Chapter 3: The Hunted

Karakura Hospital

Orihime wakes up in the evening lying in a hospital bed, confused about the events that occurred before she passed out. "How was I lifted into the air? What happened? Who brought me here?" She thinks to herself.

A voice calls out to the girl, "How are you feeling Orihime? Who did this to you?"

She looks to her bedside and finds her best friend, Tatsuki, looking at her with worry evident in her eyes. "I can't remember… did you bring me here, Tatsuki?"

Before Tatsuki can reply, Uryu makes his presence known to Orihime by stepping forward, "I found you lying on the street. After you were checked into the hospital, we were able to identify an emergency contact for you, hence why your friend is here."

Orihime nods her head, processing the new information.

Tatsuki clarifies, "You were lucky Ishida found you, Orihime, or else it would have been much more of a pain to get checked in."

Uryu follows up, adjusting his spectacles, "Indeed, my father has been very busy with patients recently, so the wait for treatment can be quite long."

Orihime nods at the boy, "What do you mean? Is your father a doctor here?"

Uryu sighs before elaborating, "That's right. Although he's not just a doctor—he's also the director of the hospital. That's why I was able to check you in without any hassle, due to my knowing who you our as we are both member of the sewing club."

Just then, Uryu's eyes widen as he shouts, "Get back!" and tackles Tatsuki, pushing them both away from Orihime as a giant hand comes out of seemingly nowhere and crushes the ground where Tatsuki just sat. Both Orihime and Tatsuki are confused and horrified that the ground was suddenly crushed for no reason, and Tatsuki demands that Uryu explain what's happening.

Uryu snaps at the girl, "There's no time! Grab Orihime and run!"

Uryu activates his Quincy cross and fires some shots at the now fully emerged Acidwire, keeping him away from the girls. As Tatauki picks up Orihime and turns to leave the room, all three are being crushed under this separate pressure that has emerged. Blocking the exit with its huge size and taking up nearly half of the room alone, stands a dragon Adjucha-class Hollow.

Karakura Town

Rukia stands atop a tall building in the middle of Karakura Town. The white light of the moon is the only thing illuminating her features, which appear particularly tense now. A gate, known as the Senkaimon, opens across from where she stands. Out of the gate step many Shinigami whom she is well-accustomed to, including the joint third seats of Squad 13, Sentaro Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu, who are fighting for Captain Ukitake's attention as usual. They stop their fighting once the captain himself steps through the portal, wearing a particularly solemn expression as he approaches Rukia. Rukia greets the man, which he returns, giving her a faint smile before addressing why they have come.

"As I told you earlier, most of squad 13 will be working in Karakura Town for the foreseeable future. This is due to an exceedingly troubling Gillian that was spotted recently which posed a challenge for Captain Zaraki and could talk."

Shock is evident on Rukia's face, so the man pauses before continuing, "Additionally, Squad 11 and their captain will aid us in hunting the hollow down."

Rukia looks like she wants to ask more about it but seemingly decides not to, simply stating, "I understand Captain".

Ukitake takes note of Rukia's troubled expression, prompting him to inquire about it. "You look troubled, Rukia. Is there anything you'd like to get off your chest? We can go somewhere private if you'd like."

Rukia nods, "That won't be necessary, sir. I just want to know, have you ever heard of the Qui—"

Rukia's words are cut off, however, as the whole squad feels massive, captain-level reiatsu in the distance.

Ukitake starts to issue orders, "We'll have to discuss this later, Kuchiki. For now, you're to follow my lead. The rest of you spread out through town and ensure the safety of the residents!"

The squad cries out in unison before dispersing, "Yes captain!"

Ukitake rushes off towards the source of the reiatsu with Rukia, giving her an ominous warning, "This is not a Shinigami's reaistu… it's a Hollow's. Be careful Kuchiki…"

Rukia merely nods, adopting a concerned expression, as she continues to follow her captain.

The World of the Living

In a neighboring city to Karakura, Kenpachi and his squad sense the spiritual energy as well. Before anyone can ask what his orders are, Kenpachi, with Yachiru on his back, is sprinting towards the source with a twisted smile on his face.

Ikkaku declares, "Follow the captain! This should be a good fight!"

All of Squad 11 barrels through the streets, following their captain.

Karakura Hospital

Back at the hospital, White observes the three humans in front of it, taking great interest in the two girls shaking in fear and confusion. "They seem familiar."

As White is observing the girls, Acidwire rushes towards them, extending his hand to grab them. Uryu intervenes by shooting another volley of arrows at the large serpent, which causes it to wince in pain. This takes White out of his thoughts; the scene of his ally being assaulted angering him greatly. Before Uryu can make another move, he is impaled on one of White's horns. The Hollow then quickly discards the incapacitated Quincy, sending him barreling into the corner of the room with a sudden tilt of his head. The girls gasp as Uryu is suddenly bleeding out behind them, unable to move. Orihime starts to see outlines of the beings before her, becoming even more terrified. Tatsuki, on the other hand, finally faints from the sheer amount of pressure the dragon Hollow is exerting.

Now without interruption, Acidwire moves towards Orihime, pushing his hand through her body, killing her temporarily by separating her soul from it. This scene doesn't sit right with White, but he voices nothing, choosing instead to observe what happens next. Orihime, seeing her body laid out in front of her and fully taking in the scene of the Hollows before her, begins to scream in panic and confusion.

In a tone that is almost yelling, Acidwire addresses Orihime, "Calm yourself! Now we can be together again!"

Orihime screeches, "I don't know what you're talking about, what are you?!"

Acidwire tilts his head down slightly, saddened at the reminder that his new body is no longer recognizable as his past self.

After a moment, the serpent asks, "Have you forgotten about me, dear sister?"

This causes a shocked expression to cover Orihime's face as she hesitantly asks for confirmation, "Sora?"

Seeing as he has now been recognized, Sora explains, "I was so happy for the first few years after I died, because you never failed to pray to me every day. But once you met that girl…" Acidwire points to Tatsuki's unconscious body "…you had prayed for me less and less often. And then, after you met Kurosaki, you forgot about me altogether. It hurt me, dear sister, that you would only ever talk about Kurosaki when praying to me. You love him more than me!"

Orihime tries to explain, in a desperate tone, "That was never my intention! I never wanted to hurt you brother!"

This prompts Acidwire to ask, with a hint of hope in his voice, "Then you'll come with me, away from these interlopers?" He gestures to Uryu and Tatsuki.

Orihime expresses concern over her friends and tells the Hollow, "I can't go with you after you hurt them like that. My brother was too kind, he'd never do this!"

This causes Acidwire to go into a rage, grabbing Orihime and crushing her as he roars at her, "YOU ARE THE REASON I'M LIKE THIS ORIHIME! YOU HAVE TO COME WITH ME OR I'LL—." "You'll what?"

Acidwire feels an immense amount of bloodlust coming from White, who is supposed to be his companion.

"Drop the girl." the dragon snarls coldly, causing the serpent to flinch. "NOW!"

This causes Acidwire to let go of Orihime, who is gasping for breath on the floor.

White, pissed off, now yells at Acidwire, "I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU WERE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER HOLLOWS! YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T THE TYPE TO ATTACK DEFENSELESS HUMANS, YET HERE YOU ARE DOING SO TO YOUR OWN KIN!"

Acidwire begins to honestly contemplate his actions as all his survival instincts are preventing him from lashing out at White. "How could I do this to my own sister? What have I become?!" The hollow begins to roar in anguish and shame. White swears he saw the hollow hole on Acidwire's chest grow slightly as he does this, as if his pit of loneliness has increased due to his actions.

Just then, two Shinigami appear in front of the windows of the room—Rukia and Ukitake.

White, recognizing one of them as a captain, glares at Acidwire, "Get your ass out of here! You'll only be deadweight against them… we'll resume this conversation later."

Acidwire nods quietly in shame as he opens a Garganta to retreat. This prompts Rukia to try and cut off the hollow's escape, but Ukitake stops her.

"The Hollow we're interested in doesn't seem to be retreating, let the weaker one go."

White commends the captain, "Good call stopping your subordinate. I'm sure I would've killed her should she have made a move on my friend there."

Ukitake scoffs at the idea of Hollows helping each other but pauses as he recalls what word Kenpachi told them the Gillian said: "Protect." This causes Ukitake to regard this Hollow more seriously, unsheathing his blade.

"Kuchiki, stand back. This is the Hollow we're after."

Rukia does as ordered while Ukitake cautiously approaches the Hollow, "Tell me, hollow, do you have a name?"

Now it is the Hollow's turn to scoff as it declares, "I thought you Shinigami would've attacked me by now… you can call me White, by the way."

Ukitake, genuinely surprised the Hollow has a name, states, "I was just trying to buy time. I'd prefer to initiate battle where humans are not at risk of being harmed. But you are a special case, so sacrificing a few human lives to take you down is not completely off the table."

The Hollow chuckles, "And here I thought all Shinigami were only bloodthirsty murderers, like that one I fought before. I'm happy that isn't completely true. I'm also fine fighting outside."

The dragon exits the building via use of Sonido, a high-speed hollow technique.

Ukitake is shocked but regains his composure as he addresses Rukia, "Tend to the humans here. I'll deal with this Hollow myself."

Ukitake then uses flash step to chase after the hollow.

Once outside, White and Ukitake are about to initiate battle, when suddenly Kenpachi barrels into the dragon, sending it flying into the woods on the outskirts of Karakura as he flies after it. Ukitake is stunned by the sudden intervention and sighs as he can sense the members of Squad 11 following after them. "I've got to make sure Zaraki doesn't let that Hollow escape this time." The captain then Flash Steps away after them.

Karakura Hospital

Rukia approaches Orihime, pulling on a glove which she uses to rejoin the girl's soul to her body. Before Rukia can do anything else, Orihime blurts out questions, "Who are you samurai people?! Do you know what's wrong with my brother? Who was that dragon—"

Orihime stops talking as Rukia places a finger on the girl's mouth to be quiet. The Raven-haired woman lets out a sigh, "I suppose that means you can see us, then. I'll tend to your friend."

Rukia walks around Orihime to check Tatsuki's pulse, confirming she is still alive.

Orihime gives an alarmed look, "You should check Uryu instead! It looks like he was hurt bad!"

As Rukia is about to turn to go help the boy, a voice stops her, "That won't be necessary."

A bi-speckled man with white hair walks into the room, wearing a calm and collected expression despite the current events. He walks over to Uryu and with a flash of bright blue light brings the teen's consciousness back momentarily.

"I warned you against this before, boy, but it seems you've ignored me once again."

Uryu growls at the man who is his father, "I'll never regret defending the people of this city from Hollows. I will do so for as long as I breathe, on the honor of the Quincy!"

Ryuken quietly adjusts his glasses, maintaining a neutral expression, "That won't be for very much longer, foolish boy!"

Uryu doesn't respond as his vision becomes clouded. The boy begins to feel uneasy as the Hollow reiatsu from White begins to assault him.

Rukia, clearly confused asks, "What's happening to him?!"

Just then, the shady man in hat and clogs walks into the room, prompting Rukia to let out a gasp, "Shopkeeper?! Why are you here?"

The man ignores her and addresses the topic of Uryu, "Quick Ryuken, take him to my shop! We can better stabilize him there!"

This prompts the white-haired man to grab his son and vanish away with Hirenkyaku, a high-speed Quincy technique.

The man in the hat regards Rukia, "Follow Yoruichi to my shop after tending to the two girls… you should bring them with you. I sense potential in them."

Rukia wants to question him about this but is unable to as he disappears using a high-speed ability, leaving only a small Black Cat with them.

The cat speaks in a masculine voice, "I am Yoruichi. You can carry that other girl there and follow me."

Rukia does so, seeing no harm in it if the safety of humans is the priority. Ukitake's orders were to tend to the humans, he didn't say how. She walks over to the larger girl and lifts her over her back.

Yoruichi continues, "Good, now follow me uh… what was your name?"

Orihime responds to the cat's gaze, "Orihime Inoue, it's a pleasure to meet you Yoruichi."

She pets Yoruichi on the head which causes the cat to purr.

Once Orihime finishes petting the cat, Yoruichi raises their voice, "Now, you two should follow me. Time is of the essence!"

The cat then vanishes using a highspeed technique. Rukia asks Orihime to grab her hand as they follow suite, vanishing from the scene.

Karakura Outskirts

In the woods of Karakura, a scarred man with a white coat and a pink-haired girl on his back and a dragon with forward-facing horns and a long orange mane are standing off against each other.

"I've become stronger since the last time we met, Shinigami." White states matter-of-factly.

This causes Kenpachi to raise a brow before recognizing the markings on the Adjucha's mask, which causes him to cackle. "It looks like you have, Gillian!"

Yachiru corrects her companion, "Kenny that's not right, he's an Adjucha now!"

"Oh right, then what should I call him then?" He looks up at the small girl, genuinely curious.

"Well, we should ask him, shouldn't we? Hey hollow, what should we call you?!"

The Hollow blinks at the interactions between the two and would be sweat dropping if its face weren't covered by a mask. "Uh, you can call me White."

Yachiru smiles and thanks the Adjucha before addressing her partner once more, "See Kenny, we can call him Whitey now!"

The dragon would be sweat dropping even further "It's White, not Whitey… isn't this supposed to be a fight?"

Kenpachi turns his attention back to the Hollow, "Yachiru, stand back. This should be messy!"

As Yachiru hops off Kenpachi's back, he grins maniacally before he quickly draws his sword and attacks the hollow with a downward swing. White parries the strike with one of his horns and scrapes a gash across Kenpachi's chest, sending him back by the sheer force of the attack. It's now White's turn to take the offensive as he charges Kenpachi, impaling his right and left shoulders with both horns before he had a chance to regain his bearings, and blasts him with a cero charged between its horns at point blank range. The force of the blast blows White back slightly and Kenpachi's scorching body rolls across the ground, halting when it hits a tree. The battle isn't over; however, as Kenpachi gets back up and starts to laugh hysterically.

"YES! NOW THIS IS A CHALLENGE!" Kenpachi states as he removes his eyepatch.

White is about to leap at the captain again but finds himself unable to move as the raw amount of reiatsu from Kenpachi freezes him in place—his instincts for the first time ever screaming at him to leave or else he will die.

Kenpachi taunts the dragon, "What's the matter Hollow, don't tell me you're done when the real battle has just been started?"

By this point Squad 11 has encircled the area where Kenpachi and White are battling, Ukitake being there as well.

Kenpachi looks around in both directions, clicking his tongue, "Looks like you can't run Hollow, so might as well fight me to the death—it'll be fun!"

Kenpachi once more charges towards White, who tries to parry the strike with his claws, but it is no use as the madman cleaves right through the dragon's arm, sending a shockwave across the ground by the sheer force of it. White bats Kenpachi to the side with its wing and sends it's tail darting at the man's chest. This causes minor internal bleeding on Kenpachi but will not stop his assault as he grabs the dragon's tail, swinging it around, taking down trees in its wake, and slamming it into the ground. The dragon gets up again, wobbling to keep itself upright as it blasts Kenpachi with yet another Cero. Kenpachi tanks this, coming out of the Cero and sends another slash that the dragon tries to dodge but takes across the side, but not before managing to get one last slash in on the maniacal captain. At this point, White is struggling to stand while Kenpachi isn't even panting.

"Is that really all you got? What a shame, I thought this would be more fun." Kenpachi states, realizing the Adjucha won't last much longer.

Ukitake approaches, "Finish this quickly, Captain Zaraki. We need to report back to the Soul Society."

This earns a sigh of disappointment from Zaraki, "Looks like this is the end of the road for you, White. Can't say it hasn't been fun." Kenpachi starts to raise his sword for a killing blow.

White's mind starts racing, as it stares death in the face, "No! I refuse to die here! I must help Sora resolve things with his sister! Sisters… that's right, I have sisters too." Flashes of young girls, one with jet-black hair and another with dirty blond-hair flash across his mind. "I have to see them again! I can't die here—I won't!"

White begins to roar as its reiatsu spikes to levels higher than even Kenpachi's, charging a cero nearly the size of a building between its horns.

"Zaraki, get back!" Ukitake yells before uttering the command, "All Waves, Rise now and Become my Shield, Lightning, Strike now and Become my Blade; Sogyo No Kotowari!"

This causes Ukitake's sword to become two swords with a rope connecting them with talismans hanging on it. As White releases the Cero, Ukitake jumps in front of Kenpachi pointing one of the swords towards the blast and the other to the sky. The blast is absorbed by the one sword and the talismans light up as it is transmitted through the rope to the other sword, sending the blast instead to the sky away from the Town. By the time any of the Shinigami register what just happened, White is escaping through the Garaganta.

The Hollow growls at them, "Your kind hunt us as it is now, but heed my words Shinigami: When next we meet, YOU will be the Hunted!"

The Garganta closes, leaving the Shinigami to think about what just transpired.

"Sir Genryusai will not be happy about this…", Ukitake states simply.

Kurosaki Clinic

Outside the Kurosaki Clinic, Isshin senses what has transpired in the city and sighs, "Now that the girls are sleeping, it's time to see an old friend…"

He begins walking down the street towards an odd, run-down shop, but unbeknownst to him, he is being followed by his daughter Karin, who in fact was only pretending to be asleep in hopes of being able to talk to her father privately without Yuzu listening in.

"Time to find out a little more about these shady friends he never told us about.", Karin thinks to herself as she follows her father stealthily.