It didn't feel like a specialized move cultivated from months of training or experience. It felt like he was just moving his body.
He held one of his hands near his side then, as the distance between the two was quickly closing. He was just going with the flow and did as his body commanded. He flexed his had open, and Tensa Zangetsu flew right into his hand.
Arata was shocked; and it showed when Ichigo sliced his abdomen. They stopped, huffing like dogs in the dessert sun.
The boy's mask disintegrated then. There came another surprise: nine seconds. His had his mask on for nine seconds.
"I didn't cut you too badly, did I?" Ichigo asked as he saw a few drops of blood leave the wound.
"I've had worst." His stomach was literally stabbed twice in the past. "Hachi can heal this up." Their postures relaxed and they sheathed their weapons. "Since when could you do that move?"
"Since now, I guess." Even he was surprised he could do that. "I just... let my body move before I could even think."
Arata nodded. he then moved to go to Hachi. "That is what you call instinct, Ichigo."
Ichigo watched Arata's back as it grew smaller and smaller. He proceed what happened and agreed that he indeed acted on instinct. But what he found most surprising of all was that... it was exciting. It felt good to just let go like that. It was idiotic, suicidal, but he still found himself looking forward to their next spar.
His inner hollow smirked.
Later that evening...
Arat sat down outside the warehouse, his back resting on the cold metal wall. He was dressed in a black tank top, blue basketball shorts, and black shoes. He sat cross-legged as he fished out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes, both he recently got from a convenience store on his way from work.
"Ugh. Don't tell me that's habit of yours." Ichigo voice pierced the quiet night as he exited the building, dressed in causal clothes as well. "That shit is gonna ruin your lungs and health. And I grew up in a clinic, so just trust me on this."
"I'm aware. I just thought I might try them once. Sakura always said you could never have true thoughts on something unless you try it at least once."
"That's stupid," Ichigo scoffed. "I don't need to see for myself drugs are bad for you by trying them. That's what the internet's for."
Arata merely shrugged as he lit one. Luckily for him, his mouth hole on his mask was large enough to put the cigarette in. He took a few drags of smoke in and held it there for a few seconds before he blew it out his mouth. It was then he felt a buzz of pleasure and energy, but it faded just as quick as it arrived. "It's alright."
Nothing could beat the thrill of battle for Arata, but he went for another inhale.
"Just don't blow that anywhere near me." Ichigo said as he took a seat next to Arata.
Time continued as the two sat in comfortable silence. A couple cigs were smoked As Arata thought about how brisk the night air was. In comparison to Heathmoor, it was always cloudy - always ashy. Maybe that's why smoking was so easy for him. Maybe his lungs were so used to the smokiness of his world, anything other seemed poultry.
"I talked with my inner hollow."
Arata hummed, his ears wide open.
The teen's face crinkled in annoyance as he recalled the conversation. "He basically complained about how I've been living my life. He complained about how I'm a young man and should 'fuck a girl already'. He complained about my sword fighting. The bastard even complained about how I write! It's like he had a whole list; and he wasn't even finished when I decided to leave!"
"That... fascinating." He had no words to respond to that properly.
With a huff, Ichigo crossed his arms. "... I don't like him. Don't know if I ever will."
"You took a step forward. Be proud of that, at least." Arata tried to console.
The brow on grew heavier then. "My mom was killed by a hollow. If I just... accept him, it'd be like accepting the same monsters that killed her."
His pain ran deep, Arata saw. It was clear from Ichigo's face that despite after all these years, the death of mother still haunts him. It drove and motivated his actions. It was a familiar sight to the hitokiri as he held the same belief with the Vikings.
He hated them with a passion. He would curse their names whenever they were mentioned in conversation. He believed the world would be better off without them. He once stoned an innocent trader from Valkenheim when he saw nordic runes tattooed on his skin. They were monsters with no capacity for kindness or honor.
Which made the pill even harder to swallow when the same trader saved his life. In the village he once lived in with Sakura, he once saw a woman about to be raped in a shady alleyway. He was nine at the time and he had more strength than most children. He charged in to save her, but his strength was not enough against a full grown man. The perp pulled out a tanto and tried to stab him. That was when the norse trader tackled him to the ground. There they struggled before the perp lodged the blade in the trader's gut. Before any more damage could be done, the woman the perp tried to rape saved them as she bludgeoned his head with a nearby rock.
Things were resolved rather quickly after that. Sakura made the man's execution slow. From what he could remember it was a full day before he died. The woman thanked him and the trader as the trader was tended to.
Arata's world view was shattered. A Viking saved him. A Viking saved him. The sentence repeated in his mind, even after days after the incident. He was angry when he questioned the trader, demanding to know why he intervened. Vikings were monster; they were inhuman; they were...
People were getting hurt. I had to intervene. the trader said. There was no inkling of deceit, Arata thought, and he knew he was sincere. There a Viking - people he believed were demons in human clothing - treated him with the second greatness kindness and honor he's ever experienced.
Sakura had said, "Each person's soul is different. Their place of origin, or their skin color, or their sex do not define them. We are all evil, and we are all good. Keep that in mind, alright?" He did, but it was only then, at that moment, did he truly grasp her simply yet powerful advice.
His people were no different to the Vikings. His people hurt, killed, and/or raped the same as them. The same applies to Ashfeld and their people. A person is not defined by their people, sex, or any other superficial feature. Their actions and choices do. His mother was not killed by the Vikings - she was killed by a man that just happened to be a raider.
Truly, a bitter and difficult pill.
"Ichigo," Arata started. "your inner hollow is not the same one that ended your mother. He is his own entity, with its own shortcomings and faults. No matter how monstrous he may be, no matter how dark a person he is, he is yours. He is yours because you defeated him; and he is yours because you are making his power your own."
The thought that the hollow was apart of him brought equal parts disgust and realization. His hollow was literally him, with colors just inverted. And now that he was under his watch and control, he was making his power his, adding it to the identity of his spirit. If he was just another side of Zangetsu, then, begrudgingly, he was just as much a partner as is the old man.
Arata continued. "We all have our own demons to face. Though yours are more literal, the same principle applies. Keep that in mind, alright?"
"I'll... try" nodded Ichigo. It was then Arata offered the cigarette box to the teen. "I don't-"
"Merely a suggestion. You look untethered. These will calm you down, if only slightly."
Ichigo thought back Arata's words and, against his earlier statement and better judgement, he allowed himself to take one cig from the box. He was on edge, after all; and he might as well experience them once before never touching them again.
Arata handed him his lighter and the teen lit up the end of his cigarette. Ichigo hesitated, but decided to take a soft inhale of smoke. "Hold it in for some time. Let it cool." Arata advised. The teen did as he was told and held it in for a moment. He then slowly drew it out of him in a long blow.
Ichigo looked to the cigarette perched between his fingers and chuckled. It wasn't bad, but when you knew the long term side effects it could cause, it really dulls the pleasure a bit. "Not bad, but I'm not using these again."
Arata lit up another and took a puff.
"Mmmm... Agreed."
1.) Omake: Honored Warriors Illustrated Picture Book
Ichigo was a well-mannered kind of teen. Much more than most his age. But even he had a point where he would give up at least acting nice and proper.
"And another thing: why the hell didn't you make a move on Yoruichi back in the Soul Society when she revealed herself as smokin' hot babe?! She probably would've let you - who know? You could've lost your V-card right then and there, you pathetic excuse of a man!" hollow Ichigo ranted. He's been like this since Ichigo came to talk and has yet to finish his list of grievances. "Oh, and don't get me started on Orihime!"
Ichigo didn't give a damn that he was laying on hard glass. 'When will he end?'
2.) Omake: Honored Warriors Illustrated Picture Book
After healing somewhat from Sakura's brutalization, Nnoitra went out to search for her as she suddenly disappeared. She wasn't in the kitchen or their training site, so it left him wandering the halls aimlessly just hoping to sense her.
It was then he got a faint scent of her. He followed the trail, and as the scent got stronger, so did his dread. He was getting too close to the Primera's section.
Her scent was behind a door. Nnoitra steeled himself before opening it, and the sight nearly gave him a heart attack.
Though still fully clothed, Starrk and Sakura were cuddling on the Primera's mound of pillows asleep. Starrk slept with his hands beneath his head while Sakura rested her head on his chest and her limbs thrown haphazardly over Starrk's body.
An ominous aura stirred Starrk awake. Drowsily, he looked at the murderous, seething look on Nnoitra's face before looking at Sakura's body beside him. He paused for a moment... before he laggardly draped an arm over her, his hand resting on her waist.
"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH HER!"
