Chapter 19: Battle in the storm

My duty was to protect the Squad at any cost and I tried to divert the most powerful Hollow away from the Squad and the smaller Hollows. There was something wrong though; the large Hollow seemed to be looking for someone, but suddenly it stopped mid-air and slowly turned round towards me. An icy shiver slithered down my back as the Hollow stared at me with fiery eyes. As it stared at me, it let out a low growl and landed thirty meters away. It soon became apparent that I was the person the Hollow was looking for and I stood like I'd practised and held Taura firmly. The Hollow launched itself at me, its wings spread out threateningly and claws pointed. A clap of thunder sent shockwaves through me and I quickly jumped high into the air to avoid the attack…but this Hollow could fly and immediately flew upwards towards me. Blast! That was careless of me, but I had a few tricks up my sleeve – it was raining and there was water everywhere…I grinned and shunpo'd back to the ground and waited for its next attack.

While the Hollow stared at me, I quickly glanced over to the Squad and the smaller Hollows; the Hollows were gone, thank goodness and nobody was badly hurt. I heard the sharp flap of the wings and skidded out of the way before it dived into the embankment and caused the ground to split. Using this split second while the Hollow was distracted, I threw my arm out and water exploded from my hand and created a path of water that then turned to ice; as I hopped on and slid about, the Hollow chased me although its size was a big disadvantage. Though it was big in size, it was clumsy and heavy-footed; it reminded me of an eagle, the way it moved and had it been smaller it would've been easier to catch me- suddenly, the Hollow swerved sharply and almost hit me had it not been for ice path I made; I quickly slid upwards and jumped behind the Hollow and slid downwards on the ice. The Hollow was getting clever and began flying and attacking from behind to try and throw me off course. A shadow loomed over me and as I looked up I saw the manic howl of the Hollow as it swooped vertically above me – I had to do something and fast. Only one thing came to mind and that was to release Taura…but would it be safe enough? No, I have no other option. As the Hollow came ever nearer, I leaped away as far away as I could from it in seconds and stood at the other side of the field. The Hollow stopping also, looked at me, as though it could recognise me. A high pitched shriek emitted from its mouth and it stood, wings spread out.

"Why have you stopped little girl?" it rattled. The Hollow's voice sent shivers down me, but also I suddenly felt as though something was creeping up on me; when the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed, something felt as though it had stung me and sent an electric shock through me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Byakuya looking as expressionless as ever, but his eyes seemed different – it was though he was becoming apprehensive of me – my sudden stop and my reaction to the Hollow's voice.

"Damn it," I choked. "Damn you, I really didn't want to have to do this but you've given me no choice, Hollow." My own voice was sounding distant and echoey, but why? I closed my eyes and a voice piped up in my head "Do it! Release me, you have no other option. You cannot defeat this Hollow just by skills alone." It was Taura, and I gripped the hilt firmly once again. "Remember, look forward and have no fear, let me flow into you and become one…say it! Release me!" My eyes flashed open in time to see the Hollow preparing for an attack.

"Rise…"I started and noticed that the Hollow had stepped back slightly. " Rise, Empress of the icy ocean," a low rumbling echoed round the whole field and my zanpaku-tō glowed. "TAURA!" I screamed over the booming thunder. I jumped up and let the water beneath me transform into a magnificent water and ice snake standing over 20 meters tall at first glance. As it roared, I nimbly landed and let water and ice wrap itself around me as ice crackled beneath my feet. Though the snake wasn't connected to my zanpaku-tō properly, it made it easier to control. The Hollow stared, dumbfounded at the colossal snake that grew bigger and reacted with me. The Hollow screeched ion fury and leapt up to swoop down again, however I rapidly controlled the snake and let it spiral upwards. The rain whipped my face and the wind howled but I felt so alive and followed the Hollow as it tried to evade me and Taura; however, we were too quick and soon caught up with the Hollow. I threw my hand out and once again created an ice path to slip and slide along; the snake followed and rushed past the Hollow so I could land once again on her before the eagle Hollow realised what was happening. As I landed, the Hollow howled in anger and flew upwards once again; I smirked and rode Taura upwards once again, standing up and poised to throw a killer blow.

The Hollow was getting desperate and swooped again; "How foolish." I muttered and the snake hissed loudly and plunged downwards, quicker than the Hollow and caught up before it had a chance to swoop again. Using the time while the Hollow was too surprised and angry to move, I willed the water and ice from my body and sword to curl round the wings and freeze them; and to also restrain it by stabbing ice spears through its body. I disliked doing it, but it was the only way to restrain it and stood staring at the Hollow on the snake.

"Why did you come after me?" I demanded.

"He he, a lovely fiery thing you are, aren't you? He he, do you really not know? A lovely tasty soul as fiery and wild as yours will give me infinite strength." i flinched slightly at the notion but didn't let it show. Could the Hollow be talking about the Demon-Hollow inside me?

"Just as i thought - you know exactly what I'm talking about, that supposedly invincible Demon-Hollow that now resides inside you. You see, that Hollow used to be rather ignorant and arrogant, but i'm afraid we need to have the Demon-Hollow back - would you let me eat your soul? Of course, two spiritual entities once combined can never be seperated again, and I'm afraid you're just too delicious to let go."

"You sicko! What are you talking about?!" I don't care what you think, it has nothing to do with you." Suddenly, something snapped inside me and i fell to my knees, shivering.

"Just as I thought, you can't control it…" I screamed in pain as I stared into the Hollow's eyes. "Oh, I forgot. I have the power to manipulate feelings…including pain. This was unfortunate that you had to meet me. I'll be off now…"

"No," I whispered, trying to restrain the blackness that was creeping over and the tingling in my blood. A voice piped up again and instructed me to stay calm.

"Zooi, stay calm and don't look at it in the eyes again. Just concentrate on getting rid of it. I shall help you." At that moment, I felt the snake judder and grow more powerful and I felt something gripping my hands and standing next to me. One powerful attack, that was all it needed; the Hollow was restrained, however its presence made me feel somewhat different. Water exploded from my sword and wrapped itself round the Hollow's head and restrained the mouth and as I leapt high into the air, the Hollow looked ruefully into my eyes and I suddenly felt an overwhelming power building up inside me as I struck the laughing Hollow's mask and watched it as it disappeared. Before the Hollow dissipated, it spoke against the water ropes.

"You can't stay like that forever, you know. The Demon-Hollow is breaking through already…" I stared as the mask faded and the Hollow was no more.

As the snake let me off and returned to my sword, Byakuya walked towards me, his right hand hovering over his zanpaku-tō. The thunder and lightning boomed and flashed once again and the rain lashed against me.

"Zooi. Well done for cleaning the Hollow, a good battle…however you need to control yourself properly otherwise they're doomed." Byakuya seemed angry, though you can't usually tell with him.

"Wha…what are you talking about, sir!" I exclaimed, my voice coming out raspy and my eyes blurring.

"I can sense it, Zooi. Follow me into the forest and calm it down." He turned to the Squad who were running towards us and chatting. "Go back to headquarters and tend to any injured. I shall be with you shortly." The Squad disappeared and I was left alone with Byakuya. The fight with the Hollow had weakened me somehow, and my head was pounding – a bright white light flashed in front of me and I collapsed to the ground, clutching my head.

"Zooi?" Byakuya stared as I lay on the grass shrieking. It felt as though I was in the middle of a crossfire and my body was being shaken from side to side. Taura lay on the wet grass, gleaming from the rain. Byakuya stepped back and shouted at me, though I couldn't hear him properly.

"Calm yourself! Control it and force it back!"

"I…I can't! What do I do? What's happening to me?! Help me, please…" Byakuya stood as though he couldn't do anything, but a pale blue light gleamed beside him and the more human form of Taura appeared.

"Taura…"I breathed. "Taura, help me…what am I supposed to do? Please, it can't happen, not here and not now…please." Taura reached out and icy hand and looked forlornly at me.

"Take my hand…take it! I can calm you and help you if you come with me."