Chapter 11: The truth about Zooi's mother.

Zaraki and I stopped atop the rocks at a huge waterfall and gazed out at the horizon as the noonday sun shone down on us. Just being in Zaraki's company made me happy enough and when he spoke my spirits soared. His voice was like a thousand timpani drums booming their voices; I smiled and looked down at the waterfall.

"Please, try not to…" he searched for the right words "lose control of yourself. You need to stay calm otherwise you'll be left behind again." I flinched at his words. I felt like he was choosing them carefully as though something could happen.

"What…what is it? What are you going to tell me that's so bad?" I asked as I looked at his face. He was looking down as though he wasn't sure what to say. I looked away at him again and down the waterfall.

We sat in silence for a several until Zaraki moved and I flinched. Sighing, I wondered what Zaraki was going to say to me; a swallow dived through the skies and twisted and turned and I watched as four more swallows joined in.

"Um, I was there when your mother died…no, when she was murdered." Zaraki said, barely audible. I froze and the swallows disappeared from view. My heart jumped into my mouth as I registered the words Zaraki uttered.

"Wh…what…what did you just…say?" I choked.

"I was there when your mother was murdered. I'm sorry. I believe that now is the time for you to know the truth, you'll find out eventually and it's better if I just say it outright."

"No…I understand that…but…murdered? She was killed by Hollows…wasn't she? She helped a group of Quincy's after they suffered injuries… and died saving them during the War. Wh…murdered?!" I spluttered. Blood drained from my face and I felt dizzy.

"No Zooi. What you were told when you were younger was only partly true…

"It was during the final weeks of the War against the Quincy's when we received orders that several large groups of Hollows had managed to find their way into the Soul Society because the huge clashes of spiritual pressure; they began attacking various districts in Rukongai and eventually slipped in to the Seireitei. I was still fairly young, and this was just after Miss Unohana found and fought me. I lived in District 80, Zaraki; hence my name. One day a group of Quincy's also managed to find their way into the Soul Society as the Captains at the time demanded a meeting with them. During one of the free days they had was when the Hollows broke in. They turned against the Soul Reapers and vowed to kill every last one of them…including anybody from Rukongai…

Zooi's mother, 200 years ago…

"Assistant Captain Unohana! Go to Zaraki District 80! A small group of Hollows has been spotted! Be careful of the Quincies!" shouted Captain of 8th Squad.

"Yes sir!" The rain was throwing itself down, making it difficult to see. I ran from the meeting point to District 80 as fast as I could, however when I finally reached it, everything was silent – too silent. As I caught my breath I sensed spiritual clashes coming from the east; Hollows and…Quincy's?! Why are Quincy's all the way out here? Don't they know that District 80 is one of the worst districts? I'm pretty sure they came to a meeting or whatever they're calling it with the Captains.

Suddenly, a familiar sensation started up inside my, my blood bubbled and felt like freezing water. I shut my eyes and breathed in and out and urged the feeling to die down. As soon it disappeared, I shunpo'd to the next forest clearing, and the next and the next until I found the mini battle field. This time though, five Quincy's lay dead on the sodden ground while six others sported dangerous injuries. Four Hollows were the opponents and two were especially large. The bubbling started up again and I could feel my hands changing. I shook it away and controlled my actions as I observed the Hollows actions.

"Who're you?!" shouted a Quincy over the thunderous rain. His left side of his body had been slashed my claw and blood soaked through his clothes.

"You don't need to know who I am, I've come to help you!" I shouted back. The six Quincy's stared at me as I turned to attack the Hollow that lunged at me, mouth open and howling.

"H-Help us?! But we're your enemies! Why would you help us if we…"

"Look, I don't care about the War – I don't see why we can't live in peace and fight the Hollows together and other creatures. It's clear that they have to be sent to peace and that you agree otherwise you wouldn't have come to meet us." I grunted as I finished the Hollow off. Once again, my blood felt like it froze and something threatened to creep up on me. Damn it! I don't need this to happen now! I shouldn't have stayed in contact with the Hollow for too long!

"O-okay, I believe you…we'll help you fight them." The Quincy's that could stand did so and helped fight the Hollows.

After a long time of fighting, we managed to finish them off as more kept coming until we figured out that they were calling each other. Once the last Hollow was finished and the Quincy's put away their distinct bows, Kojaku, they stopped and stood in a moments silence to mourn for their friends who died. Suddenly, they all turned round at once and walked towards me; I found this highly odd…no, it can't be…I was trapped from all sides as they stood 10 feet away from me in a circle…don't tell me it was a trick.

"Um, what are you doing?" I asked nervously.

"We are Quincy's, we could never join forces with you – our ways of thinking are too different. We're sorry if it seemed like we had a momentary allegiance; it's true that we don't care much for the War either, but few decided that we can't trust Soul Reapers – how else would all these Hollows appear?" one of them spoke in a commanding tone.

"Wait, you think we set these Hollows on you on purpose?! You're wrong! They broke in days before you arrived!" I shouted, almost pleading them to listen…no, I mustn't lose my calm. The thing that was creeping up on me was getting closer and the Quincy's released their Kojaku. There was only thing for it – to escape. I quickly formed a plan and shunpo'd to the other side of the clearing and kept my senses sharp, constantly on the lookout for Quincy spiritual pressure. I suddenly spotted a skinny boy watching from a branch in the tree clutching a huge sword to his chest.

"Stay hidden." I whispered and the boy nodded. He had a huge red welt from where a sword had cut him that ran from his hairline to his chin. My head jerked up as I felt two pressures nearby and heard a rustle from the bushes behind me; I clutched my sword tighter in my right hand and crouched. The thing that was creeping was almost upon me, so I decided to go with the flow and borrow its power. I hissed and jumped into the air as an arrow shot at me…but a Quincy appeared next to me and aimed an arrow at me but I quickly lashed out with my leg and kicked the Quincy in the head and he fell to the ground, breaking his neck. I shunpo'd to the ground and attacked one that thought she was well hidden.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to particularly do this. I don't like pointless War's." I snarled into her ear as I pierced her body with my sword and she instantly fell to the ground. Now I was using the thing's power, I couldn't release my zanpaku-tō otherwise I'll be completely taken over – I hadn't quite managed to control it very well quite yet.

All was quiet for several minutes until one of them jumped out of tree in front of me and was fought to fight. My sword connected with the Kojaku and forced the weapon, but another Quincy jumped down behind with his Kojaku ready and shot at my leg. I howled in pain as I sliced the throat of the Quincy I was already fighting, but two more appeared and shot at my legs again. The pain was immense, but I could still stand thanks to the thing's power, however I knew that I could not get away in this state. I growled and hissed at them as they shot my legs again and I crumpled to the ground as blood pooled all around me. I lay down on the wet grass and stared at the three Quincy's that were left…no, the enemies that were left. I helped them and they betrayed me; this was unforgiveable. My body shook violently from loss of blood but also from the thing that had finally appeared. Something covered my left eye and slowly moved its way across my face. Blast, the mask was appearing – I mustn't let it completely cover my face otherwise I could rampage ad destroy everything. Suddenly, I saw the boy from earlier hidden from the view of the Quincy's crouched down on a branch, watching me. He was gripping the sword tightly and had a look on his face – his scar burning red. The shaking stopped and the mask half covered my face as three more arrows were shot into me. I howled in pain and I saw the boy flinch; I shook my head at him and he relaxed slightly. 'Please, don't get involved, please.' I willed the boy and he looked as though he understood. He reminded me of Zooi slightly – wild hair and a strong will. He must be the same age as Zooi. That's good. I hope they find each other – I can sense something familiar in him. Three more arrows and I screamed. I was an Assistant Captain – I should fight…no, I AM an Assistant Captain, and I WILL fight. I WILL fight…I WILL FIGHT…

"I will fight…" I breathed. "I WILL fight…I WILL FIGHT!" I screamed and three more arrows shot into me as a blinding light emitted from me and struck the Quincy's dead. Once the light disappeared, I could feel everything fading…I was losing too much blood and nobody would find me in time.

The boy jumped down still grabbing his sword and walked over to me. Up close he truly did remind me of Zooi – that wild look upon his face and his spiritual pressure…no…Zooi…I can't leave her…I don't want to leave her, she's my daughter…please, no….not yet. Tears dribbled down my face but were lost in the rain. I looked at the boy again.

"What's…what's your name?" I rasped and blood bubbled at my lips. The boy cocked his head slightly in confusion.

"Name? I…I don't have a name." he said. His voice was rough and gentle at the same time.

"Oh, that's…" I choked and coughed violently. "That's a shame. You must be the same age as my daughter." I coughed again, blood flying out of my mouth and the boy watched on helplessly.

"What's your daughter's name?" he asked. Everything was going blurry…no, not yet, please…

"My only daughter is the daughter of the Captain-General of the Thirteen Court Guards and her name is…is…Zooi Rubi Yamamoto…please…" I coughed violently and shuddered as everything echoed and began turning black "Please, find her…find Zooi and…help her…" everything disappeared and I breathed my last breath. The mask fell off as my life was lost…