Hollow Rising

Chapter 6

"Dude check this place out!" Squealed Gizmo in a fan girlish voice. He was the first of the Hive Five to make it through the door of the large complex that would come to be their new home, and base of operations.

The rest of the squad made their way through the door and took a minute to take it all in. This was probably the most expensive and livable place they had even been in. Much more so then their regular barracks at the school. It didn't take too long before the teenager kicked in inside them and the exploring took place.

"Wow! They sure didn't spare any expenses did they?!" The bald-headed genius stated.

Ichigo couldn't help but nod. "It is impressive. Blood knows how to put his resources to work. Now lets get settled in."

"I got dibs on the room upstairs!"

Before Gizmo could continue he was unceremoniously snatched up from the floor and was being held in the air by Mammoth.

"I believe our captain should be given first pick. Don't you guys?" Asked the gigantic being.

Jinx smiled as she nodded. "I have no problem with it whatsoever."

Ichigo nodded and look to Cheshire for her approval. She felt his eyes on her back. She turned in a huff.

"Hmph! Like I would care where he sleeps at."

"Bet you would if it was in your room." muttered Gizmo. That gained a reaction from everybody in the room.

Jinx had the decency to blush, and it was a good thing Ichigo was wearing his mask. Yoruichi had broke him out of his prudish shell and he was more comfortable around woman but he still looked at himself as a gentleman…sometimes. His face turned scarlet from the remark that Gizmo had just casually thrown out there.

"Now put me down you big oaf!" The young genius shouted at Mammoth. Though the large man wasn't concerned with him at the time. He was more concerned with the bald headed midget's health, as he gazed over at a annoyed Cheshire, whose hands were edging ever so close to her blades.

"Oh damn."

"Now put me down Mammoth!"

The giant behemoth started to oblige his young bald friend when his thoughts were interrupted when a shriek came from the female ninja.

"The hell did you just say you bastard!?"

Gizmo's eyes widen as his head snapped to the left and saw the ninja lunge for him.

"Pick me up! Pick me up. Pick me up!" Mammoth, just in time lifted Gizmo just as Cheshire passed him.

"Put the little bald bastard down Mammoth! I will not ask again!"

Mammoth was caught in a rock and a hard place. On one hand, Gizmo deserve whatever cruel punishment Cheshire had in mind. On the other hand he didn't need their team trying to tear each other apart, and Gizmo was his friend.

"Enough."

That was all it took. That simple word, from Ichigo's calm but stern voice brought it all to a halt.

"Instead of using all that energy bickering. Why don't you two spar?"

Cheshire nodded. "I would love two. Get your ass to the training grounds Gizmo."

Gizmo sighed. "Fine… by the way. X, you know our names, what we look like…"

Ichigo nodded. He knew this would eventually come up. "The names Ichigo. As for taking the mask off, I'll show you when you are all older."

The young Kurosaki walked off nonchalantly and headed up the stairs, to his newly appointed room.

The rest of the squad remained, unmoving, silent before Gizmo cried out the same thing that everyone else was thinking.

"That doesn't even make sense! You can't be much older then us to begin with!"

Ichigo answered them with a dismissive way of the hand as his room's door slid shut behind him. He didn't know what he had started that day. Now his squad was hell bent on taking off that damn mask one way or another.

In a far away land, a one-eyed ninja who was reading a sleazy book, let out a powerful sneeze.

The first thing Ichigo did when in his room, was let out a deep breath and took a seat on his bed. It had been a long day. Was he really up to task to do this? Could he really lead a squad of his own? He had led Chad, Orihime, and even the damn Quincy but that was different. Things were going to get interesting.

His thoughts were snapped shut as a quiet sound came from his monitor.

"Beep"

"Beep"

Ichigo quickly went over and turned the intercom on. Everybody report to my room immediately. Looks like we got our first job."

In a matter of moments the rest of the squad was in his room. He turned to the monitor and with a quick touch, the image of Blood replaced the blank screen.

"Ah. How are you all doing my students? It's good to see you all. What do you think of your living arrangement?"

"Badass!"

"Really cool."

"Sufficient."

"Acceptable."

Blood smiled and explained the job's details and dismisses everyone accept Ichigo.

"Our employer has enlisted us and has paid a generous amount of money that will be wired to each of your separate accounts. X, be very wary around this man. He can be quite ruthless."

"So his name is Slade?" Ichigo asked.

Blood nodded. "Yes. He'll meet you at the designated location. Be careful…and bring them back in one piece."

Ichigo was surprised to say the least. "You actually do care for them don't you?"

"No one gave those kids a chance. Someone has to care for them, why not me?"

Ichigo understood. The screen then went black, ending their conversation. It was time for their first job.

Several hours later.

Gizmo, Cheshire, and Mammoth stood shocked at the scene before them. A mass of emotions swirled in their chests. Anger, sadness, confusion. They didn't know what to feel. Before them was nothing but destruction. The building where Slade and Jinx had went in, was nothing but wreckage now. Sirens wailed in the distance, and it was only a matter of time until the Titans showed up. Slade had slip outside the back was gone in the wind.

The three remained. Waiting for something…anything. Ichigo had flash stepped inside the building as it was collapsing, and then nothing…

Gizmo kneeled down and cuffed his hands over his face and nose.

"Come one Ichigo. Bring her back. Bring her back."

He felt a hand gently grab his shoulder. He glanced upwards and saw it was Cheshire. She was trying to comfort her comrade, but knew she was failing miserable. Mammoth on the other hand was pacing back in fourth. They were brought back to reality when a huge burst of energy sent surrounding debris flying all around them.

Standing there, was a worst for wear Ichigo whose suit had been torn to shreds, with his mask no longer have a part to cover his jaw line. In his arms, he was cradling Jinx into his body.

He slowly walked towards, then past them. Jinx was hurt badly. Gashed from her shoulder to her abdomen, blood was pouring from her onto Ichigo. It was a gruesome sight to behold.

Before anything could be said, the Titans had arrived.

The boy wonder growled. "Finally found…you…"

Robin noticed the injured girl. And the surrounding destruction.

"Christ what happened here?"

"Does anyone here know any healing spells." Ichigo quietly asked.

Cheshire spoke. "I know a few, but none enough potent, I'm afraid."

To everyone's surprise the next person to speak was Raven.

"Starfire can help."

The alien princess softly smiled in agreement.

"I leave her in your care. The rest of you go with the Titans back to their Tower."

Robin was confused. He had never heard a bad guy tell his accomplices to come willingly with them before, so this was new to him. He asked out of frustration.

"Wait a minute. What is going on here? Look I've no problem helping her but you guys are responsible for this disaster!" Shouted the former sidekick of Batman.

In an instant he felt the wind leave him as Ichigo buried his knee into the young hero's stomach. Robin hit the ground in a rage of coughing.

This caused both the Hive Five and the remaining Titans to jump back in defensive positions ready to defend their respective leader.

Ichigo lifted Robin up to his feet. "You think I would send one of my own into a damn deathtrap?"

Robins gained his footing and backed up. He could tell his foe wasn't lying.

"Fine. Who did it?"

Ichigo looked at the unconscious Jinx. "A monster."

He turned to his remaining soldiers. "Mammoth your in charge. Take Jinx and the others, with the Titans. The large man simply nodded.

As Ichigo turned to walk away he was interrupted by Gizmo. "Where are you going X?"

Ichigo finally took a deep breath and exhaled. "To get an old friend of mine.

Isshin Kurosaki and his two daughters, Yuzu and Karin awoke with a stir. The noise had came from Ichigo's old room. What they found when they opened the door brought a smile to all of their faces.

Zangetsu was gone.

"Give'em hell son."