The True Origins of Tartarus Chapter 05: The Mirror Reflects! The Two Sides of Anya Clash!
Disclaimer: We do not own any copyrighted material we use. We only own one Kido spell: "Soul Reflect" aka: "Tanashi no Hanei". If there are any similar Kido used in either the Manga or the Anime, please let us know so we can change it. Thank you. Do not sue us, you will get nothing but our cats' stinky poo. =) And they lay nasty stink bombs, lol
*Author'sNote*~Tigress_Luna~:This chapter is going to be in the view of a Bleach character now, it will be Uryuu Ishida. Hehe, I finally got Jag out of hiding, but not happily, lol. She keeps glaring at me. XD Any Bolded speech used in this chapter, is Anya's Hollow talking.
I was surprised when Akihiko contacted me and invited me over to the dorm. When he stated it involved my sister, and the attack that occurred a few days ago, I couldn't say no. He met me at Iwatodai Station on his way home from school. I was hoping my next visit here would not be on such bad conditions, but if it was for Anya, I would do it.
Akihiko opened the door and stepped inside first, with me close behind. Just as Akihiko closed the door, we heard a familiar scream echoing through the halls.
"MOTHER!" It was rare to hear this tone. I knew that voice, it was Anya, she woke up alright. And she was mad and screaming for Yoruichi. I wonder what she did THIS time…Akihiko looked as confused as I did. I looked from the corner of my eye, where Yoruichi and Rangiku were sitting and talking, and upon hearing the scream, they began to giggle. A lot of help they were being.
Apparently worried, Akihiko was already up the stairs, on his way to see her. I took that as my cue to follow suit. I had been told just before arriving, that Anya was staying in Akihiko's room, so she was on the second floor. I don't really approve of her being in a guy's room…but I guess this is Akihiko, and he won't do anything bad to her. So I guess it's okay.
When we arrived…Anya was sitting up in bed and her face was a crimson red. Urahara was cracking up, and the Tenth Squad Captain, Hitsugaya was staring at Urahara with a flat stare. I noticed when Anya saw Akihiko, she covered her face in embarrassment. Why would she hide her face from Akihiko? Urahara seemed very entertained by her behavior. It must not have been bad, just very embarrassing, caused by Yoruichi it seemed.
"Dare I ask…what did Yoruichi do this time?" I asked the blonde shop keeper. "I'm wondering that myself." Akihiko added. "Oh, it's not what she did….but what she said." Urahara grinned mischievously. I had to sigh. "Okay then…what did she SAY this time?" Akihiko looked like he was dreading the answer. "Yoruichi called Sanada-kun…her future son-in-law! This was during the battle with the Espada."
I heard Anya's aggravated and embarrassed grumbling behind the covers. Something along the lines of 'I'm going to kill her! I'm going to kill mother for embarrassing me!' I looked at Akihiko with a raised brow. "Is this so?" Akihiko looked confused. "I don't remember. I was too focused on Anya and that….Hollow….transformation?" Akihiko responded. "If Yoruichi-san said it, I didn't hear it."
"Not quite Hollow, but Visord." Urahara said. "But you were close!" His grin widened. "I love how inventive you were curing her of her Visord form…" "Wait…Visord? She started transforming? Why?" I asked. "Sanada-kun got hurt and Anya-chan got worried. His method of reversing control wasn't quite what I had in mind…but it worked all the same, and was cuter to watch!" Akihiko turned red, as Anya poked her head out from under the covers to look at Urahara. "Wait…what did he do?" She asked, since she obviously didn't know her own cure.
"He made a little contact, with your lips, little Anya-chan!" Urahara chuckled. Both Anya and Akihiko turned redder then I thought could ever happen. They both looked ready to faint. Anya dove back under the covers, clearly not interested in coming back out for awhile. And Akihiko looked like he was also searching for something to hide under, but with no luck. Poor guy, I have to feel sorry for him. This is Urahara dishing out the explanations.
He looked at me, as if to ask me 'Are you mad at me?'. I returned Akihiko's wordless expression saying 'At YOU, no. But my annoyances do lie elsewhere.'. Now that I knew the cause of my sister's screaming, I was able to focus on talking with Akihiko. I turned to face Captain Hitsugaya. "I would like to talk to Akihiko and my sister alone. Could you please leave the room…..and take this laughing idiot with you?" I asked the young Captain, motioning to Urahara.
Akihiko looked at me as if to say 'PLEASE get rid of him!' Captain Hitsugaya nodded at me, understanding the situation, clearly respecting my position as Anya's brother by blood. With that, he dragged Urahara out of the room, practically kicking and screaming like a child.
I looked over at my sister, and peeled back the covers a bit, to see that she had fallen back asleep, holding tightly onto the pillow beneath her head. I turned to Akihiko and finally spoke. "She's asleep. It looks like having your stuff around here puts her to sleep pretty well. She looks comfortable. I hope you weren't hoping to have that pillow anytime soon. She has a vice grip on it." Akihiko looked at me with a slight blush. "Apparently so. She sleeps so well. I barely got to school today. We tried putting her in her own room, but she kept screaming and crying in her sleep. She stopped when we moved her here. She didn't want me going to school this morning. I was so worried about her, I couldn't concentrate all day. She really does care about me…doesn't she?" He asked, clearly stunned and confused.
"Yes. That is rare for her to be this attached to anyone. She told me in her letters that she found someone very special, and very strong. Someone she trusted with her very life. She told me his name – Akihiko Sanada." I told him without hesitation.
Akihiko's eyes widened as he blushed more. "Special…? Strong…? She trusts me that much?" "Yes, she does. You don't seem to understand her heart as much as you think. You are everything to her. She loves you more then anything. Keep that in mind. You'll need to remember it now more then ever. It looks like you'll both be tested in this upcoming war."
"You really can read her better then anyone. Save for that Captain Hitsugaya. How well do you read me?" Akihiko asked me. I had to pause for a moment to think about my answer. Well, I hate to say it, but he's as easy to read as a grade schooler's book. "Let's just say I don't have to try hard. You don't hide your feelings much. You wear them on your face, and in your voice." "So, what's your opinion?" He asked me.
I understood his question. Obviously, this guy has some problems understanding himself, not just women. "I can tell you love her as much as she loves you. Your lack of experience with women makes it hard for you to acknowledge it and show it in return. But the fact that without hesitation, you accepted her heritage and her Hollow, despite the fact that she had to hide it from you shows unconditional and understanding love. I respect you for that. And I know she appreciates you for that as well."
He looked astonished. I noticed that he looked down for a moment. When he looked back at me, there was a question on his mind that he seemed afraid to ask. "Your wondering if myself, Yoruichi, and Captain Hitsugaya would approve of your deep relationship, aren't you?" He looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. "Yes…I was." He admitted. I just gave a smile. "Talk to Yoruichi. I can tell Captain Hitsugaya accepts you. You would be an ice statue if he didn't. And if I didn't approve, you would be a Quincy's pin cushion. Do keep me in mind when you plan any…special occasions."
Akihiko seemed to cringe at the first few ideas I suggested. And the last one got him to turn red. I thought so, he wanted me to give my own sister away. Kind of a cute thought. I always wanted to design her wedding dress. "A-alright…" He said slowly and hesitantly. "I'll…do that soon enough…" "I thought so." I said. "I figured as much." Akihiko looked nervous. "How did you know…?" I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose. "As I said earlier, you can't hide your emotions very well. It's written all over your face. I'm quite sure everyone here can tell your intentions. Except maybe Anya. But maybe even she can tell at least a little." That last comment made Akihiko seem like he was going to die. Being obvious was most likely not his intention. "Maybe that's why they all act strange around me when Anya's there too….they poke more fun at us when we're in the same room…and the girls at school keep pressuring me about dating questions….how annoying…" "I'm sorry to hear that." I said. "I am quite popular myself, for my artistic skills and archery abilities."
As we continued to talk, I noticed Anya stirring uncomfortably in her sleep. Her Spiritual Pressure was starting to go out of control. Akihiko looked at her in confusion and worry. "What is going on?" "I don't know. But I should get Urahara and Tsubakishi Tessai. They can figure it out." "But I'm right here, I thought that would help keep her calm." Akihiko asked. "So did I. I can't explain this either. That is why I want Urahara's help. You stay by her side. I will go get them." I responded as I quickly left the room.
I vaguely heard Akihiko praying, or something of the sort. Something that sounded like, "Please don't let it be a bad thing…" Poor guy. Unlike me, he had no ability to keep his cool in a situation like this. Unlike Soul Reapers and Quincies, who are taught how to do this from the start of training. I have a feeling I know exactly what happened ten years ago. That same event led to this recent string of events. The only question is, will they be able to make it through what is about to occur? No doubt that they will. However, something big is coming.
I was going to ask Urahara to contact Tsubakishi Tessai, the former Kido Captain of the Gotei 13. However, it looks as though his arrival had been unnoticed earlier due to my talk with Akihiko. I wonder if Urahara or Yoruichi had sent word for him to come. The look he gave me told me that he had a feeling something had gone wrong.
"Urahara, Tessai. Please come upstairs. Anya is moving violently in her sleep. I'm certain it's not a nightmare. She wouldn't have a nightmare with Akihiko so close by. We need to check on her. Follow me." I said, leading them back up the stairs. Apparently, the others had followed as well. Soon after arriving back in the room, it felt like a small elevator packed to capacity, there was hardly room to move. This showed the concern everyone had for Anya.
Deciding it was best to do a rare Kido spell, Tessai ushered about half the room out, except for the few who had a closer relationship to Anya, including myself, Akihiko, Captain Hitsugaya, Yoruichi, and Urahara. The look on Akihiko's face hurt even me. By the look of it, he was having some extremely bad imagery, and it wasn't making him happy. He looked ready to cry himself.
"I was called here by Lady Yoruichi. I know of a Kido spell that may help shed some light on her behavior. All who are in this room are those closest to her, am I right?" Tessai began to say. "That's right. We've got myself-her mother, her blood brother, surrogate brother, self-adopted uncle, and future husband." Yoruichi replied, the very last part with a large grin on her face. If the situation hadn't been so bad, I'm sure Akihiko would be diving under some kind of cover in embarrassment. "Huh? Future husband?" Tessai asked. "That would be Sanada-kun right there." Urahara chimed lightly, pointing at poor Akihiko with his closed fan. Akihiko nodded slowly, his eyes on Anya the whole time. His dedication is amazing. They do make a good couple. Tessai's reaction to who said person in question was, was rather amusing.
"Wait, does he even know what we are? Is this the boy she writes about all the time?" Tessai asked. "Indeed it is! Let us begin the Kido, Tessai." Urahara responded. Nodding, Tessai took it as his cue to start.
"War of two souls, a battle within! A war for control reflected on the heart! View it like a mirror! The light versus the dark! Both sides of the mirror reflect! Tanashi no Hanei!" The room seemed to darken as a heavy black power suddenly overwhelmed us. It took only a moment before it became too much to handle.
~UnknownAmountofTimeLater…
I don't know how long we were out, but I slowly came to and saw Akihiko doing the same nearby. "Awake yet?" I heard Captain Hitsugaya's voice call with irritation. "I would like to get moving " "You recovered pretty fast." I said to him. "The four of us never passed out. Unlike you two, we're old enough and strong enough to withstand that dark power." Yoruichi commented. I frowned a bit in my own irritation. I was shown up by a Soul Reaper…again. I hate Soul Reapers.
As the darkness gave way to light, we found ourselves floating in a world made of what looked like…mirrors? Even the Soul Reapers looked perplexed. "Where are we?" Akihiko asked, as he looked around, looking worried that he was hovering in thin air without falling.
"We are in Anya's soul." Urahara said calmly. "In her soul? So is that her?" Akihiko asked, pointing below us. "Yes, that's her. And her Hollow too. That is the physical form of that mask you saw on her face during the battle." Yoruichi explained.
"Why does it look draconic?" Akihiko asked, still confused regarding Hollows. "Why? Because that day, ten years ago, the day you lost your sister in the fire…Anya had tried to save her and failed. That same day, our entire race died at the hands of Hollows, due to Kurotsuchi delaying the aide of the Soul Reapers. That, combined with our father's hatred for her, led her Hollow to be created in that very same fire. You remember that girl you saw? The girl reaching out to you? That was her." I explained.
He looked shocked. "But why? Why would she try to save Miki? They didn't know each other. I always wondered who that girl was, and why she was crying…so that was Anya all along…But why didn't she tell me?" Akihiko asked.
"Because, like Soul Reapers, the Quincies are taught equality. She could not just stand by and watch someone die. And with our father being a doctor, she saw enough people suffer. She wanted to save at least one person from suffering. Seeing and hearing your cries for your sister struck a chord in her heart. She tried to save your sister, even at the cost of her own life. She must have vowed that day, to keep you safe, no matter what. I don't know why, but something called her back here." I replied.
"So she returned here just for me? Why?" Akihiko asked. "That day, a bond formed between you two. A bond that would never be broken." Yoruichi started. "That day, when she saw you, her instincts knew you two would be connected forever. After a time, she must have realized she had to follow it back to you. Which is where you two are now." She finished.
"As for why her Hollow is Draconic, it is because the protective, determined nature in her heart resembles that of the dragon." Urahara explained. "So why are they in the same place? Are they going to fight or something?" Akihiko asked.
"Sadly, it is a possibility." Urahara said. "Hollows and their true selves are not known to get along. Hollows are mostly the negative aspects of their emotions, whereas their true selves are more positive. Hollows are in essence a dark version of a Zanpakuto, or in your case, a Persona." Yoruichi explained. "It is basically the Yin and Yang of a person's soul."
"I think I get it…" Akihiko said slowly, looking at the true Anya and her Hollow as the light and dark halves faced each other. "Pay attention to what they say to each other." Tessai said. "You will find out a good deal about Anya from what you hear. These are her innermost thoughts and feelings, about herself, and those around her." "Can she see me?" Akihiko asked the taller man. "No. We are only looking into her mind and soul. We are not here to interact. If you say anything to her, she will not hear it." Tessai explained, while shaking his head.
Akihiko looked a bit sad. He could see Anya, but not talk to her or hold her, only watch and listen. Deciding it best to start paying attention, everyone turned their eyes and ears to the scene below.
"Hahahaha!" A white faced girl laughed arrogantly as she pointed at Anya. "You'resopathetic!Youcan'tevenprotectyourownlover!Youfailedprotectinghissister,andyoualmostlostHIM!Ican'tbelievejusthowWEAKyouare!Ican'tbelieveIwascreatedfromthelikesofYOU!I'mashamed.Canyouevenprotectalittleanimal?Probablynot.Thenagain,youcouldn'tgettotheShrineintimetohelpKoromarubeforehebecameamemberofthispatheticteamofmisfits.Akihikocandosomuchbetterthanyou!IfHayatewasn'taround,evenMitsuruwouldbebetterforhim!"
Akihiko growled as he heard the comments from this creature's mouth. "She's wrong, Anya! Don't listen to her! You are not a failure! I love you for who you are!" "Need we remind you, Anya can't hear you. You're yelling to deaf ears." Captain Hitsugaya said. "I'm not pleased by hearing the words of her Hollow. But all we can do is talk to Anya when she wakes up. Just listen for now." The look on Akihiko's face wasn't happy. He wasn't taking lightly to Anya being made fun of.
"I know I should have protected Akihiko better, but he said he was fine. Failing to protect his sister Miki is something I will have to live with my entire life…but I still intend to protect Akihiko, no matter what happens!" Anya said with determination, despite her Hollow's degrading comments.
"Nomatterwhat?YoualmostFAILEDagainstanEspada,dumbass.ItwasyourMOTHERwhosavedyou.Ifitwasn'tforher,he'dbedead.She'sstronger,andsmarterthanyouwilleverbe.Ifyoudon'tbecomestronger,you'llbethedeathofEVERYONEaroundyou.Youarenothingbutahindrance." The Hollow said mockingly.
The next words Anya spoke were rather shocking to everyone. "I do not believe you. Why should I? I do not believe my father, you are no different. I already planned to keep training. I will protect Akihiko with my own life if I must. Just as long as he is safe. Now leave my sight, Hollow!" She said as she unsheathed her blade, giving a huge swing at her darker half, blowing her away, to even the surprise of her Hollow half.
Akihiko stared in amazement as Anya blew the Hollow away. In the mirrors closest to her, was the image of a dragon that had just attacked, where there was no physical dragon in front of Anya's blade. "That must be her true form of her Shikai. It's true nature." Captain Hitsugaya had said calmly. "That…is Shikai, the first release state?" Akihiko asked. "Yes, that is the true form of Anya's Zanpakuto. What its name is, I do not know." Yoruichi said.
Soon after Anya's attack settled and the reflected dragon disappeared, the inner world of Anya's soul started to shatter. Akihiko's eyes widened as the mirrors began breaking. "What's going on?" "Her conflict with her Hollow is settled for now. She is returning to consciousness. We should too." Tessai said as he began to reverse the Kido spell.
Again came the nauseating feeling of being tossed around and mixed in with strong Spiritual Pressure. This time, we were blinded by a white light before we suddenly regained vision, seeing Akihiko's room appear before us, the Kido spell officially ended.
"Well now that that little adventure is over, we should leave Anya alone with Sanada so they can talk when Anya fully wakes up." Captain Hitsugaya said, heading out the door. Nodding, Urahara, Tessai, Yoruichi and myself left the room. I left last, watching the two of them, as I slowly shut the door.
~Author'sNote~:Tigress_Luna here, there was chapter 5, chapter 6 is on its way! It will be titled "Yoruichi and Akihiko Discuss the Future!" Please Read and Review! Thank you!