Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and never will.
Girl-of-Action: A lot has happened since my last update of this story. I hope all my readers are safe and doing well, and that this chapter serves as a nice distraction from the real world's current craziness. I still have a couple more left to go after this before I run dry of stored chapters.
Kurotsuchi Nemu's POV...
I step into the main lab, the constant hums of machinery and slosh of chemicals a gentle lullaby to my auditory nerves center. I will never disappoint or discredit my creator to reveal it, but my promotion from well kept secret to fukutaicho of the twelfth division has left me somewhat in a state of mental disarray. I have… missed my home. This room I was born in. "Master Mayuri..."
"Ah, finally! But wait. Where is he? Girl, were you found out?" He hisses dangerously, eyeing me critically.
"I was seen by the boy, but he never saw my face," I admit shamefully, bowing my head. It is not my first failure, but it is my first failure as fukutaicho. My first failure that really matters.
"Blast it! How is this possible? The sedative I supplied you with should have been immediate."
"He awoke just as I was about to administer it," I relate, remembering the peculiar event. The child had been fast asleep, yet without any discernible explanation he was alert and reacting the moment the drug was about to be injected. "I am sorry, sir, I have failed you."
"That much is obvious," Mayuri-sama scoffs, and I wince internally. "Now I'll have to come up with another, far more complex plan and rely only on meager, second-hand information until I do!" My superior rants in entirely justified frustration. He whirls back around to face his several feet long monitor and begins inputting a long string of code into the control panel.
I hesitate. With his current mood, he will not take well to my continued speech. At the same time, this can not wait. "Sir-" A hand strays to the object of my thoughts, wrapped carefully and strapped tightly to my back.
"Quiet!" He snaps before I can finish or even really begin. "You have done more than enough. Now, let's see. Division four patient logs; yes, yes, come on already… Ah! Excellent, at least here is some good fortune. The results were entered in only minutes ago. Kehkehkehkeh~" He breaks off into pleased laughter and goes to open up the profile. A blaring red error message that flashes on screen soon after hints that he is less than successful... "WHAT?!" He slams his hands against the control panel. It shudders violently.
I continue to watch with narrowing eyes as my creator's body spasms uncontrollably. "Mayuri-sama, are you well?" I tentatively inquire, and begin to inform him of my observations. "Your body is experiencing signs of unnatural-"
"Some fool has taken it upon themselves to entirely purge the boy's profile from the system, even from the emergency memory banks!" He seethes, hands clenching and unclenching around the edges of the control panel. "When I get my hands on whoever did this I'll-"
I finish unstrapping the sheathed object from my back, offering it to the man radiating rage in front of me in a seldom act of boldness. "Master Mayuri, please listen, if I may just-"
"NO, you may NOT. I have commanded you to be SILENT. If you cannot follow such simple orders, I will have no choice but to- What's this? What are you trying to hand me?... Ah, I… see. Perhaps you are not such a failure after all." A peculiar feeling wells up within me."Yes- yes, indeed. This will substitute nicely…" He grins, a look of unadulterated pleasure adorning his features as he taps a single nail against the object that is now within his possession- a particularly long, sleek blade with a hilt characterized by curious black and red diamond designs.
Shiba Isshin's POV… Early the next morning.
"Kaien! What brings you here? Nevermind that. Jus' come here and give your ol uncle a big hu-"
"Sit down."
"... Eh? What's gotten into you? Oh, I know. Did you have another fight with Miyako-chan?"
"No, I need-"
"Now it's true that I'm smooth with the ladies-"
"Uncle-"
"-but you know that long-term relationships really aren't my thing,"
"Will you list-?"
"So I'm sad to say, dear nephew, that I won't be of much hel-"
"Sit the fuck down, Isshin." I'm sure in other circumstances I would laugh it off or become indignant, but the fact that Kaien is the one cussing catches me off guard. Cussing is just not something he does, and it's nearly as shocking as Kenpachi declaring that he's a pacifist, or my fukutaicho deciding never to touch sake again. I sit down without another word.
"Before I say anything more, I want to give you a chance. Is there anything you want to tell me?"
A witty remark is on the tip of my tongue, but at the solemn, severe look on my nephew's face I hold it back. Hesitating, I finally force myself to become composed and serious. What could get Kaien all worked up? What could I have done to get him so obviously furious? I'd never do anything on purpose to rile him up this bad. It's true that we don't always see eye to eye- that's expected, fire and water doesn't exactly mix all too well. Just the same, I honestly love and respect Kaien. He's a century younger than me, but even so he still has a good head on his shoulders and the clan's best interest at heart, not to mention his status as a prodigy. The Shiba clan could never want for a better leader, and when he really puts his foot down (which is rare, he doesn't like to exercise his power as Clan Head unless he feels he has to), I listen! Usually he proves to be right in the end, which just goes to show how lucky the clan is that they have him as the Head, and not me.
I slump back against my office chair, dumbfounded. I look him in the eye, and with blatant honesty speak up. "I really have no idea what you want me to say, Kaien. As far as I am aware, there is nothing that should warrant for you to come to me as my Clan Head, and not as friend, nephew or comrade instead."
His gaze is searching, unrelenting. "Are you sure?" he questions curtly after a tense silence.
"I am…" And as the words leave my mouth I am inexplicably hit by a feeling of intense dread. I shouldn't have said that, I think, although I don't know why. What I said is true after all.
"Then explain this to me." I start in surprise as he abruptly tosses down a hand-held data processor onto the desk in front of me. I sit up, peering over at the steadily glowing screen. The first thing that catches my attention is the name.
"Ichigo? Strawberry?" I muse. "Sounds like a pretty name for a pretty lady, though I can't say I've ever heard of her. Who is she?"
"He is apparently your son," is the less than amused response.
The color drains from my face as at the same time I finish the rest of the notification message. I jump to my feet, reading the message over and over again. "What is this? I don't have a son!" I exclaim, but already I'm beginning to doubt my claim. What if one of the lady friends I've had just never told me? What if I am a father? The thought horrifies me. I don't know how to be a father!
"Keep your voice down. And these results say otherwise," Kaien answers dryly, setting a fist on my desk in leaning forward. "I always knew you were a bit of a womanizer-" I balk at the accusation, my usual denial at the tip of my tongue. I'm not a womanizer. I'm a lady's man! "-but I never thought you would go so far as to hook up with a human." My eyes bug out of their sockets at the statement, and I'm short of breath. "A human, Isshin! Morality aside, you know that's against the damn law. Don't you realize what this can do to our Clan, our family, if word gets out?" His voice becomes lower and lower, gaining a threatening, deadly edge.
As the threat hangs in the air between us, the world suddenly comes back into focus for me. I slam the data processor on the desk, cracking half the screen terribly, much to my indifference. "Alright, Kaien. You've had your say, now let me have mine." I go on without waiting for a response. "I admit I'm not perfect, and it's true that I may have some kid out there that I don't know about. But. Never, never in my entire existence have I been stupid and or selfish enough to risk my family's livelihood, and get involved with a human. I wouldn't do that to such a young, mortal lady, and I'd never hurt my family that way." I manage to say through gritted teeth, trying to keep my dwindling cool.
My gaze is steadily trained on Kaien. His face is impassive, unmoved by my declaration. He picks up the data processor and holds it up for me to see. Kaien taps Ichigo's name. A picture appears on the screen of a teenage boy, and he moves it to the side of the screen that isn't cracked. Bright orange hair aside, the teen possesses facial features so similar to Kaien and us Shibas in general- it's downright eerie. "Let me tell you something, Isshin. This boy is the same one that- by some miracle- saved Miyako and I; the same that, until recently, was running around District Two's forest, fighting on his own against hollows with his zanpakuto. The same that, even more recently, had his memories torn away from him and was left terrified in the Rukongai, strangers with swords chasing after him just because of the level of his reiatsu." A feeling of dread sinks into my gut. Shaking in repressed rage, Kaien finishes, "This is the boy you brought into the worlds, so tell me. Are you really just going to stand there and deny any responsibility for him?"
"...All I can tell you is the truth as I know it-" Already I can see a disgusted look forming on my nephew's face. I got to make him understand! Grabbing him by the shoulders, I shake him gruffly. "Kaien! Listen to me. This is me, your uncle. You gotta believe me. As far as I know, I don't have a son. With absolute certainty I know I've never had intimate contact with any humans, and above all I would never put my family in danger like this." It's a desperate struggle to keep my voice 'in doors'. I constantly check for eavesdroppers using my reiatsu sense to make sure the coast is clear, paranoia already mounting.
"It wouldn't be the first time you've lied," the fukutaicho mutters quietly, head hanging slightly and bangs shadowing his eyes.
A shiver runs up my spine. "But never over something like this. Never over something so important," I insist. He smacks my hands away, still not looking at me.
"These results don't lie, Isshin. I had them checked. I wouldn't be talking to you right now if I hadn't, because I'd like to give a fellow Shiba, my uncle, the benefit of the doubt. Not only that, I gave you a chance to tell me yourself when I first came here-"
"I'm telling the truth!"
He ignores me, shrugging off my hands when I try to grip his shoulders again. "If you're not willing to take responsibility for Ichigo, then Miyako and I will. No kid should have to grow up without parents if there's another option. Especially not a Shiba kid."
I stand in shock at what he's implying. "You can't mean… He already looks more like you. Kaien, if you do, then everyone will think he's actually your k-"
"Your point?" He asks, tone practically dripping with disdain. It hurts more than I can say. "I'm not going to let Ichigo grow up without a family just because it might be embarrassing for me."
"And the Clan," I remind. He shoots me a glare, finally looking back up. I go stiff as a board at the nearly murderous look in his eyes.
He lets out a long breath and says slowly,"You just better hope that his zanpakuto stays missing-"
"It's missing?" I blurt out, starting to get real sick of all these shocking revelations. "What happened?"
"We're not sure. Either he misplaced it, someone else did, or it was stolen. We just found out last night, and we're looking into it. Either way, you better pray that we, not Ichigo or anyone else, gets it back before any damage is done. We may be able to keep these current test results out of the wrong hands and brush off his appearance as destiny or coincidence, but if someone with the technology and expertise runs a raitsu test on his zanpakuto? Or if he does gain shikai and develops powers similar enough to your's? The evidence of his blood relation will be undeniable."
My mouth has long since gone dry. I don't know what else to say to Kaien, to make him believe the truth. He's so convinced, and I have to admit the evidence is pretty damning. I don't even have the guts anymore to remind him that I don't even believe in the Soul King or destiny. He leaves the room after a moment of disturbed silence, and I just stand there for countless moments more.
Hitsugaya Toshiro's POV…
I regard the feast before me, a queasy feeling rearing up inside. I've never in my entire afterlife seen so many different kinds of food gathered in one place… Is it possible that my stomach can actually contain all that is on my plate? I wonder in disbelief, staring at the steamed rice, miso soup and a variety of other food that I don't know the name of. I hear lchigo let out a short whistle in amazement. "Nice," he comments appreciatively, clearly not having the same reservations as me. He notices this and raises an eyebrow at me. "What's up, Toshiro? Are you feeling sick?"
"No.. it's just… there's so much…" I inform him in a small voice. A part of me reasons that I've eaten countless watermelons practically all by myself before, and that this shouldn't be so different. Then again, watermelons are about 70% water, so that does not really count…
Ichigo looks at me for a moment, then gives a grunt of understanding. "Well, just eat what you can."
"Isn't it rude to not accept gifts from nobles though?" I ponder out loud, remembering some of the edict Momo once told me about. I wasn't paying much attention at the time, and now I'm sorely regretting it. At least I remembered this much…
Ichigo snorts in amusement. "I doubt they want you to get sick because you ate too much, Toshiro. That wouldn't be a good use of their gifts."
"He's right," comments the elderly man who apparently readied our meal. I was somewhat surprised to find it was just him, having expected… I'm not sure. A whole crew of servants at the nobles' beak and call, having woken at the break of dawn? The elderly man walks over from his spot by the sink. (And wasn't that a surprise, indoor plumbing! I had my first real shower this morning, instead of river baths or sponging off.) He smiles warmly at me, setting down a glass filled with some type of sickly yellow-orange liquid. As I study it, stupefied, clumps of something floats to the surface. Juice…? I hazard to guess. I've seen other variations before, but with the drink being so expensive I've hardly taken a sip, much less tried this kind. There's never been a real need, especially with a perfectly good and free water well just outside Granny's cottage…
"Oi, Soul Society to Toshiro." I look up when Ichigo snaps his fingers in front of me, lips lifting into a slight smile. "Did you hear a word he said?" Ichigo asks, jerking his head in the elderly man's direction.
I appropriately dip my head in embarrassment. "I'm very sorry. What were you saying?" I ask politely, turning to give my full attention to the elderly man. He is tall, with long gray hair clipped behind him and kindly, equally gray eyes. His whole appearance seems washed out so to speak, color having faded away with time. He doesn't seem quite as old as Granny, but close enough. His clothes are a simple outfit suited for cleaning or cooking with a striped blue and black apron over it.
"I was explaining how I wasn't sure what type of food you two like, so I decided to make different kinds and let you pick and choose. I've got everything, from traditional to even those new Western dishes they make in the World of the Living. I don't expect you to eat all of it though." He chuckles heartily, and I'm taken aback from the very casual, friendly way he is acting with me. "I'm not sure that anyone would be able to finish that… Though Ganju might…" He muses to himself, trailing off.
I regard him and his odd behavior. He sure is… energetic for a servant and elderly man. I remark internally.
"Well, thanks for the food, Ji-san. We appreciate it." Ichigo comments with an appreciative nod, what I've taken to be his default expression (a slight scowl) back in place.
The newly dubbed 'Ji-san' frowns. "Don't call me that… You'll make me feel old."
"What's your name then?" Ichigo inquires, side-tracked as he eagerly digs into his food. I grow sickened at the fast pace with which he makes the food disappear. Is he even really tasting it…?
"My name's Shiba Kiichi. No need to introduce yourselves, I already know who both of you are."
I contain and swiftly mask my surprise. A noble is serving us? Unfortunately I realize by now that Ichigo doesn't have the same thought-to-mouth filter as I do, and proceed to brace myself for the incoming tactless response. As it turns out though, and I thank my lucky stars for this, he has too much food in his mouth to even make a sound.
"Nice to meet you, Kiichi," Ichigo says mildly with a small wave. The time it took for him to swallow must have given him enough time to think before he spoke.
"You're not surprised?" Shiba Kiichi asks.
"Nah, not from what I've seen of you guys so far. I think it's cool that you don't hire servants, and have decided to be self-sufficient instead." Ichigo answers for us.. I silently concur with a nod, brushing off the strange use of the word 'cool' as just another one of Ichigo's unique quirks. Not to mention, having no servants probably helps greatly with all of that noble intrigue. I think to myself. No servants to gossip, leak information or spy.
Kiichi's expression brightens. "You're correct; we're big on independence and self-sufficiency. That is, we are still expected to seek help from fellow clan members if we need to, but when it comes to chores or positions of power, we do or earn it ourselves."
"I can respect that," Ichigo declares easily before going back to his meal. He might have his curiosity sated. Not me. For the next few minutes I question Kiichi on his family traditions, among several other topics. Kiichi happily obliges and sits down next to me.
"Isane?" I pause in my conversation to see that Ichigo is trying to wave to someone I can't see from this angle through the kitchen's open door way. Ichigo frowns when he doesn't get a response. "Be right back," he says, standing up and striding to the door. Right when I am about to call out to him however, he pauses and glances back to me, then to my untouched food and drink. "Try to eat something, 'Shiro." My mouth clicks closed, surprised by the sudden remark. Before I can recover he slips out the door. One of my eyes twitch in irritation.
Kiichi takes a moment to laugh at my expense, but I don't have the heart to glare at the elderly man. "He really does mother hen you, doesn't he?" I only frown, having nothing to say to that in response. "First he herds you into the house like you're a wee baby, all swaddled in blankets and fretting about you possibly getting sick-"
He breaks off into a quiet chuckle upon seeing my reaction. I shake my head with a shocked expression, my face quickly reddening. "Why are you looking so surprised? Do you remember waking up and deciding to take a midnight stroll to the Shiba compound? Or perhaps you have a history of sleepwalking?" Kiichi questions 'innocently', using his 'I'm only a kind old man' persona to his advantage.
I find myself sputtering. "No; Of course I vaguely remember stumbling over here through the cold but—" I trail off, unsure of what I'm trying to communicate. Ichigo told me why we are here earlier- his sword was stolen and he was attacked last night, for what reason neither of us can fathom. Shiba-dono, the lady of the household that I have yet to properly meet and previous patient of the Fourth Division, offered us her mansion to stay in for security reasons, and to help Ichigo find his sword.
"But what?" Kiichi prompts, arching one large, gray eyebrow. "You should be happy that someone cares about you so much." The comment leaves me speechless. When I offer no response, Kiichi raises from his seat and collects Ichigo's empty dishes, taking them away to clean.
"... I am," I whisper, reaching forward to gingerly scoot my bowl of miso soup closer.
Ichigo's POV…
It's easy enough to catch up to Isane. Although she has a head start and speeds up when I tried to call to her earlier, she doesn't seem willing to outright run inside the Shiba compound. I, on the other hand, don't have any problem with running here. I lay a hand on her shoulder to slow her down, noting how she tenses under my touch. I frown. "Hey, what's going on, Isane? Why are you ignoring me? And why are you here? You're not a Shiba…"
"I am friends with Miyako-dono. Please, if you will excuse me…" She tries to leave with a polite smile but I block her path before she can.
Scowling, I cross my arms. "Not until you tell me what's wrong. You were pretty friendly just last night, but now you're giving me the cold shoulder. What gives?"
She knits her brows, and tilts her head to one side. She seems confused. "Nothing, I'm just in a rush, so if you'd please-"
"Bullshit," I say frankly, and she shies away at my use of vulgarity, making me regret my choice of wording for a brief moment. I push the regret aside to get to what's most important. "You're frightened. I want to know- what of?" Isane doesn't answer me, frowning and shifting from foot to foot. I pause, realizing something. "Are you… are you afraid of me?" My mind whirls, wondering what the hell I could've done to make her act like this. It doesn't help that I have no personal memories beyond that of a few days ago.
She shakes her head, small braid bouncing. "No, Ichigo-san. I'm not afraid of you… And I am sorry, but I really must go." Isane pushes past me. I catch her wrist and pull her back to face me. "W-what are you doing?" she stutters, shocked as she attempts to yank her wrist free of my firm grip.
I freeze, looking up into her wide, gray eyes. It's not her height that makes me hesitate (although this is the first time I really notice just how tall she is). Wait… This is none of my business. I can't force help on someone who doesn't want it, not when I don't even know what's wrong. Swallowing, I let go of her wrist and step away. "Sorry, that was out of line," I admit quietly, inclining my head some in apology. I hear the light patter of feet and when I look back up, she's gone. Sighing, I turn away.
Shiba Miyako's POV… A minute before.
I look up as my husband enters the room, and remove the consoling hand from one of Isane's shoulders. She stands quickly at my husband's sudden appearance. What did Isshin say? The question is on the tip of my tongue, but from the expression on Kaien's face, I know it can't be good.
He trains his gaze on Isane, who unconsciously shivers at the attention. I glance quizzically at her, having noticed the unreasonable fear she has of Kaien. Now what in the world could have sparked that? But Kaien, as I'd known he would, doesn't do anything to solidify this fear. Quite the opposite, actually. "You've done a lot for us, and I can't thank you enough for this. If we can ever do anything to repay for this kindness, you know where to find us," he says.
"Yes. Thank you. Miyako-san." She bows. "Shiba-fukutaicho." She bows again. "I'll see myself out, if that's alright?" At Kaien's nod, she scuttles out of the room without another sound. Kaien and I watch her go.
"How is she?" Kaien asks after a minute.
"Terrified, as to be expected. Isane-san is risking much to cover this up for us. In truth, I didn't realize our friendship was strong enough to inspire this kind of loyalty…" I muse in deep thought.
"Another miracle," Kaien notes.
"... Yes. Although, I could have done with just one more…" Kaien grimaces in pain. He steps forward to hold my hands in his own. His hands are warm, while mine are still so very cold. A testament to how close I was to passing on. Miracle indeed. Tears prickle out of the corners of my eyes. Kaien gives my hands a short squeeze.
"Miyako… Would you like me to make arrangements for a funeral, or should we wait a bit longer?"
I shake my head. "No. I feel like we need to do this now… but please, just us, a monument, and maybe Kukaku and Ganju. We should also think of a name at least, to inscribe on the monument itself."
He nods, having listened intently. "I'll make sure it's all done soon. It'll be good to have Kukaku and Ganju there, or Kukaku at least."
"Yes…" I take in a deep breath, pushing all thoughts of this aside for now. "How did it go? What did Isshin say?"
Kaien's grimace tightens. "He denied everything," is his blunt reply, much to my shock. I don't react this way because of his almost harsh bluntness, but to what he said instead. I thought surely, with the consequences of his actions in front of him, Isshin would understand and take responsibility...
"... Do you know why?" I inquire, sadness pervading my tone.
"No idea. He insists he's never had intimate contact with a human. I want to believe him, but after running our own test… There can't be any mistaking it."
"We should destroy everything." I note, tone suddenly devoid of emotion. We need to think critically.
"The only proof left is in our personal, locked records: this data processor, the sample, his missing zanpakuto, and Ichigo himself..." Kaien recites, looking to me for confirmation.
"I already deleted the information from our records. The sample is in my pocket, I'll destroy that now along with the data processor. It's not of any use anyways, not with a screen like that." He nods and passes the device over. I move over to the fireplace, placing the two objects I mentioned inside. A quickly muttered kido spell is all I need to turn them into ash. We stare at the black, charred pile of unrecognizable ash in silence, before I decide to address our most pressing matter. "Do you really believe we can do this in the short time available? Fabricating a reiryoku sample is no easy matter under normal circumstances, not with the resources we have available." Our clan has never been known for its scientists. Usually we hire someone for the more sensitive projects we have in mind, but there is no one outside the family we trust enough, and with the means to help us in this...
Kaien runs a hand through his hair. "I don't know," he replies honestly, gravely. "But we must try- what scientists we have are already on it. Hopefully, Unohana-taicho will be too busy to give it much attention. We also have our best kido experts scrying for his zanpakuto. Hopefully, they'll turn up with something soon."
"Hopefully," I continue, "we haven't run out of miracles, you mean to say."
He offers me a brilliant, lopsided smile. "Pretty much."
I smile softly back at him. Our respite (and hope) is short lived. Suddenly, we can both sense her. All is still for a long moment. "What should we do?" I ask quietly.
Kaien is back to grimacing deeply. He looks in the general direction of our front door, knowing all too well who stands at the front gates to the Shiba compound. "We knew this might happen. No subterfuge. Our only chance is to convince her. Soul King willing, she may very well see reason if we hide nothing."
My eyes narrow. Tell her? Everything? Yet after a moment of thought, I realize my husband is right. There is no other way, if she indeed has found out what Isane has done for us. She is too intelligent, too influential, and too powerful to use any other means. The realization leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. We may not be arrogant like so many other clans, but we are a proud people, and begging this way is one of the greatest shames there is… It will be worth it, I think- no, believe.
The shouji style door to Kaien's and my private sitting room slides open, revealing a distant, young cousin of Kaien's. He smiles nervously at us. "Excuse me, but Unohana Retsu would like to speak with the both of you."
Metastacia's POV…
Curses! Curse it all! Curse the shinigami; curse Aizen! I hope they tear themselves to pieces! Behind me is the steady stomping of a fifty-feet tall, self-aware Gillian ring leader. When I was slain by the thrice damned shinigami, I reformed in Hueco Mundo as promised. Aizen conveniently left out, however, that I might reform in Menos Forest! One of the most dangerous places in this giant feeding ground of my fellow cannibalistic hollows. It is a forest of gigantic trees, some a mile high, that lies in almost complete darkness underneath the desert.
I narrowly dodge a cero from the predator that stalks me. I know all too well that if it wanted to, it could have already obliterated me with a much stronger, further reaching cero. No, instead it is corralling me. It doesn't want me dead. It just wants to be fed. I snarl viciously at the thought. "What's wrong, shinigami pet?" The self-aware Gillian snickers, voice surprisingly high pitched for its size.
"I don't belong to that shinigami scum!" I screech, lashing out with one of my many tentacles. It destroys the thick base of an ancient tree, and after a brief crackling noise, it comes tumbling down with a satisfying crash. I chuckle in glee as it squashes one of the Gillian, too slow to avoid it. "You're next!" I hiss at the ringleader, letting loss and shattering all of the tree trunks within reach.
The Gillian only chuckles before letting out a cero. The cero obliterates not only the collapsing, behemoth trees that threaten it, but also one or two fellow Gillians. Naturally, it is unconcerned by this matter. Every moment more and more Gillians answer it's call, driven only by instinct and pack mentality. They don't care either if one or two Gillian are obliterated for getting in their leader's way. Meanwhile, I agily dart between the multitude of falling debris and narrowly make it out with all limbs intact. "Dangerous maneuver; you seem nervous. Perhaps you are not immortal as you think yourself to be?" This voice is different, deeper and rumbling. Are two consciouses sharing that form? It's almost unheard of, but I don't care. It is what the voices say that makes fury course through my blackened veins.
I hiss and spat, although I know what the Gillian(s) said is true. I'm all but immortal in the land of the shinigami. Slay me, and I'll just come back to feast on their flesh. Here though? If another hollow devours me instead of killing, I'll be added to their collective of consumed souls. My own consciousness might very well be suppressed and destroyed. I've never had to fight my way to consciousness from the depths of some other cursed hollow, and I don't plan to start now.
I'll kill myself now. I'll escape in death and reappear far away from here. I think with grim satisfaction at my plan. Now only to find the proper way to do it before the Gillians have a chance to get ahold of me. I whirl around, grinning wildly. "So you think you can- What?! What is this?!" The Gillians… They've disappeared. Where could they have gone?! It is impossible for fifty-foot, slow beings to just disappear so suddenly. Their reiatsu imprint even still lingers heavily in the air.
A new figure appears before me. "What are you?!" I bark at the newcomer, stalling for time. "Are you shinigami, or are you hollow?" I have heard of a shinigami haunting this forest, though have never believed it. The tales say the shinigami of Menos Forest hunts while wearing the pelts and maks of hollows he's slain. This slim, human sized figure wears no such thing though, and the rumors have never given mention to the shinigami also possessing hollow power! It radiates from his being.
"I am neither," He responds blandly, although I gather the distinct impression that he is indignant. He walks toward me at a leisure place. "Hm… What I've heard and discerned is true. You have much more power than what is befitting of a lowly, unevolved hollow." I snarl at the insult, and in warning. The warning goes unheeded and my instincts scream for me to do something. I attempt the only thing I can- flee.
Intense spiritual pressure rains down on me from all sides, making it impossible to flee. This… this is just like when I met that shinigami scum Aizen! My bulbous eyes widen at the thought, and at my struggle to breathe. I have no chance if this being even has a quarter of the power of that despicable, unnatural shinigami. I stiffen as the being comes to a halt at my side, looming over me with an almost bored, yet appreciative stare… every bit like a predator gazing over its prey. I should know- I have worn that expression often enough.
"Yes… With that unique Gillian and now you, I should have more than enough power to start my plans decades in advance… And for that, even though you are not willing, I thank you…"
I see no hollow mask… Nor a zanpakuto in his hand. Damn, damn, damn!
"Have you figured it out yet, hollow? No, I suppose not. No matter- even if you did, it would not help you in the end. I am no fool." The being raises a long-nailed hand and horrified I feel my reiatsu peeling off and floating up to him.
"What are you…?" I choke out one last time. The being looks down on me with utter contempt.
"In a few moments your power will be mine, and you will be no more. There is no need to tell you anything."
The process is slow and painful, worse than any death before, and made only more agonizing by the fact that this time Aizen's gift to me won't bring me back… I scrape and claw in place, snarling and howling my fury- every excruciating moment spent in vicious struggle until the world is blinded from sight by blaring white.