Episode 16: Hunger III

Shrieker has evolved into one of the most powerful entities in Hueco Mundo - a Menos Grande...My neck aches just looking up at his head, which rises into the dark clouds of this dense forest.

He cranes his head and lowers down but still towers me. "My...my...Grand Fisher did a number on you..."

His voice...it sounds strange, like thousands of others have been superimposed onto it...

"No...This won't do at all…" He speaks monotonously, as if he has lost what made him unique. In a way I'm not only terrified of him...but what he has become – what I may become – if I reach Menos class...but it my only reason to continue to survive now. "Tut tut...you will not do at all...your already dead...you will barely satisfy my hunger...I'll leave you here to rot...the other Gillians might pick at your corpse..." And so with one large stride he abandoned me in the middle of the forest.

I bring my arm to my face and weep blood. I may have beaten Grand Fisher, but my main goal of achieving Menos has faded away...I allowed Shrieker to evolve...he doesn't even deserve it...I was supposed to become stronger...maybe I could have one day become strong enough to fight Mitzuki again and win...

I can't move...My body drains of fluid as I lay on the cold hard dirt. Nothing comforts me anymore...I wish death had taken me a long time ago...

I'm awoken form the darkness into a slightly illuminated darkness. Unfortunately I haven't quite reached heaven yet, my body still aches from the battle but I feel safe now. The smell of food soothes my pain a little and the crackling of wood suggests a warm fore nearby.

Turning my head I notice a small, cloaked person waving the palms of their hands around the flames that grant warmth. They appear soft and smooth like a woman's. She mustn't have expected me to wake up as soon as she is startled by my presence. Her hood falls away to reveal an innocent face, with flowing...GREEN HAIR!

"Sorry...I didn't mean to..."

"No it's fine..." Her voice is gentle like a mother. "Please you must rest...your injuries were so severe my healing solution will take a while to seal your wounds.

She's right to warn me...My entire body aches with injuries from not only the recent battle but from my other conflicts with Ichigo and Mitzuki. So I place my head back on the small ledge that acts as my hard pillow.

She places a warm cloth on my forehead and rubs my belly. I feel like a sick child but I'm not ashamed to be receiving such hospitality...I mean...it beats lots of other things around this drab place.

"Thank you for rescuing me." I say weakly.

"Not at all..." She say very humble. "My name's Nel Tu Odelschwanck...what's yours?"

"Banzai – oh um...I have...no name..."

The young woman chuckles and slaps me hard on the back of my head. "How ridiculous everyone has a name...now tell me yours..."

I reluctantly tell her my hollow name. "Banzai Benendes..."

"Wow that's a pretty awesome name for a hollow." She averts her gaze. "I'm just glad I managed to save you in the nick of time."

"What could you possibly mean by that?" I sit up concerned but again reopen some wounds.

"I was out hunting when I noticed a group of Gillians circling around something...I just had to see what all the commotion was..." I notice she's very talkative...typical woman... "...and it was then I noticed your idle body...I for one don't like seeing the weak targeted by bigger, stronger hollows."

"HEY!" I feel insulted. "You telling me I'm 'weak'? I had just killed another hollow."

"Well you are nowhere near the same level as a Menos...especially not in your current injured state." She reaches over to the fire and lobs me a piece of hollow meat. "Go on...you need to build up your strength...we're training tomorrow."

"Training?"

"Of course, my healing saliva should have patched you right up by then..."

I feel queasy. "Healing...saliva?"

She nods several times.

Great so her spit saved my life...I really am weak...

"You rest easy tonight...I'll keep guard." She lifts a long thin object that rested against the wall. It rattles as she takes it to her side.

A katana? Is she a Shinigami?

She notices my elevated stress levels when I see her wield the sword. "Don't worry my Banzai I'm on your side...besides this is not a Shinigami's zanpakuto..." She angles her head so I can see the distinct skull helmet which rests atop her head. "You're in safe hands with me...an Arrancar..."

Wow! I'm in the presence of an Arrancar...I should feel safe but somehow I'm terrified at her power...I'm assuming, since she's a female Arrancar, she'll be soft on my training...? Right? Let's find out in the next chapter!