Hollow Eyes
Chapter Seven: Memories de Nadie Chorus (Memories of Nobody Chorus)
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach geez! I own Arien, Sayomi, Kalaki, and Airianah though who would want them? I'd take Arien in a heartbeat though since he's a KAWI tigerrrr~! (if you haven't already noticed but if you haven't you are very non-observant hehe, but I love tigers they are my fav animals!) XD And I don't own Nachooooooo Libre!
A/N: Some things need clarifying I didn't clear them cus I got to excited and posted as soon as the last word was typed kekek! X3 Sorry if I sounded too rushed! Well so lemme explain Arien and Kalaki's last name Huecosonar. In the current form without the tilde (the lil squiggle thingi over the n) Sonar means 'to ring' however with the tilde it means 'to dream' (soñar) wow I had to copy and paste to have the correct form just now figured that I could do that. Idk how to make the tilde on the comp. otherwise kekek so 'hueco' means 'hollow or empty' like Hueco Mundo means 'hollow world' if you didn't already know. So anyways their name should be 'Huecosoñar' sorry about that. Although I really like the meaning either way ahaha! Also the meaning behind Sami's cry for Arien 'Guide the night born frost' symbolizes herself. She's asking Arien to guide her. Her name Sayomi means 'night born' and her weird last name that I chose is Winters so that equals 'frost'. SO THERE NERD SECTION OVA! I'm currently workin on some more illustrations so it'll be here on my profile link to my webs sometime within the weekend if anyone cares.
Songs of the Mo: I Caught Myself by Paramore, Hirohira no Hanabira by Stereopony (Bleach Ending 17), and New Design by Thousand Foot Krutch
Sami: I love Nacho Libre!
ME: Hey get that corn outta ma face! Steven!!
Chad: …NACCCHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
ME and Sami and ect: ….. O,O
Sean: I can wrestle! (He gets ignored as usual like Ishimaru)
Ishimaru (from Eyesh): Hey!
In order to understand the light…one must first understand darkness. In order to understand the tears…one must understand the happiness. In order to understand the innocence…one must first understand the danger. In order to understand the reasons…one must first understand… the lies. This is the credo of those who live betwixt life and death every day…and this is the day that danced between the death that awaited some and the thoughts swirled in their heads…tick tock goes the clock…can you hear the last heartbeats?
Rain pattered softly against the roof and windowpanes. A young man stared out the window at the grey dreary sky and quick flashes of lightning lit it up, with his hands in his pockets. Memories of other rainy days fell into his mind like the droplets that he watched tumble to earth. Closing his eyes he tried to drown out the flood in his thoughts, the memories and the sorrow, the sounds of rain and thunder meshing with those sounds of rain and thunder. The roll and crash of sky didn't make him jump but the feeling of someone's hand on his shoulder did.
"Ichigo." A gentle female voice murmured behind him. The orange-haired youth didn't bother turning around to address the owner of the voice. He opened his eyes and relaxed somewhat to the touch.
"Rukia." It had taken quite a bit of life and death situations for the twosome to become acquainted to the feeling of touch. The smallest of touches anyways. In the past it was almost unthinkable to so much as high five let alone put a hand on a shoulder. After the Aizen showdown, the moments of blissful peace over the town had affected the two shinigamis into finally telling the other about the most painful moments of their lives as well as the other parts of their lives before. Rukia had been shocked at the horrible tale to occur to her friend at such a young age, at the innocence of his heart compared to now. Ichigo was equally horrified to hear about the tragic story of the man that he supposedly looked like and the conditions of harsh life in the Soul Society. Once they understood the other even more they created an unbreakable bond between them that they still didn't understand themselves.
"Ichigo." The raven haired woman looked down at the floorboards unsure of how to help him from the previous conversation she had accidentally overheard. Kon crawled out from under the bed, eyes solemn. "I know it's unbelievable to be told to-"
"Hell yeah it's unbelievable!" He spun to face her, piercing amber eyes blazing with anger. She dropped her hand from its perch and hunched her shoulders, grabbing her other elbow appearing like she was cold and looking down at the floor. Realizing he was talking brashly and without care, Ichigo rubbed the back of his head awkwardly looking away as well. "Hey I didn't mean to…take it out on ya…" He peered cautiously at his friend, face flushed from his actions. Shadows covered her face and a thick gloom engulfed the area. Kon cried out in fear. "ONEE-CHAN?!" Ichigo raised his brows. "Oi…Rukia-"
THWACK!!! A tiny fist was somehow embedded itself into the compact and muscular stomach of Ichigo Kurosaki. "HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE IT'S MY FAULT!" Rukia glowered. Hunched over in pain, the orange head was about to retort something back equally angry until he righted himself and found the shorty with her back to him, arms crossed, her floral print dress shifted as she shifted to one side. "But to be told you will be useless…" She turned her head slightly, one beautiful deep cobalt eye piercing his. "…will only make you fight even more fiercely…" She turned back to the window where he was previously gazing out of. "…because that's the kind of man you are."
His amber eyes softened and he gave the slightest of grins, dropping his hands from his aching stomach, not knowing that secretly Rukia was in pain from punching those rock hard abs…
The reason for anger in the teen had been with his father only a few moments ago. You see Rukia wasn't the only one who grew closer to the once lonely punk, his father had revealed to him some time ago after the war the secrets and a past that took awhile for Ichigo to accept and believe. He couldn't just accept that his stupid dad that attacked him every time he let his guard down and couldn't see ghosts and always acted like a kid was that powerful of a shinigami. But after awhile he did grow accustomed to it, with an insane amount of shock yes, but an acceptance none the less. His father had become more like that, a father, a man he felt more comfortable around, a man that could be serious when need be, a father that he still could talk to if he needed some advice that Rukia or Urahara couldn't respond to. He still was his usual ridiculous self but he knew that it was time to be a better father for the son of his that was soon to be a man. Yes, he grew just a smidgeon closer to the man named Isshin Kurosaki. But the conversation just now was just as unbelievable to the teen.
"Ichigo." His father had told him quietly as they sat in his office. "I want you to understand something that has come to my attention, son." He was completely serious and doctor-like as if he was about to address one of his patients, bridging his hands and staring right into his son's confused eyes. "You…NEED A GIRLFRIEND!!" A red Ichigo jumped up out of his seat slamming his fists on the table surface, all but attacking his father that was no longer serious and smiling like a loon.
"IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO TALK TO ME ABOUT?! WHY THE HELL WERE YOU SO SERIOUS LIKE THAT?!" He grabbed the front of his laughing father's shirt, snarling. "I THOUGHT YOU HAD SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO TELL ME!"
Isshin just wiped his eyes sighing. "Ahh…well son I do have something serious to say but I thought that I should at least get you laughing before so…"
Ichigo glimmered with tick marks, scowling. "I'M NOT LAUGHING…"
The goat-chin cleared his throat. "Hmm well I thought it was funny…but anyways seriously son…this is an extremely important matter." He was once again serious, acting like he wasn't just goofing around a moment ago. His eyes were dark with graveness. "Ichigo…"
The boy had a sweatdrop but he paid close attention. "Ichigo you must be aware of the situation with the new girl in your class."
Ichigo let out a huff. "Like hell I do. She's causin' quite a stir around here."
Isshin stroked his beard in thought, eyes mischievous. "Oh is she that cute?" Ichigo snarled. Seriousness was resurrected once again.
"Anyways Ichigo…" Isshin had finally continued. "Listen…she's more dangerous than you think. She's even a danger to herself. And she's about to trigger the next great war." Amber eyes widened.
"What do you mean?"
The eldest Kurosaki leaned back in his chair, hands behind his back, glancing at an old family photo framed on his desk scattered with patient records. "Within her is the power to destroy everything, Ichigo. And when she does trigger a violent battle, not 'if' mind you, when she does, you will not be able to do anything about it other than protect this town." The picture was recent and had a small glare on it but Isshin could see the goofy grin of his son, in the picture his young muscular arms wrapped playfully around his sisters (both smiling gleefully with a ice cream cone in hand) and with the other arm around Rukia (her eyes wide as she was about to try the new treat). It had been a beautiful day that day. No more life/death battles. Finally a time when his young son could smile again (on those rare occasions) and just spend an afternoon with the people he cared about and treat them to ice cream. Eventually he looked up from the picture and said firmly in low voice. "You can't save her. This is her fate."
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?!" Ichigo was standing again. "ARE YOU SAYING I CAN'T JOIN IN THIS BATTLE?!"
Knowing this would happen, Isshin remained calm. "I'm afraid not son. I've been instructed to tell you that whatever you might do is futile against the odds of someone destined to die. Just help everyone defend the town and the guiltless occupants okay? "
Ichigo was beyond angry, bewildered and hurt. "How…how can you say that?!" Grimacing with his emotions, his brows knotted close. "Are you saying I'm not strong enough to protect a girl Dad? I've been through hell and back and-!"
His father stood up as well. "I know you're strong. Everyone does Ichigo. But this isn't your battle."
The teen dropped his hands to his side in defeat. He had been told this before. "Why can't anyone just clue me in on this? Why am I being told I'm no longer useful?" His eyes met with the turmoil inside them just as it started to rain outside the Kurosaki residence. "What is with this girl I mean how is she so dangerous?!" He suddenly remembered all those times she seemed nice. Talking about Shakespeare, almost running over Chad on her skateboard, giving them all samples of her interesting foods. She had feelings and emotions and desires and dreams just like the next person right? Whatever the hell her name was had yet to do anything that seemed remotely evil… "She's destined to die?" All anger towards the girl herself seemed to dissolve as fuzzy memories danced in his head. A red ribbon…floating autumn leaves…who the hell-? This all felt familiar somehow. "Who is anyone to say that you have no right to live…to protect?" Déjà vu. "Who is anyone to decide when someone must die?!" His voice rose. Anger emitting from his voice. Isshin raised a brow. Rukia's eyes widened remembering vaguely of the same words as she stood outside in the hall, stopped from going into the kitchen by Ichigo's yelling when the conversation began.
"I'm telling you Ichigo…"Isshin sighed brushing back his hair before meeting his son's disgusted eyes. "…this isn't a battle you have to fight this time. You've done your part. It's time for someone else to take this one. You need to focus on other things now. Keep your soul reaper duties…protect this town…but leave this one be." He knew his son would never listen anyways but he tried to warn him for his own good. "You're 16 son…I don't want you to have to fight every single fight, nearly dying every single time…nearly…" For once the older man looked rather saddened as he looked back at his desk photo. Such a happy blissful smile in that photo…
Blinking with astonishment, Ichigo sat up a little straighter. "Hey. Dad don't tell me-"
THWACK!! "Ahhh now don't be getting all sentimental with me boy." Recovering from his kick to the side, Ichigo just grumbled, his father disappearing down the hall only to yell out for his daughters with a love only he seemed capable to exclaim to allllllll corners of the globe.
"Stupid old man…"He semi-mumbled, blushing a bit despite himself. "That's what I should be saying." Rukia smiled softly from her hiding place.
Thus leading him back to the present, where he stood in his room looking out the window. Disregarding his father's subtle hints at caring, the questions still remained. Why can't I help an innocent person? Why is she labeled to die? In the end he never found out what made her dangerous, or what she even was…
"Ichigo." Rukia reminded him once again. "You're the kind of man that fights for what he believes is right…even if it's a desperate battle." She couldn't help but recall his incredible adventure to thwart her execution. He shouldn't have survived. He shouldn't have regained strength and quadrupled that power. He shouldn't have been able to surpass and defeat all of Soul Society's finest. But he went against those odds…and saved her life, changing it secretly.
This handsome, amber eyed man was someone that looked like and sometimes behaved like the man she admired, but he was someone different entirely. This guy's a young guy whose eyes are a beacon of hope to everyone around him, a sort of contagious strength that attracted people to his side. Ichigo may not know it but when one looks into his eyes, one could see a passionate fire that could never be extinguished by words.
No, Rukia knew just how hard it was to deter that fiery will when it was set on one path. Like a pouting kid he would take all of the opinions that told him he couldn't do it or it was impossible and he'd tell 'em to shove it and continue on his brash path of righteousness, never once straying until he rendered all naysayers speechless as he stood atop the mountain with his fingers in the v for victory, looking down on those who had dismissed him not with arrogance, but with a smile that said that he wasn't the kind of person to fight for the chance to gloat..but for the chance to make a difference and protect what is precious to him. He also didn't seem to know the amount of admiration that those around him felt towards him. His friends looked up to him in a way, though they wouldn't admit it.
And little did the raven-haired beauty know just how much she'd changed Ichigo's life. Well he didn't understand all the details himself either but oh well…
First Heartbeat of Uncertainty…
Later that morning at stupid school: (the clouds had parted for the most part)
"Dang Sami-chan!" Tatsuki panted as she shouldered the heavy soccer ball bag from the field. She threw the bag into its spot in the equipment room and walked over to sit next to the golden-brown haired girl in the grass, wiping her brow with a triumphant grin. "You sure you ain't on a pro team?" Sami smiled gently, a hint of sadness in her eyes. She had swallowed her pain and the aching in her tired body to play the sport that set her free and she had played like her life depended on it. She soaked up that last bit of thrill she got from dancing around opponents on the field. The PE class girls vs boys game had gone well.
Tatsuki and even Rukia and Orihime proved amazing soccer players. Orihime a great defender and passer amazingly, Rukia using her slight frame to her advantage she was able to slip through those big tall tough boys and trade the ball off to Sayomi who did a croif (a behind the back turn) by Ichigo (leaving him thoroughly powned) and cut around Ishida (quite easily v,v) then passed it to a sprinting Tatsuki who then wall passed it back to Sayomi as she did a helicopter around Chad (he blinked amazed), he tried to stab the ball away, Ichigo double teaming on the opposite side but she had dragged the ball to the side of her in the gap and megged (nutmeg-term for when you kick the soccer ball in between someone's legs. Get your minds out of the gutter geez…) the taller guy, scooping the ball up into the air and kicked the ball right over Mizuiro and Keigo (both with their mouths hangin open in shock) only to shove past them, flying almost slowmotion in her lithe movements as she collected her pass to herself and seeing an opening as Ichigo, being the sweeper-keeper (the guy in a scrimmage that is a defensive guy and the goalie) was trying to hustle back to his goalie position but she was too quick. Aiming for the bottom left corner, a difficult place for a tall guy expecting a high shot, and scored all in the blink of an eye. She had smiled, feeling that this is what she should be doing. Not worried about anything, only having fun.
All the girls had cheered rushing around her like she was some sort of celebrity, excited at their victory (finally) against the guys in soccer. Ichigo wiped his brow, Rukia standing with her arms crossed near him as they watched Sami smile shyly as Orihime and Tatsuki stood on either side of her raising her arms up like a boxing champ who won a match. The strawberry shook his head, panting. "Shit. She's pretty damn good. I mean Tatsuki was great already but damn…" Rukia nodded interested at the girl's athleticism. "Yeah it's almost like…she's not any different than Tatsuki-chan." Her eyes stayed on the taller girl as the other girls had made a grand show of parading around the field even though soccer still hadn't ended then. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at her opinion. "Wadduya mean?" "It's like she doesn't have to have some sort of shinigami powers." Chad stood to the side of them, not saying anything but watching quietly as he noted her slight limp and the way she glowed with a warmth of someone who she might have been in the past. That glimmer of gold hiding in the depths of her eyes that day their eyes had first met. Some of the guys joined in the celebration as well, not able to restrain themselves from a good chaotic moment. Keigo Asano being a likely candidate for such things led a dance -march as the gym teacher tried to regain control.
But Sayomi hadn't heard their conversation after the game. Instead she had crept silently away in the disorder and pandemonium to nurse her wounds and let her feet rest from the exhausted state she was hiding so desperately. She plopped down in the shadows of the equipment buildings, ignoring the all too familiar growling of her stomach and of the monster embedded in her head. Running out again in the wee hours of the morning to fight hollows in the rain didn't give her any time to eat, not like she felt the significant urge to eat anyways. The rain had left her wet and feeling a bit ill to top off her list of complaints that no one else knew about. Tatsuki soon found her and joined her in the grass, tugging at her gym clothes and looking out at her other classmates walking to another equipment room. Sayomi looked over at her kindly compainion curiously, thinking she was looking over at her close friend Orihime. Instead she found the tomboy to be looking over at Ichigo who was currently in yet another debate with Rukia. Her eyes looked sad and fresh with past memories. Sami was surprised, but she decided not to ask. "So those two are really close huh?"
Tatsuki didn't say anything for awhile then spoke. "Ya know…a long time ago me and Ichigo used to be inseparable. We were best buds." She smoothed some stray black strands from out of her eyes. "But then one day he stopped calling me familiarly and added a '-chan' and stopped being a crybaby and losing to me in karate. It was as if…I didn't know him anymore." She turned to her tired companion in the grass. "He grew up and grew away from his old friend Tatsuki. I met Orihime soon after and he met Rukia a while later. And he didn't need his childhood friend anymore." Her fingers were twisting the tips of still damp grassblades."He's not that far away…but it's not the same." Sami sighed stretching out her legs.
"Guys are like that huh? One minute they are your best friend then the next they remember cooties." Sami laughed, trying to lighten the other girl's mood, thinking of her old guy friends back in the states who were like that. Why is she telling me all of this?
They watched amused as the petite girl kicked Ichigo in the shin, causing him to drop a bag of soccer balls in his cries of pain. Keigo and Mizuiro laughed good naturedly when soccer balls started rolling in multiple directions. Chad tried to help them round em up. "But ya know what else?" Tatsuki laughed, leaning back as she rocked back on her seat, glancing up at the girl with many troubles. "He may have had a sorrowful life and tried to distance himself in some sort of punishment…but I don't think he can push some of us away." Her dark eyes were dancing with meanings that puzzled the hollow eyed one. Kurosaki-san had a tough life huh? "Because of that person…he's slowly coming back to all of us…maybe even better than ever. And he'll come back to his old childhood friend eventually for a girl's advice, just you wait." Again…this seems personal with this group…why is she letting me in on all of this…she knows there is something weird about me right?
"Tatsuki-chan…"
Chad picked up the last ball that had escaped, his hair parting a bit from his face as he picked it up. His eyes glanced at the two staring at him, this time he didn't shy away from her gaze but returned a curious stare, then returned to his task as ball-shagger for the grumpy and mysterious Ichigo. Sami blinked in wonder. This guy! I tell him I hate him, he tells me he hates me and what the crap is with that look?! I'd like to know as well! Kalaki rumbled before being ignored somewhat by her host. Tatsuki smiled gently as she faced the girl with destruction in her very bones. "I'll be waiting for that day because Sami-chan…that's what friends do. They are always there." Sami jumped to her feet, eyes wide, every entity within her just as stunned and taken aback as she was. She can't honestly be saying that she considers me a friend?! And me and Tora friends?! NO NO NO!! This isn't good. Stay away from me everyone! You're plan of hate has backfired somehow!! "OBVIOUSLY!!"
"T-Tatsuki-chan…" The shadows suited Sami only too well. Her beautiful complexion and hair melded with her own darkness as well as the darkness that lived around her. "I'm not someone you should feel the need to be close to. In fact it'd be a wise decision to stay as far away from me as you can got it?!" And with a flip of her heels she strode away, angry and upset that she had to send someone else so kind to want to be welcoming as far away as she could in the far flung mountains. Tatsuki shook her head sorrowfully, watching the foreign girl's back as she limped even more noticeably. "Hime was right. She is weighted by somethin'." Did she try this same sort of 'stay away' tactic with Chad?
Second Heartbeat of Suspicions…
Chad decided to keep everything to himself. He had seen her shinigami form that day but he hadn't said anything about it yet. He just kept stealing glances at her. The way she had moved reminded the lad of Yoruichi, so fast and nimble like a feline, but her movements were somewhat different as well. Like today in the soccer scrimmage…she almost had a graceful, fluid movement like whatever she did was dancing. Lightfooted and almost floating she could just dart every which way. That day he had spied on her transformation, he had known she was walking home behind him, he had felt her presence suddenly disappear and he had been concerned and curious despite himself.
He went in the direction he last felt her slight spiritual pressure and realized there was a shimmering force field in front of him. Being as it was transparent for a force field, he could peer into this newly blocked arena as his senses felt the first wave of hollow reitsu wash over him. Then caught completely off guard Chad watched in amazement as she preformed her ritual to shed her gigai/body and emerge as a golden shinigami. Imagine his shock as she not only revealed bizarre looking weapons from two tiny rings hidden in a tiger keychain, but became a blur of hides and skins and colors and sounds and shapes. She was suddenly a hawk, wolf, panther, fox, butterfly, tiger, millions of creatures. Well…this sort of explains her urgency that day when I went to her house…she ran off so fast and came back to grab her backpack…I guess because of the rings in the keychain. The youth felt chills run down his spine when she let out a feline roar so ferocious it could fell a tree, her voice screaming at another from the same body. She then gained some sort of control and gasped for air. Then remembered the hollow.
His eyes could barely keep up when she swirled around the hollow, yelling out her zanpaktos name like a shinigami. But when she had said a second name he gaped even further in bewilderment. Two completely different zanpakto?! I remember fighting that one Soul Reaper Captain with the pink coat…he had a twin-bladed zanpakto…but not two zanpaktos! And they aren't in a sword shape! Just what in the world is Sami-chan?!
The gorilla-ish hollow swatted at her with a quick speed but not quick enough. With amazing acrobatics and transformations, Sami was a blur of gold dancing about in a haze of flames and ice, leaves whirling, her only hint at her movements. The birds above called in songs. But she couldn't hear them, she couldn't hear anything but the sound of her breathing and the tears as she ripped at the hollow, finally slowmotion in her fall to the ground like a leaf floating to the ground, golden hair glinting with the sun as it floated about her shoulders, the sigh of her robes like a whisper, her eyes changing in the light. She was a death goddess. A damn deadly one. She had spun about then and Chad thought he had been spotted so he ducked only to see her continue in her spin and call out another command, revealing a deadlier looking weapon. And when she spun it about above her emotionless face he heard that shriek from the time he was at her house. The weapon screamed in such an atrocious manner as to suggest death all over again for the giant. He winced. However, it was a quick last windup to hit the hollow, so the pain wasn't unbearable.
When she was done and nearly collapsed as she hastened into her gigai/body, Chad knew with satisfaction just what kind of dangerous person she was. But what exactly was it that made her seemingly innocent and harmless nature so deadly? He wondered. Is she like Ichigo? And has a hollow within her? Then maybe Ichigo could help her… But he didn't want to involve his friend.
Third Heartbeat of Explanations…
"Ichigo you know what this means correct?" Being the first ones sitting on the roof at lunch, Rukia glanced at her soul pager while Ichigo took a moody bite from his lunch.
"Yeah."
"I'm going to have to return to Soul Society to report what little we have learned…and await orders."
Ichigo twitched, staring at his feet in front of him where he sat.
"Ichigo…" Rukia pouted warningly. He always seemed to make faces nowadays when she announced she had a duty as a ranked officer to return to Soul Society.
"Yeah yeah I know…" He grumbled, not happy. He didn't understand why it made him unhappy but whatever…he's a dense lad.
"From what your father told you, I'm guessing he was speaking with Urahara. And that means it's only a matter of time before Soul Society requires my knowledge of the events happening here."
"But what have we learned?!" A tick mark appeared.
"I don't know!" Her eyes narrowed. "Other than the fact that maybeee Sayomi-chan is the one who is getting to all of the hollows before us!" So much time and sleep wasted from her…if it is her…
"And that she bothers Chad." Ichigo mumbled. Looking up suddenly he said, "Chad knows something about her that he doesn't want us to know for some reason."
They looked up as the devil armed man came to the lunch spot behind a boisterous Keigo telling a bored looking Mizuiro a story about his trip to the store where he saw a man who looked like some female celebrity. Orihime and Tatsuki and friends came laughing about a part on that previously mentioned Bleach anime. They watched as he snuck glances toward Sami-chan as she sat down by herself far from the group looking distant.
"He stopped looking hurt and avoiding her…" Ichigo whispered as Uryu came and sat near the couple. "Ya know we weren't very good at keeping a close eye on her…"
Uryu randomly joined in the conversation, light glinting off his frames. "Why didn't you keep a closer eye on Chad? He seems involved in all of this."
Rukia stared down at her juice box. She knew that answer. Ichigo stared at his large friend opening a bag of BBQ potato chips. (a snack that hadn't really been eaten until after Sami-chan intro'd it to them) "Because he wants me to stay out of this. And I want to respect that…"
"Even if his life and all of our lives could be in danger?"
"I don't know what to do anymore…"
Fourth Heartbeat of Conflicting Thoughts…
"I wish none of this was happeningto me Arien…" She was finally home from school. Well as home as she could ever be with living in a foreign country all alone other than two embodiments of evil that were planning to take over your body and use it for some sort of scheme. "I wish I could just go back to the way things were…" She lay her head on the pillow, hair still damp from her semi-refreshing shower, rock music playing on her ipod dock. She closed her eyes, trying to forget the pain in her entire body from simply laying. She tried not to let what little excess spiritual energy she had go on automatic healing because she way too many injuries to waste it on. Her eyes were heavy as lead, closing upon pillow impact but her mind would never cease in its flurry of activity. There were such dark circles under her eyes that she had to perfect her limited makeup knowledge (since she never wore the stuff) to cover it up some.
As the darkness engulfed her senses she found herself in the inner sanctum of her spirit world. The forest had thinned out to a random meadow where a single tree sat amongst gentle swaying gold grasses and revealed an eye-catching azure sky. Its stature and species strange in such an entangled area of tropical exoticness. Tall and strong, the mighty silver oak tree sat lonely in the sea of gold and blue, waiting for someone to sit in its mighty boughs and eat it's acorns. She limped to it, the only sound in the whole jungle the sound of the winds tussling the grasses and leaves. This tree was like the tree her father and her had planted so many years ago at her old home…it felt like someone else's life back then. The tree had a large knothole almost right in the center of its vast trunk, when you looked inside it you could almost see another world. This was true about the one planted in front of her old home, but there was a distinct difference with the one in the center of her mind. Sayomi brushed some hair out of her face, feeling a bit out of place walking barefoot and in a nightgown (she rarely wore anything but pj's but tonight she felt like wearing one) in a forest. She decided not to stop in front of the knothole this time, where she could watch the memories on the other side. If you looked in through the tree, instead of seeing what was on the other side of the tree, you could see all of Sayomi's past, hopes and dreams whirling about like the leaves wheeling in the air. She wasn't strong enough to see herself smile, running around blissfully with her family and friends…enjoying life without a care in the world.
She leaned against the lonely tree, her only pillar of strength, pulling her knees to her chest, resting her chin on her knees. This was the only sanctuary in the whole entire universe that she could escape from anything and everything. For some reason Kalaki and Airianah didn't bother her here. The wondering statement set off a chain of despairing thoughts. I could die at any moment. They could just take me over somehow without killing themselves and just get rid of me…just like my family…and they wouldn't stop with just a stupid little girl…they'd wipe out anyone significant to me first then everyone else…
Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized she could no longer exist. Panic piled up her thoughts, heartbeat racing, air slowly being tapped off. The folds of her white nightgown shivered with her skin beneath it, as the nippy air soaked in past her thin garment. She held her knees closer, gasping for air. She was all alone. I don't want to die yet…I-I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I DON'T WANT SOMEONE TO TAKE ME OVER!! I'm not strong. I'm not strong enough to save myself…all this time I thought I was strong enough to be alone. I'm scared…I'M SCARED!!
A warm hand gripped hers. A beautiful man with ashen skin and sapphire eyes stood before her, white and gold garments bright in contrast to the shadows from the jungle whence he came. Creamy pale hair with the faintest fleck of gold in it curled about his head, framing his face, he looked like an angel…come to take her away…to rescue her…. I shant desert you my cub…
"Arien!" The girl started, chocking back a sob and noticing his many bruises and scars marking his flawless almost glowing skin. Said 'man' sat near her, eyes peerless with gentleness and kindness. It was unusual for the zanpakto to choose a human form, since his true nature was that of a tiger he rarely left that form even though he was a transforming zanpakto, he was more comfortable in one skin rather than another. But when he did transform it was breathtaking. She wiped the tears off her face at the sight of her companion. "Y-you always scare me when you meet me in that form. I thought you were about to take me to heaven." The zanpakto smiled, a flawless dazzling smile, a smile that could never be duplicated, simply angelic. I apologize for frightening you, I felt you would be more comfortable with a human expression rather than a feline one. "Arien…you think about my wishes too much. I know it bothers you to be away from your true form for too long." She turned away as her brother like figure ruffled her hair fondly.He looked old enough to be her elder brother, but no way could he pass as one…he was too heavenly and eyecatching in her opinion. All is well cub… "You are strange."
You fear so much…and I do nothing to help you banish those fears… His hand still on her damp locks, she peered up at him from the corner of her eyes, his own spheres of light half-closed in a sadness as he gazed into the distance of jungle. "We are weak Arien. Both of us." She smiled grimly, pushing his hand off. "What are they planning huh Arien?" He blinked slowly, sky captured eyes darkening. I do not know. Every time I try to eavesdrop upon their scheming they stop talking. No matter how camouflaged I am. They can sense me. He turned to his master. Young one…I do not know how to protect you. I try to be there for your spirit in the very least. And I will die in my efforts to protect you no matter how unsure however…I am honest in my opinion that things look uncertain for us.
"You don't have to pretend to be hopeful to me." She retorted, rubbing her arms for warmth. Finding none she let the air chill her to the bone, the sky above the swaying leaves darkening."'Uncertain' sounds way too hopeful Arien. You know as well as I do that we are helpless here." She fingered the lace on her nightgown. "Arien. You don't have to be my strength. I don't need you to have added pressure to become my strength." She closed her eyes and felt the rustle of cloth as the zanpakto took off his jacket and wrapped it snuggly about her. "Just swear to be near enough for me to know I'm not alone. I'm selfish I know." A small whirring noise could be heard as she suddenly felt a mass of fur on her skin. Arien reverted back to his tiger form. He purred, curling himself close to his master like an overgrown kitty, pushing his nose in her hair, the warmth welcoming. You are never selfish Sayomi Kurotora Winters…I am alone as well. We are two of the same. One of the same.
"So…I'm a fuzzball like you?" She smiled despite the tears rolling down her face. She was glad that there was someone she could talk to…like a friend ,brother or a father. He swished his tail playfully past her nose as she snuggled closer to the warmth. Inside maybe…Sayomi my cub… His tone retrieved her attention once again. You were false about there being no hope. I said 'uncertain' as I recall. I never said it was impossible. There is still a glimmer of hope. I hang on to that thread like a spider to its web…
Fifth Heartbeat of Apprehension…
She felt weird. Her few hours of sleep made it hard to open her wide and golden peepers but she did, only to feel a strange dark far away feeling. She tried focusing her eyes…they wouldn't move. It was as if she stood in a dark blackened tunnel staring at the light at the other end. Puzzled she tried to reach up and rub her sleepy eyes. What?! They wouldn't obey and for some reason she was only vaguely aware of the fact that she was holding something. Feeling lightheaded Sayomi finally realized she wasn't laying down like she should have been as she slept before. No she was standing in the middle of the room, clutching...Kalaki's half of the zanpakto. This is just a dream or nightmare right!? Please just wake up already! "Oh this is simply lovely." What the hell?! The voice was her own. It was the her's yet it wasn't her saying the words. Thrashing about in her mind she struggled to free herself from invisible chains, she had absolutely no control as her mouth curled into a grin, her arm moved and she could both feel and not feel her own movements in her limbo state. There was no feeling of touch or sight in her body but she could still sense its awareness. Like watching everything in a trance she saw herself lift the zanpakto as if to strike.
A strangled mew let her know just what was happening. A fluffy white kitten scurried under the table that had the TV surrounded by video games sat. "You will have the honor of testing how sharp my dearest Kalaki is now that I've returned." The kitten's eyes were wide flecks of innocent blue, as the sword glinted in the pale moonlight. There was nothing Sayomi could do but thrash about screaming as loud as she could like someone could actually hear her scream as a prisoner in her own body!
It's already begun! I am no longer! What is going to happen now!? They won't stop at just killing kittens! HELLPPPP MEEEEE!!!!!!! Arien where are you!? WHAT'S GOING ON!? I'm scared help me….
"It's futile . The balance is in my favor young one." Airianah stroked her new golden brown locks, smoothing the nightgown on her new skin. "Kalaki finish this creature off. I agreed to let you practice hunting but make it quick."
There was no sign of her hopeful zanpakto. He was probably easily locked away as well. Their power had finally been toppled. All those punishing agonizing hours with Kalaki and then the lack of sleep and the grueling days of hollow slaying added to her deteriorating body and will. Sayomi realized just how simple their plan had been from the start. Airianah chose me as her host for another reason. I would be easy to manipulate and take over eventually.
An icy fingertip traced the scar on her face, that wasn't Sayomi. "Live by the light child…and you shall never grow lonely. My rules were strict for a reason. I needed you to be the opposite force of the nature shinigami. You needed to be the light while I was the dark. We balanced until I could slowly eat your influence away. You shall soon see what it means to be the nature shinigami. To feel death."
It's over…
Sixth Heartbeat of Realization…
A knock at the door nearly sent him in an angry frenzy. Who the hell DARES wake me up when I finally started driftin' asleep!!? Gah it's probably another damn hollow…A bright light illuminated his room and it wasn't the waning moon outside. With a grumble he threw off the sheets on his bed rubbing his bloodshot eyes accidently squishing Kon with his feet. Angered, the konpaktu started a squeaky argument at two in the morning. "What the heeeelll is wrong with you Ichigooooo!!??,"
"Ichigo." Said teen who was digging hurriedly around his room (with a pissed off stuffed animal pounding on him) for his Deputy Badge finally realized that the person who woke him up wasn't Rukia.
"Karin?" He blinked, tossing Kon to the side. "Hey cut that out would you Kon?!" His sister looked upset about something, tugging at her soccer pajamas. (Already used to her brothers one time secret Soul Reaper life, so Kon wasn't out of the ordinary…in fact Yuzu was entranced with him, much to his displeasure.) "What's up?" He sat relaxing somewhat, waiting for his little sister to walk into the room. She didn't move but hung at the doorframe. "Hey you alright Karin?"
Suddenly her dark eyes were shining in the moonlight…they were upset. "Ichigo…I…saw something weird today and…I had a nightmare." She looked away. Kon squeaked as he sat up in interest. The bed groaned as Ichigo got up and put his hands on his sister's shoulders. He had definitely grown closer to his family. "Hey…do you wanna talk about it?" He asked gently. Over time Karin was more open to her brother and open to more supernatural things as well.
"Y-you might not believe me…but…" Her cheeks tinged a bit. "I saw this…girl. And she…creeped me out."
Ichigo's brows furrowed in concern. "Wadduya mean?"
"She..she looked like your age Ichigo. She was really pretty and she smiled at this stray dog on the corner of our street. But when she looked at me…her eyes were all wrong!"
"Wh-!!"
"They looked empty and blackened like when you're about to use your mask. O-only they were a gold color and…" She grabbed her brother's shirt. "…They were like a cat's!" She shook her silky black tresses. "I know you probably don't believe me but…"
"No I do." He patted her gently on the head. "I remember about what happened with Chad's bird."
She continued, talking faster and faster in her worry now that she was absolutely confident her brother believed her. "And the dream I just had it scared me because there was a big black lion or something and it raced by me. I was walking down our street to school and it scared me by running past me straight towards someone walking up ahead. It was the girl I saw and she was just walking, right next to you and Rukia-nee and your big friend and Tatsuki-nee. And I tried to yell to get you guy's attention but you couldn't hear me and…and then finally she turned around and it raced toward her with a really creepy-ass roar and lunged at her! And she just calmly turned around as if she'd seen it before. And held out her arms to her sides like…like an invite or something for it to attack her!" She gasped in a breath finally. Ichigo's eyes were wide at such a strange dream. "And it tried to bite her but you guys tried to stop it. And she was crying Ichigo! She was crying and it made me so sad. Like…like she knew she was about to die and she couldn't do anything about it. That's what got me the most…more than her creepy eyes in real life."
Ichigo took a step back thoughts whirling. What…just what the hell did this all mean?! Is she a psychic or somethin'? Trying to appease his suspicions he asked. "Karin do you remember what this girl looked like or did she have a name?"
"Yeah I…don't remember a name but…I remember that she had really pretty golden brown hair and she was kinda tall and tannish. She looked like a foreigner."
"Oh shit." The teenager took a step back, Karin a bit confused. "What the hell does that…mean?" That had to be the new chick whose name escapes me! What is up with this girl?! How is she supposedly destruction? It seemed according to Ishida that she's some sorta Death God but different. She hadn't done anything dangerous to anyone other than scare the crap out of everyone that time at lunch when me and Rukia weren't there. Now I got Dad and Urahara saying that she could destroy the city if it wasn't for something or other they wouldn't specify. Dammit this is freakin' me out from the lack of details!! What am I supposed to do?!
"Woah hey Ichigo is it that new girl you and Rukia were talking about huh?" Kon asked, intrigued. (wow this is the most he's talked through the whole story)
"Hey…Ichigo." Rukia suddenly stood behind Karin, holding up her Soul Pager phone thing. "Something's happening in Soul Society. I can't get a call through to them. I've been trying for the last two hours."
"Dammit! What the hell is happening!?"
Seventh Heartbeat of Contemplation…
"Captain! What's happening!?"Assistant captain Matsumoto cried as a tremendous jolt of spiritual pressure tore through the entire building, knocking things off the walls and desks, powerful enough to simply flip over the desks and blowing paperwork every which way. Her taichou stood instinctively in front of the person he happened to be speaking with before hell broke loose. A strange hollow-like howl screeched from somewhere near. "Momo? Are you okay?" The captain turned to his companion as his vice captain moved some fallen tables aside to make her way near them. The petite brown-haired and recently labeled captain Momo Hinamori mumbled something unintelligible. It seemed Toshiro Hitsugaya had been so unconsciously protective he had smooshed the poor girl into his chest as he braced for impact of the reitsu. Embarrassed, the young white haired lad, (who had grown a bit taller than his old childhood friend as well as more protective) released the new captain. They all immediately heard the siren of extreme emergency go off from the central station. "Like hell if I'd know Matsumoto." He and Momo jumped just in time as an enormous tentacle smashed through the building.
"Binding spell 81! Constrict the fallen star! Hoshi!" Momo cried as she lept out of the hole in the wall to defeat the hollow. Only when she and the other two raced outside they were shocked to find…it wasn't a hollow. It was some other sort of monstrosity. It had limbs of different kinds flailing about its gooey body; tentacles, paws, and humanoid hands, and it had no mask but it did have a hole in its center, its eyes were not empty…they were brimming with intelligence. "Wha?!" The sirens all throughout the Serietei were screeching, with almost the same amount of intensity as the hollow creature. The sound was painful to the ears and before it could utter another sound, the young white-haired captain sliced through its head (?) and it disappeared with a curious look in its eyes.
All around them Soul Reapers flooded out to fight dozens of hollow-creatures, defending their epicenter like ants, the sound of unsheathed metal on the flanks of flesh and scales and feathers, almost drowning out the emergency sirens.
Eventually the bizarre intruders were hacked away leaving dozens injured amongst the newborn rubble and ruins and many, many more confused. Toshiro finally sheathed his sword. "What the hell was that all about? What were those strange hollows and that intensely powerful spiritual pressure?"
The curvy blonde shook her tresses as she placed a hand on her hip. "That was way too weird."
"Ah Captain Hitsugaya, Captain Hinamori, and Matsumoto." A low voice called out from behind some wall shards. "Are you guys just as perplexed as I am?" The owner was revealed once his red ponytail came into view.
"Renji!" Momo cried out. He waved at them tiredly as he looked around at the destruction.
Hitsugaya turned to his subordinate first. "Please go and check on the squad, make sure all injured are taken to Squad 4 infirmary. And organize a rebuilding team for the infirmary if there has been damage there as well. And also Matsumoto if you could be so kind as to inform Momo's vice captain of the same orders as well that would be great."
The blonde raised her arm in a small salute, giving him an amused smile. "Yes right away Captain!"
The pretty brunette pouted at her childhood friend. "Shiro you don't have to help me with my duties! I may be new at this but I am not stupid!"
The young man crossed his arms. "Whatever bedwetter." Staring her down. "And even though you are now a captain you still must refer to me as Captain Hitsugaya."
Her eyes narrowed. "That's not fair Shiro-chan! You still call me Momo all the time and I'm not allowed to call you Shiro? I'm not following you orders."
"Ahem." The couple spun around, totally forgetting the pineapple vice captain was still there. He tried to hide his laugh in a cough.
"Ah Renji---- Abarai-kun---! How fares----how's----- your squad?" The two captains almost said in unison, embarrassed.
"Heh. Well…our squad isn't too badly injured. Sent some to Squad 4 but mostly we got the hell knocked out of our barracks. It's gonna require quite alotta repair." The red-head scratched the back of his head.
Suddenly a man came flying towards them, panting out urgently. "All…cough cough…a-all Captains…pant…report to meeting…"
"Take it easy." Momo said gently comforting the messenger. "Please catch your breath! Were you running from each district?"
Blushing slightly (much to Toshiro's displeasure) due to her kindness, the messenger nodded and bowed his head in the usual posture of a messenger and proceeded in his message. "We have lost communications systems with the Real World."
"Shit!" Renji's face quickly tensed with worry and frustration. The other two immediately knew what the matter was. Rukia was in the Real World right now, a place he where he wasn't. I hope she hasn't gotten into any kind of trouble…
They all shared looks after thanking the poor tired messenger and proceeded to flash step to the place where the latest meeting would be held, passing demolished and destroyed buildings and limping and bloodied shinigamis. It was as if an invisible foe (lasting only a few minutes) had been on a parade of death, causing strife with each step they took. A Squad 4 relief member stood over a particularly battered fallen comrade, aiding as well as he knew how amongst the rubble. Some hadn't been lucky and had been crushed by the strange creatures or by the exploding rubble or even just the impact of their intense spiritual pressures. As his hands went to work in his help to the man, Hanatoro became lost in thought. Those things were no hollows…
Eight Heartbeat of Trepidation…
Sayomi was utterly helpless as the beings within her locked her out of her own body. Kalaki was raised above the innocent kitten Sayomi had taken in, its fur raised and ears back, sensing the sinister nature of the wielder. Oh come on please Kalaki don't do this! Just leave the poor thing be! She pleaded in her mind. The invisible chains around her tightened in response to her trashing and yelling, she felt the metal on her skin and it bit and dug suffocating her. "Never fear…Kalaki shall not stop here." Airianah replied using the gasping girl's physical voice. "I am also quite enjoying the feeling of freedom again."
As the sword was brought down almost in a slow motion movement, the ticking of Sayomi's clocks in the next room seemed slower and deafening and far away. She felt the despair in her soul as she knew that this one sword swing was the beginning of the end for her. For all life around her. Maybe even her own life. Most likely her own life. Her panic combined with the sadness of never having had accomplished any of her dreams and goals in life and all the traumatic events and deaths of her family blurred together. Suddenly she felt it. Anger…rage...at herself, at her situation and her own helplessness as well as the two who had stolen her life from her and very soon from everyone else. She let out a long yell, finding a part of her she rarely showed. Her rage summoned up her very core of tiger-like strength and fiery passion. Something had finally flipped the switch.
She wasn't ready to admit defeat just yet, she didn't want to sit backseat to these two alien parts of her any longer! Her muscles screamed with her as she strained at her chains with every fiber of her being, the slow mo action around her unchanging. But she lunged out and tugged at all angles like a caged beast, like a wild animal no longer able to contain the desperate emotions within herself. She pulled and tugged and growled and stained at the chains. I'm tired of not having the freedom that belongs to ME! I won't let my parent's deaths be in vain! I can't just let myself be used! Arien was right! THERE IS STILL HOPE I JUST NEED TO FIGHT FOR MYSELF I CAN'T JUST WAIT AROUND TO BE RESCUED I NEED TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF!!
"Keep it up young one."
The chains didn't agree. They dug into her flesh drawing blood, wrapping tighter around her neck and chest, cutting off oxygen the more she strained. Just a little…farther…I just need to go a little harder and…I can gain control! Wincing, she gritted her teeth, howling with the adrenaline and pain. She felt dizzy with lack of air, eyes getting even more blurry. It's okay…just a little farther…I can make it… Sayomi's muscles strained to the farthest her sinew could go, bones crackling, heartbeat racing. It felt as if she was a piece of clay being shoved into a tiny tube, squeezed at all sides causing her insides to explode. I-I'm trying…
BASH!! Time sped up and suddenly Sayomi found herself flying backwards into her bedpost. She could have sworn something pushed her forehead backwards. What?! She looked down at her chest, feeling stranger than ever. A long heavy chain was connecting her to her occupied body. It was surreal to see her familiar face from across the room staring at her with wide eyes and a sword in her hands, making expressions she wasn't making. Her body felt lighter and as her other self with Airianah at the wheel gaped at her, sword in midair, Sayomi realized that they were also staring at the strange man before her. The tip of his cane gave the illusion of a sword-tip. She scooted farther, chain rattling with her movements, the sword glowing powerfully red. The man was creepy with the shadows hiding his eyes from the brim of his green and white striped hat.
It was the same man that had bandaged her up that day when she woke up I his freaky shop near Tora after that quick battle against the scorpion hollow. Tora had nearly caught sight of her that time too. The hollow that time had injured her gigai and her at the same time. She had been amazed to see Tora's strange powers and his incredible strength. Sayomi remained in hiding, watching in horror as the hollow knocked him out, severely injuring him. He had cried out someone's name in his reverie. Takahiro or something. Maybe his girlfriend or something. (A/N: ..eh…nooppee) She just managed to send the hollow packing and releasing his scorpions into the world when she panicked and caught a wiff of the grumpy guy Ichigo and Rukia so she pretended to be unconscious too. Ichigo was surprisingly strong as he hoisted Chad's arm over his shoulder and herself on his back. Rukia tried to help lift Tora on the other side. They dragged them as best they could to a strange shop smelling of spiritual pressure. She had caught a peek of the shop group then so seeing this guy again was puzzling. This whole situation was puzzling but the sharp point pointed directly at her created dread. The man tipped back his hat with one hand, the moonlight revealing his smile.
"Pardon for the intrusion but…" His robes shifted when he did so and the wooden sandals clacked on the floor. "…it seems you've gotcha self into a bit of a bind Miss Winters." From behind him at the windowseat a beautiful black cat shook its head much like a human.
"You never change do you Kisuke?" The white un-named kitten cocked its head in confusion. This isn't right…little did it know that Sayomi felt the same. Somehow she wasn't sure which was more perplexing…the fact this man knew her name and owned a cane in the shape of a sword or the fact that the cat was talking and it wasn't a zanpakto from what she could see like Kalaki or Arien. The girl also realized that this chain connected her soul self to her body…and that the man was holding his blade as if he was about to chop the chain. I'm pretty sure that if he severs that….I'll die for real.
Things kept getting more complicated.
Ninth Heartbeat of the Cat's Ninth Life…
Well I didn't like how this turned out, it sounded too rushed in my opinion. It lacks action I know but plenty to come I assure you! I'm currently workin on more illustrations. Sorry this update took so long (and is long…its like 19 pages on word) I know this aint a good excuse and all BUUUTTTT MY COMPUTER TRISHA WAS ILL AND THEN I WAS AT A THREEDAY SOCCER CAMP AND IM A LAZY BUUUUMMM!!!!
More is coming. Review or someone will make sure to be even lazier! MWAHAHA!
KON: WAT THE HELL?! WAT IS WITH ME ONLY TALKIN TWICE IN THIS WHOLE FANFIC HUUUHHH??!!!
The huh huh bros from Eyesh: HUH? HUUUHHH??!!! HHHUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHH!!???
Me: well im sorry your moment to shine hasn't appeared yet but it will!
Byakuya: Wat about me yo?
Me: …O,o
CANT WAIT FOR THE AVATAR MOVIE COMIN OUT NEXT SUMMA!!! I HART SOKKA!