Chapter 3

*200 years later*

Ever since meeting Kisuke, Tessai, Yoruichi, and Visords, I have finally been able to stay preoccupied besides with my training or eating. Of course, there are some bumps in the road like when I argue with Hiyori or if I ever let my temper boil over, but I've still been having my fair share of fun. Also, even if it takes some work, every now and then I still go and talk to Ashido. I make sure to tell him I kept the graves of his friends are still in perfect condition.

Anyway, today I'm going to the World of the Living again, but this time I'm just going for my own amusement. I mean, technically, I am still a kid. Sort of. Kind of. Gah, shut up! Ok, right now I'm at this river in Karakura Town. It may be shallow, but it is always fun to splash around in. But, after playing around, something suddenly caught my attention.

"Who's there!?" I shouted.

I sensed something behind a near by tree and I was able to see something, more like someone I'm guessing. When the person came out of hiding, to say I was surprised was almost an understatement. It was kid. A kid barely smaller than how I looked. She had bright orange hair and big brown eyes. She was only poking her head out from behind the tree before barely slowly coming out completely and only taking a few steps towards me.

"And who are you?" I asked again, a little less tense.

"I'm...I'm Masaki Kurosaki." she said.

Something about her seems to throw me off. After just staring at her few moments, I finally picked up all the spirit energy she had. Is she a Soul Reaper?! No, no she doesn't have that kind of energy. Also, she seems to young. Not to mention how nervous she seems. Ok, so what else could she be? Wait a minute, I remember hearing about these other people with powers. That means...

"So, you're a Quincy?" I said. Once I said that, the fear on her face that she was really trying to hide practically exploded on her face.

*Masaki's P.O.V.*

Today I was just walking around my family's private area river where we train, but I started to hear some splashing. I decided to go and investigate since I was sure I was supposed to be by myself. As I approached the stream, I was able to a girl. She almost looked my age, but a little taller. She also wasn't wearing any clothes. Ok then. I was about to approach her, but I stopped cold when I noticed her other 'features'. A hole in her stomach and fox like skull mask. A Hollow!? But she looks like a kid! I quickly hid behind a tree and watched her for a few seconds, before something happened.

"Who's there!?" the girl shouted in my direction. I tensed the moment I heard that. I knew she was talking to me. After taking a deep breath, I stepped out from where I was standing and just barely approached her.

"And who are you?" she asked.

"I'm...I'm Masaki Kurosaki." I answered. After saying that, the girl remained silent but she just stared at me. I could barely make myself meet her gaze. After waiting, she finally spoke to me.

"So, you're a Quincy?" she said. My composure completely melted away after that. I turn on my heel and only run away a few feet, but the Hollow girl suddenly appeared in front of me. My whole body completely froze when she appeared. I waited for her to attack me or something, but she actually...smiled at me.

"Nice to meet ya'! I'm Zera." she says.

*Zera's P.O.V.*

After that, whenever I wasn't with Kisuke, Yoruichi, and the Visords, I hung out with Masaki. Even if she is a Quincy, she's really fun, nice, and kind. She was kind enough to always lend me some clothes since I didn't have any when we met and I usually kept ruining any clothes I can get my hands on. I never did meet her family though, probably for the best though. They'd probably try and kill me or something. During the whole time I was with Masaki, before I knew it, 5 years went by without me returning home. That's how long it took before I stopped getting a good food supply in the world of the living since I still can't and choose not to eat people who are still alive. Right now, Masaki is 14 and I have to go back to Hueco Mundo.

"Do you really have to go?" Masaki asked. She started looking at me with those big puppy eyes.

"Come on. You make me feel like I'm slapping a puppy. I'm just going home for a little bit to eat. Sure, here it may be 2 years at the most, but I'll be back soon. I promise." I said, scratching the back of my head.

"Promise?" Masaki said.

"I promise. And you better not get into any trouble when I'm gone." I said while opening a Garganta.

"I promise." Masaki answers.

I smiled at her and just before I could turn and walk through the Garganta, she pulled me into hug while slightly lifting me off the ground. Man, I really miss when she was smaller than me sometimes. But still, I hugged her back and when we finally let go of each other, I turned on my heel and walked through the Garganta. When I felt my bare feet hit moving sand, I knew I was home. I looked behind me and caught one last glimpse of Masaki as the Garganta closed. I don't know why, but my stomach is in notches. Gah, I'm worrying too much! She's a tough girl and a Quincy, and what's the worst that could happen to her in only 2 years when nothing really did in 5 years?

Luckily, I was able to satisfy my hunger just as 2 years passed. The other Hollows around Hueco Mundo have been getting a lot stronger lately, wonder why. Well, here it didn't even feel like a year passed, but that's how much time passed in the World of the Living. The clothes that Masaki lent me were in ruin now though. Just barely covering my 'parts' I guess. Anyway, I couldn't help but keep smiling. I was going back to see Masaki. I wonder what she's been doing when I was gone? I would know soon enough as I began to open a Garganta. When I stepped through, it was already night out and it was raining.

I landed on top of a near by building and was about to head towards Masaki's place, but after taking a minute to look at the area around me, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw what was not too far from me. A Soul Reaper Captain was on a near by building and a Hollow was going after Masaki, who was standing right below me. A white Vasto Lorde. What...what was a Vasto Lorde doing here!? Sure, they go after strong souls like those of Soul Reapers or Adjuchas, but they would never go after a Quincy's soul. They taste absolutely bitter to the stronger Hollows like myself. Anyway, if a Soul Reaper Captain is here, why is it going after Masaki!?

I didn't have time to think about that as I saw Masaki get rid of her bow. What was she thinking!? I stopped thinking that when I saw the Vasto Lorde bite down on her shoulder. When I saw that, my anger completely boiled over and I lost it.

"Get away from her!" I yelled, moving from where I was to beside the Vasto Lorde in a second. I didn't care if it was my kind or not. No one hurts my friend! I threw my strongest punch and made it connect to its' face, causing its' to fly in the opposite direction me and Masaki to stumble backwards while holding her bloody shoulder.

"Zera!?" Masaki said in a shocked tone.

"Idiot! What were thinking getting rid of you weapon like that!?" I shouted.

"I was going to handle it! Honest!" Masaki answered. I was going to shout her again, but I just sighed a softly punched her stomach while slightly looking down at the ground.

"Idiot. I was worried about you." I mumbled just loud enough for her to hear me.

I looked up at her with a smile on my face and she smiled back at me, but she suddenly looked above me and I saw her expression change almost instantly. Before I could say anything about it, she suddenly moved behind me. I looked over my shoulder fast enough only to see Masaki being cut across the chest. I swore my heart sank when I saw her fall to her hands and knees in front of me.

"Masaki!" I exclaimed, kneeling beside her.

"Are you insane!? Why did you do that!?" someone said. I looked up saw the person who said that and who most likely cut her. It was the Soul Reaper Captain I saw earlier. I let out growl and was about to do the same thing I do to that Hollow to the Soul Reaper, but Masaki stopped me. She grabbed my arm, but stayed silent as she was catching her breath after coughing up some blood.

"P-please...leave her alone...She's...my friend..." Masaki said, barely loud enough for him or me to hear. When I heard that, my rage started to calm down. She was already injured, I didn't want to upset her. I know she wouldn't want me to kill this guy. I bet she was hear just to save him in the first place. Before me or the Soul Reaper could say anything, Masaki coughed up more blood and ended up laying completely on the ground.

"Masaki!" I said again.

"Ah crap!" the Soul Reaper said.

I pulled her into my arms and rolled her over to get a good look at her injuries. Why did she have to be so reckless?! I could've easily survived a hit like that! Once I looked closely at her, I could see the wound. The one on her shoulder wasn't major, but the one from the sword, that was a different story. It started by her left collar bone, in the middle of her chest, and ended at her upper right side. The wound wasn't that deep, but still. Oh god, what should I do? She'll die if the bleeding continues for too long! I was about to pick her up, but something else just had to happen.

The white Hollow I sent flying earlier reappeared near me, Masaki, and the Soul Reaper. Part of its' head was pretty much gone and the rest of its' face was starting to crack. I could just tell something was wrong with it. My suspicions were proved when something came out of its' head.

"Ah crap!" I said.

I was about to get myself and Masaki away from that thing, but I saw the Soul Reaper get in front of me and Masaki. What was he doing!? Before I knew it, a massive explosion occurred. I held Masaki close and tightly shut my eyes. When I was sure it was over, I slowly opened my eyes and just barely loosened my grip around Masaki.

"Masaki, are you alright?" I asked.

"Y-yeah...but, what about...him?" Masaki said hoarsely, looking in the direction away from me.

I looked where she was looking and I saw the Soul Reaper now on lying on the ground. Damn, that idiot. He took the force of that blast for us. I will admit that I'm having conflicting feeling about what to do with him, but knowing Masaki, she must be worried sick about him right now even in her condition and even after what he did. And like I said earlier, I didn't want to upset her right now.

"Geez." I moaned. I carried Masaki over to the Soul Reaper like she most likely wanted.

"Hey, are you alright?" I asked, kneeling beside him and setting Masaki down so that she was using her arms to make her sit upright.

"Yeah..ouch...Sorry, thank you. How shameful...a Captain being saved by two girls...and ones a Hollow." he said.

"No...you were the one...who saved us...Thank you...for saving my friend." Masaki said, couching at the end of that. I really didn't need saving, but I really shouldn't say anything right now.

"Haha! Let's call it even then! Ok?" he said, actually smiling. Geez. Humans and Soul Reapers alike. There are some you just can't hate. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"But...you managed to send that thing flying...and you survived its' attack...who are you two?" he asked, first speaking to me, then Masaki.

I really didn't know how to answer. For myself, I don't care about telling him I'm an Arrancar, but what about Masaki? I didn't know how to answer for her. I mean, he saw her with her bow and arrows. I looked at Masaki, not even needing to say anything for her to know the question I wanted to ask her. She just smiled at me and nodded her head. Well, I know my answer.

"I'm Zera, an Arrancar. And she is Masaki. A Quincy." I answered. His eyes widened for a moment and he stayed silent for a few seconds before smiling again.

"I see. A Quincy and Arrancar! It's the first time I've actually met one! Jeez...feels kinda special to be able to see a real Quincy, and Arrancar too of all things." he said. I was actually kind of shocked by his reaction. A Soul Reaper? Not going into a fit of rage, confusion, or something after hearing what I just said? Boy, things really have changed over all these years.

"Ok, I better get you two someone to patch you both up." I said, trying to pick them both up.

"Well, looks like I came just at the right time." someone said. I recognized that voice. All too well. I looked in the direction and saw the person who said that.

"Kisuke!" I said. He stood a few feet away from me with an umbrella in his hand.

"Hey Zera. How have you been?" Kisuke asked.

"Kisuke! You have to help me! These two are-" I said, but he raised his hand up and I stopped talking.

"Don't worry, that's why I'm here. Let's bring them back to my shop. Then I can do what I need to." Kisuke said. He turned around and began to walk away.

"Wait, what do you mean?" I asked.

"I'll heal them, that's certain. But, the girl's condition is actually another story." Kisuke said.

When he said that, I didn't know what to think. I just looked at Masaki and she looked back at me. I could see worry in her eyes. As much as I wanted to be absolutely sure about what he was talking about, for now I had to trust him. For the Soul Reaper's and Masaki's sake.

"It'll involve you too, I'm afraid." Kisuke said to the Soul reaper. The Soul Reaper stayed quiet for a few moments after that. I wonder if he's going to be against it?

"Fine by me." he said. That's it!? Geez, how easy going is this guy!?

Well, Kisuke and I managed to get Masaki and the Soul Reaper, who apparently was called Isshin Shiba, to Kisuke's shop. The two of them were all patched up, but that's when Kisuke told us about what happened with Masaki. Apparently her soul was infected by 'Hollowfication'. She would die if nothing was done, so Isshin had to practically give up his powers to save her. And he actually did. Without a second thought. I don't know if he's really kind or really care free.

I decided to stick around the World of the Living for a while after that incident. But, awhile has now become a few years now. Masaki is actually glad I stayed for as long as I am, because she apparently was getting ready to marry Isshin and she wanted me to be the flower girl. In Hueco Mundo, we didn't really have weddings. So, this will be a first for me. Kisuke even made me a Gigai just for the occasion. I will admit, the way it looked exactly like me was uncanny.

The day of the wedding came quick. Masaki wore a very pretty red and white kimono dress and Isshin wore a black yukata. I wore a smaller, but similar kimono. It was actually very fun! I made sure to tell Isshin to take care of Masaki. I mean, after everything that's happened, I definitely know she do some pretty risky things. Still, now that this happened, who knows what else will happen later on. Maybe their little family will start to get a little bigger.