Hollow Eyes
Chapter Nine: Resonating Sounds, I'm Not Your Master
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach for cryin out loud! Tite Kubo does! If you don't know that then go cry in a corner somewhere, curled up in the fetal position! OoO Also Arien, Sayomi, Kalaki, Scamper and Airianah are mine though so don't get any funny idears without my permission okay? Kekeke! Oh and I don't own the songs featured in the story they just fit the moments as they appear…
A/N: I'm gonna make this author's note short and to the point this time…alright so here's what I'm gonna say…MEOWWWW. No comment. OH OH OHHH!!! I'd like to thank some really amazing people for actually taking the time to read this story and for some of their comments! Sassymom25 for her kind comment about how I didn't use the correct word (tho I knew that word I just was a moron and didn't check over that section lol); luvableKnegi (please check out her amazing fanfics please!) she's been a great bud and DA-er and Chad chika when no one else would!; waterblossemangel13 for the great feedback and wonderful comments!; my bfff who has been the constructive criticism I needed to hear. I wuv you my major amiga!; and to all those who have put me on a watch or fav on here! I LOVE YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS!
Songs of the Mo: (whatever happened to just plain old 'song' of the mo?) Shake It by Metro Train, I Get It by Chevelle
"My name's Lily!" She said so matter-of-factly and gleefully, like it was the best thing ever to introduce herself to someone like me. "What's your name?" I shyly looked at my feet, blushing. Not yet used to people paying me any mind. Especially a girl. I've always been the tomboyish girl that got along easier with boys, playing sports with them at recess instead of gossiping with girls. It was my first day there, having moved for the last time to live in Texas. It was a brilliant blue sky day. She was a pretty girl, all smiles and with pretty blonde hair and sea grey eyes. I was a scrawny girl with bangs and large eyes. We were different. It was obvious. She smiled at me and led me to her lunch seat where a bunch of other kind smiles greeted me. Like I was someone special.
Over time we all became friends and Lily became my best friend. She taught me how to smile confidently, to seize the day and make each one more enjoyable. I found out my talent in soccer because of her friendship. I had always been an artistic child but due to her 'try new things' attitude one sunny day I had been dragged into it by this fun-loving friend. And fell in love with soccer in the process. She helped me become the person I am today. No that's not right. I was never this pathetic back then or because of Lily. Not like I am now.
What happened? Oh yea. The monsters inside me. They cost me my only friend I had left. They turned me into a monster too. One that could've killed that friend. One that made me leave everyone behind…everyone…my home and the remaining people that mattered in my life. Even the boy I'd liked since I'd moved there. Every single person that at one time had welcomed me with open arms, who would've comforted me when they'd found out my family was slain. But I was no longer a person who could be an innocent child anymore. I was a creature born from the lie of comfort. I couldn't trust anyone anymore. I can't…trust myself. I couldn't stand to see the faces of those I had left…twist in horror at the sight of me. At the truth of me. A disgusting girl who clung to others in times of need. And so I disappeared into the shadows.
Where am I now anyways? It's dark. But I don't want to call out for help. It would be all too predictable. I guess I'll have to get myself out of this one. Wait. Why can't I move? I feel…heavy. Weak. Where am I? Lily? Mom? Dad? No. I don't want them to come here in this scary place. I'm going to have to stand up now. Wait. ARIEN! I had forgotten him! I feel terrible! ARIEN!! Where are you? I know you aren't feeling well. I can sense it somehow. Come here. Let me remind you of who you are. That's something I don't need someone else to guide me to do. I can help. Arien? Is that you?
"Silly girl-child." Sayomi Kurotora Winters finally opened her eyes. As her eyes focused, she realized that she wasn't looking at the sky as she had vaguely thought in her daze. No. It was the bright sapphire eyes of an enormous white-gold tiger she was staring into. She gave a start and tried to push the steak knife sharp teethfilled maw out of her face in her shock. Her memories were hazy of how this had all happened, as her senses recollected the feel of scratchy whiskers and melting soft fur. Why am I on the ground?
"I'm glad to remember you my young master." She sat up and was aware of the lush emerald green grass, the swaying dense, flowering trees, the empty wind. The inner world within her. It felt eerie without the two other pairs of eyes that usually stared at her from within the shadows. The tiger smiled at her in his own kind of way, twitching his whiskers and letting out a purr.
Sayomi desperately searched for the swift confusing moments before but couldn't really remember what happened in between feeling the importance of standing up to the once threatening Arien and then thinking of her childhood friend and sister-like figure Lily. All she could remember was little darting images from both films of memory. Like fish darting through the reef, the cause of the effect remained elusive to her.
"Arien? What happened? Are you-" She stared up at her zanpakto. "Well nevermind that. You're obviously okay now. But still what happened and where've you been? What did they do to you?"
A giant paw was lifted above her head and a light shown about the figure of Arien until…he was standing on two legs…a human just for this occasion. His paw was now a large hand and he made sure to ruffle his master's golden brown hair fondly. "Will this form calm you more? Another human to speak with…won't that be more comforting to you Sayomi?" The girl moved away uncharacteristically. "I don't want anyone to comfort me anymore Arien."
She stated firmly. "I need us to be strong together but not one comforting the other all the time. We have to be balanced." The tiger-man blinked slowly but his face was indifferent, wind rippling his white-gold hair and the furry trim on his coat. He then answered calmly. "I understand. Now do you not know what happened before?" The girl shook her head. "I was caged up in you by Airianah and Kalaki and my mind was caged away as well. Being away from my master left me a wild beast. So when I heard your voice calling for me I was fearful and confused and lept to attack you. But you didn't defend yourself nor tried to fight back. You merely embraced me as I knocked you over with my strength." He paused to smile again. This time humanly. "And as soon as you so much as barely brushed past my pelt did I remember everything. Who I was, who you were and more importantly…The duty of the zanpakto. The oath taken to protect and fight alongside you, my cub…you my master!"
"So then are you suggesting that now we both have the willpower to want to work together? Not just one protecting the other? AKA. You protecting me?" Her eyes were solid flame of determination at her new-found brainstorm.
"Yes my cub, if you would be so kind as to forgive my behavior that nearly killed you, then we can start over as a real zanpakto and his wielder." He asked kindly of her, a youthful nervous look on his face while he spoke however. "You must understand I am still a young spirit. I make more mistakes. I was foolish to think that a zanpakto only stood to protect its wielder. I am the left hand and you the right…who fight as one."
The man/zanpakto didn't have much time to react as arms were wrapped around him in a quick hug. "Of course I forgive you Arien! It was my fault as well! I was the stupid girl who thought only about needing others help, then trying to stand on my own without you! Since you kinda are a part of me I have no choice but to work with you." She took a step back and grinned confidently for the first time in awhile. A real confident smile. "I am not your master Arien, from now on we are a team!" He nodded solemnly.
"Well it looks like that's all…taken care of." A low gruff voice called, making Sayomi jump. She finally became aware of the fact that there were two other pairs of eyes present, in fact there were three pairs of eyes…just not who she expected. Ichigo, standing beside a stunned Rukia and Chad, raised an eyebrow in her direction as they all stood beneath a copse of evergreen trees, looking about them in amazement of the entire training room being turned into a jungle.
She gaped at the intruders and pointed dubiously at them. "H-How did you guys get in my mind?"
"No idea…one minute we were watching you about to get mauled by a tiger and then the next the training room turned into the friggan amazon…"Ichigo raised his other eyebrow. "Wait…this is your inner world?" Looking around in amazement, he thought back to the times he was in his inner world…a sideways building and a strangely flipped sky. And Zangetsu standing on a random sideways pole. Rukia looked about in wonder, taking in the sight of a world she had never before witnessed. "How interesting. Did this happen when you used this thing Ichigo?" She turned to him but he merely shook his head. "No. Zangetsu came out and all these swords came out but not my inner world." Sayomi and Chad had yet another blank stare off, Arien brought his 'hand' up to his chin thoughtfully and smiled, eyes going between them as Sami frowned.
"My mas- I mean my young cub…I mean Sayyyooomi…" A slight breeze ruffled his white-gold-blonde hair as he began, reminding all as the light made him glow that he wasn't at all human what with his cat-like cobalt blue eyes and feline-esque grin. "…what we need to do now is control your power."
She broke away from her silent questions at the look she had caught Tora making. He looked so sad and…something. As did Rukia for a moment. They have things inside them too. Burdens that you cannot tread young one. Arien spoke in her mind so only she could hear. Sayomi glanced at their now concealed expressions. The tiger-man walked up to the strawberry teacher, talking low in a voice that Sayomi couldn't hear. Ichigo nodded, looked her way and beckoned the girl closer.
"Hey Sami. I got some questions for you." Ichigo spoke clearly as she came closer. She nodded for him to continue. "For the first one…why the hell is your zanpakto a-a-a HUMAN?!" His serious façade was destroyed in seconds, replaced by a seriously freaked out expression underneath. He whipped his head back to the man-tiger. "No offence but how did he go from tiger to human?!" Everyone else sweat dropped. Arien smiled not unkindly, all his pointed ultra-white teeth showing, wind whipping the fur trim on his coat. "Well I was wrong in assuming this form was more comfortable to you humans…oh well."
Sayomi smiled weakly. "Arien they just aren't used to you. I don't mind any of your forms just choose what's comfortable to you." In response Arien turned back into a tiger…a very, very large and handsome tiger. She looked expectantly back at Ichigo for his questions but was surprised to hear a different voice speak up. "Your zanpakto helps you to transform correct Sami-chan? It's his and your power." The low voice and curly hair gave himself away.
Sayomi nodded curtly. "What did you figure that out when you were stalking me?" Her beautiful eyes narrowed, sharp gold knives slicing into melted chocolate. The others were surprised as the giant uncharacteristically sputtered. "S-Stalking?!" His eyes were wide and he paled, before regaining his calm mask once again, furrowing his brows and frowning. "Who'd stalk you?" He stood higher as if he was looking even further down at her, tone icy. "I was merely walking home and noticed a strange and strong reitsu near where I was. I'd didn't give a damn whether you were there or not." Though I did know you were there…you just suddenly disappeared and there was a hollow nearby. I wouldn't forgive myself if my savior was killed. Damn why can't I just say that out loud?
Rukia and Ichigo made comical shocked expressions, mouths near their chins, eyes startled at the OOC-ness of it all. Arien's tail twitched but he merely watched in thoughtful interest. With anticipation, they all expected a loud and strange outburst/attack but were startled once again at her silent but effective retaliation. She merely stared wide like a cat, eyes piercing and dark, mouth in an ultimate upside-down anime pout. Her hair was messy and a few leaves still remained in it from being knocked to the ground by a friggan huge tiger, there was even a smudge of dirt on her cheek, and her expression was that of a little girl morphed with a kitten trying not to pounce on an irritating looking grasshopper in the grass. She was trying so hard to not yell, and not be mean because it wasn't worth the effort but the final effect was…well it was pretty darn cute…in a messy child/baby animal kind of way. And cuteness is a weakness of a certain someone…much to Sami's ignorance. The oddness of the events continued as Yasutora Sado-also known as Chad and to one person as Tora-twitched to control his cuteness receptors.
Seeing the trouble and mental trauma his friend was having with this very weak part of his soul, Ichigo immediately jumped in front of Chad, he himself feeling the cuteness affect his mind, but willful enough to push them out of the way. He completely forgot for a moment about the conclusion of his and Chad's friendship from earlier. Rukia could vaguely sense this defeated attitude whenever his sisters or Nel-sama or just children in general begged him for something, it secretly tugged on his heartstrings. Softy…She thought, but she did realize that Sami-chan was no child. No…she was a human and the same age as Ichigo. But she couldn't find herself to dislike the girl. There was just something about her…and Ichigo…did she see that strange gleam in his eyes? She…didn't want to know. His amber eyes looked away from the dazzling beautiful gold orbs in an awkward fashion. "Erm…look Sami I never got the chance to ask you my other question." Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Chad abruptly turn to lean overpowered against a mangrove tree, head hanging, cloud of despairing shame hanging high overhead. Sami 1…Chad…zipitty doo dah…poor guy. "I need to know what the basis of your power is so I can help train you past the obstacles in your way in our short amount of time."
Sayomi took the pout down a cute factor and stared past Ichigo's shoulder at the weird reaction Tora had that she didn't understand, he started to turn back around having recovered somewhat, face still tinged and sweating from his mental strain. But she continued in seriousness, and cute-ish pout, leaves in her hair and innocence in her cat-like eyes. "Well…I'm possessed." She began matter-of factly. The giant had to turn back around again, the chibi-ness combined with a ridiculous statement was like a round-house kick to the gut for the already weakened lad. Ichigo sweatdropped again. Rukia was ultra confused but she got the gist of the chaos and sighed crossing her arms across her chest. This is going nowhere…
Ichigo tried to salvage the situation, trying not to imagine how red his friend was. "Eh…possessed. Okay…not what I was expecting…" '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 strawberry blonde recalled the words his father had told him. Just what the hell did he leave out?! Possession?! I've never had to deal with something like this! I'm a damn substitute shinigami for crying out loud not an exorcist!! Well I guess I kinda am but still! And how can I help this girl?
Chad still hadn't turned around, his hand still covering his face from what he could see. What is this girl? "Well erm…" He scratched the back of his head trying to retain a sensei image in his responsibility. "…Sayomi…er Sami or whatever the hell your name is…what exactly do you mean by 'possession'? Are we talking ghost possession here? Like in a movie or somethin'?"
A brief breeze wafted the vague scent of ripe fruit from some mango trees somewhere. Hair tousled, Sayomi looked into the distance, pretty tanned face sorrowful. "I wish it was just a movie…" She then turned to meet his eye. "Look all you need to know is that the beings inside of me will kill you given the chance…as you found out earlier…sorry." Ichigo blinked, the others listened closely. Beings? Not just being?! How many people are inside of her?! How many monsters? They all recalled the deadly inhumanness of her face, the feline roar erupting from her parted lips, the strike at his neck to kill. "That's all I shall say since the closer you get to me the more you will suffer for it. I only just realized that to survive on my own…I need the other part of me, Arien, to work alongside me. And that is all I can except as help, but I shall allow you all temporarily, as Urahara's substitute."
Ichigo gave up wearily with a sigh, twiddling Zangetsu's strap on his back, understanding somewhat. "Fine whatever. We need to get movin'. Rukia!" He called for the midget even though she was standing right next to him. And was kicked in the shin in response.
"I'm right here baka. No need to yell." Her expression displayed her still turning emotions. Ichigo could tell, even as he clutched his throbbing leg. "What the hell was that for dammit?!" She hmphed and pouted as she walked closer to Sayomi. "Let me guess. You want me to start teaching her basic kido. The technique you have yet to master." She smirked, her back to him, Sayomi cocked her head to the side, instincts roused and she looked toward Arien who pretended to be interested in the random blue butterfly that came seemingly out of nowhere in the usually lifeless jungle realm, floating above him lazily. "Come with me Sami-chan. Arien-san." Ichigo seethed at her but let it slide seeing as how something was bothering the raven-haired woman. (A/N:Doh! Idiot he is.) Sayomi was then dragged away (literally) to a small meadow that would serve as an appropriate training area, suitable for flaming fireballs and lighting coming out of her hands. "W-Wait Rukia-chan!" The other girl gasped, feeling anger clasp her wrist like a small cold pair of handcuffs. It had no key apparently, and she was on her way to a cell of enlightenment and technique.
Watching them go, Ichigo grumbled to himself, feeling drained already, though the training hadn't even started yet. With trepidation he swallowed his hurt from his argument with Chad earlier to comment about his friends still ashamed pose with back turned and leaning wearily against the tree that was sure to snap eventually with the feelings being concentrated into it from the strong focused-ness coming forth from one hand. The other appeared to be covering his face while he leaned. "You gonna be okay Chad?" Ichigo asked both concerned and irritated with speaking to him after their parting words from before. All he could see was a curly head motion yes. "Damn. She sure can fight dirty eh?" The orangey remarked slowly. The giant merely bobbed his head, shaking the tree slightly. "And I don't think she knows it huh?" The tree shook again, knocking some leaves out of its head. Damn…Chad thought, manly pride crushed. I hate her enough to help her and…this is how she repays me…unknowingly nearly gave me a nosebleed…damn. I will make it my mission to despise cute things from now on…
SLASSSHH!! Metal caressed the flesh of its prey like a snake strike. Dragging downward in a crimson ribbon of speed, the sword did not hesitate or show mercy. The wielder was tired, though he tried not to show it. Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya stood amongst the glistening fragments of hollow, like the entity of snow in a fitting blizzard, the red from Hyurinmaru dripped slowly down into a remaining frost on the ground. He was panting slightly, perspiration sliding down his face, his turquoise eyes half closed. Backup was scarce. The onslaught of mutated hollows had been an almost all day every day since the invasion began. Soul reapers had fallen by the day, the infirmary overflowing and not enough Squad 4 members to tend to the injured. Even Matsumoto had been injured and battered from the unrelenting unrest. She was fine but it was obvious that rest was the only thing she really needed since most of the squadrons were out and about for most of the day and night to combat monsters.
Trudging footsteps echoed through the devastated rubble of one-time buildings. The white haired youth turned to the sound and the familiar reitsu that had been blocked out of his senses due to some strange power the mutant hollows had. A familiar brown head came into his view, he relaxed somewhat seeing as that was why he was fighting as fast as he could...just so he could go and check on her. "Momo." She came out from behind some debris, he could only see her face. She was smiling tiredly, he felt relieved…but…he saw the circles under her eyes. And it reminded him of that time not too long ago…when her voice had pleaded for him not to kill him. He hated more than anything to see her so physically and mentally exhausted, he'd been trying to get permission from Captain General for some extra rest for her but it was impossible due to the need of defenders as more and more people kept falling.
"T-Toshiro…" Her smile suddenly faltered and she finally came out from behind the wall, clutching her side and grabbing at the wall, revealing…her entire body was covered in blood…her own. Toshiro gaped, in a state of shock, dropping his zanpakto and hearing it vaguely clink. "Oh…Momo…" The vibrant life in her eyes faded as she smiled one last time, and fell, like a petal from a withered black rose, slowly to the ground.
But someone was there to catch her before she did. Just like he always seemed to be doing. And his turquoise eyes were frantic…wondering how he could protect her…wondering how the chaos would stop…wondering…why this always seemed to happen to her…and him.
"GAH!! WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?!" A furious voice cursed out to the heavens. Well…the painted heavens on a ceiling…in a mentally conjured jungle. The scene unfolded to show that in the small cleared out meadow of evergreen emerald ferns and tropical fruit-bearing trees, a fire was starting. And a bored looking Chad routinely tossed a bucketful of water on the fire…for the umpteenth time.
"Ichigo-san errmm...sensei…" A tired girl sighed, shifting some sweaty hair out of her eyes and taking a swig of water from a random stream that ran through the jungle, her gold eyes flickering. "You should probably stop now. You could end up scorching something in my mind if you keep that up."
Said 'sensei' had serious tick marks of frustrations all around him hovering like butterflies, sweating like a hog (A/N: though pigs can't sweat apparently) and his veins were fit to burst on his furious contorted face. He was facing where a trail of smoke still lingered. Rukia was trying hard not to laugh…and failing terribly at it. "AHAHAHA I-Ichigo just give up on Kido AAHAH!!"
Sayomi stood again from where she was kneeling to drink. Arien and she shared a knowing look as Ichigo proceeded to spin about and chew out the woman who calmly insulted him back, a fighting match of grown children. Sayomi fixed her messy hair into a ponytail, pulling strands back out of her face before wearily standing up. It was an impossible feat that took every last inch of her being to not cry out in pain, her muscles were still screaming from weeks and weeks of ordeal before now, her mind tired from using spells. "We shouldn't rest. I…can feel her power within me slowly returning. Please can we move on to another field of training?" The others stared at her, interrupted and grumpy but understanding of the situation.
Ichigo sighed, rubbing the back of his head until the last of his irritation that she had mastered kido perfectly before he had. "Alright then…guess we should move on to sword training." He glanced at Arien who was nodding as he stood up from his spot in the shade. Ichigo unwrapped Zangetsu, Sayomi once again amazed that there could be such a monstrous zanpakto.
"No need to summon me as a blade Sayomi. You need to conjure our strength together in order to have a weapon. That is my challenge to you." The gleam in his eyes reflected azure pools of encouragement. The gleam in Sayomi's reflected golden pools of confusion. "Eh that's very deep and all but…how do I do that?" Ichigo too didn't get where the tiger was coming from or the meaning of the words. Maybe it's like what me and Zangetsu did…what with all the swords scattered everywhere and I had to find the right one. What is it with zanpaktos and being vague with instruction? "Well we should start out with basics. Here." The amber eyed man randomly pulled out a small metal blade that looked like a zanpakto and handed it to the exhausted girl. "Urahara gave this to me in order for me to teach you how to-" But he didn't get to finish her sentence without raising his sword up to his face, blocking the smaller blade that seemingly came out of nowhere. Its wielder, a dazzling foreign girl with a lithe and seemingly innocent and charming personality, smirking slightly in mischievous nature. "Basics," she said. "Got it. What's next?" The boy's eyes widened and he blinked at her cat-like speed. Rukia and Chad were equally speechless. I guess it's to be expected that she's that fast like from earlier?
Ichigo recovered and smirked as well, gripping Zangetsu in front of him and taking his usual stance to fight. "Hehe well alright then…guess I won't hold back then." Concentrating with his reitsu, he held the hilt firmly, smirk broadening in confidence. "Get ready to fight. Show me whatcha got." Sayomi took a deep cleansing breath then took her own stance, forcing her knees to bend, her muscles to tense like she would in a soccer game right as the whistle is about to be blown. "Guide the night born frost…Arien… Huecosoñar!" She cried, though nothing happened to the blade in her hand and Arien sighed from his spot behind her.
His voice floated into her ear, in a language of cats that only she could understand. What did I tell you earlier my friend? You must take both of our strengths within you to create my sword form. This jungle around you…it's the world we share but only I know its secrets. You must learn to work with me as you have said…without Airianah's help. She nodded, all that was left of where she was standing previously was a cloud of dust. Ichigo flash stepped just in time as a blade whistled past his ears. A flash of golden hair and she was also gone again, striking out time and again like serpent, putting the more experienced shinigami on the defense. Ichigo was impressed. He paused a moment as she caught her breath in small puffs of steam, trying not to clutch her pervious wounds on her stomach. Then she tried again, this time slicing a piece of his shihaksho. He smiled and charged, Sayomi narrowly evading and slicing all in one moment, but he dodged her blow and ended up slicing an annoying strand of hair that had gotten loose. They fought on and on in what Nel would say was a game of 'Endless Tag' but was actually an elapsed time of about 2 hours. And the slices kept on coming, both narrowly missing but snagging a piece of shihaksho on the way, almost a dance of blurs, the only sign of movements were leaves rustling and tousling. Why can't I turn this stupid metal into Arien's zanpakto?! I've been at it and at it thinking teamwork thoughts and crying out his name for hours now!! But she couldn't ask Arien who was hiding in the shadows of some mangroves, watching her; she knew it was something she had to figure out on her own.
Rukia rubbed her arms as if she was cold, feeling a little confused. Ichigo actually looks like he's having fun. Sayomi she's… "…going to collapse…" The raven haired woman glanced surprised at Chad's voice. Her strange strangling thoughts evaporated in an instant as she realized the girl was shaking slightly where she stood to catch her breath again, perspiration mixing with some blood sliding down her cheeks, her shinigami uniform slightly shredded, showing some bandages beneath and her breaths coming in more sharply. This girl was tired before she even began training. But she doesn't show it.
Ichigo obviously saw this too, for he lowered Zangetsu and stared concerned from where he stood. "Hey. Let's take a break now." He blinked as she did her strange sort of backwards flash step toward him, blade raised before him. "No. We have no time to rest. And I have yet to master Arien's challenge." His eyes were kind though he still looked grumpy, piercing into hers. "Maybe I'm tired." She frowned, fire blazing fiercely within her golden depths. "Nice try. Now let's continue. I want to get the hang of this." Wiping away some blood from a wound on his chin, Ichigo sighed defeated and took up a stance again. This chick doesn't know when to quit. She looks like she's about to pass out. Ichigo thought ironically not knowing this was exactly his own mindset. "Fine. Suit yourself."
He raised Zangetsu again. Only to have a hand hold it back. "That's enough." Another large hand held Sayomi's blade without caring that it was cutting him. "Arien looks bad too." Chad's voice was firm, hair covering all but one eye, Sayomi gaped at him, gasping for breath and battling out with his chocolate eye. Curses he's pissing me off! Leave me alone!! Wait Arien?! She swung to where she had seen him last. He was hiding because his wounds had reopened somehow, all the wounds from Kalaki oozing. She gasped and knelt to his eye level, where he struggled to not show his pain. "I-I need you to rest for just a moment…this world it seems…I have yet to conquer Kalaki's power completely… He spoke privately to only her. As you tire…it seems I am…even though you have yet to release my zanpakto form…ergh!"
"Oh Arien! Why didn't you tell me!?" Sayomi exclaimed worriedly. But the tiger merely stood with shaky limbs, eyes firm though the rest of him didn't match that strength. "We don't have time for this young one…take that blade…" Rukia and Ichigo took a step back automatically with the tone of his voice. Finally his zanpakto-ness is revealed. Now he really sounds like one…like ours. "…and now in order for you to truly understand…I want you to run me through with that blade…" WAIT WHAT? Everyone thought simultaneously. Did he just say…? "Arien!? What are you saying!?" Gasping and vigorously shaking her head, the tanned girl balked away from her pained teammate. "I could never do that to you! You are my only ally left!" The tiger fell onto his side, unable to stand any longer, like a sudden attack had knocked the wind out of him, eyes glowering with something hidden. "If you trust me do as I say Sayomi!! This is your responsibility as the Nature Shinigami!" Darkness was clouding her now glazed eyes…there was always death around her…as Airianah had always said…she was the Nature Shinigami…this was part of her duty that she did not wish to uphold…to cause death by her own blade. "If you can't do this you can never hope to be rid of my sister and Airianah!" Sayomi forgot about the others gathered around her that felt like they were invading something private. Eyes lowered, she gazed at the metal in her hands, the sheen was strangely blue, and caught a glimpse of her own reflection…a helpless, hopeless girl with blood on her cheek…So pathetic…"If you want to understand what it means to be a real shinigami then run me through…" Raspy voice in a her heart, metal in her hands, memory of earlier when she saw herself with Airianah in her body with Kalaki raised above her, she was filled with something strange. What do you crave Sayomi? A fading voice in her head said.
"Strength." And with that, Sayomi struck her fallen comrade with the blade in her hands, eyes empty and emotionless, blood filled the exotic air.
"Use your strength Hanataro! Be a man!!" A gruff low voice growled from the rubble as a skinny short young man with pesky strands of black hair in his perspiring tired face, was seen dragging an unconscious man. "Put your back into it!"
"I-I'm trying Ganju! This one is heavy and I'm afraid I might reopen his wounds!" Hanataro sighed, giving up on his endeavor and waited for more bellowing that was sure to follow for his wimpyness. Instead Ganju came back and put yet another injured Soul Reaper on his back, shifting his weight and proceeded to whistle. "Bonnie-chan! Come here!" Hanataro knowing the drill, did a duck and cower maneuver to avoid being trampled by the rampaging giant leaping boar as was often the outcome anyways for the poor little Squad 4 Relief Member. "Hey G-Ganju please don't be so rough with the injured people!" His eyes were wide and worried as Ganju continued to work with unmerciful strictness as he darted from decapitated buildings, pulling people out and even if they weren't unconscious or hurt, just frightened Rukon kids, he tossed them either over his shoulder or on Bonnie's back. "GANJU DON'T!" Hanataro all but fainted at his friends work-hard-and fast-to get-everyone to the Squad 4 Barracks-ASAP attitude.
Things were bad enough that everyone available that wasn't much use at fighting had to work around the clock as healers or the people to check for survivors…or both like himself and Ganju. His kind eyes softened as he remembered the fit Ganju had thrown at his sister's ordering to help people that were in the crumbling buildings and help Squad 4 rather than be the defender of the Soul Society like her. She had bluntly proclaimed that her little brother was too weak for anything like fighting and thwacked him on the head and tossed him out. The man's pride was shattered like the protective walls in the Seiritei, but he couldn't let people die around him and set to his new task with ultimate vigor. He kept sending his gang and their pigs back and forth through the most heavily hit parts of the cities and alleyways to and from the temporary shelter of Squad 4 in the sewers, the only safe place left in all of Soul Society and where Ganju, Ichigo, and Hanataro had been to hide themselves so long ago.
"GGRRAAHHHH!!!" A loud roar awoke the scrawny man to his feet and back to his dismal surroundings of demolished one-time buildings and homes of innocent people. "Ganju! I don't think it's a good idea to be so loud! You might call a hollow this way!" Hanataro called into the nightfall-brought shadows ahead of him where he had last seen the boar and darting figure of the broad man. He nearly had a heart attack when a hand was placed on his shoulder. "GAH!" He cried in fright, eyes wide as plates. It was merely Ganju, who warningly held a finger to his lips. "Shh! Shut up moron! That yell earlier wasn't me." They looked in the direction the cry had arose from. And were met with a building wall flying toward them. "DODGE YOU IDIOT!! GAHHH!!!" Having sent Bonnie ahead to the sewer with all the people they found, Ganju had plenty of room to spare on his wide shoulders to throw a terrified screaming Hanataro over and comically bound to safety as the wall smashed where they once stood. With an amusing (despite the seriousness of the situation) roll that sent both tumbling like girlish-screaming tumbleweeds , the pair rightened themselves to prepare for the next wall attack."W-WHAT THE HELL?!" It wasn't until then that they felt the sickening spiritual pressure of a hollow.
A hideous, shapeshifting monster came out into their view, and luckily for them it wasn't interested in the cowering and oogling twosome…it was enjoying a fight with a gravened and vulnerable young man with white hair. "GGGRRRAAAHHH!!!! STAY!" Slash! "AWAY!" SLASH! "FROM MOMOOOO!!" SSSLLLAAAASSSHHH!!!! There was blood dripping all over and Toshiro Hitsugaya couldn't tell whose blood it was anymore. The hollow had tried to snatch Momo away from him almost as soon as he had caught her when she had collapsed. And there was no way in hell the icy captain would let Momo be taken away from him again. His movements were desperate and shaky with emotions instead of intellect. "GRRAAHH!!!" "Good little human good! This is such a delicious fight! You think I have something important to you! Yes fight away and become my meal!" Leering hungrily, the hollow was dancing about on many different limbs, always changing and always attacking like one thousand blades, talons, fangs, claws, weapons of all kinds, eyes bright with too much intelligence.
Hanataro felt his instinct prickle from within him. Captain Hitsugaya isn't fighting as he normally does why is he calling out Captain Hinamori's name? I don't see her anywhere…and I have yet to see these strange new mutant hollows converse with us…they are getting more powerful and intelligent…
Before anyone gathered could react, a limb shot out snagged Momo's apparent limp body from the tiring captain's arms. "MOMO!!" Teal eyes blazed despairingly as he bellowed, legs not fast enough in his brash attacks and exhausted mind and body. He watched in slow motion as a sword not unlike the man he had killed had wielded…came out from the opposite side…coming closer and closer, his dearest friend getting farther and farther. A glint of silver and red…and a glimpse of her soft brown hair…was the last thing he saw before the blade of the hollow struck his fatal blow.
Sayomi was expecting blood. Only…there wasn't a hint of crimson to be seen. Arien sat calmly before her like a king…much like usual. Sapphire eyes softened kindly as a blinding light filled her awareness. "This is what it means to be a shinigami. You must not hasten to bring death if it is needed. Airianah didn't lie when she proclaimed that you must become the catalyst between the two worlds life and death…light and dark. Feline eyes pierced her own with a great power. That blade you thrust into me was a special one. It is the blade that represents your hope. It's a slim hope as you can see, but if you have the power to believe in your own strength even if that meant you couldn't rely on me anymore, the test was to see if you could trust in that slim hope and to trust me…your zanpakto. From the moment my awareness of being a zanpakto returned, I knew by some instinct what I needed to do to get you to become dependent on your own strength. That is the power you crave Sayomi. You crave to be strong enough to stand alone for you don't wish for anyone to help you or get in the way. Forgive me. But I needed you to believe I was dying. At the loss of me you were on the verge of panic and grief young one…but you remembered that I asked you to trust me. So you had the vaguest inkling that 'something was up' as you humans would say correct?"
Sayomi nodded. "That blade. You set this whole test up from the start?" "Yes Sayomi." "You had me believe that Kalaki was still hurting you somehow?" "Yes." "And you told me to kill you." Her eyes were shadowed. "Well not exactly…I asked you to run me through."
SMACK! "HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO ME!!!!!!!" Arien was caught off guard when a small balled up fist was pounded on the top of his head, his head slow mo going downward with the impact. "DON'T YOU EVER ASK ME TO DO SOMETHING SO STUPID AGAIN!" Arien had an uncharacteristic comical shocked expression as only tigers can attempt, Sayomi had a seriously pissed off glowering face with her eyes narrowed and mouth wide in yelling, doom clouds had gathered, thunder crackling, fire and hellstrom etched into her face, veins all but popping. "IF YOU HAVE SOME SORTA TEST FOR ME JUST TELL ME INSTEAD OF GOING ALL 'I'M YOU VAGUE FRIGGAN SENSEI' ON ME!!! GRR!!!" Arien glanced up looking like a put out kitten. "But…that's what zanpakto are supposed to do Sayomi…help their wielders through tests and vague advice…" His voice took a rather youthful whine to it.
"So that's what they are supposed to do? Seems right since Zangetsu does that too." Ichigo's voice startled the attacking Death Goddess so much she turned around and nearly attacked the source of the voice. "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU GUYS STILL DOING HERE???" Everyone was already shocked by her chastising of her zanpakto but to be yelled at so randomly they all jaw-dropped again. Ichigo had a hand in front of his face looking like he was about to karate chop if she threw a punch his way, eyes wide. "Gah! We- We've been here this whole friggan time!" Rukia sweatdropped. "She's…a little scary when she's angry…" Chad grunted in agreement, sweating a bit.
Sayomi had calmed down a bit enough to pat her surprisingly depressed looking sword buddy on his booboo. "Sorry…"
Rukia turned to the still irked and scared looking strawberry. "If I so much as talked that way to Sode no Shirayuki she would have thrown a fit." Ichigo nodded still staring as the now completely innocent girl returned hugging the tiger about the neck, like a toddler hugging a kitten in her arms. "Yeah…I think Zangetsu would've been really stern with me…"
Arien's pride had been hurt a bit as a zanpakto but he was youthful and patient, deciding that to speak so familiarly to each other was quite alright if that way their bond could be strong. "Sigh child…you hit hard for such a small figure." Sayomi shot him a warning look. "What was that?" "Nothing. Just please don't do that again…"
"Now we are even okay." Sayomi crossed her arms, immediately regretting it due to the pain of her reopened wounds on her stomach. "Geh."
"You should get that treated and get some rest." Commented a concerned Ichigo, who shifted a thumb in the direction of the barely visible stairs amongst all the tropical fauna.
"Absolutely not! I have some training to do still with Arien! We don't have much time!" Her eyes were hard but desperation leaked through. "You can go. But I'm not through yet."
Ichigo sighed, scratching the back of his head and looking to the side. Indeed Sayomi was stooped to hide the fact that she wanted to collapse very badly. "What with you shaking that badly? You can barely stand. What do you possibly hope to accomplish?" Geez this girl can be stubborn…Ichigo thought ironically.
"I just established my trust in myself and with my zanpakto…I still have so much more to do!"
"Your body won't be able to function without some sort of rest." Rukia advised gently, coming to stand next to Ichigo.
Suddenly a great commotion stirred through the silent jungle, thrashing and crunching, and quite a bit of cursing. "Howdy!" The ultra perky shopkeeper pushed through some shrubbery, using his cane to get through and somehow managing hiking with wooden sandals. "Like what you've done to the place Sayomi! It's very tropical! Might have to leave it this way whenever I want a vacation."
"Grrah! Onnnneeee-cchhhaannn!!!" An obnoxious high-pitched voice called from behind Urahara, strawberry hair and lack of scowl giving Kon away. Another raven-haired chibi with a cutesey grin shoved the konpaktu in Ichigo's body into a tree skipping toward the owner of the body she was occupying, getting ready for a glomp attack. "Hewo (Hello -_-;) HOP! I found you HOP! I win the game Kon! HOP!" The two konpaktos then added more chaos to the annoyed group by arguing like a more jumpy immature version of Ichigo and Rukia fighting with Kon angrily kicking with his super powerful legs and Chappy hopping straight into the air and tackling Kon to the ground bending his arms back. "Arm goes bbwwwakkkeee!! HOP!" She giggled gleefully. "Kon! Chappy! Those are our bodies you're destroying!" Ichigo cried shrilly, but they paid him no mind so he and Rukia dashed over to break them both up.
Urahara simply turned to the only other people in the vicinity, calmly ignoring all the violence and screams of pain going on behind him as Ichigo was glomped and arm bwacked before he could so much as pull her away from Kon. Sayomi, Arien and Chad felt that their shadows were getting longer as they sweatdropped. Is that… really okay? Putting a hand on his hat the shoten owner grinned. "I couldn't help but overhear that you wish to fight instead of sleep Miss Sayomi…but you are being foolish here." His smile suddenly changed into a much darker tone remnisant of a certain incident with a teacher at school. Sayomi and the giant blinked, thinking the same thing. "All living things need sleep in order to recover their energy and power. It is admirable of you to want to continue fighting in a small timetable such as this however…" He lowered the brim of his hat. "…you would run yourself into your grave with you so fatigued." Abruptly his shadowy eyes revealed themselves, piercing and warning. "And we don't want that now do we Miss Winters?"
Feeling defeated Sayomi gulped, shaking her head and becoming increasingly aware that her eyes were starting to blur with the longing to close them. How long has it been since I've slept well?
"Good! Now that that's settled!" His cheerful aura randomly returned and he turned to the malstrom of Ichigos and Rukias. "Everyone head upstairs for some food! Tessai will be sad if you don't eat every bite!"
Now that statement got everyone's attention, because multiple stomachs growled fiercely at the same moment. Kon and Chappy were long gone leaving a cloud of dust behind as their only evidence they were even there. "Last one there is a loser HOP!" "Too late for you friggan bunny!"
Rukia blew that pesky strand of hair from her vision before looking down at Ichigo, nearly busting up with laughter. He looked dead with his arms hanging limply by his sides and face planted into the soil. But it was only a second longer before he stood, raring to curse his glomp attacker and briefly finding that who he was about to chew out was Rukia. "DAMMIT!! Oh…" He embarrassedly shifted his eyes before smirking softly. "Sigh…those two are tiring."
"GRAAHH!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING CHAPPY!? STOP BWEAKE BWEAKING MY ARMS!!" The exclamation from above in the shoten was enough to get Ichigo dashing through jungle and stairs, all but dragging Rukia with him. "DON'T DO THAT TO MY BODY!!!"
"That's what she said~!" Urahara cupped his hand to yell after them. Chad and Sayomi shrunk to little chibi frightened people, Arien to a kitten.
"Well isn't that what young people say these days right Miss Winters?"
"Eh…"
"Oh well I tried to be with it." (O_o) The blonde-ish man shrugged waggishly.
"What about you Mr. Sado? Isn't that a cool thing to say?"
"…"
"And Miss Winters I hope you will join us at dinner as well-oh." Urahara was unaware that Sayomi was so tired that she had just randomly curled into a cute cat-like ball and fallen asleep in a blink of an eye using Arien as a warm fluffy pillow.
"Wow that was quick." Chad remarked amused.
"That's what sshhheeee saaaiiiddd~!" Urahara mischievously sang making Chad want to seriously break his oath and punch the man, for his annoyingness. "Am I annoying you? Sorry Mr. Sado I miiigghhht have had a good long sip of sake with Yoruichi before coming down here…"
Chad was expressionless. "I recall you saying you had a lot of work to do Mr. Urahara."
Acting like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar but not caring one way about it shrugged, grinning and fanning himself. "But I did need a break Mr. Sado." Then he turned, addressing the trapdoor ceiling. "And so do you. OH TESSAI! We need to get a transport to carry Miss Winters up! And have Ururu set up a room for her!"
Dubious, Chad glanced down at the passed out girl, hair a gentle curtain, her mouth slightly ajar with a small line of drool trailing from it. She looks so peaceful…isn't it better to just let her sleep here?
"No." The other man seemed to read his thoughts. "I cannot have a guest sleep in the training room."
Chad peered down again, noting that the tiger was asleep now too. They probably haven't slept this contentedly before in a very long time going by how dark the circles under Sayomi-chan's eyes were.
"I hate to do this." Urahara was surprised to see that instead of waiting for Tessei and the carrier, Chad had kindly taken it upon himself to carry the girl himself. She was like a doll, eye lashes long, hair draping, and limbs completely relaxed in his arms. This is awkward but I don't want to disturb her. This is the first time I've ever seen her this completely open before…like sleep is the only way she can truly be at peace. Reminds me of the time I did this to get her out of Urahara's that day…only she wasn't really sleeping. I can tell the difference…the first time her muscles were very tense, this time she's completely limp…and she seems to have lost some weight from her running around at night and not eating much…Her head was slumped childishly against his vast chest, hand curled up to her face, but she was all but a feather to him. She was too fragile to have to deal with the things she was dealing with. Possession huh? She mumbled something in her sleep. Why Sami-chan?
By now Urahara's eyes took on an interested gleam behind the brim of his hat as he pulled Sayomi's zanpakto in its physical form out of the mannequin making spirit Arien disappear as well as the jungle like someone had flipped a switch and now it was time to show the elapse of time of a jungle withering away over time to become a desert. The ring clinked harmlessly to the ground. Urahara bent down and gingerly picked it up, rotating it in the light to examine it. Very educated-ly he knew not to place both of the rings together and tucked them back into their designated spots in the tiger keychain pouch. He walked up to the giant teenager and tucked her possession in her arms like a child and her stuffed animal, before finally turning to leave. "You are too kind Mr. Sado." Yeah…maybe I am…
PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!! I'M SORRY BOUT LIL SHIRO BUT JUST READ MAYBE HE'S OKAY! I LOVE THAT GUY! And about Urahara's drunkin-ness…ehehehe yeaahhhhhhh…Arien is so cute to imagine as a lil kitteh! Doncha think??? Sorry but I had to divide the rest of this chapter in half so you didn't burst your brains out on a fifty page rampage! DIDN"T WANNA DO THAT TO YA!! Cus I care! HOP!