"Welcome my dear Espada." Aizen had arrived and begun the meeting.
He sat at the front of the long table his smug shit eating smirk plastered on his face. The rest of the Espada were calm, almost statuesque with only Szayel sharing a smile.
Grimmjow was the first to realize Nnoitira was missing (his wide pearly white smirk was hard to miss). Grimmjow smiled. So, that was the result of his fight. Oh, what he would have done to watch that fight, maybe even join in. The arrogant freak should have got what was coming to him years ago.
Wait.
If he had been killed then who exactly did it…
Inoue's face flashed through his mind, her hungry look sending ripples of fear through him. All of that quickly melted into guilt. Grimmjow snarled and clenched his teeth. Even if I gave a shit there's nothing I can do for her. He sneaked a look at Aizen, his smile unchanging. Bastard.
Zommori was the first to break the silence. "We are missing a member."
"Yes, where is Nnoitira?" Starrk replied in return. Unlike most of the Espada, Starrk actually gave a damn about him… But only a little.
Aizen kept his face in the very same smiling mask like visage he always had. Grimmjow thought he saw a glimmer of excitement in Aizen's eyes but it was gone just as soon as it appeared.
"I'm afraid Gilga-san will be unable to join us today. He has been replaced."
It was if a hornets nest has been kicked with the all the murmuring and uptick in noise. Starrk looked shocked and lost for words, yelling at Aizen "Who did you replace him with?". Barragon said "Good riddance, I never trusted that insect." Tier, Zommori and Ulquiorra were completely silent and unresponsive, though the tanned women did show some surprise in her stoic features. Szayel laughed and asked who replaced him. Aaronnerio didn't have a face so Grimmjow couldn't possibly tell what it was thinking, but judging from the rapid breathing it was probably thinking of snagging the corpse.
"Enough." Aizen raised his hand and reiatsu. There was silence.
"We have a new member. I suggest you welcome your newest comrade…"
Barragon slammed his fists on the table, the obivious sign of his displeasure. "Get on with it already boss! Who is he?"
Barragon looked like he immediately regretted speaking out of line, considering how he slumped back into his chair. But instead of showing any flicker of disapproval, Aizen looked…
Excited?
Fuck, why is he so happy? Grimmjow was starting to get concerned. Aizen was never this excited to announce a new member. What could it…
"She is someone you all have met." Aizen coughed into his fist. "Inoue-san, you can come in now."
Grimmjow's heart skipped a beat. He turned his head towards the door and for the first time noticed someone's reiatsu behind it.
The door opened and the girl came in.
She looked exactly like how Grimmjow had seen in the dunes. Her ripped clothes showing off her curvaceous body, her viper like eyes, her fiery shortened hair... It was all the same.
That smile is different though. Unlike the predatory smirk she had shown him, this one was bubbly, cheerful, so human. She sat across from Szayel, and put her legs on the table.
"Hello my fellow Espada! I'm happy to meet all of you!" She bowed her head exposing a hearty amount of pale cleavage. She briefly flashed the same grin in the dunes and winked at Grimmjow.
Grimmjow blushed. He could tell by looking at her pleased look she was doing all just to fuck with him. What does she want, damn it, I'm not interested! If she comes near me, I'll split her in half.
She must have been raising her reiatsu because he starting shaking uncontrollably. Or maybe it was the fear. Great, that bitch is making me look weak and I can't do shit to stop her!
He decided to look at his fellow espada's reactions. Szayel was twitching excitedly, his smile so wide it looked like he was about to split all his teeth in two. Starrk and Tier looked utterly appalled at what Aizen had done, glaring at him but not responding. Barragon, Zommori and Ulquiorra looked indifferent. And once again Aaroniero didn't have a face so Grimmjow couldn't read him.
"All right. Now that we have all had the proper orientation to your new member, let's get back to the matter at hand."
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Outside Las Noches
The whirlwind of sand made an annoying sound. It must have been the cherry on top to this pain in the ass fight. Ichigo fired a Getsuga Tensho at Runuganga cutting him in half. However, that made it just simply split in two separate creatures. Uryu had fired at least a thousand arrows into it, turning the beast into simple grains, but it just reformed itself back to its original body.
"I shall not allow you into Las Noches! I stake my soul on it!"
Shit! How the hell are we supposed to kill it? He turned to the child slobbering and laughing on his back. "Nel does he have any weaknesses?"
"Water Itsygo, water! Runuganga can't stand water! Roooooom..."
"Nel this is no time to pretend to be a plane!" But Nel seemed to be off in her own little world, holding her arms straight at her sides.
Ichigo held in his annoyance at Nel. We're in the middle of a desert. Where the fuck are we supposed to get water?
"Tsugi no mai, Hakuren." An all too familiar voice whispered into the air.
The titan of sand briefly turned his head towards the maelstrom of pure white air approaching him. The cloud of frost froze him before he could even blink. Before he finally crumbled into the wind, Ichigo thought he saw a look of shock on his face.
Out of the mist came two Shinigami, a red headed man and a raven haired woman. Ichigo was baffled. "What the hell are you doing here Rukia? You were-
"Forbidden?" Rukia rounded on him. "You're an idiot Ichigo! You'd think I'd leave Orihime here? My orders aren't as important as that!"
No I guess not. Ichigo smiled. "How did you get here anyway?"
"Captain left the Senkeimon open." Renji answered for Rukia, his face as stoic as Byakyua. "Just so you know we could lose our jobs, or even our lives for disobeying the Captain Commander's orders." Renji threw a wicked smirk. "The Eleventh in me still thinks some orders are bullshit."
Ichigo hadn't appreciated them more then that moment. If they were willing to risk losing everything, including their lives to save Orihime… Then that just showed how deep their bonds had reached.
"Hey Ichigo. What's that Hollow doing hiding behind you?"
Ichigo realized that for the first time, Nel was completely silent. He in. She was acting more shy than usual." Oh! This is Nel. She's our guide to Las Noches."
Renj and Rukia looked at each other for a second and then back at Nel. Renji looked nonplussed. "You sure about this Ichigo? She's just a kid. And a hollow."
Rukia was a lot less aggressive. "Hi Nel, my name is Kuchiki Rukia. It's a pleasure to meet you." She held out her hand for Nel
Instead of greeting her back, Nel hissed, and jumped in front of Ichigo.
"Nel doesn't like You! What's your Relationship with Itsygo!"
Rukia looked completely confused. My relationship with… Ichigo? Surely, she didn't mean-
Are you a massokist? Do you hit Itsygo's butt! Do you tackle him to ground and make sweet…" Nel started crying, her softball sized tears creating a small river beneath her feet.
Ichigo was dumbstruck. He decided that he would murder Pesche and Dondochokka for talking about these things in front of Nel.
"Nel! Why are you talking about that!"
"Nel can't compete with Rukia's lussius curves!" Ichigo ignored the unfortunate implication and realized that he didn't see Rukia's reaction.
He was very afraid. He very slowly inclined his head up. Rukia's face seemed stuck in a state of shock, her mouth wide open and her eyes wide like mouth. She briefly closed her eyes and raised her hand into a fist, looking at Ichigo with fury, her blush in place.
"Wait Rukia!"
"Ichigo!" Rukia punched Ichigo in the face.
"Ahhh! Damn it Rukia, I didn't tell her that!"
"I know!"
"THEN WHY THE HELL DID YOU HIT ME!"
They argued like that for a while until Chad and Uryu broke it up. Reminding them of the task at hand, they calmed down and continued on to save their lost friend.
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Outside Tres Cifras
His Abeulo once told him that to use his fists for rage was ultimately self destructive. He hadn't listened till he saw his grandfather's true resolve.
After that Chad never imagined he'd ever use his fists for anything. Then again, he didn't imagine that heaven was Japanese or Hell was Spanish.
He could feel the heat of sand through the soles of his shoes in despite the wan sun above. The sky reminded him of Mexico. Even the masks of the hollows reminded him of Dia De Muertos, the day of the dead… Though these spirits seemed a much more evil, twisted affair, then the ghosts they celebrated.
He was getting suspicious of the calmness surrounding him. Gantenbainne warned him about the true Espada, yet they had yet to show themselves. Chad wondered if perhaps they were waiting for them somewhere inside. Or perhaps Aizen had told them to wait? If so why?
Chad tried feeling for any reiatsu being hidden from him. He felt a few Arrancars but couldn't place where exactly they were. Frowning, he closed his eyes and focused as hard as he could, but the only result this time was unintentionally picking up his Nakama.
He could feel Ichigo winning a fight against some Arrancar. He couldn't feel Uryu but he could feel Renji, and his Reiastu seemed muffled somehow. As for Rukia…
…Her reiastu was fading fast!
Rukia, I'm coming. Hang on!
Chad ran towards her location, going as fast as he can using his newfound speed. He ran and ran for what seemed like hours till he reached the ridged frost covered cube like structure containing Rukia's energy. He used his right arm to bust open the door.
He felt a large chill, his breath visible in the enormous room. For a moment, he was blinded by the light reflecting off the black ice, and nearly slipped on the floor below him. He covered his eyes with his left hand, fumbling around as fast as he could. He made it to a room that didn't impair his sight closing the door behind him.
It was a hallway, frozen solid with Icicles on the stealing. Chad was amazed by the power of Rukia's Zanpakuto. Maybe she should start making ice sculptures…
Chad heard a deep voice coming from a few rooms over. He quickly lowered his Reiatsu and listened.
"…The last of the original Espada. What a pathetic end you have come to. Death by a Shinigami. At the very least, I can finish what you started."
Chad threw caution to the wind and charged in. There a dark skinned man in a white uniform had a blade at the neck of the bloody unconscious Rukia, drawing a thin line of blood. Enraged Chad ran and drew his fist to punch the hollow-
The hollow vanished from Chad's field of vision. Chad didn't have time to be confused. He blocked the incoming slash on his back with his arm of the giant, barely receiving a bruise.
The Arrancar inclined his head towards Chad, a look of interest and vague confusion on his emotionless face. "Hmm, you're her comrade aren't you? One of the invaders perhaps?" Zommari disappeared again, this time succeeding in creating a superficial cut on his chest.
"You're a human. I'm sure of that… But there's something hollow like about you. I've never encountered one such as you." Chad saw two of his foes in his peripheral vision, ready to stab him in the sides of his chest. He blocked both blades with his arms, an inch of steel embedding in the biceps.
"I never thought I'd meet a human this strong. You are meant to be food, not to be fought with." Chad realized that the two were clones of the same enemy. He vanished again. Appearing in front of him, the dark skinned hollow bowed his head, and pressed his hands together like in prayer.
"I suppose I'd should introduce myself in the Shinigami manner. I am Zommari Leroux, Espada number seven of Lord Aizen's army. May you give your name now?"
Chad simply glared at Zommari, refusing to give the creature the courtesy.
"Hmm, are you unable to speak? Or are you being defiant?"
"Those clones. Were they a movement technique? Like a Shinigami?" Chad finally responded.
The hollows yellow eyes lit up. "I never expected such an astute observation from a human. I would have thought that you would think it was magic."
The hollow vanished once again, and came at Chad. Chad glanced and froze in shock. There were now at least five clones surrounding him. The three of them slashed above his knee, under his left pectoral, and below his belly button. Chad acted fast using his devil arm to punch through one of the quintuplets and make an opening.
Chad went down on one knee, breathing heavily. Not since that crossdressing captain had he fought to this point. He glanced at Rukia. I can't fight with her in here.
Zommari made a move to impale Chad, but Chad disappeared before he could. Zommari eyes went wide and he heard a crash behind him. There was a hole where the Shinigami had been.
Zommari raised his brow. For a moment the human's speed was better than his own. Hmm, must have been pure luck. Even so he never expected a human to be this strong…
He used perquisa to locate the human. He was already far enough away to warrant the use of Sonido but Zommari wouldn't give this insolent bug the privilege.
He sheathed his sword and jumped down the hole. He calmly walked through similar ice covered hallways before he made it to a medium sized five sided room filled with frost covered clothes, jewelry, and other apparel. In the middle stood Chad.
"Where's the Shingami?" The eighth Esapda inquired, still stoic but curious. "She's doomed. After I kill you I'll find her and she will join you in death."
Chad smiled and cracked his knuckles.
"Ahhh, you were holding back because of your comrade. Well, human it will be a thousand years before you could ever hold a candle-
WHOOSH. Chad disappeared.
Next thing Zommari knew he had the wind knocked out of him. He could feel intense pressure breaking several ribs, all coming from a white fist. Zommori was dumbstruck. For a moment, he had slipped through his perquisa.
The human kept punching him, his hierro protecting him from being broken in half. Enraged the hollow gritted his teeth and used Gemelos Sonidio again. However, Chad was quicker, taking out all five of them without having to dodge or block. His speed was incredible.
The final punch broke Zommari's neck, the shockwaves sending him flying through three walls, before seemingly splattering across the fourth one.
"You shouldn't have threatened my friends." Chad stopped to catch his breath. It had taken Chad all he had to just keep up with it. Chad walked away hoping to get Rukia out of here. He had a cursory knowledge of first aid but other than that he would need serious help.
CRACK.
Chad froze. He heard severe hacking, and gasping coming from behind him. Then a scream of rage.
"AHHHHHH, HUMAN! HOW DARE YOU TEST MY STRENGTH!" His sword was floating in midair and his palms were together. "I'll devour you piece by piece, and scatter the dust of your bones to the wind! Suppress, Brujeria!"
His sword folded along with his neck, before his entire form disappeared into thick white smoke, The smoke then turned into a slimy liquid, falling to the floor and revealing the abomination beneath.
Chad was reminded of a Temari ball, all bright and colorful. Except Temari balls weren't made of flesh and covered in yellow eyes.
The hollow had regained his composure. "I see you have frozen in fear. That is the natural way of the world. Everything has a master that governs and control's their destiny. The masses are governed by their king and the king by Gods. The clouds are enslaved to the will of the winds. The moonlight is nothing without the light of the sun." The hollow pointed the palm of his hand at Chad. "And so it is over hollows and humans."
The eye pulsated and the pupil grew as large as a dinnerplate. Chad was wondering what was happening when Zommori waved him over. Or rather his arm over.
Chad stared at his arm in shock. There was some kind of black flower like mark tattooed on his devil arm. But wasn't what worried him. He wasn't doing anything but his arm was outstretched at Zommouri, almost to the point of dislocation.
"Do you understand now human? I've taken sovereignty over your arm."
Chad panicked and grabbed his arm. He didn't know the extent of the monsters powers, but he couldn't let him take control. He wondered if the hollow had the same power over broken and paralyzed limbs. Chad wasn't sure but he had to chance it.
"UHHHHHHHHHHH!" Chad ripped the arm out of its socket without ripping it off. It hurt but his hunch was correct.
But how could he fight if he couldn't use his arms?
"Just like an animal to bite off its owned limbs after being trapped."
Chad ran out of the room. The hollow was too damn strong. If he had stayed in there he would have died for certain. He looked behind and gasped.
Like a blue comet, El Directo was following him. Chad hid behind the wall, huffing heavily. El Directo didn't follow him but went straight down the hallway, busting a hole as tall as a basketball hoop in the air.
How could he had been so stupid? He had charged in without thinking, using his strength arrogantly. The truth was it had taken Chad everything he had just to bridge the distance between their powers in his unreleased form. He didn't even have to try to kill him. All he had to do was blink and watch him desperately try to struggle against his own body, and have him take himself out.
Chad got ahold of himself. He had to use his wits to get through this.
He knew that the bastard didn't have any blind spots, and could take over anything living. But judging from the distraction from El Directo, he couldn't see through walls.
His arrogance was another factor. If he had gone full out, Chad would have died immediately and Rukia wouldn't be far behind.
Chad clenched a bit of wall, and started to pray for a plan.
.
.
.
A minute passed.
Then two.
Then five.
Then ten.
Then fifteen.
How long was he going to have to wait? The human wasn't smart enough to come up with a plan, so where was he?
Maybe he had ran away. If that was true, then it was a futile act.
"How long are you going to keep me waiting?" Silence answered him.
Irritated, he clapped his hands together and got a fix on his spiritual pressure. The fool was only a meter away.
"So be it. If you are too busy cowering in fear, then I'll come to you."
The dark skinned hollow hopped and rolled towards the hallway. As he neared his enemy's located, a sudden mist moved with the wind. It was knee length and was slowly rising. Zommori was perplexed for a moment but regained focus. If the human thought he could scare him with some odd trick…
Eventually the mist covered the entire hallway, blinding Zommori from seeing anything within three feet of himself.
"I have a question for you hollow. Does it rain in Hueco Mundo?"
The acoustics of the room prevented Zommari from ascertaining the intruders location. His Reiatsu was gone as well. How was that possible?
"I'm guessing not. You don't seem to be very educated in the ways of the world. If so you would have known you were at a disadvantage."
Zommari growled. "Show yourself. Fight me head on!"
Chad chuckled.
"Hold your insolent tongue!" Zommari focused his energy on pinpointing the source of his voice.
Suddenly he heard a crash behind him. Before Zommari could defend himself, he felt six of his eyes explode. An intense cold burned his wounds. He looked down and saw a pile of ice and rock peddles at his feet.
YUHAAAAAA! Zommari bounced towards the location, incensed at his injuries. As he sped towards the location, twelve more eyes were destroyed by the rocks. What Zommari didn't know was that Chad had used his Reiastu to heat up the ice, and create vapor. Chad had realized that when he focused his Reiatsu on his palms, it combined with his natural body heat, and melted the ice.
And the reason why Chad's Reiastu was gone, was because he was using his own natural speed and strength, created by his training with Renji. His skills at baseball didn't hurt either. Many people thought that he was stupid but he remembered everything his teacher's taught him from his Abuelo to Ochi-Sensei. They probably thought the same about Orihime.
The only problems that the vapor would only last for so long before dissipating in the air. And Chad couldn't get too close before being seen…
"Enough! Show yourself human!" The hollow raised his Reiastu and the vapor was blown away.
Shit! Chad could only think of one card he had left to play. He pointed his fist back and fired an El Directo, bringing the sunlight in, and briefly blinding Zommari's many eyes,
Chad couldn't waste any time. He quickly put as much energy as he could into his remaining arm, and ran full force at the Hollow. Zommari got his vision back to see that Chad's shield like arm was only two inches away from him.
Zommari panicked and rolled himself up into a ball. It wasn't enough to avoid the rage of the hollow like human.
Chad elbow checked into the skull in the middle of the ball, breaking through the shield of flesh and bone, and into Zommari's neck. The concussive force ripped the ball apart, splattering blood and viscera everywhere. Zommari's head threw into the air, his last thoughts being of confusion and shame, as reflected in his eight dying eyes.
It's over… I won.
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Woohoo! Chad's a badass again! I've been really excited to write this fight for about three chapters now! Very Jojo esque don't you agree?
And don't worry, Rukia will have tons of badass moments! I hope this chapter came out good. It's longer than usual.
Thank you for everybody who reviewed and loves my stories! I hope you'll have as much fun as I did writing them! Without you guys, I am nothing.
See you next chapter… Or next story. (;