Chapter 8
*Zera's P.O.V.*
Before we could leave to Hueco Mundo, we had to wait for Rukia's Hollowfication to complete. Not to mention take a short time to teach her to control it. It took about half a day for the Hollowfication to be complete. Rukia's Hollow mask had more of a cat shape with a sharp teeth jaw line, similar to Ichigo's, her eye shape being similar to Ichigo's too.
"Well, not too bad, Kisuke." I said, looking closely at the mask.
"It was a rush order, but I do think it turned out well." Kisuke said.
"But, will I be able to control this?" Rukia said, her voice a little different due to the mask, placing a hand on her mask.
"That's what we're here for." Ichigo said.
"Yeah, we'll teach you how to master you Hollow powers in an hour flat." Karin said.
"Well, probably not a hour." Yuzu said.
"You guys plan on training her?" I asked.
"Is that a problem?" Ichigo asked.
"*sigh* Even if I said otherwise, you would probably just argue with me. So, go ahead and train her. But, if it does takes more than an hour, than I'm taking over and all three of you are getting smacked." I said.
Ichigo, Karin, and Yuzu all stood there stiff and shivering after I said that and they all practically dragged Rukia a safe distance away. That should get them motivated enough. After that, I left all four of them be and let Rukia get her training.
"Do you really think they'll be able to train her in just an hour?" Uryu asked.
"Well, it only took them a few minutes extra to complete their training, so maybe. Even if they don't, most of you guys need to still prepare anyway, right?" I said. Once I was done talking with Uryu, I decided to go ask Kisuke to do me a favor.
"Hey, Kisuke." I said, pulling on his sleeve.
"Yes?" Kisuke replied.
"I need you to do me a favor. Do you think you can give someone a call for me?" I asked.
"So this is where you've all been!?" Isshin shouted. After Kisuke called him for me, it took Isshin about five minutes or so to get here.
"Yes, and if you'd be quiet, I could explain." I said.
I had asked Kisuke to call Isshin since he was the only one who hadn't been told of the situation. I explained to Isshin everything that had happened. The Soul Reapers, our little diversion fight, and our plan against the Soul Society. He remained silent for a few moments after I explained what we were all going to do once Rukia's training was complete. I had give very clear details about what happened, and him interrupting mme with questions or insults did not help me a bit.
"Are you insane!?" Isshin shouted.
"I know it sounds crazy, but after everything that I've seen through all of my years, I can guarantee it needs to be done. And everyone down here supports me and will help me do this." I said. I could see some doubt in his eyes, but I didn't let that shake my resolve. I was sure this was right, and I'm going take all the help I can get.
"...Jeez, I always knew you were a bad influence. I also know that you the most stubborn and fair person I know." Isshin said, trying to hide a small smirk.
Isshin, being supportive and somewhat nice to me? Man, things really are changing around here. Still, I've known him longer than anyone here besides Kisuke and Yoruichi. It is kind of nice to finally be on some part of his good side. After I finished talking with Isshin, we all waited for Ichigo, Yuzu, and Karin to finish Rukia's training. We all waited awhile before they were done.
"Zera, we finished!" Yuzu said as she, Ichigo, and Karin came back, Rukia following them not wearing her mask. All four of them seemed exhausted.
"See? We managed to train her." Karin said. I got up and walked over to the three of them, smiling as sweetly as I could, then, the next thing everyone knew, Ichigo, Yuzu, and Karin were all on the floor with bumps on their heads.
"Z-Zera...what was that for?" Ichigo said, twitching on the ground.
"It took a hour and thirty minutes, you morons! I warned you what would happen if it took longer than a hour like you guys said!" I shouted.
"I won't be hit too, will I?" Rukia asked shaking.
"No, you're fine. Orihime, heal all four of them, ok?" I called out.
"Right!" Orihime said, rushing over to them.
"We'll all leave once they're healed." I said to everyone.
"If that's the case, you'll need this." Kisuke said, holding out the Hogyoku.
"You're giving me the Hogyoku?" I said, taking it even while I was asking.
"Of course. If you're really going through with this, you'll more than just regular Vasto Lorde to beat the Soul Society." Kisuke said. I immediately knew what Kisuke was talking about. If we're doing this, we'll need more power than just that of a Vasto Lorde.
"But, what if I can't-" I tried to ask.
"Don't worry, you've seen me use the Hogyoku multiple times. Besides, it responds to the will of its' master. So you'll be fine." Kisuke said. I don't know how he does it, but he somehow always knows just what to say.
"Thanks Kisuke." I said. Once I said that, I turned on my heel and took a few steps away from everyone and opened a Garganta, the portal to my world. I made it bigger than what I usually use, that everyone can enter all together.
"Alright. Once you all step through this, we'll all be in Hueco Mundo." I explained.
"Wait, what if we aren't in our spirit forms like Ichigo and the others when we pass through?" Tatsuki asked.
"Don't worry. That's only necessary for the gateway to the Soul Society." I said.
"It's kind of hard to believe we're actually going to Hueco Mundo." Rukia said.
"But you must admit, it is quite exciting." Uryu said.
"Oh yeah, dad, do you want to come with us?" Karin asked.
"Yeah, if you do, we can all work together." Yuzu said.
"Sorry, but I'm staying here." Isshin replied.
"Huh, you don't want to go?" Ichigo asked.
"Well someone has to stay behind to explain what happened to you people!" Isshin said.
"That's right. People would be suspicious if we just suddenly vanished." Chad said.
"Wow. You were actually thinking ahead, Isshin." I said with a smirk.
"I always think ahead! Also, you better have these kids back in time for school, got it?!" Isshin said.
"Haha. Right, education first, destruction of Soul Society second. I'll be sure to remember that." I said.
"Be sure to come by and visit. We want to stay posted." Yoruichi said.
"Yes ma'am. Alright everyone, let's get moving!" I called out jumping into the Garganta.
Since I went first, I didn't need to warn them about using spirit energy to create a walk way inside the gateway. I made sure we all made it to Hueco Mundo and then I closed the Garganta behind all of us. Even if I visited this place weekly, it still feels like it's been forever since I came back. Anyway, we landed in a location on Hueco Mundo that resembled a forest from the World of the Living. There was a single cave where we appeared.
"Wow. So this is Hueco Mundo." Orihime said.
"Never would've imagined it looked like this." Tatsuki said.
"Zera, why are we in a forest?" Yuzu asked.
"This my territory, so of course we'd show up here." I said, walking towards my cave. I stopped walking to turn around, and I saw all of them just standing there staring at me. I guess I should explain what I mean by 'territory', huh?
"What do you mean 'territory'?" Karin asked. I knew it.
"Well, every inch of Hueco Mundo, besides this place, is ruled by the King of Hueco Mundo, King Baraggan. I've fought with Baraggan many times in the past, soon he realized he couldn't kill me, so he just let me have this land for myself. He leaves me alone, I leave him alone." I said.
"Hueco Mundo has a king?" Chad said.
"I'll explain how Hueco Mundo works later." I said.
"Ok, but just how are we going form an army of Hollows? Not to mention how we'll keep them under control." Tatsuki asked. Before I could think of an answer, everyone started saying ideas.
"We could just beat them until they listen to us." Karin said.
"Karin, we're trying not to be mean to Zera's kind!" Yuzu said.
"Maybe we could reason with them." Orihime said.
"Don't forget, not all Hollows are as reasonable as Zera." Uryu said.
"Maybe we could some kind of system." Rukia said. That caught everyone's attention, even my own.
"A system?" I asked.
"Yeah. A system just like the Soul Society." Rukia explained.
"Seems reasonable, but why would we use the same system we're trying to take down and that's trying to kill us?" Uryu asked.
"Actually, that's not too bad of an idea, Uryu." I said.
"What do you mean?" Chad asked.
"You see, even with the Soul Society now, there is the Soul King and the Royal Guard who were in charge of the people who were in charge of the dealing with the Hollows long before the Soul Society came into existence." I said.
"Um, I didn't really know that. I was actually talking about the current Soul Society now. But, Zera, how do you know that?" Rukia said.
"Now that she says that, just how old are you? You've never told us." Ichigo said.
"Huh, guess I never did. Well, I'm actually 5,500 years old. Give or take a few years." I answered like it was nothing.
When I looked at all of their expressions, I had to do everything I could to not laugh. I've never seen them all look so shocked through all the time I've known them! Their eyes were practically popping out of their heads and their jaws were all on the ground.
"F-five thousand..." Uryu choked out.
"No wonder I could never beat her..." Ichigo said.
"Hehe, yep. I turned into an Arrancar when I was 500, and I was around 3000 years before the Soul Society was officially made."
"Holy hell, she's older than dirt." Karin muttered. She must've tried to whisper, but everyone, including me, heard her.
"Karin!" Yuzu exclaimed.
"Ah! I'm sorry Zera!" Karin quickly said.
"Haha, don't worry, Karin. Living as old as I have, I take that as a compliment." I said.
"Well, now that that's over with, just how we gonna do the ranking system?" Tatsuki said.
"No. We aren't using the same system as the Soul Society." I said.
"Why not?" Chad asked.
"I don't want to make my own kind bow or obey like the Soul Society. We're trying to be better than the Soul Society, not as bad as them." I said.
"Oh, I know!" Orihime piped up. Oh boy. I'll admit, I love Orihime as much as the rest of these guys, but her ideas can be kind of, well, weird.
"What about a Hierarchy system?" Orihime suggested. Well that was- wait a minute. That actually wasn't a weird idea. It actually makes sense. I obviously wasn't the only one surprised, everyone looked at he with shocked expression, even Tatsuki.
"Um, mind explaining that, Orihime?" Tatsuki said.
"I know that the Hollows are important to you and all, Zera, but if the Hollows follow those with Power then this system is most likely the only way we can control the lower class Hollows. And Ichigo, Yuzu, and Karin could even be the king and queens. It's perfect!" Orihime said, smiling.
When she was done talking, Orihime finally realized that everyone was staring at her. And I don't blame them, I mean, our Orihime, actually having a good idea!? Jeez, like things were strange enough with Isshin being nice to me before we left.
"Ok, why is this the first time you say something crazy that makes sense!? Still, it sounds like that could work." Tatsuki said.
"It actually does." I added.
"But if that's the case, why don't you be the queen and Ichigo be the king, Zera?" Yuzu asked.
"No thanks. If anything, I'll be the one to looking after them. I've been doing that so long that I'm used to it." I said.
"Then I assume that's our plan." Chad said.
"Yep. We start tomorrow. We'll make ourselves an empire." I said.