Episode 8: Welcoming

"Hueco Mundo...the realm of hollows..."

I was aghast. To think there was another dimension beyond our universe that was inhabited by these supernatural creatures. "So there must be three different worlds then?"

Fishbone D answered my question. "Not quite. There is the World of the Living, that is the one you are familiar with; then there is Soul Society, that is the place where most souls live out their afterlife and were Shinigami are spawned."

"AGH THOSE DAMN SHINIGAMI!" Grand Fisher spat on the ground symbolising his disgust.

Fishbone D continued. "Vacuums of dark space connect these three. We use a type of portal called Garganta to travel through dimensions, they use a more fancy type called a Senkaimon – looks like a set of Japanese wooden sliding doors."

An image of Mitzuki using one of those portals enters my mind.

"Now there is a place where some of the worst souls wind up and that is of course hell."

"So hell does exist?" My once cynical self is now amazed by these revelations.

"Ah! That's a lot of bullshit." Shrieker yells. "Why do we need a hell when this is our hell?"

"Please Shrieker, I once knew a hollow that used to be a notorious serial killer, even after the Shinigami purified his soul, I saw a set of chained doors open, a large sword impaled him and sent him into the flaming ruins. You of all people should be most wary of that."

Shrieker shrugged his shoulders and resumed eating.

"Where was I...Oh yes, now there was one final dimension I heard of but it is only connected to Soul Society, I think it might be their version of 'heaven'."

"Wow..." I feel enlightened at these interchangeable realms. These hollows must constantly be at war with the Shinigami trying to survive and perhaps avoid being sent to the bowels of Hell.

"So if your saying Hell exists, who's to say we won't wind up their?"

Fishbone shakes his head. "You can never truly be sure. The best thing to do for now is live each day and keep on fighting until you can evolve and become stronger."

"Evolve?"

"Yes. We are not simply restricted to our current forms. If we eat enough souls we become what they call a Menos Grande."

"Menos Grande..." I repeat to myself.

Shrieker interrupts again. "Yeah that'll take a while though..."

Fishbone seems at odds with this argumentative hollow. "I'm just trying to cheer the boy up."

Shrieker scoffs as foodstuff falls from his mouth. "He doesn't need cheering up, hollows aren't supposed to have emotions." He looks at me oddly. "What are you exactly?"

"Me? I'm a hollow right?"

Fishbone seems to side with Shrieker now. "Yeah I have to agree their was something...'different' about your reatsu."

"Sorry?"

He explains reatsu is the type of spiritual pressure all souls emit. Hollows and Shinigami have different types and each can sense each other's presence by detecting reatsu.

After a long conversation our hollow black pudding supply has been depleted. In the meantime I was introduced to the rest of the group. As well as Fishbone D, Shrieker and Grand Fisher, there was Acid Wire (he was the one who sat next to me around the fire; he had a half humanoid half snake body), Hexapodus (the other one who sat next to me and looked like a giant spider), Bulbous G (The one with the puffy mask/face), Numb Chandelier (The only female in the group; looks like an octopus – ir perhaps a set of chandeliers) and a giant centipede but I didn't quite catch his name.

Grand Fisher steps forward and christens me as a hollow. "You will be known as Banzai Benendes."

"What!" I protest. "But I already have a name...It's Steven Be-"

Grand Fisher cuts me off. "We don't care about your human name your now known as Banzai Benendes got it Sonny." He threatens me with one of his claws.

"Um...Okay." I gulp.

"Perfect!" Grand Fisher exclaims. "Now I think it's time our new member got us some souls to snack on for desert." He picks at his teeth with his large claw. "Fishbone D will go with you.

Fishbone D later explains that hollows are typically named after their appearance or ability. "Hexapodus has six legs, Bulbous G has a bulbous mask; Numb Chandelier has tentacles that droop like a – well chandelier; Acid Wire can secrete a corrosive substance, Shrieker is just plain terrifying and I have a fish-like appearance."

I try to make sense of my name. "So I look like a crazy Japanese fighter with Banana fingers?"

Fishbone cracks up laughing but I don't see the humour. "Well you're right about your banana fingers but..." He keeps laughing but tries to maintain his composure. "I'm guessing the Banzai reference might refer to your chaotic and violent reatsu."

I'm only more confused now. "Err...Okay then thanks I suppose."

"You may think you're insignificant but I could tell the others were intimidated by you – even Shrieker and Grand Fisher."

"No way!" I say loudly. "Grand Fisher looked heaps strong.

"Yes he hid his fear well but I think they all know what you're capable of. You have the potential to be a very strong hollow...I'd watch your back if I were you...if they see you as a threat they may...well let's hope not."

"Gee." I'm a bit concerned now. I thought these guys had welcomed me with open arms but now it seems even they aren't to be trusted.

"Hey don't worry about it too much...I'll make sure those guys treat you as one us." He tries to make my mind off things and we set out through the deep forest to hunt for any hollow souls.

"GRAAAOOWW." I hear the sound of a thousand beings cries throughout the forest of doom. However there is noone to be seen except for rows of swaying black trees. Their bark seems more silky though.

"We should go..." Fishbone D speaks softly and tries to hide behind a nearby trunk.

"What is it?" I say but he urges me to be quiet.

He points up toward the skies. I see white flakes dangling at the top of the trees. "Don't you see?"

"No." I whisper.

"Look closely."

I focus my vision and those white flakes seems to have facial features. They all have red beady eyes and a long pointed nose. It reminds of the mask of a hollow.

"Those guys are massive." I try and emphasise through my whispers.

"Yes they are the Menos Grande. Now come back this way." He ushers me through the scrub, trying not to make too much noise.

"I always thought you lot were more careful than to bump into me." An unfamiliar voice comes from behind us as we bump into another hollow. However something seems different about this one. His appearance in mostly humanoid, purple skin and a small mask. But why does he emit so much spiritual pressure? It is constricting my body.

Fishbone steps forward. He is also feeling the full force of this hollow's spiritual pressure. "We're sorry for entering you're territory, if you could find it in your heart to-"

Something in me – possibly instinct – took over. "Hey why are we grovelling to this guy...with our combined force we can kick his arse."

Fishbone's jaw dropped. The other hollow lowered his head and crossed his arms. "This really is pathetic...you wish to fight me...go ahead and see if you can even scratch me then."

"NO BANZAI DON'T!" Fishbone tried to restrain me but my lust for fighting took over. Besides, if I defeat this guy he might prove a worthy meal for the others.

I extended my claws. He doesn't seem to budge until the very last second when his body disappears making a strange noise. Now he stand right before my very eyes. "I always thought you hollows were more intelligent than to make such rash challenges."

"BANZAI!"

I don't have enough time to react. He impales me with his tail

"Urk." My injuries are now revived but soon I may face defeat.

"You're not even worth a snack so I will toast your body to ashes." He raises his hand and ponts toward my face. Red energy flickers around his finger and a ball forms. It resonates a loud sound and I can only imaging the destruction this thing will cause to my body and its surrounds.

"DIE FILTHY PEST!" He fires off the strange ball but I'm pushed away by someone.

Grand Fisher appears with the rest of the group of hollows rallying behind him. "We'll take our buddy back and we can forget all about this o'right?"

The other hollow does not seem afraid of the fact he is outnumbered. "Okay I'll let you guys have him...but I warn you...if you ever step foot in my territory again...You'll be Menos bait."

How can this hollow speak so confidentially in front of us? And what does he mean by 'Menos bait?'

I'm dropped to the ground once we return to camp. Grand Fisher is furious.

"To think we all had to risk our lives for you...you owe us big time sonny."

"I'm sorry I underestimated him okay." I excuse myself whilst covering my wound.

"You can never take on an Adjuchas got it?"

"Um okay." I say nervously not knowing what an Adjuchas is.

Fishbone kneels down. "I tried to tell you he was Menos class but you resorted to your instinct...if you keep resorting to instinct you'll end up like the other hollows."

I apologise and try to stand.

"Now we still don't have a meal." Grand Fisher complains.

"There were only Gillians around we wouldn't have stood a chance." Fishbone D explained.

"If Banzai hadn't been such an idiot perhaps you may have returned with something." Bulbous G contributes.

Grand Fisher strokes his fur. "I think we can arrange for Banzai and his friend to get us some souls from the human world then."

Shrieker snaps. "What! Human souls are pathetic. They should be made to bring us some Shinigami."

"You idiot. I know a place where a new Shinigami is being stationed. Let our little Banzai banana boy go up against the Shingami and we'll consider that his punishment."

"Let me go with him." Fishbone D pleads with the leader hollow.

"Fine but you must let him fight the Shinigami for experience sake. Besides...a Shinigami's soul is far more satisfyin' than a regular soul's...I should certainly know meself."

I'm in no position to argue. I was saved by these hollows twice now, I think I owed them. I just hoped this Shinigami won't be as strong as the last one I fought.

"So are we going anywhere in particular?" I ask enthusiastically.

"You two will be going to a nice little place called Karakura Town."

I've now come face to face with a Menos but my biggest challenge may soon face me...A visit to Karakura Town...What possible Shinigami awaits me there? Find out in the next chapter (though I think it's obvious!)!